Meals that turn into long conversations
We often host cookouts, dinners, and after-church meals.
Orthodox Christian Fellowship at UVA
The righteous shall live by faith.
OCF is the Orthodox Christian student ministry at the University of Virginia. We gather for worship, Scripture, and fellowship in the life of the Church. Some of us grew up Orthodox. Others came as inquirers. We strive to live out our faith in love, service, and humility.
A first visit
You will encounter the Faith as it is lived — through worship, study, and the ordinary company of other Orthodox Christians.
Here’s what we actually do
A typical OCF week includes worship, Scripture study, and the fellowship of the Church.
OCF is a student chapter, not a campus club. The rhythm of the week follows the life of the Church: Vespers on Saturday, Divine Liturgy on Sunday, Bible study during the week, and the meals and conversation that accompany them.
Church life that does not stay abstract
Students pray together, learn the services, and stay connected to parish life while at UVA.
Friendship beyond one event
Some of the best parts of OCF are the ordinary ones: rides, hangouts, and seeing people again next week.
Campus life, together
Volleyball nights, pickup games, and campus hangouts are a regular part of the semester.
Retreats beyond campus
Each semester includes time away — hikes, overnight retreats, and visits to other OCF chapters.
Retreats that go somewhere
Each semester we go away together — overnight retreats in the Blue Ridge, hikes, and time outside the ordinary rhythm of the week.
Your first step
Coming for the first time requires no preparation.
The Church has always received inquirers. You do not need familiarity with the services, background in Orthodox theology, or any particular preparation. Come and see.
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Reach out beforehand if you have questions
If you want to know where to go, who to look for, or what the week holds, contact us first. Many people begin that way.
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Start with whichever gathering suits you
Most students begin with Bible study or Saturday Vespers. Either is a reasonable entry point into the life of OCF.
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No prior knowledge is expected
You do not need to know the prayers or understand every part of the service. Come, observe, and ask questions as they arise.
New here?
Answers to the questions most visitors ask before coming.
The Start Here page addresses what Orthodoxy is, what to expect at a gathering or service, where events take place, and how to get in contact before you arrive.
What to expect
A community oriented toward prayer, worship, and the common life of the Church.
The character of OCF is shaped by the liturgical calendar and the ordinary life of a Christian community. Some weeks center on feast days or particular services. Others are simpler: study, conversation, shared meals. The continuity is the same people and the same Faith, week after week.
Worship at St. Nicholas
Great Vespers on Saturday and Divine Liturgy on Sunday at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church are the center of OCF’s worship life.
Scripture study and fellowship
Weekly Bible study and shared meals fill the rest of the week. These are not peripheral activities but part of the same common life.
A community open to inquirers
Orthodoxy has a long tradition of welcoming those who seek. Questions about the Faith, the services, or church history are a normal part of OCF life.
Ready to come?
Reach out before your first visit if you have questions.
If you want to know where to go, what to expect, or who to look for, contact us beforehand. You are also welcome to simply come.