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Early
in September 2000, a group of about 20 Orthodox faithful in
the Raleigh area of North Carolina asked their Bishop for
permission to start a new parish. +Archbishop DMITRI granted
his blessing, approved the parish's name (Holy Transfiguration),
and assigned a priest. Through the end of October 2000 we
met for weekend services at the Holiday Inn in Cary. After
an intensive search, we found and rented space in a light
industrial complex off US-70. With the enthusiastic help of
our members, that warehouse was transformed into a place of
worship. At the same time, the national Church (OCA) and Diocese
of the South awarded Holy Transfiguration a three year church
planting grant. By the beginning of 2001 we were "up
and running."
After
only a year (January 2002), we had outgrown our facilities.
Our next step was to rent the adjoining unit in our building.
This allowed us to expand the original worship area and provide
space for fellowship and church school classes.
In January 2004, the church successfully assumed full financial
responsibility when the church planting grant came to an end.
Financially independent and still growing, the parish offered
a full cycle of services with an average attendance of about
seventy at Sunday Liturgy.
By the beginning of 2005, we were once again on the verge
of outgrowing our facilities-not only in the nave, but also
in the fellowship area and the classrooms. The obvious next
step was to locate and purchase property for a new church
building. To that end, we had already established a building
fund and organized a search committee. In spite of considerable
effort, we could not find affordable property. However, we
did find a church building for rent and decided to take advantage
of the opportunity. The new facility gave us more space in
the nave, an adequate fellowship hall with a kitchen, more
classrooms, and offices.
In June of 2006 we signed the lease for the new building and
started necessary renovations. July 15, 2006, we began church
services at our new location.
On August 27, 2009 we completed the process of purchasing
our present church building and its surrounding property.
With the blessing of +Archbishop NIKON in August, 2012, Holy
Transfiguration Orthodox Church, was granted full Parish Status
representing Raleigh-Durham and the Triangle of North Carolina
in the Diocese of the South beginning on September 1, 2012.
As our needs and parish family grew, we expanded our vision
toward the building of our future church. On November 8, 2015
with the planting of a very large cross, we blessed our new
church property.
After seventeen years of leadership, spiritual guidance and
countless contributions to the growth and success of Holy
Transfiguration church, our parish said farewell to Father
Edward Rommen and Matushka Ainee as they retired in February
of 2017. God Grant Them Many Years!
In March of 2017 as
we began Great Lent,
we were delighted to welcome Father Patrick Pulley and Matushka
Lauren and their sons, James, Walter and Henry. Because of
Father Patrick's enthusiasm to the new challenge and assistance
from Father Andrew Davis, our parish council and all our members,
the transition was a successful one.
Thanks to Our Lord, and the prayers, dedication and hard work
of our parishioners who have made this possible, we look forward
to the continued growth of Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church
in Raleigh-Durham, NC. Glory to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus
Christ - Glory Forever!
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