Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of Long Beach
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of Long Beach serves the Orthodox Christian community of Long Beach, California, offering regular worship services and preserving Greek Orthodox faith, traditions, and community life in the region.
Clergy:
Rev. Presbyter Christos Kanakis, Presiding Priest; Rev. Deacon Evangelos Karapoulios
Church Type:
Parish
Denomination:
Greek Orthodox
Metropolis:
Metropolis of San Francisco
Affiliation:
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Ecumenical Patriarch:
Bartholomew I of Constantinople
Clergy Information updated Jan 2026
History
In 1933 a small community of Greeks, mostly recent immigrants, settled in Long Beach, California. As their families began to grow, the need arose for a Hellenic School to perpetuate the ideals and traditions of the Greek Orthodox faith and culture for the generations that would follow. A Greek language school was started, and on October 4, 1937, the Long Beach Parish Hellenic Community was granted a charter to form a church. In 1939 the first parcel of land was purchased at the southwest corner of Pacific Avenue and 17th Street in Long Beach, the site on which the community would build its house of worship. Archbishop Athenagoras of North and South America, later to become the 268th Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, visited Long Beach during this period and met with the founding fathers of the parish, encouraging and supporting their efforts to build a church for the community. Following the appointment of a building committee and the preparation of building plans, the Archdiocese established the city of San Pedro and vicinity within the canonical jurisdiction of the Long Beach church.
August 15, 1949 marked the official opening of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Long Beach, a date chosen with deliberate significance: August 15 is the great feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, the patronal feast of the parish and one of the most solemn and beloved celebrations of the Orthodox liturgical year. The choice of that feast day to open the church's doors for the first time connected the community's temporal founding to the eternal mystery it was established to celebrate.
The parish has grown from those immigrant roots into a traditional, family-oriented Orthodox Christian community of approximately 400 families, drawing together lifelong Orthodox Christians and those who came to Orthodoxy later in life, all united in love for Christ and His Church. The annual Long Beach Greek Festival, held on the church grounds each autumn, has become one of the most beloved Hellenic cultural celebrations in the greater Los Angeles area, transforming the parish campus into what the community calls a Grecian Village of food, music, and hospitality.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church at 5761 East Colorado Street in Long Beach serves the Orthodox Christian faithful of the greater Long Beach area as a parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
This page serves as a reference resource for Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of Long Beach, providing essential information such as location, contact details, clergy, and church affiliation. It is intended to help visitors and members of the Orthodox Christian community easily find accurate parish information in one place.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register as a member at a Greek Orthodox parish?
Parish membership is generally established by registering with the church office. Each parish may have its own process for enrollment and participation in parish life.
Can I attend services if I am not a registered member of the parish?
Greek Orthodox churches welcome visitors and non-members to attend services. Participation in sacraments may require coordination with the parish and priest.
How do I contact the parish priest for pastoral matters?
Pastoral requests are typically handled by the parish priest. The parish office can assist with contact details and help coordinate appointments or inquiries.
How do I register to baptize my child in the Greek Orthodox Church?
Baptism requests are handled by the local parish. The church will usually require documentation from the parents and godparent, along with coordination with the priest to schedule the baptism.
How do I request a wedding date at my Greek Orthodox church?
Wedding dates are scheduled through the parish office and priest. Availability depends on the church calendar, fasting periods, and parish guidelines, so it is recommended to inquire well in advance.
How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox marriage certificate?
Marriage certificates are typically issued by the church where the sacrament took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.
How do I obtain a copy of my Greek Orthodox baptismal certificate?
Baptismal certificates are typically issued by the church where the baptism took place. To request a copy, contact the parish office directly and ask what information or identification is required.
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