NEW YORK – On November 11, the Greek Orthodox community of Saint Demetrios in Astoria celebrated its 91st Anniversary at Terrace on the Park in Flushing, in a moving gathering of believers who have supported and served the church from generation to generation. St. Demetrios was officially recognized as a community on November 7, 1927.
Entering the last decade, at the end of which the community will celebrate 100 years of immeasurable contributions to the Greeks of Astoria, the community of St. Demetrios has proved that by faith and depth of feeling for the national identity, not based on ambitious chauvinism but on a long tradition of cultural values, Romiosyni neither shrank nor was it enslaved.
The priests, the teachers, the church leaders, the ladies of the Philoptochos Society, the Sunday School teachers, the youth leaders, and those who have been working as volunteers over the years, have strengthened our faith, preserved our culture and our language, and have authentically socialized this very powerful community “We,” where every “I” enjoys not his personal glory, but the support of his neighbor.
Within this context of love and recognition, Mr. Jordan Kokkoris, whose life is inherently connected since his childhood with the church of St. Demetrios and St. Catherine and St. George, was honored.
He told The National Herald that it is a great honor to receive this award from people he appreciates deeply. “I have been a member of Saint Demetrios and Saint Catherine for 50 years and I grew up in the church, I grew up in Astoria. I love the Church and the Community. The people of Astoria are the best in the world. I have no words to express my joy. I believe that the next ten years will open a new page for our Community.”
In his speech at the gathering Kokkoris referred to his life, his beloved family, and his relationship with loved ones. He made special mention of the donation of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and its importance, and donated a $10,000 scholarship for a qualified student in memory of his father and mother. Kokkoris concluded his speech with enthusiasm and the phrase “Long live all of you.”
The presiding priest of the community, Fr. Nektarios Papazafiropoulos, spoke glowingly about Mr. Kokkoris’ donation, noting that they are obliged to develop the community to cultivate spirituality and culture at the same time in order to be able to promote education.
“We have a school of over 60 years in our area that promotes our children, so they learn our tradition, our language, our faith, and that is why the Community continues to act dynamically. Many Greeks may have left Astoria, but there are still plenty of people. St. Demetrios is here to support everyone. Our door is open to all, young and old. Our presence in Astoria is a spiritual beacon to offer the Greek community this love.”
When asked to say a few words about the community’s anniversary, Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus in New York, Mr. Alexis Phedonos-Vadet, congratulated everyone on the effort to rescue our language and religion, and told TNH, “I am also a member of the community now, as I live in Astoria and wish St. Demetrios every success in order to maintain the Greek identity, the Orthodox religion, and the Greek language for the younger generations. The Government of Cyprus is at your side and supports you.”
The benefactor of the community and dear to everyone for his directness and thoughtful speeches, Mr. Nick Andriotis answered TNH’s question about the coming decade with its “simple and blunt words,” as he described the phrase, he told TNH, “Let there be people who can replace us who have an appetite for work and contributions to the community, Hellenism, and Orthodoxy.”
All the speakers were grateful for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation’s contribution, which will help develop the school and, as a result, the Community will grow. As Parish Council President Van Christakos, said, “Our school, thanks to the Niarchos Foundation, will receive $25 million. The stronger the school, the more Greeks will recognize what we offer and we will have a greater number of students and support.”
When asked how can we protect our language, he told TNH, “It is necessary to protect our language, but there is something that is inevitable. Our children are getting married less and less to Greeks. We are gradually merging with other cultures. We are third generation and marriages between Greeks are decreasing. It is our duty to bring these people, who are the spouses of our children, close to our tradition. They may not learn our language, but they can learn our history and our culture.”
The celebration was a great success thanks to the indomitable efforts of office manager Evangelia Zinonos, Angeliki Agka, Mary Sakkis, Polytimi Tsenesidis, and Mrs. Maria Pefanis. The event was honored by the presence of School Superintendent Anastasios Koularmanis, Parish council members, Thalia Christoforou and the Deputy Directors of the School Helen Karagiorgos, Betsy Sideris, and Alexandra Tsonga.
Also present the community benefactor Mr. Gavalas, Dr. Evangelos Giakoumakis, Mr. George Kitsios, the members of the community’s Philoptochos Society and many others, who have contributed so we can exist as Greek Orthodox without being leveled down in the difficult and demanding land of America.
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