In 1977 Byzantine Catholics in the Atlanta, Georgia, area petitioned the Most Reverend Michael J. Dudic, Bishop of Passaic, to form a parish. Bishop Michael arranged to have Byzantine Rite Liturgies celebrated at two Roman Rite churches. Both were attended by over 50 members of our Rite. It was evident that those in attendance were filled with enthusiasm and the determination that would be needed to maintain a parish in the area. On December 12, 1977, the Byzantine Catholic Mission of Atlanta was officially recognized with Father Nick Navario, a bi-ritual priest of the Archdiocese of Atlanta, as our first pastor. Father Navario celebrated our first Divine Liturgy, with the blessing of water for the Theophany on January 7, 1978 at the Chapel of Marist High School in Atlanta. The chapel was our first permanent location, and Bishop Michael made his first visit to the Atlanta Mission on Palm Sunday, March 19, 1978. Shortly after Bishop Michael's visit, Father Navario was instructed to begin the search for a permanent site for the parish. The search was continued by our first permanent pastor, Father Robert Evancho who was appointed in September, 1979. After considerable review and searching a 12 acre site on Old Alabama Road in Roswell, Georgia, was selected. It was a central location for the parish families whose homes were in many different areas of metropolitan Atlanta and the state. The parish was growing. In order to have weekly and holy day liturgies, a house in Roswell, Georgia was rented. Father Evancho resided on the main floor while liturgies were held in an improvised chapel in the basement. Since the first mission liturgy was held on January Seventh, it was decided to name our parish Epiphany Byzantine Catholic Church. On July 31, 1980, Father Evancho was transferred to Fort Myers, Florida, and he was succeeded by our present pastor, Father Philip P. Scott. Early in 1981, Bishop Michael instructed Father Philip to arrange for the construction of a permanent home for Epiphany. Bishop Michael attended the ground breaking for the church and rectory on April 26, 1981. Construction was completed in May 1982. In the spring of 1985 another building was added to the church property when a local homeowners association donated a small house for joint use by the North Fulton County YMCA and Epiphany. The building has become an important addition to the parish educational and meeting facilities. Father Philip is assisted by our permanent Deacon, Charles Appel, who was ordained at Epiphany on June 23, 1991 by Bishop Michael. In November 1997 the Most Reverend Andrew Pataki, who succeed as Bishop of Passaic, after Bishop Michael's retirement, visited Epiphany to celebrate the Twentieth Anniversary of the Parish. Epiphany continues to grow and has served the community well for both spiritual and social enrichment.   Our Church:  Our Identity  |   Parish History  |  Our Temple  |  Byzantine Metropolia Instruction-Canon Law  |  Greek Catholic Union  |  Four Hierarchs-Four Martyrs Garden of All Saints  |  Parishioners in Iraq Our Traditions: Theophany-Epiphany  |  The Diaconate  |  Our Lady of the Willow Frankincense  |  Water  |  Iconostasis  |  Hagia Sophia  |  St.Nicholas of Myra Pentecost  |  Theotokos  |  Cosmology  |  Ordination of Married Men The Orthodox Brethren: Eternal Memory  |  Mother of Churches  |  Christ the Savior Miscellanous: Islam-Jihad  |  The Chaldean Church  |  Other Sites Home Copyright © 1999 - 2005 by Epiphany Byzantine Catholic Church. All Rights Reserved.