Greek Orthodox Church Celebrates 100 Years

  

It’s been a busy year for Pocatello’s Greek Orthodox Church.  In preparation for the 100^th Anniversary, the building underwent comprehensive renovations.

KPVI News 6 was there to talk to members of the church as the renovations were unveiled and a new a new priest was ordained.

The sound of music filled Sunday’s service.  Members of the Greek Orthodox Church greeted the freshly renovated building and newly ordained Priest with song.

Zoe Thiros and her family came to help the church celebrate.

“It’s very exciting because I have been here my whole life and so beautiful to see all the new iconography and the beautifications of the church and it’s just very beautiful,” says Zoe Thiros.

Over the past year the church received a new dome, beautiful painting on its walls and ceilings adorned with sparkling chandeliers.

Richard Shultz, the President of the Prayers Council, says Sunday’s meeting had an overflow of people.

“Well it’s filled the church completely.  There is only standing room in the church right now, so yes it’s a huge crowd for the church,” Richard Shultz, President of Prayers Council.

Vicki Culver, from Florida, was in town for a family reunion.  She says, for her, attending this service is symbolic.

“More of the reverence of our family and the actual understanding of where we came from.  Our heritage.  Greek heritage,” says Vicki Culver, Florida.

Some members of the church say they have a special connection to the 100 year old building, the Greek Orthodox Church in Pocatello, because they had family members that helped build it years ago.

“As a family, it’s just undescribable,” says Sherry Saites.

Sherry Saites is from Michigan and visiting for a family reunion.  Her family roots in the church go back to its beginning.

“Its special because my great-grandfather and my grandfather both were here at the founding of the church,” says Saites.

Also at Sunday’s ceremony, his Eminence Metropolitan Isiah traveled up from Denver to help consecrate the new church and ordain Father Seraphim Johns.

“The important thing about this occasion is that we are honoring our immigrants and those who established these Parishes, says Eminence Metropolitan Isiah.

The church is listed on the national register of historic places.

According to the church’s website, Bannock County at one time had the largest Greek population in the state.