Mission, Vision, & Goals
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OUR MISSION
Nurtured by the blood of martyrs and the faith of confessors, the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix is a living bridge between the Christian East and West. Established to sanctify, teach, and evangelize from the Rockies to the Pacific, we invite every person to “come and see” the Eucharistic fullness of life in Christ.
OUR VISION
Rooted in witness. Our Church remembers the suffering and fidelity of clergy and faithful, especially during the persecutions endured by our Ruthenian Mother Church. Blessed Theodore Romzha and the host of martyrs and confessors strengthen us to proclaim Christ without fear, with humble confidence and enduring hope.
A living bridge. As Eastern Catholics, we live the spiritual, theological, and liturgical inheritance of the Christian East in full communion with the Catholic Church, cherishing fraternal love with our Roman sisters and brothers. Drawing inspiration from the first millennium, we labor in prayer and charity for the unity for which Christ prayed: “that they may all be one.”
A missionary territory. Formed to shepherd Byzantine Catholics across the Western United States, we continue the apostolic work of sanctifying, teaching, and evangelizing, bringing the riches of Byzantine faith within our parish families to a vast region and to new generations.
An open Eucharistic invitation. We exist to form disciples and gather God’s people around the Holy Mysteries. In the Divine Liturgy, Christ gives Himself as life for the world; from that Eucharistic center we go forth to love, serve, and witness “Above All, Love” until the Kingdom comes in fullness.
OUR GOALS
Apostolic Communication: Following the model of the Holy Apostles, it is our goal to lead dialogue that sanctifies and unites our faithful and clergy to each other, strengthens and extends the bridge between East and West, and most importantly brings forth the proclamation to make disciples of all nations.
Financial Stewardship: Recognizing all we have is a gift from God through the generosity of the faithful, we commit to principled financial stewardship. This sacred trust requires us to manage the Church's resources with wisdom, prudence, and transparency. Our goal is to use the faithful's generosity to sustain and expand our apostolic work in support of the clergy and the message of Christ.
Foundational Education: We are called to offer a foundational education that immerses the faithful in the fullness of the Byzantine tradition that flows from the Holy Mysteries and the liturgical life of the church, humbly fasting and joyously feasting. We seek to ground each generation in the faith of our fathers, equipping them to receive the apostolic tradition and hand it on, ensuring that our identity as a living bridge endures and that our witness to Christ remains humble, confident, and full of enduring hope.