Clergy & Parish Life
Pastoral Leadership
All visitors are welcome to join any service.
Fr. Silouan
Parish Priest of Saint Matthew The Apostle Orthodox Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
His Eminence Alexander
Archbishop of Dallas and the South, Diocese of the South, Orthodox Church in America
His Grace Gerasim
Bishop of Fort Worth, Auxiliary to the Diocese of the South
Ministries
In our mission we strive to grow in our faith by offering ourselves in the following areas of church life and fellowship with those in the community.
Altar Servers
Boys who are seven years and older may serve and have the holy responsibilities of tending to the needs of the liturgical services.
Choir
The choir sings at three weekly services as well as at all other services such as the Twelve Great Feast days, weddings and funeral services. As Saint John Chrysostom writes, "A holy hymn gives birth to piety of soul, creates a good conscience, and is accepted by God in the treasuries of Heaven."
Phosphora Bakers
Provide the liturgical bread (phosphora) for all Divine Liturgies, as well as special bread for festal occasions such as Pascha and Great Feasts. Bread is baked weekly and is made with prayer and great attention to detail.
Readers
Function officially in conjunction with the Priest and the Choir at all liturgical services. Tonsured Readers are chosen from among capable men who prepare the readings (other than the Gospel), the prokeimena and alleluia verses.
Coffee Hour
In the days of the early church a feast called Agape would follow the Eucharistic gathering. In our day, coffee hour is this feast and cherished fellowship together after Sunday Liturgy. All are welcome to share in the Agape meal — "much more than coffee and usually more than an hour!"
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers."
Annual Parish Meeting Documents
- 2025 Ministry Team Reports
- 2025 Annual Income Statement
- 2026 Proposed Budget
- Year End Fund Balance Sheet
Contact the parish office for document access.
- 2024 Ministry Team Reports
- Annual Income Statement
- 2025 Proposed Budget
- 2024 Year End Balance Sheet
- Annual Meeting Agenda
- 2024 Pastoral Report
Contact the parish office for document access.
- 2023 Review of Minutes
- 2023 Pastoral Report
- 2023 Financials
Contact the parish office for document access.
Guidelines & Bylaws
Baptism & Chrismation Guidelines
Guidelines for those seeking to enter the Orthodox Church
Contact parish office for access
DOS Standard Parish Bylaws
Diocese of the South standard parish bylaws
Contact parish office for access
501(C)3 OCA Group Exemption Letter
Tax-exempt status documentation
Contact parish office for access