STAMFORD, CT — Under the gaze of Christ in the dome of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangels, Father Harry Pappas stands in a sanctuary stripped of icons and pews, Stamford Advocate reports. “The time has come to upgrade the building to accommodate its regional flock of about 350 families, he said.”
Work crews dismantled pews and stripped carpets and flooring in the 59-year old church last week to begin the first phase of a roughly $2 million project to revamp the Byzantine-style church — among the first in the U.S., Stamford Advocate says.
“Designed by Greenwich architect J. Stuart Thompson, the church is considered a first in the United States for its faithfulness to the medieval building and and decorative style of churches built during the Byzantine Christian empire which last for 1,000 years, said Father George Poulos, who retired as pastor of the church in 2009 after 53 years.”
About the church
The parish is actually the daughter of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Following the adoption of the revised New (Gregorian) Calendar by the Church of Greece in 1925 and the controversy this provoked, members who preferred the Old (Julian) Calendar remained at Annunciation, while those who wished to follow the New calendar left to form another community, according to Greek Orthodox Church of the Archangels’ website.
“This group raised money to purchase St. Mary’s Catholic church at 434 Elm Street in August of 1928, and to establish a new parish named after the Archangels (Taxiarhai). Despite many initial growing pains and economic difficulties, our forebears were able to pay off their mortgage by 1937. A number of priests with varying talents and energy served the community during the first 35 years. There was even an attempt between 1951 and 1956 to reunite Archangels and Annunciation, but it proved to be unsuccessful.
A major turning point came with the assignment of Fr. George Poulos in 1956. Right away he convinced the parish that, instead of repairing this older structure, they should construct a new facility. A General Assembly on December 16, 1956, unanimously agreed to proceed with the purchase of property and build a church and hall. A Building Fund drive began on January 8, 1957, with an initial goal of $300,000, and was remarkably completed by the end of February with the invaluable assistance of a few major benefactors who owned shipping companies, donated generously, and offered to supervise construction.
The temple was based on a single prototype: the 11th century Byzantine church of the Holy Apostles
Groundbreaking was held on November 25, 1957, the cornerstone was laid on June 25, 1958, and the completed temple was the first consecration celebrated by Archbishop Iakovos in November 1959, newly assigned Archbishop of America. He was so impressed by what he saw that he asked Fr. George for the name of the architect and a copy of the drawings so that he could build a similar structure at our Seminary — Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts. This is why the Seminary Chapel is strikingly reminiscent, including the iconography.
In 1976, our parish added the Greek Cultural Center for expanding fellowship (with its own banquet facility) and introducing an athletic facility that featured a full gymnasium, Olympic-sized pool, exercise & weight rooms, racquetball courts, and lockers rooms equipped with steam, sauna, and whirlpool. In 1995, this Center was transformed into the Stamford Athletic Club, one of the premier clubs in Stamford to this day. Membership is open to the public, with parish members receiving a substantial discount.
parish2Fr. George’s ministry spanned more than 53 years, the longest single parish tenure in the history of the Archdiocese. Along with the parish leadership, he oversaw the development of Liturgy and worship, choir and church music, Sunday School, Greek School, youth ministry, a Seniors program, clergy fellowship, and ecumenical affairs. He was a pioneer in technology, using tapes and videotapes, and televising and recording worship services. He has published numerous writings, including his popular Orthodox Saints: Spiritual Profiles for Modern Man, in four volumes; a biography of Archbishop Athenagoras Cavadas, Footsteps in the Sea; a history of the time when the Seminary was located in Connecticut, Pomfret: The Golden Decade; and a biography of Archbishop Iakovos, A Breath of God: Portrait of a Prelate. During his leadership, a number of men went to study at Holy Cross Seminary, including the following clergy: Frs. James Moulketis, Jose Velez, Stephen Zorzos, and Patric Legato. Finally, Fr. George not only had the idea for a youth program in Greece for those in America, he oversaw negotiations with the Greek Government, the Church of Greece, and Olympic Airways on behalf of our Archdiocese for the establishment of “Ionian Village” in Bartholomeo, Greece, along with its multi-faceted programs and material subsistence.
In July of 2009, Archbishop Demetrios assigned Fr. Harry Pappas to succeed Fr. George and build upon this rich legacy by continuing to develop worship, fellowship, education, stewardship, service, outreach, and mission.”
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