St. George - St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of New York
St. George - St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of New York serves the Orthodox Christian community of New York, New York, offering regular worship services and preserving Greek Orthodox faith, traditions, and community life in the region.
Phone:
+1 (212) 722-6750
E-mail:
Website:
Clergy:
V. Rev. Archimandrite Michael Giavris, Presiding Priest
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 Community of Saint George and Saint Demetrios of New York traces its origins to a building with a history as layered as the city itself. The church at 140 East 103rd Street in East Harlem was originally built in the late nineteenth century as a German-language Methodist church by the Reverend Christian Blinn, a German minister who arrived in New York with a comfortable personal fortune and a passion for serving his countrymen. Blinn died in Kansas City in 1889, and his congregation carried on in the East 103rd Street building for decades.
The Greek Orthodox community that would eventually make the building its home purchased it for $32,000 in 1938, giving the faithful of upper Manhattan an Orthodox house of worship in what was then a neighborhood with a significant Greek population. A fire on March 12, 1946 severely damaged the community room accessed through 140 East 103rd Street, and the community rebuilt. A substantial interior renovation in 1952 transformed the building into what its pastor Father Matthew Papavasilou envisioned as a true Greek Orthodox Church, with the main entrance relocated to 103rd Street and the walls decorated in Byzantine-style iconography by the celebrated artist Constantine Youssis, the same iconographer whose work graces several other New York area parishes. New stained glass windows were installed as part of the renovation, completing a sanctuary that combined the building's nineteenth-century German Methodist bones with the visual richness of the Orthodox tradition.
The dual dedication to Saints George and Demetrios, two of the most beloved Great Martyrs of the Orthodox Church, whose feast days fall in April and October respectively, gives the parish a double patronal celebration and a particularly rich connection to the military martyr tradition of Orthodox Christianity.
Saint George and Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church at 140 East 103rd Street in New York serves the Orthodox Christian faithful of upper Manhattan as a parish of the Direct Archdiocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
This page serves as a reference resource for St. George - St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of New York, 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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