We are a Church That Believe Jesus is Lord
Saint Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church in Van Nuys began serving Orthodox Christians in the San Fernando Valley on January 12, 1969. As a community we are grateful for God’s guidance, and for the dedication, love, hard work, and generous spirit of those who served St. Michael Church, and thus made it possible for the parish to grow spiritually and to prosper.
Beginning with the readings of the Epistle and Gospel lessons at the first half of the service, followed by a sermon, the liturgy progresses to the offering of the bread and wine for the consecration and descent of the Holy Spirit for the receiving the Body and Blood of Christ (Holy Communion) by the Orthodox faithful. The liturgy’s prayers, composed by St. John Chrysostom (4th c.), dates back to the 7th century. On the five Sunday’s of Great Lent and five other major Feasts, the Eucharistic liturgy includes the longer prayers of the offering composed by St. Basil the Great.
A service with readings, hymns and evening prayers on the eve of a major Feast, especially when the Divine Liturgy is celebrated on the following day. It prepares one for the festal celebration with meditations upon the theme of a Feast, beginning with the “sunset Psalm” (103) and includes the singing of one of the oldest extant hymns of the church: “O Gladsome Light,” glorifying the coming of Christ, the Giver of Light.
Orthros (Or-thros)
The word literally means early morning. It is the name of the service, which by some has been called Matins, and still by others, Lauds, though it does not correspond exactly to either of the Western Services. This service includes readings, hymns and morning prayers, done either in a shorter “daily” format, or on a day when followed by the Divine Liturgy, a longer “festal” format, concluding with hymns of praises and the glorification of the Christ, the Son of God the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Our History
St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church in Van Nuys began serving Orthodox Christians in the San Fernando Valley on January 12, 1969. It started with a group of dedicated people who were determined to expand the outreach of Orthodox Christianity with the founding of an Antiochian Orthodox parish in the San Fernando Valley. With the blessing of our Archbishop, His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP, a goal was set for starting a new church and celebrating the first liturgy on January 12th. Space to hold the Divine Liturgy and church school was scheduled to be located at the Mid Valley YMCA. Families were enrolled, the church school was staffed, a choir was formed, and arrangements were made for a temporary priest.
Fr. Paul Romley, Dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles, Fr. Gabriel Ashie of St. Luke’s Orthodox Church in Garden Grove, and Fr. James Meena, Director of Sacred Music and Religious Education for the Archdiocese, provided valuable advice and assistance.
St. Michael The Archangel
The name, Michael, signifies “Who is like to God” and was the war-cry of the good angels in the battle fought in heaven against Satan and his followers. An angel of repentance, mercy, and righteousness, Holy Scripture describes St. Michael as “one of the chief princes,” and leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over the powers of hell. He has been especially honored and invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. Although he is always called “the Archangel,” the Church Fathers and many others place him over all the angels – as Prince of the Seraphim. St. Michael appears in the books of Enoch, Daniel and Revelation. In fact, in Revelation, it is St. Michael leading the charge against Satan with an army of God’s angels.
“And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down–that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” –Revelation 12:7-9
Our Leaders
Get to Know our St Michael Leadership
Fr. Timothy
Minister
Fr. Minas
Minister
Deacon Andrew
Deacon
Sub Deacon Richard Tamoush & Sub Deacon Richard Ajalat
Sub Deacon