[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 49 (Thursday, April 8, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S4020]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          75TH ANNIVERSARY OF ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I would like to pay tribute to 
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, the second Greek Orthodox 
congregation to be formed in the state of Michigan. Events celebrating 
the 75th anniversary of Assumption Church began in 2003 and will 
continue in 2004 with a grand banquet to be held on April 24. These 
events bring together members of the congregation, as well as thousands 
of others from throughout the metropolitan Detroit area and around the 
country, to mark this milestone in the history of Assumption Church.
  At the turn of the century, many Greek immigrants settled in cities 
and towns across the nation. Greek immigrants established a thriving 
community in Detroit, in what has become known as Greektown. Seventy-
five years ago, seven men from the growing Greek community on Detroit's 
``eastside'' met to lay plans for a parochial school and a place of 
worship that would be close to their homes. They sought to continue the 
tradition of teaching the Greek language and history to their 
community. In 1930, with the blessing of the Patriarch of 
Constantinople, the first Church Council established the Assumption 
Church at Hillger and Kercheval in Detroit. The Church was formally 
named ``Koimisis tis Theotokou'' meaning ``The Dormition of the Virgin 
Mary.''
  The Church experienced steady growth in both the number of families 
that joined the parish and the number of new programs that served the 
needs of the parishioners. Beginning with its first Greek school 
``Socrates,'' the Church added various programs for its youth, women, 
and senior citizens, and continued to expand its philanthropic and 
religious outreach. The parishioners' reputation as a thriving, caring 
congregation grew and attracted families from Detroit's suburbs and 
beyond. Today, more than 1,200 families belong to Assumption Church, 
making it the largest parish in the region and one of the largest 
parishes in the Archdiocese.
  The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church family moved several times over 
the years before building the current facilities in St. Clair Shores, 
which include the notable Assumption Cultural Center. They built 
churches at Beniteau and Vernor Highway and on Charlevoix that serve 
Protestant congregations today. Like these stalwart structures that are 
reminders of the congregation's vision and faithfulness, Assumption's 
spiritual leaders have been significant pillars in the community. The 
first priest, Father Christopher Makris, arrived in Detroit from 
Chicago. His service was followed by 11 clergy leaders and several 
laity, who have been represented in the highest positions of service 
nationally in matters of religious education, stewardship, athletics, 
the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical festival and various missionary 
activities. Father Demetrios Kavadas provided spiritual leadership for 
39 years and is Assumption's longest serving clergyman. In 2003, Father 
Epihanios Perialas became interim pastor and honored the parish through 
his elevation to Metropolitan of Spain and Portugal. Father Michael 
Varlamos became pastor in 2003 and continues to serve in that capacity 
today. Unfortunately, the Church experienced a devastating fire on 
December 21, 2002, that destroyed the interior of the Church along with 
its beautiful iconography. The Church was promptly restored and re-
opened its doors almost one year to the day, in December 2003.
  I know my colleagues join me in congratulating the congregation of 
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church for achieving 75 years of devotion to 
God, their faith, and excellence in serving their members and the 
surrounding communities.

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