LITURGY: SATURDAY 4:00 PM | During LENT: Every Tuesday @ 4 p.m.
HISTORY OF THE SHRINE
Chauncey Meyer Interview
An interview with the Shrine's Architect.
Carpathian Wooden Churches
The Shrine's Construction History
2015
The land was purchased at the end of 2015 under the prompting of Fr. Robert Rankin. Fr. Bob came to Eugene and Catherine Kinghorn's cabin for a house blessing in the spring of 2015 and he said, "it would be ideal to have a church on Mount Lemmon." Subsequently, they found the two properties behind their house and ultimately the northern lot were available for purchase. The Catherine and Gene bought these for what they thought would be an Eastern Catholic Church as Fr. Bob had suggested. Click on a picture to explore!
2016
The Kinghorns applied for permits in June of 2016 and were finally awarded the permits for the chapel and bell tower in the fall of 2016. Construction could not begin due to the delay however Master Builder, Gary Griffith along with Lalo Cota began on the grounds of the future chapel-lot #13, and the Bell Tower-lot #12 in May and finished up around October. The chapel lot needed to be raised almost 11 feet due to its steep slope. In order to create construction access between the two properties they needed to put a culvert pipe in the creek to create a bridge. The culvert will later be used to channel the creek from the northern lot to the existing culvert shown in the 2015 pics. In the spring of 2017 Master Mason, Miguel Miranda and his family business, and Master Framer, Mike Vasquez and his family business, Jose Garcia and his company, and Nick Laguna and Keith Sharratt began working with Gary to build the chapel, metal work and its grounds.
2017
During this time period the interior and exterior of the chapel was substantially complete. Challenges in the summer of 2017 included a wildfire that shut down all construction for around three weeks. The Bell tower foundation was started in the fall of 2017. During the harsh winter months construction was primarily focused on the interior of the Shrine. Click the center image below to see the exterior time lapse or the other images to see the 2017 photo gallery.
Shrine Exterior TimeLapse
2018
2018 construction continued on several fronts including the finishing of the interior of the shrine, the Bell Tower construction as well as the Veteran's Memorial and Ramada. Click the center image below to see the time lapse video of the Shrine's interior work or the other images to see the 2018 gallery.
Shrine Interior TimeLapse
THEOPHANY HOUSE BLESSINGS
Theophany house blessings : 6 Things to Know
1. Houses are traditionally blessed with "Theophany water" each year. A house can be blessed at any time, but the usual season for yearly blessings is from Theophany until the beginning of the Great Fast.
2. “Theophany water" is just water that has been blessed with the Great Blessing of the Waters service on Theophany. Another name for this water is simply "Holy Water". The water blessed in for instance, August is no more and no less "holy" than the water blessed on Theophany.
3. Water is blessed using the “Great Blessing of the Waters” service two distinct times during Theophany: after Vespers on the Eve of Theophany and after the Divine Liturgy on Theophany. The blessings are identical, and the water is identical.
4. In many places, it is traditional to bless water in lakes or rivers, frozen or flowing. The priests often go to such a place, and bless the water (if frozen, after a hole has been cut in the ice). Many people will take a dip in the water after it is blessed.
5. When a home is blessed, the priest brings everything needed for the blessing: a blessing cross, holy water and sprinkler.
The priest will bless all rooms of the house. In homes with children, it is always good for the little ones to carry a candle or the blessing cross and "lead" the priest throughout the house. An elder member of the house may also do this.
If you would like to schedule your cabin or place of business to be blessed, please contact the Shrine's Chaplain at 520.576.9653
Theophany Sculpture at Mary Undoer of Knots Shrine
Theophany Sculpture at Mary Undoer of Knots Shrine
Theophany vid4
Theophany vid3
Theophany vid2
Theophany vid1
Theophany is the word used in the Eastern Catholic Church because the baptism is the manifestation of God the Holy Trinity. God the Father spoke, “This is by beloved son in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed these words as true, as Jesus came up from the waters of the Jordan River.
July 28, 2021
Theophany is the word used in the Eastern Catholic Church because the baptism is the manifestation of God the Holy Trinity. God the Father spoke, “This is by beloved son in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed these words as true, as Jesus came up from the waters of the Jordan River.
Theophany is the word used in the Eastern Catholic Church because the baptism is the manifestation of God the Holy Trinity. God the Father spoke, “This is by beloved son in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed these words as true, as Jesus came up from the waters of the Jordan River.
We commissioned Brian Donahue to create a bronze Theophany Icon for the shrine's grotto at the baptismal font!
The Founders
Eugene Kinghorn
Co-Founder
Father Bob Rankin
Eparchial Advisor/Founder
Catherine Kinghorn
Co-Founder
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Robert and Toni Way
Co-Founders
Kelly and Phil Hurtado
Co-Founders
Chauncey Meyer
Co-Founder
Mary Undoer of Knots Byzantine Catholic Shrine
The Mary Undoer of Knots Byzantine Catholic Shrine is under the governance of the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix.
The Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Phoenix Proudly subscribes to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
Adopted by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops. The Eparchy, within all its parishes, institutions and programs, is committed to assuring a safe environment in ministry for its children, young people and vulnerable adults that conforms to the Charter requirements.
For more information regarding the Eparchial safe Environment Program, please contact:
--Deacon Michael Hanfin (Safe Environment Program Coordinator)
Cell: (480) 387-5182 * Email: dcnhanafin@ephx.org
--Subdeacon Paul F. Kilroy (Asst. Safe Environment Program Coordinator):
Office: (602) 861-9778 * Cell: (702) 498-5972 * Email: sbdcnkilroy@ephx.org
--Dr. Caroline Bonham (Victim Assistance Coordinator):
Cell: (505) 314-3943 * Email: victimassistanceofphoenix@gmail.com
Contact Information
Address: P.O. Box 789 Mount Lemmon, AZ 85619
Phone: (520) 576-9653