What is now St. Ignatius of Antioch Melkite Catholic Mission came into being early in 1980 when a group of Eastern Rite Catholics asked Father Nick Novario, a biritual Roman Rite and Byzantine Rite (Ruthenian) priest in Milledgeville, Georgia, to come to Augusta and offer the Divine Liturgy. Consequently, Father Nick offered the first Byzantine Liturgy in Augusta on 16th March 1980, using the Chapel at Fort Gordon.
Divine Liturgy was then offered throughout 1980 on a more or less regular monthly basis as scheduling would permit, with Father Nick returning in May, June and September. All liturgies after the initial one at Ft. Gordon have been celebrated at the Roman Rite Church of the Most Holy Trinity, whose pastor, Father William Simmons, has been a most valued friend.
Prior to the establishment of the Mission, Father Daniel Munn, an Episcopal priest, had been in contact with Patriarch Maximos V and Archbishop Joseph (Tawil) Eparch of Newton of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church and Raymond Lessard, Roman Rite Bishop of Savannah, requesting reception into the Melkite Catholic Church and ordination to Holy Priesthood. Through these contacts, Archimandrite Neilos (William Haddad), pastor of St. John Chrysostom Melkite Catholic Church in Atlanta came to Augusta to celebrate Divine Liturgy in October 1980. Father Neilos was accompanied by Father Joseph Peacock, a Roman Rite priest who assists him at St. John’s. It was at this time that we were officially established as a Mission of St. John Chrysostom’s. The name of St. Ignatius of Antioch was chosen in honor of our God-bearing Bishop, the 2nd successor of St. Peter in the See of Antioch and one of the most important writers of the early Church.
The Announcement by Rome in August of 1980 of the proposed reception of married Episcopal priests into the Catholic priesthood and the meeting of several members of our Mission with Archbishop Joseph during the Pastoral Council meeting in Atlanta in February of 1981 led us to hope that Father Daniel’s ordination soon would take place; however, such has not yet been the case.
Archimandrite Charles Aboody, Rector of St. Gregory the Theologian Melkite Seminary in Boston, came to us in January 1981 for celebration of Divine Liturgy, Blessing of the Waters and blessing of the homes of parishioners on the Feast of the Theophany. We have again been able to offer Divine Liturgy throughout 1981 on a more or less regular monthly basis with Father Nick and Father Neilos sharing the pastoral responsibilities. The lowest attendance at Liturgy has been 35 souls, average attendance 40-45, and the highest attendance 70 (at the Feast of the Theophany).
During the January visit, Father Charles also instructed Father Daniel in various liturgical and theological matters, as well as the needs of a fledgling mission. Father Charles returned in February to design and help us build a portable Iconostasis and altar base.
Through the efforts of Father Charles and others, we have acquired or built a portable Iconostasis for the 4 principle Icons, Icon lamps, a wooden altar base with marble top (donated to us by Father Simmons), a wooden tetrapod base with obsidian top, a sandbox and stand for burning candles in front of the Kissing Icon, a censer, a 7 branch brass candlestick for the altar, and the beginnings of a small Byzantine library. In gratitude for previous pastoral services by Father Daniel, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church has given us a processional cross. Our large cross behind the altar has been given to us on permanent loan by the Episcopal Convent of St. Helena. Our four principle Icons were painted in a most worshipful manner by Ms. Mila Mina of California.
During the summer, Mr. Richard Rogers, a Seminarian at St. Gregory the Theologian Seminary, was stationed here in Augusta. Richard helped with the training of the choir and acolytes as well as Father Daniel. Father Daniel has also received invaluable liturgical training from Father Emanuel, pastor of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Augusta.
During 1981, we had our first adult conversion and our first wedding. Father Charles returned again in September to perform Augusta’s first Byzantine Catholic wedding, uniting 2 members of St. Ignatius of Antioch Melkite Mission in Holy Matrimony.
During the Fall, Father Daniel conducted a 10 week (Saturday evenings) series on Byzantine Liturgy and spirituality. Fifteen people were enrolled with over half in attendance each session. The present pastor of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Father Kallinikos, took part in the course also.
At the present time, we number 2 Melkite, 2 Ruthenian and 4 Roman Rite families amongst the regularly attending faithful. Three other regularly attending families are non-Catholics in a Catechumen status. In addition, 3 Roman Rite, 1 Ruthenian, 1 Episcopal and 1 Indian Orthodox family are frequent visitors.
We have a small but active parish, meeting on a regular basis for the celebration of Divine Liturgy. We have been blessed by the outstanding priests mentioned in this report; however, we will be unable to grow until Father Daniel is ordained and we are able to partake of the Divine Liturgy on a weekly basis as well as Vespers, Orthros, and all else that goes into the full liturgical life of an active parish.