Diocese: Diocese of the West
Deanery: Pacific Southwest Deanery
Address
5657 Lindley Ave
Tarzana, California 91356
Website: stinnocenttarzana.org
Office: 818-881-1123
Parish Contacts
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Directions
General Location
St Innocent Church is located in Tarzana, roughly at the Southern end of the San Fernando Valley, just north and west of Central Los Angeles.
From the Ventura Freeway (101)
Exit on White Oak Ave. Go north about 100 yards to the intersection of Burbank Blvd; go west on Burbank Blvd about 1/2 mile to the intersection of Lindley Ave. Go north on Lindley (about 150 yards). The Church is a white stucco building with a blue tile roof having a gold cupola and cross atop, on the west side of Lindley (#5657) next to the Encino Riviera Retirement Hotel.
Schedule of Services
5:30 PM Vespers or Vigil.
Saturday Evening
9:00 AM Hours; 9:15 AM Memorial Service (by request); 9:30 AM Divine Liturgy, followed by Church School (September - June) and Fellowship hour.
Sunday Morning
6:30 PM Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
Wednesday & Friday Evenings During Great Lent
6:30 PM Vigil or Great Vespers with Litya.
Eves of Great Feasts
9:30 AM Divine Liturgy.
Mornings of Great Feasts
For a complete list of upcoming services, please visit the Monthly Calendar on the parish website.
Parish Background
St Innocent Orthodox Church is a parish of the Orthodox Church in America—the ‘autocephalous’ or ‘self-governing’ Church of the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
By the grace of God and the concern of a handful of people living in the San Fernando Valley with the leadership of Fr Sergei Glagolev, our community was begun in 1955. The original church was built in 1956 on Newcastle Ave in Encino, and after a fire in 1969, the present structure in Tarzana was constructed in 1972.
From the beginning, the focus has always been on people. Specifically on people’s salvation, based on hearing the Word of God preached and defined in the context of a true and loving Christian community.
In order to provide a clear witness to Christ and His Gospel to all, it was decided from the beginning to use English exclusively in all worship services. This was somewhat of a departure from the practice of many Orthodox parishes, which, being influenced by their various backgrounds, continued to serve in languages reflecting their countries of origin.
Today
Typically one will find approximately 150 adults and children gathered together to celebrate the Divine Liturgy on a given Sunday. Our membership represents a cross section of people of various ages, occupations, and ethnic backgrounds, living throughout the greater metropolitan Los Angeles area (although mainly in the San Fernando Valley). The character of our community reflects our effort in placing special emphasis on personal participation in the life of the Church, spiritual growth, and commitment to Christ and His Teachings.
Education
Continuing education and discussions among our members are priorities within our parish. Immediately following Sunday Liturgy from September through June, children from pre-school through young adult age (age 16) attend Church School Classes. In addition, other educational programs on various subjects are scheduled and announced periodically.
Communication
In addition to the weekly bulletin which is distributed each Sunday, a monthly newsletter entitled the “Saint Innocent Messenger” is also mailed to all members and interested parties who request it. Both of these formats provide detailed information about parish events, educational articles, service announcements and the names of those requiring special prayers for sickness, travels, births, deaths, marriages, anniversaries, etc.
Fellowship
Parishoners and visitors are invited to share fellowship over coffee and light refreshments in our social hall following Liturgy every Sunday. Periodically dinners and fellowship gatherings are scheduled in various locations, sometimes in connection with open discussions on various topics with pastoral guidance.
Indeed, the true Church is built with “living stones”. Believers who by their Baptism and Chrismation have entered into the life of the Church and who are united in a common confession of faith and the Body and Blood of Christ themselves become the “Body of Christ.”
The fields are, as the Scriptures tell us, ripe for harvest; but the laborers are few. May God bless our efforts toward the upbuilding of His Church in love and truth.
