Founded in 1987 Saint Mary Orthodox Church began as a small gathering. Six Romanian-American families and three converts formed the Protection of the Holy Mother of God Orthodox Church. They met in Dunn Loring United Methodist Church. For two and a half years they worshipped there. They sought an English-speaking Orthodox community in Fairfax County. This was a significant need at the time. The founders’ vision was to create an American Orthodox church. This meant welcoming people from diverse backgrounds. In 1988 the church received parish status. Father Alexander F C Webster PhD became its first priest. The community grew. By then there were about 200 adult members and 50 Sunday school students.
For six years Saint Mary Orthodox Church held services in a parochial school library. This was at St Phillip’s Roman Catholic Church. In 1996 the church needed to find a new home. Their lease wasn’t renewed. The church needed more space for its expanding daycare program. Amazingly within a week of this news Father Alexander found a church for sale nearby. The parish raised enough money to buy it. The congregation worked tirelessly. They painted cleaned and repaired their new building. Five weeks later they celebrated their first Divine Liturgy in their own church.
On October 8-9 2000 Archbishop Nathaniel consecrated the church. Dozens of Orthodox priests and deacons attended. Hundreds of parishioners friends and ecumenical guests joined the celebration. This was a joyous and inspirational event. Saint Mary Orthodox Church’s mission was evangelism and service. They served Northern Virginia’s spiritual and material needs. In 2001 Protodeacon Peter Danilchick joined the parish. He coordinated charitable outreach programs. Father Alexander served in the Army National Guard. He became a chaplain. He was promoted to Colonel. Then he served full-time in the US Army. This was in Iraq Afghanistan and the Middle East. He also served at Fort McNair in Washington DC.
In 2006 Reverend Father David G Subu became the rector. He and his family joined Saint Mary’s. New ministries began. These included Church School retreats and campus ministry support. There were summer mission trips. A young adult ministry was also created. A peer depression ministry was started. The church choir and chanting programs expanded. The Iconography Project transformed the church’s sanctuary. The church continues to adapt and grow. It welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds. The community remains highly engaged and energetic. Saint Mary Orthodox Church is truly a vibrant and welcoming community of faith. It continues the founders’ vision of an American Orthodox church.