1906 - 2006
1890's
Greek immigrants begin to arrive and settle in Baltimore.
1906
Formal establishment of the Greek Orthodox Church “Evangelismos” at the Union Hall, 500 E. Fayette Street, with a visiting priest.
1907
Arrival of The Rev. Constantine Douropoulos as the first full-time priest.
1909
Parish officially incorporated by eleven charter members followed by the purchase of the Homewood Avenue and Chase Street Church from the Greenmount Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church for $12,000.
1912
First Orthodox burial grounds purchased within the Woodlawn Cemetery known as the “Greek Circle.” Additional acquisitions of burial grounds would occur in 1916, 1924, and 1936 within the Woodlawn Cemetery.
1913
First Greek language school for parish children established.
1915
Formation of the first youth group –Greek American Athletic Association.
1918
Formation of the first chartered affiliate of the parish – Greek American Association “Progress.”
1921
Establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in New York to govern over the Greek Orthodox parishes throughout the United States.
1922
Visit of the first Archbishop, Alexander of Rodostolou, to the Homewood Avenue Church followed by a banquet. Political differences arise between the Royalists (supporters of Greece’s King Constantine I) and the Venizelists (supporters of Greece’s Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos). Charter amendment supporting the new Archdiocese leads the Royalists to withdraw from Annunciation and form the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church at Broadway and Monument Streets. The Greek community of Baltimore remained divided by Greece’s politics for the next seven years.
1923
Charter amendment supporting the new Archdiocese leads the Royalists to withdraw from Annunciation and form the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church at Broadway and Monument Streets. The Greek community of Baltimore remained divided by Greece’s politics for the next seven years.
1926
Establishment of Enosis (Union), a ladies’ group at Annunciation Church.
1928
Establishment of Elpis (Hope), a ladies’ group at Holy Trinity Church.
1929
Reunion of Baltimore’s Greek Orthodox community at the Homewood Avenue Church marked by a grand celebration event in December 1929.
1931
Presentation of the Greek Flag to the State of Maryland.
1935
The Very Rev. Joakim Papachristou begins a fifteen-year tenure as spiritual leader of Baltimore’s Greek Orthodox Christians.
1936
Establishment of the Greek Ladies Philoptochos (Friend of the Poor) Society by members of the Enosis and Elpis ladies’ groups.
1937
Purchase of the Preston Street Church for $40,500 which saved the edifice from demolition to become a gasoline filling station. Historic procession from Homewood Avenue to Preston Street took place with the first Divine Liturgy held at the new church on April 23, 1937.
1938
Consecration of the Preston Street Church by Archbishop Athenagoras conducting the services on May 8, 1938.
1940 - 1945
War Years marked by Greek War Relief efforts and countless displays of American patriotism by the Greek Orthodox Community of Baltimore. Establishment of the local Greek War Relief Association.
1942
Purchase of 45 W. Preston Street which was used for various social and athletic events. This building at the corner of Cathedral and Preston Street was known as the “Greek Center” until it was sold in 1950.
1943
Establishment of the Greek Orthodox Cemetery at 5917 Windsor Mill Road in Baltimore County, comprising 14-acres for burial grounds.
1946
Fortieth Anniversary Year Celebration; Establishment of EONA (youth organization) which was the forerunner to GOYA.
1948
First Ordination held at Annunciation was for Deacon Soterios Gouvellis who served as the Assistant Priest for two years.
1950
The Very Rev. Philotheos Ahladas begins a four-year tenure which assists to revitalize parish ministries and help the community grow.
1951
Choir groups reorganized with Georgia Topaltzas (Topal) as director.
1952
Establishment of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox community in Highlandtown.
1954
The Rev. George P. Gallos, the first full-time American-born priest of Greek descent begins his eleven-year pastorate
1955
Establishment of the Ladies’ Tea Guild (later renamed Womens’ Guild).
1956
Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration of the Annunciation community. Presvytera Anna Gallos becomes the parish music director.
1958
Parish Assembly votes for the Annunciation Church community to remain at Preston Street and explores the expansion of existing property.
1959
Groundbreaking for the new Education Building adjacent to the church.
1960
Opening of the Education Building.
1961
Dedication of the Education Building officiated by Archbishop Iakovos.
1964
Extensive interior and exterior renovations to the sanctuary begin.
1965
Donation of new Iconostasion (altar screen) to complement remodeling work.
The Rev. Emmanuel E. Bouyoucas begins his ten-year pastorate.
Georgia Topal Tangires becomes the new parish music director.
1966
Church name officially changed from “Evangelismos” to “Annunciation.”
1967
Testimonial honoring Lawrence Cardinal Shehan and Archbishop Iakovos to further dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
Lucy Hagopian begins a 49-year career in the Annunciation Church office.
1970
Establishment of the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Baltimore County.
1971
First Athenian Agora Festival held at Annunciation.
1975
Parish is elevated to Cathedral status with Bishop Silas officiating.
The Rev. Elias Velonis begins as Assistant Priest for a four-year period.
The Rev. Constantine Monios becomes the new Dean of the Cathedral.
1978
Acquisition of the first of five historic townhouses across the street from the Cathedral for the future expansion of parish ministries.
1979
Ordination to the priesthood of Deacon Mark B. Arey, who converted from the Episcopal tradition. He would serve the parish until 1982.
1980
Interior renovations in the Byzantine style approved by parish assembly.
1981
75th Anniversary Celebration spans over eight months with numerous events and activities to mark the occasion.
1982
Opening of the Cathedral Parking garage on Maryland Avenue.
Opening of the Chapel of the Holy Resurrection at parish cemetery.
The Rev. Louis Noplos becomes Assistant Priest and serves through 1996.
1984
Construction and dedication of the Annunciation Orthodox Center following the purchase and renovations of five historic townhouses comprising Nos. 25, 27, 29, 31 and 33 W. Preston Street.
1985
First parish pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
1986
First woman elected as Parish Council President - Loretta S. Prevas.
1987
Annunciation parish marks 50 years worshipping at Preston Street Church.
1989
Cathedral Building marks 100 years of existence as a house of worship.
(It was built in 1889 for the Associate Reform Church, by 1900 known as the Associate Congregational Church, that worshipped here until 1934).
1990
Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I makes an historic visit to the nation’s capital from Constantinople. A delegation of parishioners from Annunciation attended the various events held in Washington, D.C.
1992
Cathedral receives historic designation by the Commission on Historic and Architectural Preservation.
1994 - 2001
Acquisition of four additional townhouses (35, 37, 41 and 43 W. Preston Street) for possible future needs of the parish.
1995
First Adult Bible Study Retreat.
1996
90th Anniversary Doxology celebrated at Annunciation Cathedral.
Ordination of Deacon Constantine Moralis to the Holy Priesthood who becomes Assistant Priest for the next six years.
Rev Louis Noplos is assigned to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church.
1997
Visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Annunciation Cathedral.
1999
Interior refurbishing of the sanctuary completed. Elevation of Metropolitan Demetrios of Vresthena as new Archbishop of America.
2000
Tri-Parish Millennium Celebration on New Year’s Day.
Completion of the Cathedral Elevator project and dedication ceremonies.
Father Constantine Monios observes 25 years as Dean of the Cathedral.
2001
Rededication of the Mentis Memorial Room first established in 1975.
2002
The Rev. Constantine Monios fell asleep in the Lord. He had the longest tenure of any senior clergyman in parish history, serving over 26 years.
The Rev. Constantine Moralis is elevated to the status of Archimandrite and serves the Annunciation parish for twenty years until 2022.
2003
Enthronement of Metropolitan Evangelos as spiritual leader of the Metropolis of New Jersey.
2004
Cathedral Bookstore opens on the lower level of the Education Building.
2005
Ordination of Deacon Peter J, Thornberg to the Holy Priesthood.
2005 - 2006
Centennial Celebration begins with the Salutations to the Virgin Mary on March 18, 2005, followed by a yearlong itinerary of historic, religious, and social events culminating with the 100th Anniversary Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Centennial Grand Banquet held on March 19, 2006.
