[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 18, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT ANDREW GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2012

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Saint 
Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, located in the Township of Randolph, 
Morris County, New Jersey as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary.
  Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church came together with approximately 
50 families and their first priest, Fr. Konstantine Tsigas, for their 
First Divine Liturgy on December 23, 1962 in Dover, New Jersey. The 
ground breaking ceremony for a new church facility in Randolph, New 
Jersey took place on December 16, 1973. The Church has thrived 
throughout its many decades, growing from 50 families to over 500 and 
will continue to thrive for the many years to come.
  Saint Andrew prides itself on not only preserving the Greek Orthodox 
faith and heritage for future generations but also on sharing its 
culture and faith with the Morris County community.
  St. Andrew's incorporates individuals of varying interests and 
backgrounds through their comprehensive selection of community 
activities and programs. The Church has enriched the community by 
offering regular religious services, religious education, and weekly 
classes on the Greek Language and Hellenic culture. Members of their 
community can participate in the Church's Byzantine Choir, join one of 
the many Greek folk dancing groups, attend youth or adult Greek 
language classes, or join one of several service groups. By offering an 
array of cultural programs and activities, St. Andrew has succeeded in 
keeping the Greek culture and language a part of the holistic Orthodox 
experience.
  The Church also provides philanthropic services to the community 
through volunteer work and services such as providing Life Line 
Screening, which preemptively scans for risk factors for Stroke, 
Vascular Disease, and Osteoporosis. St. Andrew's Daughters of Penelope 
organization award numerous college scholarships to graduating high 
school seniors in the area while the Philoptochos Society strives both 
to promote the Greek Orthodox tradition and to assist those in need 
through fundraisers.
  Through their steadfast dedication to addressing the educational and 
social needs of the community while preserving the cultural and 
religious diversity of the Morris area, Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox 
Church has proved itself to be a pillar of our community.
  The Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church is truly a place where anyone 
is welcome to find God and find a community of caring, friendly faces. 
We are proud to have them here in Morris County.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Saint Andrew Greek Orthodox Church as they celebrate their Fiftieth 
Anniversary.

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