Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral (Houston) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral |
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| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Eastern Orthodoxy |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Byzantine |
| Years built | 1950-1952 |
The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral is a very important church for the largest Eastern Orthodox community in Houston, Texas. You can find it in the Montrose and Neartown areas of the city.
The Greek community in Houston built this beautiful cathedral between 1950 and 1952. From 1967 to 1974, it was the main church for the Bishop of the 8th Diocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America. The church offers many programs and services. It is named after the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, which is celebrated on March 25. The cathedral also works closely with the Annunciation Orthodox School.
This church is part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, specifically within the Metropolis of Denver.
Contents
Cathedral Design and Style
The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral was designed in a Byzantine Revival style. This means it looks like ancient Byzantine churches. It is a basilica with one main aisle and a dome. It also has a transept, which is a part of the church that crosses the main aisle.
Inside the Cathedral
The iconostasis is a special screen that separates the main part of the church (the nave) from the altar. It holds many beautiful icons that came from the first church built in 1917. In 2018, the church was updated. A large steel dome, weighing 138,000 pounds, was built on the ground and then lifted into place by a crane. This dome sits on a new steel frame.
A Look at the Cathedral's History
The very first Orthodox church in Houston was built in 1917 on Walker Street, in what is now Downtown Houston. This original building was made of wood. For many years, most of the church services were held in the Greek language.
Moving to a New Home
By 1950, the church needed to move. The city was doing construction, and the church community had grown too big for the old building. A new church was built on Yoakum Street in the Neartown area. This new church could hold about 475 people and was finished in 1952. Next to the church, a community hall was built. It was named after S.P. Martel, a longtime member of the church, and is still used today.
Becoming a Cathedral
In 1960, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America created special districts to better serve Greek Orthodox people across the country. Houston became part of the 8th Archdiocesan District. At first, the bishop for this district was in New Orleans, Louisiana.
In 1967, the bishop's main church, called the "seat," moved to Houston. Bishop Iakovos of Catania came to Houston and made the Annunciation Church his new cathedral. At that time, this church district included many states in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions. Some of the larger church communities were in Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Shreveport, and Tulsa. Father Nicholas Triantafilou was the dean of the cathedral and served as a priest in Houston from 1965 to 1991.
Celebrating Greek Culture
In 1967, the church celebrated its 50th anniversary with a "Greek night." The next year, they started an annual Greek Festival. This festival celebrates Greek culture, food, and Orthodox life. In 1970, the church also started the Annunciation Orthodox School for students from kindergarten through 8th grade.
Changes in Leadership
In 1972, a new bishop, Bishop John of Thermon, was assigned to Houston. He was made a bishop right there in Houston. However, in 1974, Bishop John moved the main church of the district to Denver, Colorado. It has stayed there ever since. Even though the main bishop's church moved, the Annunciation Church in Houston is still called a cathedral. This is a common tradition for many churches.
The current cathedral building, which can hold over 900 people, opened on September 30, 2018. The cost for this expanded building was $12.5 million.
The Church Community Today
Every Sunday morning, the church holds two Divine Liturgy services. One service is in English, and the other is in both Greek and English. Before these services, there are morning prayers. Afterward, everyone gathers for a fellowship coffee hour. Sunday Church School follows the first service.
As of 2018, most of the services are held in English.
Learning Greek Language and Culture
The church also has a Language & Cultural School. This school teaches Greek language and culture to people of all ages. Classes are held every weekday afternoon and evening.
Church Groups and Activities
Annunciation Cathedral has many different groups and activities. These include:
- The Ladies Philoptochos Society
- The Cathedral Choir
- GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth of America)
- FAITH, HOPE, and JOY groups (for younger children)
- PAREA (for young adults)
- AGOSS (a group for singles)
The cathedral also sponsors a chapter of Sea-Scouts, which is part of the Boy Scouts of America. Other groups meet regularly, like marriage preparation classes and a grief-support group.
Helping the Community
Through its Philoptochos Society and other groups, the Cathedral helps many charities in Houston and across the country. These charities include both religious and non-religious groups that help people who are poor, sick, or in need. Volunteers from the cathedral also help by translating for Greek-speaking patients at the Texas Medical Center. They visit patients and prepare food for those who cannot do it themselves.
Houston Greek Festival
The Houston Greek Festival began in 1967. It started as a "Greek Night" to celebrate the church's 50th anniversary. This festival is now held every year on the first weekend of October, starting on Thursday. It features delicious Greek food, live Greek music, and traditional Greek folk dances. There is also a gift shop and tours of the cathedral. The festival takes place on the church grounds on Yoakum Boulevard in the Neartown area of Houston.
Giving Back to the Community
The money raised from the Greek Festival goes to various charities. Some of these include the Children's Assessment Center, S.E.A.R.C.H., the Women's Home, Covenant House, Texas Emergency Aid Coalition (EAC), and the Star of Hope Mission.
The Annunciation congregation now calls its October festival "The Original Greek Festival." This helps people tell it apart from a similar event, "Houston Greekfest," which is held by St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church on the west side of Houston. That festival usually happens on the first weekend of May, except for 2020 and 2021.
Annunciation Orthodox School
The Annunciation Orthodox School is a K-8 school located on the church property. As of 2018, it has over 690 students. It is an important part of the church's mission.
The school first opened in 1970. Each year, it added one new grade level. Its middle school program began in 1992.
School Buildings
The main school building, which is about 64,000 square feet (5,900 m2) in size, opened in 2002. The Katherine E. Veletsos Lower School building, which is for kindergarten through 4th grade, opened in 1993. The Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones Early Childhood Development Center opened in 1988.
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