As this year we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of our beloved parish and as we look toward the future, we are eager to update you on several important developments at Christ the Savior.

The Lord has blessed us with incredible growth, and we are progressing with plans for the construction of a new church temple on our property in Berlin, Maryland. This progress is now being accelerated by a generous $100,000 matching donation for the building fund throughout 2025.

In the following overview, we recount our story, remembering the many blessings God has graciously bestowed upon our parish over the past 25 years. As we give thanks together, we ask that you:

• prayerfully consider contributing to the matching donation,
• participate in a brief survey regarding the new church.

Your prayers, feedback, and support are invaluable as we continue to grow and seek to glorify God through the construction of our new spiritual home.

Our Humble Beginnings

Since its founding in 2000, Christ the Savior Orthodox Church has been a testament to the Lord’s blessings and the steadfast faith of its parishioners. Beginning with the celebration of our first Divine Liturgy in a medical facility, our mission—the first planted by the Orthodox Church in America in this millennium—quickly grew. We transitioned from a rented space in Fenwick Island, Delaware, to a more centrally located facility in Dagsboro in 2007, allowing us to better serve the growing number of faithful.

The Promised Land, Flowing with Milk and Honey

A momentous occasion came in 2011 with the purchase of a beautiful and strategically located 15.1-acre estate at 10315 Carey Road in Berlin, Maryland. This holy land, providentially acquired and now dedicated to God, is more than just a parish center; it is a spiritual oasis housing our chapel, fellowship hall, and rectory. Through the extraordinary generosity of parishioners, led by the Mitsopolous family, we were able to secure and renovate this property, culminating in the joyous celebration of our "Opening Weekend" in July 2012. Just four years later, our mission achieved another remarkable milestone when we fully paid off the mortgage, thanks to an anonymous donation of $325,000! See a video about God’s Providence in the property acquisition here:

Achievements and Milestones

In 2017, Christ the Savior Mission was elevated to full parish status, marking a significant moment in our journey. That same year, we expanded the parking lot, increasing capacity from 17 to 27 spaces, and acquired a $12,000 CD to hold the year’s financial surplus. In 2018, additional seating was installed, and the choir was relocated to the front of the church to accommodate the growing congregation.

A Long-Term Planning Commission (LTPC) was then established with the following mission statement, unanimously adopted by the parish body: "With the grace of God and to His glory, the long-term planning commission will provide a plan for the Christ the Savior Parish for Capital Improvement with the primary goal being construction of a new Church Temple according to the Tradition of the Orthodox Church."

Soon thereafter, the LTPC oversaw the acquisition of a new septic reserve area (SRA) to support future development. This 100’x200’ SRA was added to our survey and recorded in Worcester County records. New accounts were opened at BB&T (now Truist Bank) to manage donations for building fund operating and savings, ensuring proper oversight and approval for expenditures related to parish development. A limited wetland delineation was completed to find the most advantageous location for the new building, and various meetings were conducted with county officials and other professionals to begin the preparation of a strategic plan.

Thriving During Challenges

In March of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the church was barely able to remain open due to strict regulations governing religious assemblies. Despite the unsettling waves of fear, anxiety, and division sweeping over the world during the pandemic, Christ the Savior, by the grace of God, not only weathered the storm but continued to grow and establish its presence in the local community. A magnificent archway was constructed at our roadside entrance, adorned with mosaics created by parishioners in partnership with St. Elizabeth’s Convent of Minsk, Belarus. At the center of the archway is a prominent mosaic of the Savior, the Icon-Not-Made-By-Hands, dedicated in loving memory of our founding priest, Protopresbyter Daniel Hubiak. New gold crosses, lighting, and landscaping were added to further beautify the entrance and parish center.

In 2023, through generous donations made in memory of Dn. Stephen Hall, we completed another significant project: paving the exit road and expanding the parking lot to better serve our growing parish family.

Planning for the Future

In 2024, we received 18 new members through Baptism and Chrismation and enrolled an additional 7 more persons into the catechumenate. The Sunday attendance, just 38 in 2010, has ballooned to 104 in 2024. The parish now has over 150 contributors, an operating budget of around $150,000 per year, and modest savings accounts for emergencies and maintenance. In 2024, we raised $35,000 to develop a site plan for the construction of the new church - the approval of which we hope to receive from the county in the months ahead.

The LTPC’s initial cost estimate for a new church depends on various factors, including size, architectural design, intended usage, site preparation, and parking expansion. While the total cost is projected to range between $1.5 and $2 million, a phased construction approach is being considered. This strategy would allow the church to be built and occupied before its full furnishing and completion, significantly reducing the initial cost.

The work of the LTPC, chaired by Tom Mathews, is presented at every parish council meeting and you are invited to participate in these meetings and/or review the committee’s reports and progress on the section of our website dedicated to the building program.

Funding the Temple

Amidst the steady growth of our community, the completion of major capital improvement projects, and the promising demographic trends in our area, one pressing question remains: “How will we fund the construction of the new Temple?” While the answer will unfold with time, we must recognize that time itself is a precious resource we cannot afford to squander.

To kickstart our fundraising efforts, a generous parishioner has pledged to match every dollar donated to the building fund during the 2025 calendar year, up to $100,000. With your support, we have the opportunity to raise $200,000—bringing us closer to transforming the vision of our new church from a distant dream into a living reality.

In addition to traditional donations via cash, check, or online contributions, we welcome gifts of stocks, real estate, or other assets. These alternative forms of giving can provide significant support to our efforts and may offer additional benefits to the donor. For more information on how to make these types of donations or to see the current progress of the matching donation, please visit:

Your Participation Matters

We are profoundly grateful for the support and stewardship that have brought us to this moment. Through the survey below, we seek to gather your thoughts, hopes, and ideas as we plan the construction of our new temple. Your insights will help us discern the best way forward in glorifying God and building a church that will serve as a lasting spiritual home for generations to come.

Please take a few moments to complete the online survey:

Together, with God’s grace and for His glory, we can build a new church—a sacred place where we can continue to grow in faith, worship, and service to His Kingdom. Let us lay the foundation for a future that will honor God and bless His Church for years to come.