The facilities at Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church are considered to be among the finest in the Archdiocese. (Additional photos follow the article.)
The parish of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Las Vegas, Nevada recently recognized its 50th Anniversary with a joyous three day weekend of events. His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco was present for the entire celebration honoring of one of the Metropolis' most active parishes. "Our Golden Heritage" was celebrated beginning on Friday, October 16, with an evening of lectures on Orthodoxy, Byzantine Architecture, and Iconography. The speakers were Fr. John Hondros, parish priest; Christ Kamages, architect of the St. John Church and Community and Education Center; and Bishop Ilia Katre of Philomelion, former pastor of Saint John the Baptist parish in Las Vegas.
The brief lectures in the church were followed by the unveiling in the Community and Education Center, of a pictorial chronological exhibit of the 50 years of the parish history. This "Decades Exhibit" included over 700 picture board montages comprising more than 7,000 photos, newspaper articles and other memorabilia depicting the life of the parish.
The celebration of Saturday, October 17 began with Great Vespers and Artoclasia in the Church with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos followed by a festive, traditional Greek Village Glendi with dancing music by the The Olympians.
A Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Sunday, October 18 by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, along with a Memorial Service for the departed members of the Saint John parish. A highlight following Divine Liturgy was the presentation of the Medal of St. Paul by Metropolitan Gerasimos to Mrs. Helen Tsouras, one of the original founding members of Saint John church who served on the First Parish Council in 1959. Mrs. Tsouras was also a founding member of the Panagia Chapter of the Ladies Philoptochos Society, which was organized prior to the incorporation of the parish. Through the strenuous early fundraising efforts of the membership, the Philoptochos helped to establish the parish in 1959 and subsequently acquired the first church building in 1961.
The current church facilities opened in 1992, with the parish being Consecrated in June 2005. Under the present leadership of Rev. Father John Hondros, the parish now serves 500 steward families and offers dynamic ministries including adult and youth religious education classes, award-winning youth choir and Greek folk dance groups, an active Philoptochos chapter, senior citizens ministry, and outreach programs which support the civic community.
"OUR GOLDEN HERITAGE" ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: L. to R. Rena Kalkas (Event Chairman), Sophia Leonis, Andreas Economon, Cheryl Pandelis, Niki Stavropoulos, Nitsa Filios, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Peter Kypreos (Parish President), Geri Kypreos, Fr. John Hondros (Parish Priest), Susan Stamis, Kiki Mavrantonis, Marina Adamy, Glenda Eliakis.
HISTORICAL EXHIBIT: Parishioner Adam Bieker enjoying the pictorial history of Saint John the Baptist Church in Las Vegas.
PRESENTATION OF ST. PAUL MEDAL: L. TO R: Fr. John Hondros (Parish Priest), Fr. James Adams, (First Permanently assigned Priest of Saint John and current Metropolis of San Francisco Chancellor), Bishop Ilia of Philomelion (former pastor of Saint John), His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco.
HELEN TSOURAS: Mrs. Helen Tsouras, recipient of the Medal of Saint Paul for her devoted service to the Saint John the Baptist Church in Las Vegas, NV.
4th Thursday after Pascha
