Chicago Parish Celebrates 100 Years of Faith and Heritage
Archbishop Elpidophoros leads Centennial Liturgy honoring founders; parish pledges support to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation at gala celebration.
CHICAGO — This past weekend, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago celebrated its centennial anniversary, according to the Orthodox Observer.
The Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence Abp. Elpidophoros, with His Eminence Met. Nathanael of Chicago and the Rev. Protopresbyter Apostolos Georgiafentis also celebrating.
In a speech to the community, Abp. Elpidophoros brought attention to those who built the parish 100 years ago, describing them as "living images of God" whose names are known "like the names of the saints inscribed on your icons."
"And the ones whose names are unknown to you, they are no less important. Because it is through their sacrifice, their labors, their dedication, that you have this Church today… Our recognition of their sacrifice is a moment of profound gratitude – of eucharistic thankfulness to God and to them, for their faithfulness to the traditions of all our spiritual mothers and fathers."
The Orthodox Observer also reported that Parish Council President Thomas Demos presented a resolution and donation to make the parish a founding member of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation. Later, a centennial gala took place with hundreds in attendance.
Previously, UOJ reported that Abp. Elpidophoros had launched the St. Anastasia Fellowship addiction ministry.
