Christ is in our midst!

A hearty welcome to you for visiting the web site for St. George-the-Great Martyr Orthodox Church located in Pharr, Texas and which is part of the Diocese of the South of the Orthodox Church in America.  Similar to the historically rich and diverse cultural heritage found here in the lower Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, our Parish is made up of a wonderfully diverse cross-section of Orthodox peoples of all ages and many ethnic groups who have settled in this region from around the world, including Hispanic Parishioners as well as a typical variety of "American Converts." 

We wish to welcome all visitors and any who come to us with inquiries about the Orthodox Christian faith.  We wish to welcome all of our special "winter" Texan friends and any year-round residents who would like to participate in our Parish's liturgical, spiritual, evangelical, ministerial and social life!  At St. George's Orthodox Church, we consider ourselves to be a "family" in Christ -- one which was and continues to be brought together by Christ Himself -- a family formed within His body, the Church.  The Orthodox Christian Church contains the fullness and unbroken continuity of the "One, Holy, Apostolic and Catholic Church."  Its life was begun by Christ Himself and continues now and throughout all time within the historically rich tradition of worship, scripture and spiritual depth which has always been found within the Eastern Christian faith.

For those of you who might be considering a visit, a permanent move or just coming to "winter" in this area, the Rio Grande Valley of Texas is a truly lovely place populated by warm-hearted people.  This region is referred to as the "Texas Tropics." The area is graced by many types of palm trees, an incredible diversity of resident and migratory birds, both tropical and desert plant life, many citrus groves, aloe fields and fresh sea breezes which frequently blows in from the Gulf of Mexico. Lovely South Padre Island is found in less than an hour and a half drive-time from our Parish, and Mexico is only a river-bridge drive, or even just a walk away! For further information about the Rio Grande Valley, contact : http://www.wintertexan.net/index.html .

My family and I moved to South Texas from Northern New Mexico.  Before that, we lived near Atlanta in Georgia for many years.  My wife, Matushka Elizabeth and our three daughters are all very happy to be here and to be part of this wonderful and caring Parish.

With this Creed in mind, our Parish is dedicated to Jesus Christ and in His service.  Likewise, it honors the life and memory of one of our brethren gone before us who is among "the great cloud of witnesses" -- the Holy Great-martyr and Victory-bearer, George.  This true "hero" - this saint of the early Church was tortured and finally martyred on the 23rd of April in the year 303 AD because of his unyielding faith in Christ.  St. George, through accounts of his life on earth and his heroic death, and because to the many miracles which since that time have been attributed to his intercessory prayers to Christ on behalf of those in need, continues to offer us a bold example and a steadfast witness to Christ our Lord -- to His Reality, His Truth and His Merciful Love.

   Fr. Antonio Perdomo