In July, 2005, with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos, then ruling Bishop of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, first steps were taken to look into the feasibility of establishing an Orthodox parish in Lakeland, Florida, where no Orthodox presence had yet been established. On August 14, 2005, St. Nectarios Orthodox Mission parish opened its doors and the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the home of its pastor, Fr. Nicholas Wyborski. For various years, services were held in a nursing home, the pastor's home, sharing the use of an Episcopal Church, and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orlando Chapel located on the campus of Santa Fe High School.

By mid-2010, the parish had grown to over 40 members and due to the generosity of many benefactors, the parish raised enough funds to put a down payment on 13 acres of land at 405 Marcum Road in Lakeland to be used to establish a permanent Orthodox worship facility. The parish worked with the David Norris Engineering firm and Alan de Zayas of AVONMDULAR Construction firm to erect a building on the property and convert it into a worship facility consisting of worship space (the church proper) and a social hall to be used for coffee hours, parish social events, etc. 

Since moving into its new home, St. Nectarios parish has continued to attract new members and is continuing to grow while still retaining its initial environment of love for one another and all who come to join us in worship. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary of its establishment in Lakeland, the parish is actively working on fundraising for the erection of a new church on the existing grounds.

Parish Life

Spiritual Life:

  • Sunday Divine Liturgy: 9:30 am
  • Feastdays will be held on the nearest Saturday
  • Weekday Services: As indicated on monthly calendar
  • Prayer Services For Various Intentions: Anytime upon request
  • Pastoral Counseling/Spiritual direction: (individual/family) Anytime upon request
  • Ministry to the Sick, Elderly and Shut-ins

Religious Education:

  • Weekly Children's Church School - Sept to May: Sundays following Divine Liturgy
  • Adult Education

Youth Ministry:

  • Youth Activities such as Bowling and Movie Night
  • Service Projects
  • Retreats
  • Camp Nazareth

Fellowship/ Social Activities:

  • Weekly Fellowship Hour Following Sunday Divine Liturgy
  • Monthly Women's Breakfast
  • Men's Day
  • Bowling Night
  • Movie Night
  • Seasonal Social Activities such as Fourth of July Party, Baking Christmas Cookie Party
  • Family Picnics
  • Dinners

Community Impact (Local/Diocese/Global)

  • Polk County TASSEL in which we collect personal hygiene items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soaps, deodorant, etc. for school children), we also collect annually for
  • I.O.C.C. (International Orthodox Christian Charities)
  • ACORD Diocese in Pennsylvania
  • ACROD Seminary
  • ACROD Camp Nazareth
  • Sunday School
  • Altar Boy Retreats
  • Local community fundraisers for veterans, children, elderly and those with special needs.
  • St. Nektarios' monastery in Aegina, Greece (occasional as they have been generous with providing us Holy Oil from the lampada and an icon of the falling asleep of our patron saint)