LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Greek
Orthodox Church of the Assumption of Port Jefferson, New York, to be
celebrated on November 14, 2009

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
50th Anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption of Port
Jefferson, New York, to be celebrated at a Gala Evening on Saturday,
November 14, 2009, at Watermill Caterers, Smithtown, New York; and
WHEREAS, In the 1950s, there was but a handful of Greek families
permanently residing on the North Shore of Suffolk County on Long
Island, New York; due to their devotion to the Greek Orthodox faith,
they would occasionally rent the facility and hold services in the San
Remo Christian Church of Smithtown; and
WHEREAS, In 1956, this small band of faithful people came together at
the home of John Raptis in Setauket, New York, with the idea that it was
time to have their own building; they formed a Greek club named the
Athens Republican Club; and
WHEREAS, The first formal meeting was held at the American Legion Hall
in Port Jefferson Village and they elected the first Church Building
Committee; they also collected money and established a treasury; the
priest from the San Remo Christian Church contributed significantly to
their cause and as a result they purchased a piece of property (90' by
100') on Sheep Pasture Road where the church now stands; and
WHEREAS, The very first founders of the church were: John Raptis,
Demitrios Loizos, Bill Caraftis, Gus Cherouvis, Gus Stamoulis, George
Aivaliotis, James Samuel, Theodore Soulopoulos, Alexis Karras, Elias
Mazaris, Stamatis Moraitis, Kyriakos Fradelos, Panagiotis Apostolakis,
Marika Kratsas, Charles Koutrakos, Evangelos Balafas, Steve Tsarnas,
Steve Raptis, George Malahias, Ioannis Poulianos, Elias Poulos, Anthony
Poulos, John Politis, Hiraklis Kyriakidis and John Karatzas; and
WHEREAS, The first President and Godfather of the church was James
Samuel, the first Vice President, John Raptis, the first Secretary
George Malahias and the first Treasurer was Panagiotis Apostolakis; and
WHEREAS, After working extremely hard to buy the land, make a plan and
build their church, on Palm Sunday, April 1959, the dream of the found-
ers came true and the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption opened its
door to the first liturgy under the spiritual leadership of Father Nick
Papapetrou; at this time, they also formed a Greek School in the
church's basement with Katherine Papadakos as its first teacher; and
WHEREAS, After 1959, they began a drive to purchase neighboring plots
of land; as many of the regular visitors and summer vacationers began to
settle permanently in the area, the Greek Orthodox community began to
grow and had the foresight to plan ahead for future growth and expan-
sion; and
WHEREAS, Five years later in 1964, the parish house was built; in
1971, a decision had to be made for this growing community; an extension
was added to the building at this time as well as a bell tower; on May
28, 1972, a memorable event occurred; the church was consecrated
followed by a gala event that evening at the Colony Hill Hotel Complex;
and

WHEREAS, In 1979, excavation began for the church's community center
to fulfill its growing needs; construction began in 1980 on the building
itself and much of the work was accomplished by the members of the
community; by 1985, the Hellenic Community Center was completed for the
educational, cultural, recreational and entertainment needs of the
community; and
WHEREAS, May 1997 marks the next chapter of the church's history with
the groundbreaking of the "traditional Byzantine style" Church, Platea,
Amphitheater, Arcades, Agora, Courtyard and Bell Tower; the church's
goal is to provide buildings and outdoor space reflecting the simplicity
that is rooted in the traditions of the Eastern Orthodox Church and the
Townscape Heritage of Greece; and
WHEREAS, Today, seven hundred families strong, the Greek Orthodox
Church of the Assumption stands on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared
to meet the challenges of the coming decades while retaining that spir-
itual resolve which characterizes its past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Church of the
Assumption of Port Jefferson, New York, to be observed on November 14,
2009, fully confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in
those values which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption, Port Jefferson,
New York.