By Penny Panayiota Deligiannis
In June 1964, several Aurora Hellenes met with Bishop Meletios of Chicago representing the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America to consider the facts. The requirements to establish the first Greek Orthodox Church in Aurora were met and approved by the Bishop, Illinois Secretary of State, Paul Powell, and with final approval by His Eminence, Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America. Saint Athanasios’ first Board Members included president George Andrews, Harry Kouvavas, Sam Bazos, James Deligiannis, Chris Hountalas, Mike Karlos, Harry Koulos, Zoe Chioles, Catherine Kingsley, and Dora Stamatopoulos.
The official beginning of Saint Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church began on September 1, 1965 when it received its full Ecclesiastical Charter from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America. Charter Members included: George N. Andrews, Jennie Andrews, Alexandra Bazos, Bessie Bazos, Sam Bazos, Alexandra Brown, Manuel Brown, Zoe Chioles, Gus Cordogan, Chris Dagiantis, James Dagiantis, Peter Dagiantis, Chris Deligiannis, Dena Deligiannis, James Deligiannis, Tom Drosos, Nafsika Georgadou, Tom Gerogakoupoulos, Chris Hountalas, Kalliope Karlos, Mike Karlos, Ademena G. Kingsley, Catherine G. Kingsley, Eva Kontos, Michael H. Kontos, Ruby Kontos, Bessie Koulos, Chris Koulos, Jane Koulos, Nick Koumoutseas, Chris Kousoulas, Harry Kouvavas, KalliopeKrontiris, Thomas Magin, Chris T. Mesiacos, Helen Metrou, Nick Metrou, Hercules Panagopoulos, Irene Panagopoulos, Katherine Papasideris, Stamos Papasideris, Speros M. Pappas, Sam Poulos, Alexandra Sotrop, James Stamatopoulos, Peter Stamatopoulos, Theodora Stamatopoulos, James Theodor, Nicky Theodor, Tom Theodor, Constantine J. Zaharias, and Penny Zaharias.
Genuine sacrifices
Dena Deligiannis recalled, “In 1899, newly-arrived 14-year-old Athanasios Drossos from Kandyla (Arcadia region), Greece carried water daily to Greek and Italian immigrant men laying down railroad tracks establishing the emerging railroad system in the western United States. One morning, the Greek men reported to the work site but there was no one there. With his limited English, Athanasios was sent to the Italian camp where he eventually understood that it was Christmas Day! Earning only $1 USD for an entire day’s work, life proved so tedious and difficult they had all completely lost track of the days, months and time. Upon realizing it was Holy Christmas, the Greek workers each contributed several cents buying a turkey and wine to celebrate.
“During 1965, it was 80-year-old Athanasios Drossos who immediately stepped forward to generously donate monies for this new parish in Aurora, Ill. to be named Saint Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church. In gratitude to God, this special gentleman Athanasios gladly offered wages from his difficult labors and why our beloved parish bears his name. May his beautiful memory be eternal!”
One big family
Irene Panagopoulos reminisced, ”We were approximately 30 families in Aurora and incredibly tight-knit. We were always visiting each other’s homes…lots of visits! Everyone drove to the closest parish in Joliet to attend Sunday Divine Liturgy. On Saturdays, a priest from Joliet would arrive in Aurora to provide the Divine Liturgy at a location on Lincoln Avenue. It was so much fun to be a part of this big Greek Orthodox family! We all helped each other. The older immigrants generously helped our young families with furniture and whatever we needed. We were united by our mutual love and Orthodox Faith.”
Tight-knit friendships
Tom Theodore fondly recalls, “All of the Greek immigrants arrived from Kandyla and the Arcadia region of Greece. We were all young people, newcomers in America, lovingly-received and welcomed by the old-time Greeks who had immigrated during 1890s – 1930s. As Saint Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church became a reality in 1965 in Aurora, our parish became the center of our lives where everyone gathered together. Most children attended Greek school because we wanted them to learn and keep our Greek language. Very happy times!”
Utilizing skills to renovate first building and talents to create ministries
Sam Poulos, remembers, “With the assistance of AHEPA which many of the men belonged to, AHEPA bought the building on 228 East Galena Boulevard in Aurora which became Saint Athanasios. The men cleaned and fixed it up. The main floor eventually became the church, the upper floor became the Sunday School classrooms while the basement became the social hall and kitchen. We used every part of that building to hold church services, to create the Ladies Philoptochos Society, Sunday School and Greek School from scratch, to organize fundraisers while also hosting social gatherings and parish meals. We wanted to help our parish grow in every way,”
Bessie Koulos emphasized, “It was difficult work. Together, we did it. People must not forget that Saint Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Aurora was built by unselfish Greek Orthodox immigrants who loved God and sacrificed a great deal. We must honor and never forget their memories.”