The first Orthodox narrative feature made in America.
Told in luminous vignettes, EL TONTO POR CRISTO is inspired by the ancient tradition of the Holy Fool, and is set within the quiet rhythms of monastic life. It is the first English-language Orthodox narrative feature of its kind. Woven with Orthodox imagination, it becomes a transcendent meditation on holiness and humanity.
- Monday, November 17, 7-11pm EST. Doors at 6pm
- Greenbelt Cinema, 129 Centerway Greenbelt, MD 20770
"Tarkovsky by way of Texas.” —David Lowery
“A dangerous film, in the best possible way.” —Jonathan Pageau
“Phenomenal. Truly a work of art.” —Frederica Mathewes-Green
Written and directed by Josh David Jordan (This World Won’t Break), the film is now on a grassroots roadshow tour—screening in cities across North America, one night only per stop.
This isn’t just a film. It’s a cinematic pilgrimage. You’re invited to walk with us. Each screening includes a Q&A with the filmmaker and an invitation to linger with the questions it stirs.
The stunning, ethereal movie soundtrack has just been released. Get a feel for it on Spotify or Apple Music, or your favorite streaming platform.
Join us for a true cinematic event:
Doors Open - 6:00 PM — Come early to grab a good seat, take pre-show photos, browse exclusive merchandise, and enjoy concessions.
VIP Meet & Greet - 6:30 PM — Join the director or producer for an intimate gathering before the film. Available to VIP ticket holders only.
Film Screening - 7:00 PM — El Tonto Por Cristo (2 hr 14 min runtime)
Q&A with the Filmmakers - 9:15 PM — Stick around after the credits for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the story behind the story.
Post-Screening Festivities - 9:45 PM — Late Snap photos, mingle with the team, and grab limited edition merch—only available at this event.
. . . to receive updates on parish news, our parish hall building project, and our move to our historic chapel campus.
Dear Family of Holy Apostles Orthodox Church and Friends,
Please, dear people of God, take full advantage of the great grace pouring on our worship, made by the Holy Church for lifting us up toward the heavenly kingdom. We remember Holy Gabriel,Fool for Christ, Holy Martyr Nestore of Thessalonica, and Great Martyr George in the building of the Church in Lydda dedicated to him that holds his holy relics
With love in our Lord, I remain your servant,
Fr. George
Now and Upcoming Shortly:
11/01 – Saturday 5:00 PM Evening Vigil
11/02 – Sunday 9:40 AM Hours & Divine Liturgy – The 21st Sunday after Pentecost - Venerable Father Gabriel, Fool for Christ
11/06 - Thursday 7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal
11/08 – Saturday 5:00 PM Evening Vigil
11/09 – Sunday 9:40 AM Hours & Divine Liturgy – the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost - Martyr Nestor
11/10 - Monday 7:00 PM Parish Council Meeting via Zoom
11/13 - Thursday 7-9 PM Choir Rehearsal
11/15 – Saturday 5:00 PM Evening Vigil
11/16 – Sunday 9:40 AM Hours & Divine Liturgy – the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost - Martyrs Acepsimus & Company - the Dedication of the Church of Great Martyr George in Lydda
The Mountain of God in Beltsville, Maryland
Watch the video, then visit our 'Build Holy Apostles' page to learn more, and to see how you can help our vision be fulfilled.
Thank you for your prayers and support!
This video represents the hopes and prayers of the people of Holy Apostles, to establish our parish in its new home in Beltsville, Maryland, from which the parish can continue to thrive and grow, in its soul-saving mission. Learn about our historic chapel and new parish hall here...
Get Door-to-Door Directions and directions from major routes here...
The St. Romanos the Melodist Society produces and publishes English language music of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The St. Romanos website is the online extension of A Church Singer's Companion, a project envisioned to contain the music necessary for every service a parish choir might need to sing, while staying simple enough so that any parish choir can sing it.
The St. Romanos Society produces music in both printed and recorded formats, and conducts seminars and workshops on the proper performance of that music. Music downloads are in PDF format, "pay as you can." Your support helps our music ministry continue and expand its offerings. Shop the many titles in our bookstore.
The St. Romanos Society is a sodality of Holy Apostles Orthodox Church, Beltsville, Maryland.
Detailed Reviews and Endorsements by clergy and choral professionals are provided for your consideration.
Build Holy Apostles!
OUR VISION is to establish the parish in its new home, from where the parish can continue to thrive and grow as a living icon of Orthodox missions in America. Read our full Purpose and Vision Statement here, and join us as we Build Holy Apostles!
Read the classic message: 'St John of Shanghai and San Francisco, Zealous Builder of Churches'
"In building churches here on earth, we create for ourselves eternal habitations in heaven."
The blessing for the foundation of Holy Apostles Orthodox Church was given by Bishop Gabriel of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, on April 28th, 2001, on the eve of the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women, [but there was an earlier blessing from Bishop Hilarion] in the spring of 1995, for us to openly pray for and work towards the eventual establishment of the new mission parish... Read the rich and edifying early history here...
Our first house church, followed by our move to Twin Chimneys Office Park, leading up to the gift of the Historic Chapel. Learn more here...
Since 2009 we have been restoring our beautiful chapel, gifted to our parish that year by the Christian Brothers.
To date, we have received and administered grants of approximately $400,000 so far, and continue to apply for the grants as they become available. Learn more here...
In October 2017, after spending two days with us and our beautiful chapel campus, noted Orthodox architectural designer Andrew Gould shared with us his vision for an attractive parish hall echoing the "Queen Anne" style of our historic chapel.
For the launch of our Capital Building Fund in mid-2018 Andrew provided us with a lovely watercolor of his design, and since that time we have been fundraising and moving towards building the parish hall, raising and administering approximately $300,000 in pre-construction costs. Once we complete the parish hall, we can begin holding the divine services in it, while we continue to work on the restoration and beautification of the chapel. Learn more here...
Our Dual-Timeline Display shows the progress of BOTH the Restoration & Renovation of our Historic Chapel, AND the Building Project for our New Parish Hall, projecting each out to completion.
Get up to speed quickly with this helpful overview, and see more detailed recent updates here...
Renowned Orthodox architectural designer Andrew Gould designed our parish hall and will also be involved with the design of the interior of our historic chapel.
Check out this special feature page with videos and more about the architect and our future parish home.
Holy Apostles Orthodox Church, in Beltsville, Maryland, is a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), Eastern American Diocese, founded with the purpose of bringing the Gospel and Divine Services of the Russian Orthodox Church to the people of America in the English language. We invite you to come to any of the Divine Services or events at our mission church. In 2009 we were gifted a beautiful, historic chapel and two-acre campus by the Christian Brothers. Our vision is to establish the parish in its new home, from where the parish can continue to thrive and grow as a living icon of Orthodox missions in America.
