LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of St. George
Greek Orthodox Church of Schenectady, New York

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
100th Anniversary of St. George Greek Orthodox Church of Schenectady,
New York; this momentous occasion will be commemorated with a Hierarchi-
cal Great Vespers service at St. George Greek Orthodox Church and a
Diamond Jubilee celebration on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Glen Sanders
Mansion, Scotia, New York; and
WHEREAS, St. George Greek Orthodox Church had its origin on January 5,
1914, when James Stathelopoulos, Nicholas Contompasis and Anthony Svolos
met in a coffee house on Clinton Street on the Eve of the Theophany;
while reminiscing about the observance of the holy days in their home-
land, they formed the idea to found a church of the Orthodox faith in
Schenectady; and
WHEREAS, These dedicated men, encouraged by their friend, Alexander
Karastathes, garnered the support of 13 local Greek families, and on
April 19, 1915, the legal transaction of the transfer of a two-family
wooden house at 107 Clinton Street took place for the sum of $1.00 from
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Kansas, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Svolos, Mr. and Mrs.
Nicholas Contompasis and Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Stathes; and
WHEREAS, On this same date, the certificate of incorporation of the
Hellenic Orthodox Church of St. George of Schenectady, New York, was
signed, executed, and acknowledged by the first priest of St. George
Church, Reverend Andreas Constantinides; and
WHEREAS, Over the next two decades, the parish grew with the influx of
Greek immigrants to Schenectady; and
WHEREAS, A devastating loss occurred on February 7, 1937 at 3:14 a.m.
when a fire of unknown origin erupted and the church was completely
destroyed; and
WHEREAS, Despite the distressing economic struggles caused by the
ongoing Great Depression, the 150 member families determined to rebuild
their church, joined together, raised the funds necessary, and in
September of 1937 the cornerstone for a new church was laid; and
WHEREAS, In 1939, the new, and present day, St. George Greek Orthodox
Church was completed; and
WHEREAS, During the 1950s, the parish continued to grow and eventually
five lots on Liberty Street adjacent to the church property were
purchased; on April 23, 1961, the cornerstone was sealed in place and on
June 11, 1961, the Hellenic Center officially opened and His Eminence,
Archbishop lakovos of North and South America, traveled to Schenectady
together to attend the Dedication Ceremony; and
WHEREAS, In 1963, St. George Greek Orthodox Church joined with priests
from area Russian Orthodox churches and together had the honor of
displaying the most significant of all Russian Orthodox icons, "The
Virgin of Kazan," which was touring the United States; and
WHEREAS, During the 1990s, the parish youth participated in the Junior
Greek Olympics program sponsored by St. Sophia Church in Syracuse, New
York, winning two divisional trophies by overcoming teams from much
larger parishes in major metropolitan cities such as New York City,
Buffalo, Rochester and Albany; and

WHEREAS, St. George Greek Orthodox Church was the childhood parish of
a present day Metropolitan, His Eminence Nicholas of Detroit (born
Nicholas E. Pissare) and Bishop, His Grace, Dimitrios of Xanthos (born
James Couchell); and
WHEREAS, Following his service to the St. George parish in Schenecta-
dy, New York, Very Reverend Philip Koutoufas became His Grace, Bishop
Philip of Atlanta, of blessed memory; and
WHEREAS, St. George's annual Grecian Festival is held every September
on the weekend which follows Labor Day; and
WHEREAS, As it was in its early years, St. George Greek Orthodox
Church of today is the home parish of many families who own and operate
successful and thriving diners, restaurants and cafes throughout the
Capital District area; and
WHEREAS, The members of St. George Greek Orthodox Church continue to
fulfill the hopes and aspirations of past generations who came to Ameri-
ca to pursue their dreams, and remain firm in their resolve to maintain
their Orthodox faith and their Greek heritage not only in present time
but for tomorrow and future generations to come; 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 100th Anniversary of St. George Greek Orthodox Church of
Schenectady, New York, 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 copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Father Theodore Roupas; to Parish Council Officers, President
- Evan Euripidou, Vice President - Antonia Kananis, Treasurer - Charlie
Koines, Secretary - Lainie Christou; and to Parish Council Members,
Scott Morlock, Athena Pagnotti, Morgan Gazetos, Chris Euripidou and Lucy
Brady of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Schenectady, New York.