ELKINS PARK, PA – The Annunciation/Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Community of Philadelphia on November 5-6 celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Thyranoixia, the opening of the doors, of its present church in Elkins Park, PA.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America attended the gala event on November 5 along with 350 guests including the Very Rev. Archimandrite Christoforos Oikonomidis, Chancellor of the Metropolis of New Jersey; Father John L. Johns, Presiding Priest of Annunciation/Evangelismos; Archon Dr. Anthony Limberakis, National Commander of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; and Archon Dr. Cary Limberakis, Regional Commander of the Philadelphia District.

The Golden Thyranoixia Anniversary Banquet Chairs were Christine Avgiris and Mary O’Hara. The National Anthems were sung by the Annunciation Greek School while the Troparion of the Annunciation of the Theotokos was sung by Church Choir.

The Hierarchical Liturgy was held on November 6, officiated by His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, assisted by Fr. Johns.

During the Gala, Drs. Maria and Anthony Limberakis offered a historical perspective of the efforts to build the Church, which were led by their fathers, Dr. Anthony G. B. Borden, then-Parish Council President, and Fr. John A. Limberakis.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros offered his blessings and noted that the Greek Orthodox Community of Philadelphia is older than the Archdiocese itself and urged the community to remember its history and to build on the work of the giants that built the Church.

Founded in 1901, the Annunciation/Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Community of Philadelphia is the sixth oldest parish in America. Originally located in South Philadelphia, the community moved to the Elkins Park neighborhood in the 1960s. The present Church was built in the early 1970s, and the Thyranoixia was held November 18-19, 1972, officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos and Fr. John A. Limberakis of blessed memory. The Church was consecrated on the 100th Anniversary of the Community in November of 2001, officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, assisted by Reverend Father Robert J. Archon and with the leadership of Parish Council President Mrs. Lillian Borden, the wife of Dr. Anthony Borden.