After fifty years of waiting, praying, and sacrificing, the faithful of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Norwalk, Connecticut, finally witnessed the consecration of their beloved sanctuary on October 31, 2026.
Archbishop Elpidophoros Arrives for Consecration Vespers
The milestone weekend began on Friday, October 30, when His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America arrived for the Vespers of Consecration. The first three rows of the sanctuary filled instantly with children leaning over the pews to catch a glimpse of the Archbishop. During the service, clergy processed the relics of the New Martyrs of the island of Samothraki.
In his homily, Archbishop Elpidophoros highlighted the significance of the relics. He noted that they included the remains of Michael, George, Emmanuel, Theodoros, and a second George. He pointed out the auspicious detail that two of those martyrs share the name of the parish’s patron saint, creating what he described as a triad of Georges surrounding the community in homage to the Holy Trinity.
National Chancellor His Grace Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia attended the Vespers. Chancellor of the Archdiocesan District Fr. Elias Villis, Vicar of the Archdiocesan District Fr. Peter Orfanakos, and local area clergy served alongside parish priest Fr. Nicholas Dassouras.
During the evening service, Fr. Dassouras received the high Offikion of Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne. Members of his family looked on as the congregation filled the church with shouts of “AXIOS!”
Archbishop Elpidophoros Presides over Church Consecration
The following morning, Archbishop Elpidophoros presided over the official Service of Consecration for St. George Church. Bishops Nektarios of Diokleia and Antonios of Phasiane served alongside local clergy.
Over 200 people prayed together during the consecration of the Holy Altar. The Doxologia Choir and Fr. Cherubim Tsinoglou traveled from Greece to provide the chanting for the historic liturgy.
Hierarchs anointed the walls of the church with Holy Chrism, bringing many parishioners to tears. Altar boys watched the rites closely, visibly struck by the solemnity of the occasion.
Today is truly a historic and sacred moment in the life of our community. After so many years, 50 years, of prayers, sacrifices and dedication our beloved church has been consecrated for the glory of God.
Fr. Dassouras
Following the service, Presvytera Penelope Dassouras captured the mood of the congregation by exclaiming, “We did it!”
Archbishop Elpidophoros Praises Vibrant Congregation
Archbishop Elpidophoros praised the physical structure and the vitality of the congregation. He described the building as a magnificent Byzantine church filled with men, women, seniors, youth, children, and babies, calling it a vibrant, living community.
A celebratory banquet followed in the church hall. Parish Council President John Aslanidis addressed the gathering, reflecting on the decades of spiritual leadership that brought the parish to this milestone.
Aslanidis emphasized that the consecration marks a beginning rather than an endpoint. The parish Greek school sang for the attendees, and the Greek Pontiako youth dancers performed as the community celebrated the long-awaited milestone.
