IN THE BEGINNING...Reverend James Fiore, Pastor of Transfiguration Byzantine Catholic Church in Orlando, requested permission to celebrate the Divine Liturgy according to the Byzantine Rite from Father Sean Heslin, Pastor of St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church in Daytona Beach. Permission was granted. On June 29, 1 980, Father Fiore, with the assistance of Steve Clark as Cantor and Andrew Banko (90 years young), one of the founding parishioners, the first Liturgy was celebrated. Father Fiore, a true missionary, traveled to Daytona each Sunday for three years to minister to this small group of faithful who would become the foundation of the present parish.
Most Reverend Bishop Michael Dudick DD, recognizing the need for a resident pastor, on June 12, 1983, appointed Reverend Michael Sopoliga to minister to the needs of the rapidly growing parish. Father Michael, a young and energetic priest moved the parish location to the Knights of Columbus Hall in Holly Hill. The first Liturgy was celebrated at that location June 24th.
Our first pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche in St. Augustine was held on October 1, 1983. These pilgrimages have continued each year with our Church as host.
In 1984, Ray Melnyk and Thomas Bisesi were appointed the first trustees. Because of the rapid growth, a Ladies Guild was formed and the installation of officers took place on March 11, 1984. This was followed by Bishop Michael naming the parish, Holy Dormition, on April 28th of that same year.
In the early part of 1984, February 5th, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Jacksonville Mission by Father Michael. During July of 1 984, property was found for the new Church and dedicated in August. Resistance by the neighborhood residents caused the zoning board to deny a building permit. Off we go again in search of a suitable location for a Church building. In November 1985 property was purchased at 17 Buckskin Lane, Ormond Beach, for the sum of $130,000. Parishioners armed with all kinds of cleaning supplies descended on the property like busy bees in preparation for the celebration of the first Divine Liturgy in the rectory Chapel on November 24th. A Shrine of the Blessed Mother in front of the Chapel was dedicated on Easter Sunday, March 30, 1986. This was followed by the Bell Tower dedication on November 23rd. Father Michael, being a dedicated and loyal priest, began his work and started drafting plans for a new Church and Social Center. Considerable funds were saved by his architectural work. “STEEPLE FIRST — CHURCH RISES IN ORMOND BEACH” — While working on the plans nationwide and local newspapers heralded the building of the onion domed steeple by Father Michael, Ray Melnyk and Mike Hreha. This dome now adorns our new Church building. On August 15, 1987 ground breaking and Blessing took place. Father Michael was the celebrant, Fathers Larry Redmond and Frank Smith, Pastors of local Roman Churches participated. October of 1987 arrived and so does Reverend Joseph Matrishion as the second resident Pastor. Father Joseph was graciously received by the parishioners and celebrated his first Divine Liturgy in the rectory Chapel on October 25, 1987. March of 1988, Father Joseph, an experienced builder of Churches, begins construction of the $400,000 Church and Social Center. The foundation of the building was poured by the contractors for the project, John, Bo and Myron Hawryluks. After consulting with Bishop Michael, Father Joseph decided to take his time with the project and build as the funds came in. During this period, Father initiated a program to sell Parish Bonds to the parishioners. This allowed our people to invest in the future of their Church while saving the parish a considerable amount of interest. Additionalfunds were accrued by numerous parish projects: Slavic Kitchen, Ladies Guild Bake Sales and Breakfasts, Lenten Dinners, Chinese Auction, Slavic Festivals, Garage and Craft Sales and Holiday Picnic Celebrations. Juliana Kolarovski and family donated electronic bells in memory of her husband, Peter, in September of 1988. With the aid of our generous parishioners and the help of our Bishop, who purchased the existing property on Division Street, enough funds were raised to complete our building project during the long hot summer of 1989. October 15, 1989 is the culmination of nine years effort by both dedicated clergy and devoted parishioners in the building of HOLY DORMITION BYZANTINE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND SOCIAL CENTER. Without the spiritual guidance and hard work by dedicated clergy and parishioners, this would not have been accomplished...