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2017 SESSION

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17100982D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 276 Offered January 11, 2017 Prefiled January 4, 2017 Commending Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. ---------- Patrons-- Loupassi and Yancey ----------

WHEREAS, for 100 years, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church has provided countless Richmond residents with a welcoming spiritual home and provided leadership and outreach throughout the area; and

WHEREAS, the first Greek Orthodox immigrants arrived in the Richmond area in 1896, and from this community of hard-working immigrants Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church was founded in 1917, its first service held in a rented building on West Broad Street; the church purchased its first permanent house of worship in 1930; and

WHEREAS, beginning in 1937, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church was ably led by Father Theodore L. Sideris, who was elevated to the Episcopate after 17 years of service; he was succeeded by Father Constantine N. Dombalis, who ministered for 41 years; and

WHEREAS, under Father Dombalis, the congregation of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church grew and made many meaningful contributions to the Richmond community; the church also took on an international character through Father Dombalis’ work with the United Nations; and

WHEREAS, after Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church was destroyed by fire in 1957, the congregation held worship services with the help of other local churches and completed a new house of worship at the current location on Malvern Avenue in 1961; and

WHEREAS, in 1976, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church held its first Greek Festival, a beloved Richmond tradition offering delicious homemade food, crafts, music, and folk dancing; and

WHEREAS, after Nicholas G. Bacalis became pastor in 1996, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church continued to grow, and a new support building with offices, classrooms, a gymnasium, and social areas was completed in 2008; and

WHEREAS, over the years, the diverse congregation of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church has served the Richmond community from a wide range of vocations, and the members of the church have generously donated their time and talents to help charitable and philanthropic causes throughout the city; and

WHEREAS, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church plans to celebrate its 100th anniversary with special services and events throughout the year, as well as presentations on the history of the church and Greek culture; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church hereby be commended for its legacy of service on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church as an expression of the House of Delegates’ admiration for the church’s storied history and many contributions to the Richmond community.