Church of Our Saviour of Rye
Church of Our Saviour of Rye serves the Orthodox Christian community of Rye, New York, offering regular worship services and preserving Greek Orthodox faith, traditions, and community life in the region.
Clergy:
Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Elias Villis, Presiding Priest; Rev. Presbyter George Hazlaris, Assistant Priest; Rev. Deacon Thomas Besse
Church Type:
Parish
Denomination:
Greek Orthodox
Metropolis:
Archdiocesan District
Affiliation:
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Ecumenical Patriarch:
Bartholomew I of Constantinople
Clergy Information updated Jan 2026
History
The Greek Orthodox Church of Our Saviour in Rye, New York was founded in the 1950s, established to serve the Greek Orthodox faithful of Westchester County who had settled in the communities along Long Island Sound north of New York City. In its earliest years the community worshipped in the mansion of the Harmonay estate at 2195 Westchester Avenue East in Rye, a property of more than ten acres whose historic main house served as sanctuary, offices, and educational and social spaces while the parish organized and built toward a permanent church building.
Between 1961 and 1962, architect John M. Kokkins and supervising engineer Peter Limber designed and executed the magnificent Byzantine church that stands on the Harmonay grounds to this day, offering their professional services gratis as a gift to the community. The resulting structure is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful Greek Orthodox church complexes in the United States, its building materials of roofing tiles, bricks, marble, and stone harmonizing naturally with the surrounding estate. The church's defining interior feature is its egg-shaped dome, with a short diameter of forty-seven feet and a long diameter of fifty-two feet, its peak rising more than forty-seven feet above the nave floor, ever present and always dominant from every position in the church. The iconostasis, designed and executed in repoussé sterling silver with a naturally antiqued finish by the noted Byzantine artist George Lydakis, was inspired by the original iconostasis in Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, and the mosaic terrazzo floor incorporates at the main entrance a two-headed Byzantine eagle of one-inch-thick bronze. Archbishop Iakovos consecrated the main sanctuary in 1972, and a chapel fashioned within the historic mansion was named in his memory. In 2012 the parish embarked on a comprehensive iconography project, completing the visual program the architect had designed the church to receive sixty years before.
The Greek Orthodox Church of Our Saviour at 2195 Westchester Avenue East in Rye serves the Orthodox Christian faithful of Westchester County as a parish of the Direct Archdiocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, one of the most architecturally distinguished Orthodox Christian communities in the New York metropolitan area.
This page serves as a reference resource for Church of Our Saviour of Rye, 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.
How to Get To of Our Saviour
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.
Explore Greek Orthodox churches by Metropolis
Nearby Churches
by State
Nearby Churches
by
Metropolis
