St. Raphael Orthodox Church
  • Our Church
    • Visit Us
    • About Us
    • Visit Our Food Pantry
    • Calendar
    • Weekly Bulletin >
      • 2020 Archive
      • 2019 Archive
      • 2018 Archive
    • Photo Gallery
  • Exploring Orthodoxy?
    • Visitor FAQs
    • A Song to Jesus
  • Get Involved
    • Fellowship
    • Classes
    • Cleaning Together
    • Food Pantry
  • Donate
  • Events
  • A Year of Prayer

Visit Us

​We Welcome You!

We know how awkward it can feel
to come to an unfamiliar church. 
​We hope to help you feel comfortable.  
Picture

COVID-19 Attendance Procedures




Due to public health concerns surrounding COVID-19/Coronavirus, and following the directives of our Metropolitan, public services are currently limited to 26 attendees total (including the priest and altar server). Once the maximum number of people allowed are present, the doors will be locked. Services continue to be live-streamed on our Facebook page.  Once this crisis passes, we look forward to returning to a normal schedule.

**Akathists take place on Zoom on Wednesday nights at 7 pm until the start of Lent. Please email Fr. Ignatius for the link if you would like to attend or participate or attend.** PDF copies of the Akathists are available. 

To attend a service, please sign up at the links below:
Feb 20, 5 pm - Great Vespers - http://bit.ly/Vespers2-20
Feb 21, 8:45/10:00 am - Matins & Divine Liturgy - http://bit.ly/MatinsLiturgy2-21
Feb 27, 5 pm - Great Vespers - http://bit.ly/Vespers2-27
Feb 28, 8:45/10:00 am - Matins & Divine Liturgy - http://bit.ly/MatinsLiturgy2-28

Saturday, March 6, 5 pm - Great Vespers - http://bit.ly/Vespers3-6
Sunday, March 7, 8:45/10 am - Matins & Liturgy - http://bit.ly/MatinsLiturgy3-7
Saturday, March 13, 5 pm - Great Vespers - http://bit.ly/Vespers3-13
Sunday, March 14, 8:45/10 am - Matins & Liturgy - http://bit.ly/MatinsLiturgy3-14
Sunday, March 14, 6 pm - Forgiveness Vespers - http://bit.ly/Forgiveness3-14
Monday, March 15, 7 pm - Great Compline with Canon of St. Andrew - http://bit.ly/StAndrewCanon3-15
Tuesday, March 16, 7 pm - Great Compline with Canon of St. Andrew - http://bit.ly/StAndrewCanon3-16
Wednesday, March 17, 6 pm - Presanctified Liturgy - http://bit.ly/Presanctified3-17
Thursday, March 18, 7 pm - Little Compline with Canon of St. Andrew - http://bit.ly/StAndrewCanon3-18
Friday, March 19, 7pm - Little Compline with Akathist - http://bit.ly/Akathist3-19 
Saturday, March 20, 5 pm - Great Vespers - http://bit.ly/Vespers3-20
Sunday, March 21, 8:45/10 am - Matins & Liturgy - http://bit.ly/MatinsLiturgy3-21
Wednesday, March 24, 6 pm - Great Vespers for the Annunciation - http://bit.ly/Vespers3-24
Thursday, March 25, 6 pm - Vesperal Liturgy for the Annunciation - http://bit.ly/Annunciation3-25
Friday, March 26, 7 pm - Little Compline with Akathist Hymn - http://bit.ly/Akathist3-26 
Saturday, March 27, 5 pm - Great Vespers - http://bit.ly/Vespers3-27
Sunday, March 28, 8:45/10 am - Matins & Liturgy - http://bit.ly/MatinsLiturgy3-28
Wednesday, March 31, 6 pm - Presanctified Liturgy - http://bit.ly/Presanctified3-31

Friday, April 2, 7 pm - Little Compline with Akathist Hymn - http://bit.ly/Akathist4-2 
Saturday, April 3, 5 pm - Great Vespers - http://bit.ly/Vespers4-3
Sunday, April 4, 8:45/10 am - Matins & Liturgy - http://bit.ly/MatinsLiturgy4-4
Wednesday, April 7, 6 pm - Presanctified Liturgy - http://bit.ly/Presanctified4-7
Friday, April 9, 7 pm - Little Compline with Akathist Hymn - http://bit.ly/Akathist4-9
Saturday, April 10, 5 pm - Great Vespers - http://bit.ly/Vespers4-10
Sunday, April 11, 8:45/10 am - Matins & Liturgy - http://bit.ly/MatinsLiturgy4-11
Wednesday, April 14, 6 pm - Little Compline with Canon of St. Andrew & Life of St. Mary of Egypt - http://bit.ly/StAndrewCanon4-14
Thursday, April 15, 6 pm - Presanctified Liturgy - http://bit.ly/Presanctified4-15
Saturday, April 17, 5 pm - Great Vespers - http://bit.ly/Vespers4-17
Sunday, April 18, 8:45/10 am - Matins & Liturgy - http://bit.ly/MatinsLiturgy4-18
Wednesday, April 21, 6 pm - Presanctified Liturgy - http://bit.ly/Presanctified4-21
Friday, April 23, 7 pm - Little Compline with Canon of St. Lazarus - http://bit.ly/LazarusCanon4-23
Saturday, April 24, 8:45/10 am - Matins & Liturgy for St. Lazarus - http://bit.ly/Lazarus4-24
Saturday, April 24, 5 pm - Great Vespers - http://bit.ly/Vespers4-24 
Sunday, April 25, 8:45/10 am - Palm Sunday Matins & Liturgy - http://bit.ly/PalmSunday4-25
Sunday, April 25, 7 pm - Bridegroom Matins - http://bit.ly/Bridegroom4-25
Monday, April 26, 7 pm - Bridegroom Matins - http://bit.ly/Bridegroom4-26
Tuesday, April 27, 7 pm - Bridegroom Matins - http://bit.ly/Bridegroom4-27
Wednesday, April 28, 9 am - Presanctified Liturgy - http://bit.ly/Presanctified4-28
Wednesday, April 28, 7 pm - Holy Unction - http://bit.ly/Unction4-28
Thursday, April 29, 9 am - St. Basil Vesperal Liturgy - http://bit.ly/VesperalLiturgy4-29
Thursday, April 29, 6 pm - Rite of Footwashing - http://bit.ly/Footwashing4-29
Thursday, April 29, 7 pm - Twelve Passion Gospels Service - http://bit.ly/PassionGospels4-29
Friday, April 30, 9 am - Royal Hours - http://bit.ly/RoyalHours4-30
Friday, April 30, 3 pm - Great Vespers - http://bit.ly/Vespers4-30
Friday, April 30, 7 pm - Lamentations - http://bit.ly/Lamentations4-30
Friday, April 30 - Saturday, May 1 - Holy Friday Psalms Vigil - http://bit.ly/PsalmVigil2021

Guidelines
  1. If you have symptoms such as a cough, fever, shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest, chills, new loss of sense of taste or smell or a sore throat, DO NOT come to church.  Stay home and recuperate or seek medical attention if necessary.  Please refrain from returning to church until you have been free from these symptoms for at least 14 days.  Furthermore, if you are 65 years old or older or immuno-compromised, it is advisable for you to stay home. Signs listing symptom screening questions will be posted at the door. 
  2. All people entering the church for services will have their temperature checked with a no-touch infrared thermometer which is pointed at the forehead or behind the ear. If your temperature reads 99.2 or higher, you will be asked to go home. Karen Kuntz will be administering this.
  3. Please wear a face mask while attending services.  Face masks will be removed during the reception of Communion and should be put back on afterward. Masks will be available in the narthex for people to use.  The priest, altar server, and two chanters will wear face shields. 
  4. Upon entering and exiting, please use the hand sanitizer that is on the small table by each door leading into the nave.  If you must cough or sneeze, do so into the crook of your arm.  If you cough or sneeze into your hands or blow your nose, please use the hand sanitizer immediately.  Fr. Ignatius will be sanitizing his hands several times throughout the services, including right before the distribution of Holy Communion
  5. Please stand at least six feet apart from anyone else outside of your household, including while in the Communion and Dismissal lines.  Seating is arranged to help maintain at least six feet of distance between family groups. Tape will be placed on the floor to remind all of proper spacing in the communion and dismissal lines. 
  6. The blessed bread will be distributed by either the altar server or priest, who will be wearing gloves.
  7. Please refrain from shaking hands, hugging or kissing during the Kiss of Peace (or any other time).  Instead, greet each other with a bow if you would like.  You may also refrain from kissing the priest's hand.
  8. We realize small children won't stay still and likely won't wear a mask.  Parents should feel free to bring them anyway if they are otherwise comfortable with having their children in that environment.
  9. Windows will be opened if outside temperatures permit. 
  10. Nothing has changed regarding how we view the Eucharist in light of concerns that receiving the Body and Blood of Christ could be an opportunity for the spread of disease. Holy Communion will be distributed in the same manner it always has been with this small exception.  Please open your mouth wide and tip your head back and Father will try to drop the Eucharist into your mouth.  Refrain from closing your lips on the spoon.  If the spoon touches anyone's mouth, it will be wiped with the kalima (red cloth) in between uses.
Come to a service
See a map to our church below, and explanations of these services on the About Us page.
  • Matins, Sundays, 8:45 a.m. 
  • Divine Liturgy, Sundays, 10 a.m. 
  • Vespers, Saturdays, 5 p.m.
Parking is available on both sides of the street on Sundays. Or, you can park at the Chauncey Swan ramp located 2.5 blocks west of the church on College Street (it's free on Sundays). We have one handicapped spot available directly in front of the church.
If it's your first time visiting an Orthodox church ....
  • See the map below to find your way to our church.
  • Read our Visitor FAQs page, where you'll find the answers to questions most people unfamiliar with Orthodox services ask.
  • Talk with our priest, Father Ignatius, either after the service or by phone or email. He loves answering questions about Orthodoxy.
  • If you aren't greeted at the door, come into the nave (sanctuary) and enjoy the service. Don't worry; we aren't going to kick you out if you do something "wrong"!
  • Join us for coffee hour downstairs after the service. While you're down there, visit our bookstore. 
 If you're Orthodox ...
You may find we do some things differently than you're used to, though much will likely be the same. If you have questions, ask Father Ignatius.
 ​Get to know us 
One of the best ways to connect is through serving and learning with us. 
  • Classes are available for both children and adults. 
  • Visit the Get Involved page to be part of a team. 
  • Join in conversation, such as during our fellowship meal after every Liturgy or our college-age group, OCF.  For more on groups, go to Fellowship.​

722 E. College, Iowa City

Picture
 Our mission is to worship one God in Trinity and share the good news of Jesus with each other, people from all backgrounds, our neighbors, and the world. We do this through worshipping beautifully, connecting in fellowship, serving those in need, and providing spiritual teaching for daily living.

Helpful information​​
​

Church phone: (319) 337-6784

Priest Father Ignatius: email

Archdiocese: www.antiochian.org

Webmaster: sroc.info@gmail.com

Main service times
All services in English.
Great Vespers, 5 p.m. Saturdays
Matins, 8:45 a.m. Sundays
Liturgy, 10 a.m. Sundays
(See our calendar for other services.)​

     Subscribe now to get our weekly email and event notices.

Submit
  • Our Church
    • Visit Us
    • About Us
    • Visit Our Food Pantry
    • Calendar
    • Weekly Bulletin >
      • 2020 Archive
      • 2019 Archive
      • 2018 Archive
    • Photo Gallery
  • Exploring Orthodoxy?
    • Visitor FAQs
    • A Song to Jesus
  • Get Involved
    • Fellowship
    • Classes
    • Cleaning Together
    • Food Pantry
  • Donate
  • Events
  • A Year of Prayer