 Annunciation
Greek Orthodox Cathedral is the
proto-cathedral of the
Metropolis of Denver, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
America, under the spiritual authority of His Eminence
Metropolitan ISAIAH of Denver. Located at 3511 Yoakum Boulevard
in the Museum District, just north of St. Thomas University,
the Cathedral is a well-known Houston landmark.
In 1917
the Annunciation community organized the first Greek Orthodox
Church in Houston, located on Walker Avenue in the
present-day Tranquility Park in downtown Houston. Required
to move because of city construction and its own expanding
membership, the congregation erected its present sanctuary
on Yoakum Boulevard in 1952. Annunciation gained the distinction
of "Cathedral" in 1967 when Houston became the See
of the 8th Diocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
of North and South America. While the Metropolitan Center is
now located in Denver, Colorado, Annunciation Cathedral remains
one of the largest Orthodox churches in America and a center
for Orthodox education, ministry, and Greek cultural events
in the Houston area.
The Annunciation Cathedral complex includes the Cathedral
sanctuary; the Polemanakos Educational Building; the Steve
G. Caloudas Athletic Center; the S. P. Martel Hall, with kitchen
and banquet facilities for 500, and the Cathedral bookstore;
the Administration wing; the Festival Center; and the St. George
Chapel. An outdoor courtyard with fountain, reminiscent of
Greece, provides an attractive space for visiting outdoors,
with an adjacent playground and two nurseries for the children.
Ample parking is provided on Yoakum Boulevard across the street
from the Cathedral.
A variety of ministries and organizations emanate from the
Annunciation Cathedral. There are two celebrations of the Divine
Liturgy (one in English and the other in Greek/English) each
Sunday morning, preceded by Orthros or Matins (morning prayers)
and followed by a fellowship coffee hour, with Sunday Church
School following the first Liturgy. Vespers (evening prayers)
are chanted on Saturdays at 5 pm. Weekday Liturgies are celebrated
on feast days according to the schedule of the Metropolis of
Denver (see the Sunday bulletin for listings).
The Religious Education Department provides classes on Sundays
for all ages, including a choice of adult study-groups addressing
different topics. Weekly Bible studies for adults meet on Tuesday
evenings and Wednesdays at noon in the Education Building,
with additional Bible Studies meeting monthly in homes in the
Sugar Land area. Classes for inquirers are offered for ten
weeks, three times annually, along with individual instruction
in the Christian Orthodox faith and life, at the Cathedral.
The Annunciation Greek Language & Cultural School, operating
continuously since 1917, provides Greek language and cultural
education for all ages on every weekday afternoon and evening.
Evenings and weekends at the Cathedral also include activities
of the various ministries of the Cathedral as well as Hellenic
and fraternal organizations, such as group meetings and spiritual
retreats. Dancing groups for various age groups practice and
perform Greek folk-dances throughout the year, with highlight
performances at the annual Greek Festival in Houston, and also
in national and international dance competitions.
In common with other congregations within the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America, Annunciation Cathedral hosts a variety
of ministries. These include the Ladies Philoptochos Society;
the Cathedral Choir; GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth of America);
FAITH, HOPE and JOY groups (for young children); PAREA (young
adults); AGOSS (singles group). A chapter of Sea-Scouts of
the Boy Scouts of America is sponsored by the Cathedral. Other
ministries, which meet on a regular basis, include marriage
preparation and a grief-support group (see listing).
Annunciation Orthodox School was organized in 1970 as a pre-school
for young children of the congregation. The School grew dramatically
during the following decades and today is independent from
the Cathedral. With a current enrolment of more than 600 students
from pre-school through eighth grade, AOS is well known in
the Houston area for its academic excellence and spiritual
atmosphere. All AOS students and faculty gather weekly at the
Cathedral for a worship-hour, and a close relationship between
the School and the Cathedral provides for a unique Christian
Orthodox atmosphere.
The annual Annunciation Greek Festival, held on the Cathedral
campus each year during the first weekend in October, is said
to be one of the largest festivals of its kind in the United
States. It originated in 1967 as "Greek Night," held
in celebration of the Cathedral’s fiftieth anniversary.
The following year saw the institution of an annual Festival
to celebrate Greek culture, food and Orthodox life. Today,
the Festival draws some 40,000 visitors over a period of four
days, and is one of the tourist attractions of the Houston
area.
Through its Philoptochos Society and other organizations, the
Cathedral contributes to a large number of charitable organizations
in the Houston area and nationwide. These charities include
both religious and non-religious agencies which help the
poor, the sick and those who are in distress. In addition,
volunteers from the Cathedral assist by translating for Greek-speaking
international patients in the medical center, visiting with
patients, preparing food for the needy, and so on.
The primary
function of Annunciation Cathedral, however, is spiritual:
to serve as the sacramental home for Orthodox Christians.
In turn, we invite into our midst all who wish to draw near
to God through the Body of Christ, the Holy Orthodox Church.
Orthodox Christianity is, unchanged, the ancient Church of
the New Testament. We invite everyone to "come and see" the
beauty of Orthodox worship and to participate in the life of
Christ.
Inquirers are encouraged to contact us through this
web site, or to telephone for an appointment with one of
our priests.
We will be happy to speak with you. Until then, may God bless
you!
|
