[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8379]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 8379]]


     TRIBUTE TO SAINTS CONSTANTINE AND HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HERBERT H. BATEMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 4, 1999

  Mr. BATEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the First 
District of Virginia's Hellenic community as it celebrates the 50th 
anniversary of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in 
Newport News.
  Greek immigrants have lived and worked on the Virginia Peninsula from 
as early as 1900. From its humble beginnings to today, the Greek 
community has played a significant role in the growth and prosperity of 
the Virginia Peninsula. It also has established a number of 
associations and organizations for its members, which add to the 
strength of the community as a whole. The benefits of such associations 
are innumerable.
  In 1929, a small group of Greek-American men on the Peninsula 
organized the Woodrow Wilson Chapter of the American Hellenic 
Educational and Progressive Association (AHEPA) while a group of Greek-
American women organized the Greek Women's Penelope Society, an 
independent organization dedicated to community service. The Greek 
community soon began meeting regularly at St. Paul's Episcopal Church 
on 34th Street in Newport News and by 1934 a constitution was drafted 
to govern the growing community. The Hellenic Educational Society also 
was formed in 1934. This organization served as a community board to 
oversee the education of the young.
  In 1944, a committee was formed to develop plans to build a church. 
Within three years, ground was broken on land near the Victory Arch in 
Newport News and Saints Constantine and Helen was completed by 1949. 
Then Archbishop Athenagoras--later Patriarch--participated in the 
dedication of the church. At that time, the congregation numbered 50 
families. There are more than 1,000 members of the church today.
  Soon after the Saints Constantine and Helen was built, a Philoptochos 
Chapter was formed to assist the needy on the Peninsula. This chapter 
is still in existence and the majority of the church's contributions to 
charitable organizations on the local, regional, national and 
international levels originates from this group.
  As the number of Greek families in the community began to grow, so 
did the need for more space. In 1958, three school rooms were added to 
the church to provide an area for Sunday school classes. This provided 
both religious and language education for the children and any 
interested members of the Peninsula community. These efforts enhanced 
the spirit of the community by encouraging cultural identification.
  By 1966, land was purchased on Traverse Road in Newport News to build 
a community center and a new church. The Hellenic Community Center 
opened in 1975 and is the centerpiece of the Greek community. It also 
is one of the largest gathering places available for groups to meet on 
the Peninsula. I, myself, have used the center for several functions.
  Ground was broken for a new church in July of 1981 and within a year 
services were being held in the new building. It was consecrated by 
Archbishop Iacovos in 1984.
  Since 1967, Saints Constantine and Helen has held an annual festival 
to share the culture and traditions of the Greek community with 
Peninsula. Having attended the event for many years, I know first hand 
the enthusiasm of our community for the celebration. I also have 
witnessed the success of many of Saints Constantine and Helen's 
programs.
  I take great pride in being a member of the Order of AHEPA. My wife, 
Laura, is equally proud of being a member of the Daughters of Penelope. 
It is truly an honor to represent this outstanding segment of the 
community in Congress.
  Again, I wish to commend both Saints Constantine and Helen Greek 
Orthodox Church and the Hellenic community on the Virginia Peninsula. 
They nourish each other and make possible the success and contributions 
of each.
  It is my hope and expectation that the Hellenic community on the 
Peninsula will continue to succeed, and that the next 50 years will be 
as, or more, notable than the last.

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