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In
the month of April of 1982
a handful of people living in the area of New Port Richey,
Florida, embarked on a project to develop the nucleus of a
new Orthodox community, which would later be known as St.
George Greek Orthodox Church.
t took months of preparation, but their efforts
culminated to that blessed day when the
first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on
November 14, 1982 at Gulf Harbors Civic
Center in New Port Richey by Fr. Constantine Volaitis. For some, it may have been evident in
tears of joy, for others, it may have
expressed itself in the brilliant smiles
on their faces. This was the beginning
of something blessed and wonderful.
Regular
Sunday services began to be held at the former
Faupel Chapel on U.S. 19 in Port Richey (today,
Patio Furniture), at a rental of $1000.00 per month.
On February 20, 1983, the community began holding
its regular Sunday services at the former Branigan's
restaurant (currently Kally K's) on U.S. 19 in
New Port Richey, which was offered to the congregation
by the Baskovich/Williams family, at no charge,
pending its sale.
Things
began to take shape with all the people pulling
together to develop into a working community. They
formed a Board of Directors, they established a
Sunday School, a Choir, a Greek School and other
committees to raise funds and assure continued
progress. In less than a year, these dedicated
people managed to locate and purchase land on Little
Road. While they were holding services in various
buildings in the Port Richey and New Port Richey
area they purchased the land and made plans for
the first building, the Community Center.
As
the number of parishioners continued to grow, a
major fundraising event was held in January, 1984
at the Spartan restaurant and on April 29, His
Grace Bishop John of Atlanta came to New Port Richey
to take part in the "Ground Breaking Ceremonies".
Within 19 months, the Community Center was completed
and preparations for the Thyranixia were been made.
Following
the celebration of Epiphany at Tarpon Springs,
on January 11, 1986, His Eminence, Archbishop lakovos,
assisted by Bishop John of Atlanta, and the Hierachs,
Bishop lakovos of Chicago, Bishop Sotirios of Toronto
and many priests from the Tampa Bay area held the
celebration of the Thyranixia of the Community
Center. The Godmother, Mrs. Maria Tsalichis, cut
the ribbon and his Eminence, along with Mrs. Tsalichis
and Mrs. Helen Kiamos, unlocked and opened the
doors to the Center.
This
community center was to be the center of the life
of the newly founded parish. An altar table, an
iconostasio and a Bishop's throne were built, and
the Divine Liturgy was now celebrated in the community
center. The Ladies' Philoptochos Society made many
improvements in the kitchen. Four rooms were created
to accommodate the Sunday School and Greek School
classes. Additional outside lighting was installed
and the parking area was improved. Two storage
facilities were added to handle the ever increasing
inventory of supplies. The parish of St. George
acquired a home and the membership kept growing.
But
the restless and ambitious parishioners had envisioned
a greater plan - an Orthodox Church Building. All
of their energy was now directed toward the new
goal. In April 1993, they requested the blessing
of His Grace, Bishop Philip. He arrived to officiate
at the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of St. George.
After the Liturgy a procession was held from the
community center to the future site of the new
sanctuary. Prayers of thanksgiving and an invocation
of the Holy Spirit to hallow the grounds was offered.
The shovel was placed into the ground by the Bishop
followed by the Council President and the Building
Fund Chairman and people began to pledge their
financial support. Mr. Evripides Kontos pledged
the generous amount of $100,000. Mr. Jim Kordis
and other volunteers pledged to put together the
Wednesday Dinners in order to raise funds for the
Church Building. On Saturday, November 13, 1993
a new Drive for raising Funds was held at a dinner
dance at the Spartan Manor. Plans were drawn, permits
were issued and by October 1995 construction of
the new church was begun.
The
project was completed six months ahead of schedule
and the first service was held on June 30 1997.
The formal thyranixia service was held on November
15, 1997 by His Grace Bishop Alexios. The community
of St. George had acquired a beautiful edifice,
a testimony of our faith in God and our Orthodox
heritage.
That
humble beginning of April, 1982, emerged into a
most beautiful endeavor as the concept of a small
Orthodox community, born in the minds of a few
men and women, became eventually a tribute to God
in many ways. Here, for many years to come, we
will worship our Lord, and witness the Orthodox
Faith and life to those around us.
Twenty
three years later, our Parish is thriving. Our church fills
up every Sunday and people are spiritually nourished. The Parish
has been revitalized in the last four years under the
leadership of Fr. Panayiotis Papageorgiou.
Now under
the leadership of Fr. Michael Petrides, who recently
arrived from Holy
Transfiguration in Marietta Georgia on August
1st of 2006, we
look forward to continued Orthodox
witness in our corner of the New World.
Praise
be to God!
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