Welcome back to our new blog! This week we are so excited to be sharing with you more about our latest appeal, on behalf of Priest Rafael Martinez Gonzales and the Orthodoxy community of the Dominican Republic. Fr. Rafael reached out to the Fund for Assistance a few months ago in great need for help financing a new van, for himself and his mission, because his current car is on its last leg. Over the last few months we have worked with Fr. Rafael, to learn more about him, his missionary work, and the Orthodox communities of the Dominican Republic. Today, we are finally able to share more about this amazing community and how you can help them continue to strive!

At the end of 2008, by the will and blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God parish was founded in the Dominican Republic. Priest Rafael Martinez Gonzales was immediately appointed, the rector of this new mission parish.

Since 2008, the parish of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God has grown and flourished to include members of many nationalities including Dominicans, Russians, Ukrainians, Serbians, Greeks, Romanians, and many others! These parishioners, led by Fr. Rafael, strive to create an atmosphere of fraternal love, sympathy, and compassion, where everyone has the opportunity to share with others their joys, problems, and life experiences. Fr. Rafael wants each of his parishioners to feel part of a large family in which people know each other and pray for each other. Together the parishioners of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and the other mission communities of the Dominican Republic are seeking to learn, live, and proclaim the light of Orthodoxy!

If you’ve enjoyed our post, please like, comment, and share our post! Join us next week, on Tuesday, to read more about Fr. Rafael and the Orthodoxy people of the Dominican Republic.