About Us
The Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Holy Virgin is a place of spiritual growth and fellowship for the people of Panama. Our website offers a variety of content, including news, articles, photos, and videos. We also have a forum for discussion of faith, as well as personal user areas, a calendar of events, and a schedule of services. Dive into our church life.
We are located: C. Arboleda, Panama, Province of Panama
Our mission
The Church plays a multifaceted and profound role in human life, going far beyond religious rituals. Its significance is manifested on several levels:
Spiritual Core and Meaning of Life
Encounter with God: The Church offers a path of personal relationship with God through prayer, sacraments (especially Confession and Communion), reading the Holy Scriptures and patristic writings. This provides answers to the main existential questions: "Who am I?", "Why do I live?", "What will happen after death?". Salvation of the soul: The central goal of the Church is the salvation of man, his healing from sin and spiritual transformation ("deification") through unity with Christ. This gives life a higher meaning and direction. Moral Compass: The Church preserves and transmits eternal moral truths based on the Gospel and patristic tradition. It helps to distinguish good from evil, to form conscience, to resist the temptations of the modern world.
Community and Belonging (Cathedral)
Unity in Christ: The Church is the "Body of Christ", where believers are united with each other and with Christ through the sacraments. This is overcoming loneliness and finding a true spiritual family. Support and Love: The parish community becomes a place of mutual assistance, support in difficulties (illness, sorrow, crises) and shared joy during holidays. Here they learn Christian love in practice. Continuity of generations: The Church connects a person with the centuries-old tradition of faith, with the experience of saints and ancestors. This gives a feeling of being rooted in history and culture.
Sacraments: Graceful Power for the Path of Life
Sources of Grace: The Sacraments of the Church are not symbolic rites, but real encounters with God's grace that transforms a person: Baptism: Entry into the Church, cleansing from original sin. Chrismation: Granting the gifts of the Holy Spirit for life in Christ. Confession: Healing of the soul through repentance and forgiveness of sins. Communion (Eucharist): The pinnacle of spiritual life is union with Christ, nourishment of the soul. Unction (Anointing): Healing of the soul and body in illness. Marriage (Wedding): Sanctification of the family, granting grace for a common path. Priesthood: Grace for pastoral ministry. Sanctification of all stages of life: From birth (Baptism) to death (funeral service) and commemoration - the Church accompanies a person, sanctifying key moments.
Personality Development and Education
Spiritual growth: The Church offers the path of asceticism (spiritual work), struggle with passions, development of virtues (faith, hope, love, humility, patience, etc.). This is the path to becoming a mature, integral personality. Sunday schools and catechesis: Teaching the basics of faith, Holy Scripture, church history, traditions. Family values: The Church affirms the sanctity of the family, chastity, respect for parents, and fosters responsibility for others.
Comfort, Hope and Overcoming Difficulties
Help in sorrows: Faith in God's Providence, prayer, support of the community and pastors help to survive losses, illnesses, adversity, find peace in the soul and hope for eternal life. Overcoming the fear of death: Christian faith in the Resurrection of Christ and eternal life conquers the existential fear of death. Spiritual struggle: The Church gives weapons against despondency, despair, passions - prayer, fasting, participation in the sacraments, advice from a spiritual father.
Cultural and National Identity
Keeper of traditions: The Church has been and remains the cultural core for Russia and the Russian diaspora. The language of worship (Church Slavonic), icon painting, church architecture, church singing, holidays are an integral part of the cultural code. Historical memory: The Church preserves the memory of key events and personalities in Russian history, the feat of new martyrs and confessors. Unity of the diaspora: For Russians living abroad (like in Panama), the parish often becomes the center for preserving the language, culture and spiritual connection with the Motherland.
Social Service and Charity
Helping our neighbors: The Church organizes and inspires charity, helping the needy, the sick, prisoners, the homeless. This is the practical implementation of the commandment of love. Reconciliation and peace: The Church is called to be a force for reconciliation in society, to advocate for justice and peace.
Schedule
Activity
.jpg)
Stay up to date with the latest developments in the life of our church and the Orthodox world. Our news provides information on services, events and updates.
.jpg)
Articles
Read fascinating articles on various topics of faith, history and spiritual life. Delve into Orthodox traditions and learn something new every day.
.jpg)
Photos
Explore a collection of photographs of our church, services and events. Feel the atmosphere of our temple through the images.
Sacraments
A sacrament is a special sacred act, as a result of which the grace of the Holy Spirit descends upon the participants. It is important to distinguish sacraments from church rites (memorial service, consecration of an apartment, etc.), which do not imply such a deep spiritual transformation of a person.
The Sacrament of Baptism
The essence of the sacrament:
Liberation from Original Sin
Birth into new life in Christ
Entry into the Church
Preparation for baptism:
For adults: studying the basics of faith, conversations with a spiritual father
Choosing godparents
Purchasing baptismal accessories
Fasting and confession for godparents and parents
Necessary items:
Pectoral cross
Christening gown
Towel
Icon of the saint named after the person being baptized
The Sacrament of Communion
The essence of the sacrament:
Union with Christ
Communion with the Body and Blood of Christ
Spiritual strengthening
Preparation for communion:
Fasting (minimum 3 days)
Confession
Reading the order for Holy Communion
Abstinence from entertainment
The Sacrament of Chrismation
The essence of the sacrament:
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
Receiving spiritual gifts
Strengthening in faith
Preparation:
It is carried out immediately after baptism.
No special training is required
It is important to remain reverent
The Sacrament of Penance
The essence of the sacrament:
Cleansing from sins
Healing the soul
Restoring Relationship with God
Preparation for confession:
Thorough self-analysis
Reading prayers of repentance
Abstinence from sins
Fasting (if possible)
Rules of confession:
Sincere repentance
A specific list of sins
A firm intention to improve
The Sacrament of Marriage
The essence of the sacrament:
Blessing of the Marital Union
Naming of spiritual parents
Granting grace for life together
Preparation for the wedding:
Catechetical talks
Fast
Confession
Communion
Purchase of wedding attributes
Necessary items:
Wedding rings
Wedding candles
Towel
Candle kerchiefs
The Sacrament of Unction
The essence of the sacrament:
Healing of the body and spirit
Forgiveness of forgotten sins
Strengthening before death
Preparation:
Invitation of a priest
Gathering of loved ones for prayer
Reading prayers
Fasting (if possible)
General recommendations
If you have any questions before participating in any sacrament, it is better to talk about them with a priest.
It is important to approach the sacraments with a pure heart and sincere faith.
Church regulations must be observed and preparation for each sacrament must be done accordingly.
Regular participation in the sacraments helps the believer's spiritual growth
It is necessary to maintain reverence and respect for the sacraments
Remember that every sacrament is a meeting with God!
Dear brothers and sisters!
In our parish family, we strive to support each other not only in church but also in prayer for one another in everyday life. We'd like to offer a kind initiative: creating a shared list of our parishioners' birthdays.
Why is this necessary? So that on your birthday, we can pray especially warmly for you in a shared prayer, thank God for the gift of your life, and wish you good health, salvation, and all the blessings of the Lord. For us, this will be a small but sincere sign of love and attention for each of you.
Please reply or private message me with your date of birth (day and month). 🙏
May the Lord protect you all!
Useful links
