About Epiphany of Our Lord · Gaithersburg, Maryland
Epiphany of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Mission is a Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholic mission community in upper Montgomery County, Maryland, belonging to the Eparchy of Passaic (the Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic diocese based in New Jersey). Established in October 1996 by Bishop Andrew Pataki, the mission is an outreach of the mother parish, Epiphany of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church in Annandale, Virginia, and serves the spiritual needs of approximately 30 families drawn from the Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Germantown communities along the I-270 Technology Corridor. The community gathers for the Byzantine-Ruthenian Divine Liturgy, celebrated in English, in the Byzantine Christian tradition shared with the worldwide Catholic Church. Welcoming all regardless of ethnic background, the mission ministers especially to descendants of second- and third-generation immigrants from Central and Eastern Europe who wish to worship in the Eastern Christian liturgical style.
- Established
- 1996
- Patron
- Epiphany of Our Lord (Theophany)
- Rector
- Very Rev. John G. Basarab
- Diocese
- Eparchy of Passaic (Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic), based in Passaic, New Jersey
Why belong here
Epiphany Mission offers a rare Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholic presence in the Maryland suburbs — the only Byzantine Catholic community of the Eparchy of Passaic serving upper Montgomery County — making it a true spiritual home for Eastern Christian Catholics and for anyone drawn to worship in the Byzantine liturgical tradition within full communion with Rome. The mission combines reverent, English-celebrated Sunday Divine Liturgy with on-site Byzantine Christian Formation classes for children from preschool through high school, weekly fellowship, and the pastoral care of an experienced Byzantine priest, Very Rev. John Basarab, supported by deacons and visiting Franciscans. Members participate in eparchial life including the annual Pro-Life Vigil at the National Shrine, while enjoying the warmth of a small community of roughly 30 families.
Mass times at Epiphany of Our Lord
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturdays 11:30 AM – 12:00 Noon (per eparchial bulletin; additional times during the Christmas Fast and Great Fast)
Who We Are
Epiphany of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Mission is a community of Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholics in upper Montgomery County, Maryland, established in October 1996 by Bishop Andrew Pataki of the Eparchy of Passaic. It is the Maryland mission of Epiphany of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church in Annandale, Virginia, and is served by the pastor, deacons, and assisting clergy of that mother parish. The mission welcomes all, regardless of ethnic background, to worship in the Byzantine Christian tradition within the worldwide Catholic Church.
- Founded October 1996 by Bishop Andrew Pataki
- Mission of Epiphany of Our Lord Byzantine Catholic Church, Annandale, VA
- Serves approximately 30 families from Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Germantown
- Eparchy of Passaic (Byzantine Ruthenian Catholic)
Parish Clergy & Staff
The mission is shepherded by Very Rev. John G. Basarab, who serves as pastor of both the mother parish in Annandale and the Gaithersburg mission. He is assisted at the mission by deacons, a lector, and visiting priests in regular rotation, and supported by parish office staff and a Parish Council of Administration.
- Very Rev. John G. Basarab, Pastor
- Deacon Elmer Pekarik
- Deacon Peter Turko (retired)
- Lector Jack Figel
- Rev. Jerome Wolbert, O.F.M.
- Rev. Serhii Deiak
- Rev. Daniel Grigassy, O.F.M.
- Jamie Bacigalupi, Administrative Assistant
- Lucie Cantsilieris, Financial Assistant
History of the Mission
Bishop Andrew Pataki established Epiphany Mission in October 1996 at the Mother of God Community School in Gaithersburg to serve Byzantine Ruthenian Catholics in upper Montgomery County. Father Basarab, then pastor of the Annandale parish, was given pastoral care of the new mission and was assisted over the years by a rotating roster of priests, including Fathers Alexei Mihalenko, Richard Kanar, Jack Custer, Joseph Loya O.S.A., Daniel Grigassy O.F.M., and Conan Timoney. From 2004 onward, Father Lee Gross, dean of students at Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Emmitsburg, has assisted the mission. The mission eventually moved from the Mother of God School to its own chapel at 9301 Warfield Road, where it continues to celebrate the Byzantine-Ruthenian Divine Liturgy each Sunday.
- October 1996 — mission founded at Mother of God Community School, Gaithersburg
- Longtime pastoral oversight by Very Rev. John G. Basarab
- Assisted over the years by Fathers Mihalenko, Kanar, Custer, Loya, Grigassy, Timoney, Gross, Wolbert, Deiak
- Relocated to 9301 Warfield Road, Gaithersburg
The Sacraments (Mysteries)
As a Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholic community, Epiphany Mission celebrates the seven Mysteries (Sacraments) in the Eastern Christian tradition. In the Byzantine tradition, the Mysteries of Initiation — Baptism, Chrismation (Confirmation), and Holy Eucharist — are typically conferred together, even in infancy. The Mystery of Repentance (Confession) is regularly available; couples preparing for the Mystery of Crowning (Marriage) give one year's notice and complete FOCCUS and Pre-Cana formation.
- Baptism, Chrismation, Holy Eucharist (often received together)
- Marriage — one year notice; FOCCUS and Pre-Cana
- Confession (Mystery of Repentance)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Holy Communion / Visitation of the Sick
- Funeral Services with Mercy Meal (Epiphany Ladies Guild)
Faith Formation & School of Religion
The mission provides Eastern Catholic religious education for children from preschool and kindergarten through high school, meeting immediately after the Sunday Divine Liturgy throughout the school year (September through June). This Byzantine Christian Formation program — the School of Religion — gives young parishioners a grounding in the Eastern Christian liturgical and spiritual tradition alongside their Sunday worship.
- Sundays after the 10:00 AM Divine Liturgy, 10:30–11:30 AM
- September through June
- Preschool & Kindergarten through High School
Community Life & Outreach
Despite its small size, Epiphany Mission is woven into the wider life of the Eparchy of Passaic. Members regularly join eparchial events, including the annual Pro-Life Vigil at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and have helped facilitate eparchial pilgrimages and youth rallies. The Epiphany Ladies Guild (at the mother parish) supports the mission's charity outreach, including providing Mercy Meals for families following funerals, and the Slava Men's Chorus and parish cantors enrich the mission's worship when present.
- Annual Pro-Life Vigil at the Basilica of the National Shrine
- Eparchial pilgrimages to the Byzantine Ruthenian Chapel at the National Shrine
- Byzanteen Youth Rallies — participation by parish teens
- Epiphany Ladies Guild — Mercy Meal ministry and charity
- Slava Men's Chorus and cantors support liturgical music
Cemetery Ministry
Epiphany of Our Lord maintains two portions of Fairfax Memorial Park as its parish cemetery, in keeping with the Byzantine Catholic tradition of sacred burial grounds. Parishioners interested in purchasing plots should contact Deacon Peter Turko.
- Two portions of Fairfax Memorial Park
- Contact Deacon Peter Turko for plot purchase
Getting Involved & Contact
Parishioners and visitors are warmly welcomed at Epiphany Mission Chapel, 9301 Warfield Road, Gaithersburg. Those wishing to register should visit the parish office and complete a confidential census form, or reach out via the mission's email. Parish office hours for the mother parish in Annandale are Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
- Address: 9301 Warfield Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20882
- Mission phone: (301) 482-0282
- Mother parish phone: (703) 573-3986
- Email: [email protected]
- Websites: https://eolmission.com (mission) and https://eolbcc.com (mother parish)
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Very Rev. John G. Basarab1996–present
Appointed pastor of mother parish Epiphany of Our Lord, Annandale on December 1, 1992 by Bishop Michael J. Dudick; simultaneously given pastoral care of the newly established Gaithersburg mission in October 1996.