[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 165 (Tuesday, October 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2001-E2002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATIONS TO REVEREND ALIFERAKIS AND THE CONGREGATION OF THE ST. 
                    GEORGE HELLENIC ORTHODOX CHURCH

                                 ______


                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 24, 1995

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to rise and call 
attention to St. George Hellenic Orthodox Church in Schererville, IN. 
On October 29, 1995, the congregation of St. George will hold a 
consecration celebration of their church. This celebration will begin 
with a vespers service on Saturday night, followed by a dedication, 
banquet, and ball on Sunday.
  Citizens of Hellenic origin began settling in the Indiana Harbor 
community of East Chicago in 1903. In 1929, a very small group of 

[[Page E 2002]]

industrious and young individuals coordinated plans to erect a church. 
Through their conscientious efforts, construction on the church was 
completed in 1938. The first parish priest was Reverend Demetriades. 
The church, named after a Roman soldier who was martyred for his faith, 
moved from East Chicago to Schererville in March, 1992. Today, St. 
George, which is currently under the leadership of the Reverend 
Constantine Aliferakis, proudly boasts a membership of over 300 
families.
  The consecration celebration is similar to the baptism of a child in 
that it symbolizes the setting apart of the church as a temple of God 
and its dedication to Him. This ceremony dates back to the fourth 
century, when St. Constantine dedicated the church after the Christian 
persecution ended. This once-in-a-lifetime ceremony for any church, 
will be conducted by Bishop Iakovos of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of 
Chicago. At the ceremony, the Bishop will dedicate the new furniture 
and painted wall hangings of six saints and martyrs.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other colleagues to join me in a 
heartfelt message of congratulations to the Reverend Aliferakis and the 
congregation of St. George Hellenic Orthodox Church on this wonderful 
day of celebration. The members of St. George should be proud of their 
efforts to successfully preserve their Greek heritage.

                          ____________________