About Epiphany of Our Lord · Annandale, Virginia
Epiphany of Our Lord is a Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic parish located at 3410 Woodburn Road in Annandale, Virginia. It belongs to the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic and serves faithful of the Byzantine (Ruthenian) tradition in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. region. Founded as a mission in 1968 and canonically established as a parish in 1972, the community gathers for the Divine Liturgy in English, with the parish guided by Very Rev. John G. Basarab as pastor, supported by two deacons and visiting priests. The parish operates an Eastern Catholic School of Religion, a cemetery ministry through Fairfax Memorial Park, and a Byzantine Catholic Mission in nearby Gaithersburg, Maryland.
- Established
- 1968 (mission); 1972 (parish)
- Patron
- Epiphany of Our Lord (the Manifestation of Our Lord)
- Rector
- Very Rev. John G. Basarab
- Diocese
- Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic (Ruthenian; suffragan of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh)
Why belong here
Epiphany of Our Lord offers Byzantine Catholics in the Washington metro area a parish home where the Eastern Christian liturgical tradition—Divine Liturgy, the Great Fast, the Christmas Fast, the Paschal cycle, and the major feasts of the Byzantine year—is lived fully and reverently. The parish combines strong sacramental and devotional life (weekly Mystery of Repentance, anointing of the sick, and Holy Communion brought to the sick by the deacon) with a robust Eastern Catholic School of Religion for children, an active Ladies Guild, Men's Club, BCY youth organization, Voskresenije (Resurrection) Choir, and a Knights of Columbus honor guard, all under the pastoral leadership of Very Rev. John G. Basarab. It also operates the Byzantine Catholic Mission of Montgomery County in Gaithersburg, MD, extending Byzantine Catholic presence across the region.
Mass times at Epiphany of Our Lord
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 11:30 AM – 12:00 Noon (regular Mystery of Repentance)
- During the Christmas Fast (Advent) and the Great Fast (Lent) on Sundays between the Divine Liturgies
- Visiting confessors scheduled at special times during the Great Fast
- Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of Great and Holy Week in preparation for Pascha
Parish History
Epiphany of Our Lord traces its origin to 1968, when Byzantine Catholics in Northern Virginia struggled to reach Byzantine parishes across the D.C. curfew for holyday obligations. After two emergency Divine Liturgies at St. Mark's parish center in Vienna, a feasibility study was conducted and Bishop Stephen Kocisko granted permission for Sunday Liturgies at Luther Jackson Middle School in Falls Church. The mission formally began October 6, 1968, was named on February 22, 1970, and purchased its present 4.78-acre property on Woodburn Road that June. Bishop Michael J. Dudick canonically established it as a parish in 1972, and a temporary church (designed by parishioner John Zekan and largely built by the men of the mission) was blessed April 29, 1973.
- 1968: First Divine Liturgy of the Byzantine Catholic Mission of Northern Virginia, October 6
- 1970: Mission named Epiphany; 4.78 acres purchased at 3410 Woodburn Road
- 1972: Parish canonically established by Bishop Dudick
- 1973: Solemn blessing of temporary church (April 29)
- 1974: Father John Lazarek assigned as first resident pastor (October 1)
- 1987: Rectory, parish center, and new iconostasis blessed by Bishops Dudick and Kuzma (June 14)
- 1992: Father John Basarab appointed pastor (December 1); Kerns Group Architects retained
- 1995: 25th anniversary celebrated; over $1 million debt retired
- 1999: 3424 Woodburn Road acquired (May) for future church site
- 2010: Groundbreaking for permanent Carpathian-style church (May 16) with Bishop Skurla
Parish Clergy and Staff
The parish is led by Very Rev. John G. Basarab, pastor since December 1, 1992, and is assisted in pastoral ministry by two deacons and visiting priests who help with weekend and feast-day Liturgies. The parish office is staffed by an Administrative Assistant (Jamie Bacigalupi) and a Financial Assistant (Lucie Cantsilieris).
- Very Rev. John G. Basarab — Pastor
- Deacon Elmer Pekarik
- Deacon Peter Turko (retired)
- Lector Jack Figel
- Rev. Jerome Wolbert OFM — assisting priest
- Rev. Daniel Griggasy — assisting priest
- Jamie Bacigalupi — Administrative Assistant
- Lucie Cantsilieris — Financial Assistant
- Parish Council of Administration: Emil Koval, Greg Puhak, Sally Green
Divine Liturgy and Parish Schedule
The parish celebrates the Byzantine (Ruthenian) Divine Liturgy in English every weekend and on selected weekdays, following the Byzantine liturgical calendar (Pentecost, Peter & Paul, Dormition, etc.). The regular weekly schedule shown in bulletins is Saturday Vigil at 5:00 PM and Sunday morning at 9:00 AM, with weekday Liturgies on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:00 AM; major feasts and holy days add 10:00 AM and 7:30 PM Liturgies as scheduled.
- Saturday Vigil — 5:00 PM
- Sunday — 9:00 AM
- Tuesday — 10:00 AM
- Friday — 10:00 AM
- Holy Days — 10:00 AM (and 7:30 PM as scheduled)
Sacraments (Mysteries)
Epiphany of Our Lord celebrates the seven Mysteries (Sacraments) of the Eastern Catholic tradition. Initiation (Baptism, Chrismation, and Holy Eucharist) is conferred together for infants; adults enter through a catechumenate. Couples wishing to marry must meet with the pastor one year in advance. Confessions are scheduled weekly on Saturdays, with additional times during the Great Fast and Holy Week. Anointing of the Sick is offered to those facing serious illness or surgery, and the deacon brings Holy Communion to the homebound and hospitalized.
- Mysteries of Initiation — Baptism, Chrismation, Holy Eucharist (infants on Sat/Sun outside fasts; adults via catechumenate)
- Mystery of Crowning (Marriage) — one-year notice, four sessions with priest/deacon, FOCCUS, Pre-Cana or Engaged Encounter
- Mystery of Repentance — Sat 11:30 AM–12:00 Noon, plus Advent/Lent and Holy Week
- Anointing of the Sick — for serious illness, surgery, or medical emergency
- Holy Communion / Visitation of the Sick — by the deacon on Sundays
- Office of Christian Burial — with Epiphany Ladies Guild Mercy Meal following interment
Faith Formation and School of Religion
The Eastern Catholic School of Religion provides catechesis for children from preschool/kindergarten through high school, meeting on Sundays between or after the Divine Liturgies throughout the academic year (September–June). Bulletin notices give Sunday class times as approximately 10:30–11:30 AM (following the 9:00 AM Divine Liturgy). The school complements the parish's sacramental preparation and draws on Eastern Catholic formation materials.
- Classes meet Sundays during the school year (September–June)
- Ages served: Preschool & Kindergarten through High School
- Bulletin notices contact: [email protected]
Parish Organizations and Ministries
Parish life at Epiphany of Our Lord is carried by a strong network of lay organizations that support worship, formation, fellowship, and charity. These include the Epiphany Ladies Guild, which also provides the Mercy Meal at funerals, the Epiphany Men's Club (founded 1982), the Byzantine Catholic Youth organization, the Voskresenije (Resurrection) Choir, and the cantors, ushers, and altar servers who serve the Divine Liturgy. A Knights of Columbus honor guard participates in major parish events.
- Epiphany Ladies Guild
- Epiphany Men's Club (est. 1982)
- Byzantine Catholic Youth (BCY)
- Voskresenije (Resurrection) Choir
- Cantors, Ushers, Altar Servers
- Parish Council of Administration
- Knights of Columbus honor guard
Outreach and Cemetery Ministry
Beyond its own parish boundaries, Epiphany of Our Lord sponsors the Byzantine Catholic Mission of Montgomery County, which celebrates Divine Liturgy on Sundays at 10:00 AM at 20501 Goshen Road, Gaithersburg, MD, followed by religious education and a social hour from 11:15–12:15 (phone 301-482-0282). The parish also maintains a cemetery ministry: Epiphany of Our Lord cemetery is a portion of Fairfax Memorial Park, and parishioners may purchase plots through the deacon. The Ladies Guild further extends parish charity by providing a Mercy Meal for families after a funeral interment.
- Byzantine Catholic Mission of Montgomery County, 20501 Goshen Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20882
- Mission Divine Liturgy: Sunday 10:00 AM
- Epiphany of Our Lord cemetery at Fairfax Memorial Park — plots available through the deacon
- Epiphany Ladies Guild Mercy Meal following interment
Contact and Office Information
Parish office hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, closed on civil and church holidays. Announcements for the Sunday bulletin may be dropped off in the office, faxed to (703) 573-0344, or emailed to [email protected]. Individuals wishing to register should visit the parish office to complete a confidential census form.
- Address: 3410 Woodburn Road, Annandale, VA 22003
- Phone: 703-573-3986
- Fax: 703-573-0344
- Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Email: [email protected]
- Bulletin email: [email protected]
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father John Lazarek1974 (assigned first resident pastor)
First pastor of Epiphany of Our Lord parish; took up residence in the farmhouse on the property. Organized the parish's first ministries (choir, ushers, cantors, altar servers, BCY, and later the 1982 Men's Club).
- Very Rev. John G. Basarab1992–present
Appointed pastor December 1, 1992 by Bishop Michael J. Dudick. Led the planning and groundbreaking for the permanent Carpathian-style church (groundbreaking May 16, 2010).