On a quiet block of East 11th Street in downtown Austin, a modest brick church building from 1936 has served the same community for nearly ninety years. St. Elias Orthodox Church is the oldest Orthodox parish in the city, established in 1932 by Lebanese immigrants who brought the Christian faith of their ancestors with them to Texas. Over the decades, those original families have been joined by Orthodox Christians from across the Middle East, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Serbia, Bulgaria, Eritrea, and Romania, as well as by converts from other Christian denominations and non-Christian backgrounds. Together they form one of the most internationally diverse congregations in Austin.

An Antiochian Parish with Deep Middle Eastern Roots

St. Elias belongs to the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, a jurisdiction of the worldwide Orthodox Christian Church that traces its history in an unbroken line back to the Syrian city of Antioch, where the followers of Jesus were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). The parish sits within the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America, one of the regional dioceses of the Archdiocese. Its primate is Metropolitan Saba (Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America), who oversees the Archdiocese from its headquarters in Englewood, New Jersey, and whose patron saint is St. Saba the Sanctified. The higher authority is His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East, elected by the Holy Synod in December 2012. Together with the other canonical Orthodox bodies in the United States and Canada, the Archdiocese belongs to the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America.

The name Orthodoxy itself means "true worship" or "true belief," and the parish describes itself as accepting the Orthodox Christian faith as taught in sacred scripture, the Seven Ecumenical Councils, and the writings of the Church Fathers. Its historic statement of faith is the Nicene Creed. The Church teaches that it is the original Christian Church founded by Christ and described in the New Testament, and that its history can be traced in unbroken continuity to Christ and his apostles through apostolic succession.

The Rhythm of the Week

The weekly schedule at St. Elias follows the ancient pattern of Orthodox Christian prayer. On Saturday afternoons, the day begins with the Ninth Hour at 4:45 PM, followed by Great Vespers at 5:00 PM. Vespers, the central evening service of the Orthodox cycle, runs about 45 to 50 minutes and is followed on most weeks by confessions.

Sunday is the heart of the week. Orthros, the service of morning prayers, begins at 8:30 AM, and the Divine Liturgy follows at 9:30 AM. Orthros typically runs 60 to 70 minutes; the Divine Liturgy itself runs about 90 minutes. On Wednesdays, Vespers is celebrated at 6:00 PM and is usually followed by Parish Education Programming, including adult classes, book studies, and parallel activities for children and teens. The calendar includes a number of feast days and additional services throughout the year; an updated schedule is posted on the parish website.

Worship is primarily in English, though visitors may hear portions of services in Arabic, Greek, Slavonic, or Romanian, reflecting the international character of the congregation. About three-quarters of a typical Orthodox service is sung. Music is offered a cappella by the choir or by chanters who lead the congregation in traditional Byzantine tones. There are eight tones, and they rotate from week to week.

What a First-Time Visitor Will Encounter

St. Elias extends a warm welcome to newcomers, and the parish has compiled a thorough set of answers to common questions. When visitors arrive, they are greeted at the door and shown into the narthex, the entrance area before the nave. Copies of the service texts are available so guests can follow along. The church makes clear that visitors are welcome at any pace; you may simply observe, ask questions, or join in as you feel comfortable.

About clothing, the parish asks that visitors dress modestly and respectfully, as one would before God. The range across the congregation runs from nice jeans to suits and from sneakers to dress shoes. Some women wear head coverings and some do not; both traditions are welcome. There is no dress code beyond respectfulness.

One thing that may surprise newcomers is the absence of a separate children's program during worship. Children and young people are part of the same liturgical gathering as adults, an intergenerational assembly that builds a single community across all ages. Parents who need to step out are welcome to use the narthex. After the Sunday Divine Liturgy, everyone is invited to Coffee Hour, a chance to meet clergy, ask questions, and get to know parishioners over coffee and conversation.

The parish also explains the meaning of the customs a visitor will see. Lighting candles is an ancient act of prayer; candles are bought and lit as offerings accompanying personal prayers, and any visitor may do the same. Icons placed at the entrance of the church and on stands in the nave are venerated by the faithful with a kiss, usually on the gospel, scroll, hand cross, foot, or hand of the person depicted rather than on the face. The sign of the cross is made by Orthodox Christians when entering the church and whenever the Holy Trinity is named, traced from forehead to navel to right shoulder to left shoulder. Visitors are welcome to make the sign of the cross as well.

About the Eucharist, the parish is straightforward: Orthodox priests may only serve Holy Communion to Orthodox Christians in good standing who have recently confessed and fasted. Visitors who are not Orthodox are warmly welcomed to be present but not to receive Communion. However, anyone may receive antidoron, the blessed bread left over from the eucharistic loaves, which is offered at the end of the liturgy as an act of hospitality. Standing is the traditional posture for prayer and Orthodox worshipers are usually standing, though chairs and pews are available for those who need them.

The Choir and the Chanters

Music is central to the worship of St. Elias. The Parish Choir sings every Sunday, rotating between the downtown campus and the north campus, and rehearses twice a month on the first and third Saturdays. The repertoire draws from a wide range of Orthodox musical traditions, including Byzantine, Greek, Russian, and American, in both older and more modern compositions. The choir is directed by Bill Attal, who has served in this capacity for over fifty years, and Patricia Rudawski. When the choir is not singing, the Chanters lead the singing using the eight traditional Byzantine tones that cycle through the liturgical year. The chanters offer periodic chanting classes for anyone interested in learning. Congregational singing is always encouraged.

Church School, Vacation Church School, and Teen SOYO

After the Sunday Divine Liturgy, the parish runs Church School for children ages four through seventeen, with classes at both campuses on most Sundays during the school year. The curriculum centers on Holy Scripture, the liturgical and sacramental life of the Church, charitable activity, and fellowship with one another. During the summer, the parish also hosts a weeklong Vacation Church School.

Teens ages 13 to 18 are served by Teen SOYO, the Society of Orthodox Youth Organizations, whose four guiding principles are worship, witness, and fellowship (a fourth point is implicit in the parish's description of "principal points"). The program seeks to integrate teenagers fully into the life of the Church and to give them a safe, nurturing environment to grow in Christ alongside their peers.

Adult Catechesis and Lifelong Learning

Each fall and winter, the parish offers Adult Catechism, a structured series of classes for inquirers exploring the Orthodox faith, as well as for Orthodox Christians who want to deepen their knowledge. Classes typically run on Wednesday evenings during the Parish Education Programming that follows Vespers. The curriculum walks through the foundations of Orthodox Christianity, including the sources of the Orthodox faith, creation and the fall, the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit and the Church, the Theotokos and the Ever-Virgin Mary, the holy mysteries (sacraments), spiritual life in Christ, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, the liturgical cycles, and the symbolism of the church building. The catechism classes are also available online for those who cannot attend in person.

Throughout the year, additional educational classes are offered, including Bible study series, book studies, contemporary-issues discussions, and courses on chanting and other aspects of the Orthodox faith. The Arthur and Theodore Jabour Memorial Scholarship supports members pursuing higher education.

Ladies Guild, Men's Group, and Orthodox Young Adults

The St. Elias Ladies Guild gathers the women of the parish for monthly events throughout the year. Activities range from social gatherings and book studies to craft sessions and prosphora baking, the traditional preparation of the eucharistic bread. At the beginning of Great Lent, the Guild hosts an annual women's overnight retreat focused on prayer and fellowship. A GroupMe chat keeps members in touch between gatherings.

The Men's Group gathers occasionally on evenings for fellowship, with dates announced in the bulletin and e-news.

For adults in their twenties through forties, Orthodox Young Adults (OYA) provides opportunities for fellowship and connection with other Orthodox Christians in the same stage of life.

The Parish Council meets on the third Tuesday of every month and helps administer the parish. Members are elected at the annual general meeting or appointed by the pastor and serve three-year terms.

The Mediterranean Festival and Community Life

Every fall the parish hosts the St. Elias Mediterranean Festival, better known as "Med Fest." An Austin tradition for more than eighty years, Med Fest features live music, dancing, vendors, and authentic food from many Mediterranean countries. It is widely known as Austin's longest-running food event.

Beyond the festival, the parish maintains an active calendar of events, feast-day celebrations, fellowship meals, and seasonal observances. Coffee Hour follows every Sunday Divine Liturgy. The annual general meeting, usually held in January, brings the parish together for reports, elections, and discussion.

Two Campuses, One Parish Family

St. Elias serves Austin from two locations. The historic downtown building at 408 East 11th Street is the original home of the parish and the seat of its Sunday and Saturday services. A second campus in north Austin, located at 5519 FM 1325, was established to serve the growing Orthodox population in the northern part of the city. On March 8, 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Saba gave the north campus the name of St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church. The two communities continue to grow as distinct congregations while remaining united in love and mission, sharing clergy, choirs, and ministries. Sunday services are held at both campuses, and the parish encourages parishioners to worship at whichever location is most convenient.

Building the Future: The Capital Campaign

To accommodate its growing congregation, St. Elias has launched a capital campaign with the theme "Making Room for the Next Generation." The campaign envisions expanded facilities at the north campus to welcome new families, deepen worship and fellowship, and create a lasting home for the parish for decades to come. Donations can be made online through the parish website, by text-to-give (text the amount followed by "CC" to (737) 530-4132), by check or cash mailed to the parish office, or through planned and legacy gifts. The parish also has a Founders Recognition Policy that honors families and individuals who make sacrificial leadership pledges.

Clergy and Staff

The pastor of St. Elias is Rev. Fr. Elias Murphy, who leads the parish and presides at services. Assisting him are Rev. Dcn. Romanos Slockett, who joined the parish in 2012, was tonsured a Reader in 2015, and was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on July 31 of that year, and Rev. Archdeacon Niketas Sanders, who has served the parish since his ordination to the diaconate in 1999 and was elevated to archdeacon on January 11, 2015. The choir directors are Bill Attal and Patricia Rudawski. The parish staff assists the clergy in the daily work of administration, teaching, youth work, and event coordination.

Giving, Stewardship, and Practical Information

Online giving is available through the parish website, where visitors can set up one-time or recurring gifts. Donations can also be made via Zelle using the email finance@sainteliaschurch.org, with an optional memo directing funds to a specific purpose. Each year the parish invites members to make a Stewardship Pledge, which supports the operating budget and ministries of the parish. Worship services are livestreamed on the parish YouTube channel for those unable to attend in person. The newsletter keeps subscribers informed of upcoming events, classes, and parish news.

Becoming a Member

Those who are already Orthodox and wish to join the parish are encouraged to contact the church office. Those who are inquiring into the Orthodox faith are invited to begin with the annual Adult Catechism Classes, which are offered in the fall and winter and are available both in person and online. The parish website includes a welcome form for visitors, as well as a membership application. Parishioners and newcomers alike are encouraged to take their next step at their own pace.

The parish's motto, taken from John 1:39, is the simple invitation that has drawn people to this downtown Austin church for nearly a century: "Come and See."