Detroit's Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Celebrates 100th Birthday, Nameday and Historic Milestone March 25, 2010

DETROIT, March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Often referred to as the "mother church" by the Greek Orthodox faithful in Michigan, Detroit's own Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral has reached a significant milestone in the church's history. 100 years ago on March 25, 1910, the State of Michigan chartered the new church as the Church of the Evangelismos.

The articles of Association of the church members were drafted and the Association was incorporated under the provisions of Chapter 225 of the Compiled laws of 1897 and is known in law as "Evangelismos Theotoku." A second story auditorium was rented at 42 Broadway to conduct church services. The first priest to serve was the Rev. Father Nathaniel Sideris. A parish council composed of President Demetrios Liskas and councilmen P. Maroudas, S. Athanasoulias, John Kyriakakos, Athan Barbayiannis and treasurer, Nicholas Parentesis, begin the organizational  journey for the fledgling congregation.

Significant is the date, March 25th, as it also celebrates the Annunciation of The Theotokos religious holiday and church name day as well as Greek Independence Day.

For further description of the holiday's significance, go to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website at www.goarch.org.

100 years have brought many changes to Detroit's Greektown landscape. The original Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in 1910 became the center of commerce for the hundreds of Greeks who immigrated to America for a better life and a promising future.  At the same time, the downtown area surrounding the church also became its own metropolis with families of original families settling in and growing a community.

The church was and still is a place for all of "life's celebrations," the center of activity, education and fellowship for those who embraced their treasured Greek Orthodox religion and for those who passed this love for the church and its splendid traditions from generation to generation. The first marriage of record took place in 1912; the earliest baptism in 1913. The original church was constructed at 660 Macomb Street thus starting its long history. And in 1914, a day school is erected on newly-acquired land just east of the church with second priest, Father George Petrides overseeing its building. Fr. Petrides became the pastor in 1912 and served for 24 years, the longest of any other Annunciation priest.

Religious and social contributions are many. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral provided a hub, a place of worship for all Greeks in the metro Detroit area. It has led to cultural and religious development by maintaining the Greek heritage and customs, perpetuating the Orthodox faith for 100 years. Recognized as a historic site, Annunciation has made a commitment to the City of Detroit by remaining downtown even as other Greek Orthodox churches have established churches, first on the east, west and north sides of Detroit and then into the suburbs. The rest, as they say, is history. From small markets and bakeries to restaurants and coffee houses, Monroe became the main street of Greektown and continues to this date.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral is, as was stated before, the "mother church." It is part of the Detroit Greek Orthodox Metropolis that encompasses seven states including Michigan, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Ohio and Tennessee. Further information about the church may be obtained by visiting the website at www.annunciationcathedral.org; as well as access to Greek Orthodox religious insight at www.goarch.org.

SOURCE Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral