Welcome!

We are a vibrant community of believers dedicated to preserving the traditional Christian worship established by the Apostles and faithfully passed down through generations of Orthodox Christians. Holy Apostles Orthodox Church began in 1982 as a mission parish of the Orthodox Church in America, Diocese of the South, with a small group of Orthodox faithful gathering for monthly services in Columbia.

In 1987, Fr. Peter Smith became our first full-time priest, moving his family to shepherd our growing community. Under his leadership, the parish expanded enough to purchase and convert a small warehouse into a church. In the late 1990s, Archbishop Dmitri, of blessed memory, reassigned Fr. Peter to a parish in Atlanta and appointed Fr. Thomas Moore to lead Holy Apostles. Fr. Thomas, who had previously served here as a deacon, helped our parish flourish further. By 2003, we acquired our current building, which, through years of dedication and care, has transformed into a beautiful “light upon the hill” overlooking Columbia.

In 2022, we joyfully welcomed Fr. Ignatius Green as our parish priest. Fr. Ignatius, along with his wife, Matushka Aimilia, and their five children, brings a profound love for Christ, a wealth of pastoral and academic experience, and a deep commitment to serving our parish. Together, they have embraced our community with warmth and dedication, carrying forward the apostolic mission of Holy Apostles with enthusiasm and faithfulness.

When you think of the “Orthodox Church,” you might picture ethnic communities like Russians or Greeks. In truth, Orthodoxy unites believers from all over the world. At Holy Apostles, our parish includes many “cradle” Orthodox from Eastern Europe and even more American converts. We come from all walks of life, and wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are warmly invited to join us for worship and fellowship