Welcome to the Orthodox Church of Dover, Florida, serving the East Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Valrico, Zephyrhills, Riverview, and West Lakeland areas

*Note, the above picture was taken after a pillar of cloud had formed over the Church.   We had to run back to the house to find the camera.   By the time a camera was found, about 10 minutes had elapsed.  The pillar of cloud had begun to dissipate but was still formed enough to capture this picture.   

Parish members:  for your convenience, you are now able to give your weekly, monthly, or yearly offerings by clicking HERE

Our address:  Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God Orthodox Church 3820 Moores Lake Road, Dover FL 33527. 

Directions: From the West (Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater) go East on I-4 toward Orlando and get off on the McIntosh Road Exit and bear a right at light at bottom of ramp. At next light make a left onto 92. Go straight about 1 1/2 miles and make right onto Moores Lake Road. Go straight and the parish will be on your right about 3/4 of a mile up the Road.

From the South, Take I75 to the Brandon Exit. Follow Brandon Road until you see Dover Road. Make a Left onto Dover Road until it turns into Moores Lake Road. The Church will be on the left. Alternate Take I75 North to I-4 East toward Orland and follow directions from the West.

From the North Take I 75 to I-4 East toward Orlando and follow directions from the West.

From the East: Take I75 West toward Tampa and get off at the Branch Forbes exit. Go to 92 and turn right onto 92. Go several miles and turn left onto Moores Lake Road. Follow for 3/4 mile and will see Church on your right.

Eparchial Bishop and Archpastor:  H.E. Metropolitan ANTONY is the ruling Bishop of the Eastern Eparchy and a hierarch of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America . 

Other hierarchs and Archpastors of the Metropolia:  H.A.H. Ecumenical Patriarch BARTHOLOMEW, H.G. Bishop DANIEL

                Memory Eternal:  H.B. Metropolitan CONSTANTINE, H.E. Archbishop VSEVOLOD

Parish Pastor/Rector:  Very Rev. Fr. Harry Linsinbigler.   Fr. Harry is the Director of the Office of Religious Education, Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America, as well as Dean of the Florida Deanery, Instructor of Dogmatic Theology, Canonist and Liturgical Rubricist for the UOCUSA.  Fr. Harry has a Doctorate and two Master's degrees, and is on the Board of Regents of St. Sophia Seminary, is a member of the Liturgical Commission, and is a Trustee of the Orthodox Christian Education Commission.  He is also the Orthodox representative to the Christian Forum and has served as Vice President and Treasurer of the Tampa Bay Orthodox Clergy Brotherhood. 

Schedule of Services and Events and other information:  Except for Pascha, Sunday Liturgy is at 9:45am.  See Schedule page for specific times Sunday services: Divine Liturgy (English),Vespers, Matins (mixed Languages), Christian Education for adults and children, Fellowship, and Lunch.  Other services Midweek Matins and Liturgies, Lenten Liturgy Saturday Mornings see Schedule, Lenten Presanctified Liturgies Wed. and Fridays see Schedule; Weekday services for feast days throughout the year. 

About Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God Parish

The parish is a parish of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in full Communion with all other Orthodox Churches worldwide.  The parish was founded over two decades ago by Fr. Anastasije Starcavic, an American of Serbian and Italian descent, together with immigrants from Ukraine and first generation Ukrainian Americans, the spiritual descendants of the ancient see of Kyiv (Kiev).   It is within the UOC of USA under the omophor of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (within whose territory ALL SEVEN of the Ecumenical Councils of the ancient Church were held).  The Ecumenical Patriarchate is the mother of Orthodox Chrisitianity in Rus-Ukraine, just as Rus-Ukraine is the mother of much of the Orthodox Christianity in the United States and Diaspora.  The regular Sunday Divine Liturgy is in English.  At traditional times, especially Pascha, several traditional and other languages are used to proclaim the universality of the Resurrection.  Members of our parish are from all ethnic backgrounds, and people from all ethnic backgrounds are welcomed to join, our Church being based on the great commission of Christ to make disciples of all nations.  The Faith which spread to Rus-Ukraine has now been brought to America and, in the words of our Saviour, should be preached in all places "to every creature" (Mark 16.15).

           The inside of the Church building with the iconostasis (icon screen or templon) follows the classic design used by most Orthodox churches, with many icons decorating the inside of the Church building. The main body of the Church has a narthex, representative of earth, the main part of the church known as the nave, representative of heaven, and, behind the icon screen (iconostas, also known as the templon) the altar which represents the heaven of heavens.   God's grace and presence fills all of these sacred spaces, and as a Church we set aside each part of the Church for special and distinct usages in the glorification of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

           After Sunday Church services we meet in fellowship at our fellowship hall, and we have Christian Education for all ages.  All those who are visiting are most welcome to join in!  Here everyone may have lunch or just fellowship.  Having a meal or some food and drink in fellowship on Sundays after Liturgy follows an ancient Christian tradition meeting in fellowship as a sign of love (Agape) in Christ in celebration of the Resurrection of Christ and His triumph over death and hell, giving all of mankind access to His Kingdom who hear his call to "come."  The future is bright for our Church and its members, looking always toward the light of Christ.  

Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God

Pravoslavna Tserkva Sv. Pokrove Materi Bozhoi

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the United States of America

Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople                                   

3820 Moores Lake Road

Dover FL 33527

Many thanks to St. Elizabeth Convent for their splendid iconographic work, such at the background icon of the Theotokos.    Please visit their website also for vestments and other items.