Tijuana, January 2, 2025
Photo: antiochian.org
The Nativity of the Theotokos, the first Antiochian Orthodox parish in northern Mexico, opened in Tijuana during the weekend of November 14-16.
Metropolitan Ignacio (Samaan) of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of Mexico, Venezuela, Central America and the Caribbean worked with the leadership of Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage to establish the new parish, the Antiochian Archdiocese reports.
Orphans from St. Innocent’s worship at the new church.
Clergy from Project Mexico, including Executive Director Fr. Nicholas Andruchow, and Southern California attended the opening along with Met. Ignacio. Members of the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch from the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West also participated in the celebration.
Photo: antiochian.org
CJK Design Group of San Rafael, California, created the architectural design and coordinated with the local Mexican construction team.
During the weekend, Met. Ignacio spoke about his vision to spread the Orthodox faith in northern Mexico and encouraged the faithful to support their priest, grow the church, and share the Gospel as was done when the church was first established in Antioch.
Around 200 parishioners and guests attended events at the Rosarito Beach Hotel and the new church in Tijuana. The weekend included Great Vespers and the “Opening of the Church Doors” service on Saturday evening, followed by a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning.
The church will be consecrated later this year.
The new Antiochian parish joins the Mission of St. Andrew the Apostle in Tijuana under the Orthodox Church in America.
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