Welcome to Assumption
Our Vibrant Parish Community
Father Jon Emanuelson
By Fr. Jon Emanuelson
Welcome home to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Morgantown, West Virginia! Open arms and open hearts make our community a truly blessed place where you can find the love of God, peace and joy. Worshipping the one, true and living God in Trinity is at the heart of all we do. Please see our calendar for the next time you can join us!
We are one block south of West Virginia University undergraduate campus. A close connection to the university, students and faculty of WVU is ongoing through our Orthodox Christian Fellowship chapter. As we constantly seek to grow in grace and truth in our Lord Jesus Christ, we offer many opportunities to discover the ancient Christian faith. Our Assumption parish is growing each year as more and more souls find their spiritual home in the Orthodox Church. Are you searching for the original Church? Glad you found us.
We hope our website gives you a good sense of who we are as Orthodox Christians and what we believe about God and His Church. Learn more about our community in the following ways:
Our Patron Saint - Assumption (Dormition) of the Theotokos
The saints of the church, who are alive in Christ, are not only models whose lives and devotion to God we should strive to emulate, but also are intercessors to God. Individual faithful and parish communities are called upon to take a patron saint, in the tradition of the Holy Orthodox Church. Early churches were built at the site of the graves of many of the Holy Martyrs. These communities were dedicated with the name of the martyr, and he or she was called upon by the community who worshiped there to act as an intercessor and protector for the faithful. Churches today place relics of the saints inside the Altar table as well as in places for veneration in the church in remembrance of these holy men and women in our lives.
About the Assumption (Dormition) of the Theotokos
The Feast of the Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on August 15 each year. The Feast commemorates the repose (dormition and in the Greek kimisis) or “falling-asleep” of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord. The Feast also commemorates the translation or assumption into heaven of the body of the Theotokos.
The commemoration of the Dormition of the Theotokos and the preparation for the Feast begin on August 1 with a period of fasting. A strict fast is followed on most of the days (no meat, dairy, oil, or wine), with the exceptions of fish on the Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) and the day of the Dormition. Oil and Wine are allowed on Saturdays and Sundays.
On the weekdays before the Feast, Paraklesis services are held in most parishes. These consist of the Great Paraklesis and the Small Paraklesis, both services of supplication and prayer for the intercessions of the Theotokos.
The Feast of the Dormition is celebrated with the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom which is conducted on the morning of the Feast and preceded by a Matins (Orthros) service. A Great Vespers is conducted on the evening before the day of the Feast. Scripture readings for the Feast of the Dormition are the following: At Vespers: Genesis 28:10-17; Ezekiel 43:27-44:4; Proverbs 9:1-11. At the Matins: Luke 1:39-49, 56. At the Divine Liturgy: Philippians 2:5-11; Luke 10:38-42; 11:27-28.
Apolytikion in the First Tone
In birth, you preserved your virginity; in death, you did not abandon the world, O Theotokos. As mother of life, you departed to the source of life, delivering our souls from death by your intercessions.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
Neither the grave nor death could contain the Theotokos, the unshakable hope, ever vigilant in intercession and protection. As Mother of life, He who dwelt in the ever-virginal womb transposed her to life.
1928: Our Roots at St. Markella’s
The first Greek Orthodox Church in the area, St. Markella’s, was established in the Sabraton section of Morgantown by newly-arrived Greek immigrants working in the local tin plate mill. While it served the community well, the location made it difficult for downtown residents and West Virginia University students to attend services regularly.
1954 – 1955: A New Vision & A New Home
Seeking a more central location, the community reorganized. In January 1955, 47 members met in the basement of the First Baptist Church to formally request recognition from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and pursue the purchase of the First Christian Church on Spruce Street. By June, Archbishop Michael granted official recognition, and on November 6, 1955, the first service was held in our new spiritual home.
1957: Debt-Free & A New Name
In an incredible show of dedication, the church mortgage was paid off in just over a year. Shortly after, the congregation voted to name the parish “Assumption,” proclaiming its love and devotion to the Holy Birthgiver of God. Parishioners poured hours of labor into remodeling the interior to meet Orthodox standards, adding beautiful icons painted in Salonica and bringing the original chandelier over from St. Markella’s.
1969 – 1984: Growth & Consecration
As the parish grew, so did the building. The exterior was renovated with stone in 1969, and new pews were added in 1983. The culmination of this era came on October 7, 1984, during our 30-year anniversary weekend. Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh officially consecrated the church, reminding us that we are “spiritually brothers and sisters walking together on the path of salvation.”
1994 – 1995: Preparing for the Next Century
As the physical building approached its 100th anniversary, structural engineers confirmed it was sound but in need of care. The parish launched “Phase I” renovations, rebuilding a failing altar floor with beautiful ceramic tile, refinishing the hardwoods, and restoring the walls to ensure the church would serve Morgantown for another hundred years.
2002: Accessibility & A Modern Facade
Using funds from donated acreage, the church launched Phase II of its renovations. Guided by Paradigm Architecture, a stunning new facade was constructed, featuring a more open entrance and a three-level elevator to ensure the church was accessible to all. In a beautiful tribute to our founders, the original cornerstone of St. Markella’s Church was integrated into the new structure.
Today: A Vibrant, Loving Community
The true history of our parish isn’t just in the bricks and mortar—it’s in the people. Guided by the tireless philanthropic work of our Ladies’ Auxiliary (Philoptochos) and enriched by West Virginia University students and faithful from across the globe, we are a diverse, committed family. Through joys and struggles, we remain dedicated to maintaining a vital Orthodox presence in Morgantown.
our Clergy
Fr. Jon was assigned to our Assumption Church by His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh on October 1, 2021. A native of Virginia and a graduate of Virginia Tech and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Fr. Jon has served the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese since 1989.
More information found here: https://www.patriarchate.org/
More information found here: https://www.goarch.org/archbishop/biography
More information found here: https://www.pittsburgh.goarch.org/