Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church of Cumming
Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church of Cumming serves the Orthodox Christian community of Cumming, Georgia, offering regular worship services and preserving Greek Orthodox faith, traditions, and community life in the region.
Clergy:
Rev. Presbyter Barnabas Powell, Presiding Priest
Church Type:
Parish
Denomination:
Greek Orthodox
Metropolis:
Metropolis of Atlanta
Affiliation:
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Ecumenical Patriarch:
Bartholomew I of Constantinople
Clergy Information updated Jan 2026
History
The Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church of Cumming, Georgia carries a founding story unlike almost any other Greek Orthodox parish in America. In the winter of 1996, Mr. and Mrs. Nikitas Damianakis, a devoted couple from Palm Harbor, Florida, made the drive to Atlanta despite Nikitas' advanced emphysema to request the blessings of Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta for a dream they carried in their hearts: to establish the first Greek Orthodox church in the United States dedicated to the Holy Martyrs Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene of Thermi, on the island of Lesbos. These fifteenth-century martyrs, canonized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 1970, were killed by Turkish raiders in April 1463 at their monastery near the village of Thermi. Metropolitan Alexios granted his blessing, and the Damianakis family and a small gathering of faithful moved forward with neither funds nor a priest assigned, trusting that God would provide what vision and faith could not.
The first Greek Orthodox Divine Liturgy ever celebrated in Forsyth County was held on February 22, 1997, at Christ the King Lutheran Church in the Cumming area, with Father Sebastian of the Holy Transfiguration Church in Marietta officiating. Monthly Saturday services continued through the summer of 1999. On October 15, 1999, Metropolitan Alexios formally declared the community a Canonical Greek Orthodox Mission Parish under the patronage of Saints Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene. The following year, canonical permission was granted for the purchase of the church property on Bethel View Road, securing the community's permanent home in fast-growing Forsyth County.
In 2003 a historic moment of deep spiritual significance took place when His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Plomari and Erressos, together with Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, personally escorted the Holy Relics of Saints Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene to the parish, enshrining them in the community that bears the martyrs' names. The parish grew rapidly alongside Forsyth County itself, one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, and with more than 125 families and a Sunday School of 100 children, the community broke ground on a 15,000 square foot multipurpose building on its 16 acres of property on January 2, following a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy presided over by Metropolitan Alexios.
Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cumming serves the Orthodox Christian faithful of Forsyth County and North Georgia as a parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta, a community that began with a leap of faith by one devoted couple and grew into a thriving outward-focused parish committed to bearing witness to the Gospel of Christ in the rapidly growing communities north of Atlanta.
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This page serves as a reference resource for Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church of Cumming, providing essential information such as location, contact details, clergy, and church affiliation. It is intended to help visitors and members of the Orthodox Christian community easily find accurate parish information in one place.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register as a member at a Greek Orthodox parish?
Parish membership is generally established by registering with the church office. Each parish may have its own process for enrollment and participation in parish life.
Can I attend services if I am not a registered member of the parish?
Greek Orthodox churches welcome visitors and non-members to attend services. Participation in sacraments may require coordination with the parish and priest.
How do I contact the parish priest for pastoral matters?
Pastoral requests are typically handled by the parish priest. The parish office can assist with contact details and help coordinate appointments or inquiries.
How do I register to baptize my child in the Greek Orthodox Church?
Baptism requests are handled by the local parish. The church will usually require documentation from the parents and godparent, along with coordination with the priest to schedule the baptism.
How do I request a wedding date at my Greek Orthodox church?
Wedding dates are scheduled through the parish office and priest. Availability depends on the church calendar, fasting periods, and parish guidelines, so it is recommended to inquire well in advance.
How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox marriage certificate?
Marriage certificates are typically issued by the church where the sacrament took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.
How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox baptismal certificate?
Baptismal certificates are typically issued by the church where the baptism took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.
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