History of the Church
The beginning of St. Athanasios
Greek Orthodox Church took its roots in the early 1900’s.
Although not officially an established church, the first Greek
immigrants who came to this "City of Lights," met
their religious and cultural needs by attending All Saints
Greek Orthodox Church in Joliet, Illinois, which was 25 miles
from their homes and businesses. As early as the 1950’s
plans were discussed for a church in Aurora. The needs of
our community were made known and were recognized by Fr. Emmanuel
Lionakis, then priest of All Saints in Joliet. In the early
1960’s Fr. held services once a month on Saturdays at
the Trinity Episcopalian Church in Aurora. This dedication
and commitment by the Aurora immigrants eventually led to
the purchase of their first real church home. The Church was
located at 228 E Galena Blvd., and in 1962 the Archdiocese
granted the building, chapel status. Fr. George Kiricoples,
then priest of All Saints in Elgin, Illinois, began a regular
schedule of services every other Saturday. As time went on,
the need for a full-time priest was becoming more evident,
and on September 1, 1965, St. Athanasios received its Ecclesiastical
Charter along with the assignment of Fr. Steve Zanis as their
first full time Priest.
The following
Priests have served our community:
1965-1968-Fr. Steve Zanis
1968-1975-Fr. Spyridon Kavvadias
1975-1977-Fr. Louis Greanias
1977-1980-Fr. John Chakos
1980-1986-Fr. William Cassis
1987-2002-Fr. Christopher Constantinides
2002 to present: Fr. Peter J. Spiro
Click
here to view the history of St. Athanasios as it was printed
in the 2005, 40th Anniversary Commemerative Album.
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