Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church of Anaheim
Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church of Anaheim serves the Orthodox Christian community of Anaheim, California, offering regular worship services and preserving Greek Orthodox faith, traditions, and community life in the region.
Clergy:
Rev. Presbyter Christopher Retelas, Presiding Priest; Rev. Deacon John Alevizos
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
The story of Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church of Anaheim, California is the story of the first Greek Orthodox community in Orange County. In 1960, a group of Greek Orthodox Christians in Orange County began gathering with a shared desire to worship together, seeking the two essentials: a priest and a place to meet. The community was formally incorporated with the State of California on October 20, 1961, and the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Sunday, October 22, 1961, at a Seventh Day Adventist Church on Ninth Street in Garden Grove. In 1963 the community received its official charter as a parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.
On October 12, 1965, the parish purchased its first parcel of land, 1.66 acres at 405 North Dale Street in Anaheim. An additional acre was purchased in the fall of 1967, bringing the total property to 2.66 acres. The first Divine Liturgy on the property was celebrated in September 1967, and on that occasion the community chose Saint John the Baptist as its patron saint. A dedicated group of parishioners with some knowledge of construction and a great deal of love and enthusiasm then built their own small wooden church by hand over a series of weekends, and on November 5, 1967, the first Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the little sanctuary they had built together.
Ground was broken for an Educational and Cultural Center on November 30, 1969, and it was dedicated on September 13, 1970. In 1974 the original hand-built wooden church was removed, and the community worshipped in the unfinished Educational Center before moving into a tent erected on the parking lot while construction continued. In June 1975 the community moved into the new church building, even as scaffolding was still in place. The formal Opening of the Doors service was celebrated on November 16, 1975 with Bishop Meletios officiating alongside the parish's longtime priest.
On June 9, 1985, the church of Saint John the Baptist was formally consecrated to God in a historic service officiated by Archbishop Iakovos, Metropolitan Kyrillos of Crete, Bishop Anthony, and numerous other Orthodox clergy. The consecration marked the culmination of twenty-five years of community building, from that first gathering in 1960 to the formal dedication of a completed and furnished house of worship.
Today, Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church stands at 405 North Dale Avenue in Anaheim as the founding Greek Orthodox community of Orange County, a thriving parish of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco with active ministries for all ages and the annual OC Greek Festival, one of Southern California's most celebrated expressions of Greek culture and Orthodox faith.
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This page serves as a reference resource for Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church of Anaheim, 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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