A Greek War Relief Fund was established locally with Nick Kallos as chairman. Many families were prevented from visiting their loved ones. World War II tore apart Europe and with the occupation of Greece. ![]() Louis Majoros became the building chairman and extreme remodeling was undertaken to adapt it to the Orthodox style and tradition. Demetrios parish had a church structure of its own in which to worship. The Fifth Street Property was purchased at this time for $7,500.00 and the St. ![]() In April, 1940, true to his word, the Archbishop sent us the Reverend George Stathis from Greece who took over the liturgical duties of the community as well as the school. His Eminence was later elevated to Patriarch of all Eastern orthodox churches. While here, he performed the liturgy and his magnificent presence was an inspiration to all the communicants present. This prompted a visit from the then Archbishop Athenagoras to this community. However, the community again was left without a priest, and in January of 1940, the community implored the Archdiocese to send them a priest from Greece. A building fund drive was instituted and a total of $2,565.00 was raised from the membership from all sources, including $200.00 from Mrs. Fifth Street, including the church, the next door parsonage and a vacant lot. In November of 1939, after Father John Tsapatsiaris took over, the community discussed the purchase of a church structure of its own from the St. In May of 1939, our first pipe organ was purchased. It should be noted that this Bible partially burned up in the destruction of the church in 1950, but was regilded and is being used today. On December 29, 1938, the Gus Rentzos family donated a Holy Bible for use in church services. Barris spoke on the meaning of the day and James Stomos gave a talk about the AHEPA. The March 25th, 1938, celebration of "Greek Independence Day" was an elaborate, gala affair with most participants in costume. In 1938, Thomas Kanonas was elected the congregation's first president. Demetrios would follow the canons and laws of the Archdiocese of North and South America and conduct a Greek language school three days in Saginaw and three days in Bay City. On December 16, 1937, at a general meeting chaired by James Stomos, then president of AHEPA, the congregation voted to have its own priest on a full-time basis and hired Reverend John Pappaleonidas, an Orthodox priest consecrated in the Syrian rite. In September 1936, the ladies formed the Philoptochos Society as a service and charity-oriented organization which has, through the years, become a stalwart supporter of all church functions. Thereafter, Father Sevastiades, the priest from Flint came monthly to care for the needs of the Saginaw-Bay City congregation. Baptisms and engagements were performed by Father Dolgirakis, an archimandrite, from about 1932 through 1934. The liturgy was celebrated thereafter once a month at the Vlassis Hall in a corner walled off for church purposes. Among those voting were James Bujouves, James Stavros, Louis Majoros, Thomas Kanonas, Nick Kallos, William Williams, and George Kastros. In 1931, the first organizational meeting to form a church was held above the Vlassis Brothers Restaurant at 411 Court Street. Kanonas was later to become a stalwart of the church. In 1928, the community witnessed its first marriage, that of Thomas Kanonas, Sr., performed by a visiting Orthodox priest. In 1927, the Saginaw Valley Chapter of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) was organized as a means of preserving the customs and traditions of the people of Greek descent and further strengthening the local community as a prelude to formal church organization. The earliest recorded service or sacrament occurring in Saginaw in the Greek Orthodox faith was the burial of the seven year-old son of Mr. ![]() From 1910 to 1920 there were between 50 and 75 young men working in this area. Persons of Greek extraction began settling in Saginaw and nearby cities as early as 1910.
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