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Unity in Faith at Transfiguration Church in Mattituck

Transfiguration Church
Photo by Mrs. Stavroula Nicolas Raia. See the full photo album here.

The Vespers and Feast Day of the Transfiguration of Christ Church on Breakwater Road, Mattituck, New York  were well attended. On the August 5th evening Vespers, Rev. Sarantis Loulakis, St. Markella Church, Wantaugh; Rev. Elias Nikolaou, St. Paraskevi Church, Greenlawn: Rev.Vasilios Govits, All Saints Greek Orthodox Monastery of Calverton; Rev. Demetrios Calogredes, Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Port Jefferson; Rev. Andrew David Cadieux,  St. John’s Greek Orthodox Church, Blue Point and Rev. Constantine Lazarakis of Kimisis tis Theotokou Church, Southampton, assisted by John Galifianakis and seminarian Michael Lazarakis joined parish priest Rev. Constantine Makrinos to perform a memorable celebrated liturgy.

Guest Minister Rev. Demetrios Calogredes, gave the inspiring Vespers sermon in Greek and English. His message can be summarized in this quote from St. Paul:

“For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12” ― Saint Paul, The Epistles of Paul and Acts of the Apostles.

Rev. Calogredes believes “a metamorphosis of mankind is needed. Our churches are empty…We walk with strength and light in our life in Jesus Christ.” We were all honored to hear Rev. Calogredes sermon.

Rev.Constantine Makrinos was bestowed the honor of Protopresbyter (Very Reverend) by His Eminence on August 6th, 2010. This is the highest rank for a married priest in the Greek Orthodox Church. The honor is bestowed upon a Greek Orthodox clergyman after twenty-five years of service. Very Rev. Makrinos is from Kardamyla, Chios.

“It was a great honor to receive this title from His Eminence’s hands,” he explained.

“I prayed to receive this honor from his hands. On August 6th, 2014, I completed twenty-nine years of my ministry, performing all church services and sacraments.”

A Journal is being prepared for the annual dance on October 4th,  that will honor Pete Demetriou, founder, and Peter Pappas, former president and chanter. Pete Demetriou is a quiet, low key person, who worked to establish Greek-American religious institutions over the past sixty years. He emigrated from Cyprus in the 1950’s to Astoria, New York.

“I gave a donation to form St. Demetrios Greek-American parochial school in 1956,” he said.

“My late wife, Helen, believed in philanthropic activities. When we moved to Mattituck, we continued our philanthropy. We donated the first marble altar screen (iconostasis) of the original Transfiguration of Christ Church on Breakwater Road. Other donations included hooking up the Church to the Suffolk County Water Authority and numerous items the Church needed.  We worked together in all our philanthropic projects to help the Transfiguration of Christ Church. For forty years, I assisted priest in the clergy committee, from 1970 up to the time I retired. I enjoyed working with Stelios Nanos in the altar, harmoniously.”

He is a founder of the All Saints Monastery in Calverton, Long Island. He lives in walking distance to the Transfiguration Church with his second wife, Iza.

Mr. Peter Pappas served as chanter for free at the Transfiguration Church in Mattituck. His late wife Andrea worked with him to rebuild the Church when it was burnt in 1984.

“We welcome young people,” said Rev. Makrinos.

“Since I have been here, I have been trying to bring youth in church and on the parish council board. I try to add English in my service when I see younger people in church. I hold a Masters of Divinity in Theology from Holy Cross Hellenic College in Brookline, Massachusetts. St.Theona, St. Iakovos the Monk and St. Anastasia are our relics. They were given to our church in 1976 when Archbishop Iakovos consecrated the Transfiguration of Christ Church.”

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