Service Schedule

Sunday: 9:20 AM The Hours; 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy

Feast days: 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy

We are an English speaking church within the Orthodox Church in America, devoted to the Apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer in Merrillville, Indiana, seeking to communicate the ancient Orthodox Christian faith in a relevant manner to our community.

Our Beliefs : We believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God (Nicene Creed) who died for our sins, was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures ( I Cor 15:3-4 ).

If you are not familiar with the Orthodox Christian faith and/or worship please feel free to join in or not to the degree that you feel comfortable.  We know that it may feel quite different from what you have experienced in other places. It would be our privilege and honor to answer any questions you may have.  Several parishioners here at Descent are from non-Orthodox backgrounds.

If you have small children we want you to know that the "sound" of children in church is music to our ears.  We believe that children learn how to worship and love God by being in worship services with their parents and family.  We welcome their presence in the church services!

If you are an Orthodox Christian you will feel right at home in our Divine Liturgy.  While there may be some differences in "tradition" there are no differences in "Traditions" that form the backbone of the Orthodox worship experience and culture.

Whatever your background we pray that you will feel welcome here at Descent of the Holy Ghost.  May you know the blessing of the Lord God each and every day!

Fr Daniel Radu and the Parish Council

Descent of the Holy Ghost Church

IMPORTANT FACTS

Second largest body of Christians in the world is Orthodox

Between 2 and 3 million Orthodox Christians in North America

Orthodox Church is 1,991 years old (Pentecost 33 AD to Present 2024)

300 million Orthodox Christians Worldwide

Over 50 million Orthodox Christians have died for their faith in the first eight decades of the twentieth century.