Flushing

Published by The National Herald, December 19, 2004

New $7 Million Cultural Center Underway in Flushing

By Stavros Marmarinos
Special to The National Herald

NEW YORK - More than $486,000 were added this past Monday, December 6 to the fundraising effort for construction of a new Educational & Cultural Center at the Saint Nicholas Church community in Flushing.

Groundbreaking for the project was held that same day, when the church celebrated the feast day of its patron saint.

Gregory & Efstathia Michelis, who have pledged to contribute a total of $600,000 in three installments, presented a check for $200,000.

"I wanted to add my one small brick to this effort, so that this building can be completed and welcome new children, who will become good Christians," Mr. Michelis said, disclosing that his children have taken up the responsibility of paying the tuition of 30 St. Nicholas students.

Alex & Argyro Koutsoumbis presented a check for $100,000 during an official banquet held after the groundbreaking ceremony.

Despite the rain, the ceremony was took place as originally planned behind the church and was blessed by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. The building is expected to cost an estimated $7 million. Four million dollars have been raised through various donations, so far.

"Ever since I was a child, my mother told me to give, and God will give back to me," Mr. Koutsoumbis said. "We love this community. We grew up here. I have been a member here for 35 years and have served on both the Parish Council for six years and the PTA for 12 years. My children married in this church, and this is where I will baptize my grandchild. My children went to this school, and I know how important it is to preserving our heritage," he added.

In addition to the Michelis and Koutsoumbis donations, the community also received contributions from the following benefactors:

Nicholas and Anna Manikas ($50,000); the Tsiolas and McHugh families ($30,000); the St. Nicholas Afternoon Greek School ($30,000; Nicholas & Catherine Michaliou ($25,000); Marathon Bank ($10,000); Dino and Dominic Rallis ($10,000); the Kambousion Chios Society of America ($10,000); and Peter Boudouvas ($1,000).

Speaking to the St. Nicholas congregation inside the Church during the Divine Liturgy, which was held in an especially celebratory atmosphere, the Archbishop congratulated the community for its work, and the donors for making the community’s "dream come true."

His Eminence announced the donors’ names for the first time, at the request of Rev. Paul Palesty, parish pastor. The Archbishop spoke about the value of education later during the dinner. "When there is no education, you are headed towards catastrophe," he said.

Rev. Palesty thanked the donors for their generosity and made special reference to ailing donor Petros C. Sarantakos, who recently gave $1,345.500 to the community’s school (see The National Herald, October 23, 2004 issue, page 1).

During the banquet, Andrew Tsiolas delivered introductory remarks, saluting the donors for their generosity. Lena Varis and James Michalios, who organized the groundbreaking ceremony, also expressed their gratitude to the contributors.

And Fundraising Committee Co-Chairman Stephen Cherpelis, an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, clearly moved the audience when he said that, "We here in America have so much. So it is important to give to others. There is still room, and great need for more donations."

Mr. Cherpelis, who attended the recent ceremony at the Vatican for the return of the relics of Saints Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom to the Patriarchate, also referred to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s visit to St. Nicholas Church earlier this year.

Co-Chairman Christ Stratakis conveyed the Patriarch’s greetings to the community, citing the new Community Center’s additional floor, which will now be able to double its space. Mr. Stratakis congratulated all the other donors and expressed his wishes for the community’s efforts to come to fruition.

Building Committee President Emmanuel Kratsios and Parish Council President Christos Pantazis spoke to the gathering about the project’s central importance to the community’s life and thanked all those who attended the dinner. "Our dream is finally coming true," he said.



Volume 6 Number 51 - Tuesday, December 21st, 2004	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY