Our Parish

Holy Ascension Orthodox Church was established in 1998 through the vision of Father Constantine Nasr, Pastor of Saint Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Church in Oklahoma City. What began as monthly gatherings of Orthodox Christians in Norman, Oklahoma, quickly evolved into a formal mission. The first Orthodox Service of Great Vespers was held on May 6, 1999, at the Norman Public Library, marking the beginning of regular worship services for the growing community.

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In 2004, Holy Ascension achieved official mission status with the blessing of Metropolitan Philip and was incorporated as Holy Ascension Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church Inc. The parish experienced significant growth in its ministries, including educational programs, social outreach initiatives, and the development of essential church functions such as choir and Sunday School. During this period, the community was served by dedicated clergy and lay leaders who helped establish the foundational elements of parish life.

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After years of careful planning and through the generous support of numerous benefactors, Holy Ascension completed construction of its permanent home in 2010. The new Byzantine-style temple, located near the intersection of Sooner Road and Tecumseh, spans over 7,000 square feet across two levels. The cruciform building, crowned with a traditional dome and cross, houses the sanctuary on the upper level and church facilities on the lower level. On October 23, 2010, Bishop BASIL celebrated the Thyranoixia (Opening the Doors of a Church Temple), establishing Holy Ascension as a beacon of Orthodox Christianity in Norman, serving faithful generations to come.