PastParishPriests - Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

Between 1894 and 1912, the Greek immigrants of Cleveland only participated in the Divine Liturgy when itinerant priests came from out of town to celebrate the Liturgy at coffeehouses, apartments, or other buildings. One of these priests, Fr. George Scarpas, commuted from Pittsburgh once a month. The semi-permanent location for the liturgies was at Arch Hall, located at Ontario and Bolivar streets. The first regularly-celebrated liturgy was held there on Christmas Eve of 1910. Fr. George Rankos was the officiating priest at that service, as well as other liturgies held throughout the next few years. Fr. George Sakellariou (Sakellarios) was the first priest to hold the liturgy in the Annunciation Church in 1918.

Between 1954 and 1967, The Annunciation Church, Sts. Constantine and Helen Church (now Cathedral), and St. Demetrios Church were all one: "The American-Hellenic Community of Greater Cleveland." (St. Paul's of North Royalton decided not to be part of the American-Hellenic Community.)� All of the priests during that time were on call for one another, and they all served for each church.� On major Feast or Holy days, Sts. Constantine and Helen and St. Demetrios Churches would usually be closed, and all of the priests would celebrate the liturgy at the Annunciation Church.� In 1967, the three churches decided to become independent from each other.�

Click on a priest's name to view their biography.

The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (1918 - 1954)

1918-1919: + Fr. George Sakellariou

1919-1919: + V. Rev. Fr. Stefanos T. Lavriotes

1920-1923: + Fr. Agathangelos Georgacopoulos

1924-1929: + Fr. John Zografos

1929-1929: + Fr. M. Kavalieros

1930-1932: + Fr. George Lavrakas

1932-1953: + V. Rev. Fr. Chrysogonos Lavriotes

1951-1951: + Fr. S.M. Sophocles, Assistant Priest

1952-1954: + Fr. John G. Geranios

1952-1954: + Fr. George C. Stephanopoulos, Assistant Priest