PARISH INFORMATION
Holy Trinity’s Early Parish History
“Holy Trinity” was founded in 1922 by a small group of Greek immigrants. The Chakales, Lamprinakos, Arakas, Gianakos, and Mimidis families met in various houses and in rooms provided by First Baptist Church & Trinity Episcopal Church when a traveling Orthodox Priest was available.
Between visits from the clergy, the women of the Parish would gather and sing Paraklesis in their homes, holding fast to their Orthodox faith. (Paraklesis are prayers for supplication- asking a saint, especially the Virgin Mary, for instance, in praying to God for strength, healing, and guidance.)
In the early 1930’s, the founding families rented the upstairs floors of the “Moskins” Building on Patton Avenue. In the late 1930’s, a building at 66 North Market Street was purchased.
In 1942, Greenville was assigned a full-time Priest. Right Reverend Father Pouleropoulos spent three Sundays in Greenville, one in Spartanburg, one Saturday in Anderson, and one Saturday in Asheville a month.
The 40’s and ’50 brought many more families and in 1954, the Asheville Parish and Spartanburg Parish shared one Priest. Father Constantine Bitzas, served Asheville one Sunday a month. He officiated at the Cumberland Avenue groundbreaking ceremonies on September 22, 1957. In 1958 the Church was completed and the Market Street building sold.
The first wedding to take place in the new Church was that of Andrew Bakis and Nicki Frangakis (cousin to Bessie Nickolopoulos). The first baptism was that of John George Zourzoukis.
In June 1959, Holy Trinity welcomed their first full time priest, Father Nicolaos Spirakis. In 1960, the Greek Orthodox Youth of America (GOYA) with Anastasia Hanzas as it’s first president was formed. George J. Lamprinakos served during this time and for many years afterwards as Sunday School Director.
The Community Center was built in the 1960’s with the Evrytanian Convention as the first function. The first wedding reception held was for Chris and Andrea Zourzoukis.
The Consecration of Holy Trinity Church
Taking place on October 4, 1987, it was a momentous moment still fresh in the minds of many of our parishioners. Our custom made altar holds the Precious Holy Grace-filled Relics of:
Saint Anisia -December 30, Saint Haralambros -February 10 and the 20,000 Martyrs of Nikomedia -December 28.
May Their Memory Be Eternal!
Holy Trinity is the only Greek Orthodox Church in Western North Carolina. Members come from Hendersonville, Flat Rock, Morganton, Burnsville, Candler, Black Mountain, and up to 80 miles from Asheville. Most of the parishioners, however, live in Asheville, as they have throughout the history of the parish. The parish currently consists of 175 families.
The Official Mission states: “Go and make disciples of all nations,” (Matthew 28:19) and “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Our church has an incredibly active liturgical calendar, an active youth program, and adult catechism classes. Our parish annually gives a portion of its festival proceeds to local charities. Members are involved in many civic clubs and philanthropic organizations in Asheville.
An important goal of parishioners is to maintain the heritage of the founding fathers of our parish while striving to bring Orthodoxy to contemporary America, particularly the young people. The Parish accomplishes this by teaching parishioners not just the “what” about our faith, but the “why.” Holy Trinity wishes to be remembered for bringing people closer to Christ through development of a sacramental “lifestyle” on the part of the congregation. Parishioners pride themselves on being good stewards of the parish and of the Metropolis of Atlanta.
The Holy Trinity congregation is composed of Greek-Americans, as well as the Orthodox faithful from Syria, Serbia, Ukraine and Albania. Perhaps the greatest testament to Holy Trinity is the great number of converts to Orthodoxy.
Preserving the Greek Heritage in North Carolina
Formally, for everyone, is made possible at The University of North Carolina- Asheville, Ramsey Library. Check it out at the UNC-A, Ramsey Library, Special Collections (Regional History, Race & Ethnicity) and on-line at: http://toto.lib.unca.edu/
The Western North Carolina Heritage project is made possible through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.
The history of our parish- is also the history of the Greek immigrants who settled here. Now there is a way to save it for future generations! Members of the Greek Community are encouraged to provide photos, information, ephemera, and even oral history of when and how their family originally settled in North Carolina. This project has made it possible to protect the legacy of special groups like the Greek immigrants and others who came to the mountains and helped Asheville develop to the vibrant city it is today. Other then the Indian Tribes, who first lived in these mountains, one of the most notable histories recorded at The Ramsey Library is that of the Jewish settlers. Their families’ stories are now saved for review and study.
We need at least 20 people, in all age groups, to help organize this same effort to record and save the history of our families, Church, and culture.
Some history is already gathered. Did you know that the first known Greek, Demosthenes Psychoyios, came to the mountains of Asheville in 1900 and opened a restaurant on Pack Square? In 1914, James Lamprinakos and his brother Bill opened up the Olympia Candy Kitchen and The Pack Square Candy Kitchen. And Isidore Arakas opened a candy store where Woolworth is now located. And there is so much more! In the 1920’s, other early settlers included the: Karambelas, Parthemos, Mozalis, Megaliopou, Papadeas, Kooles, Pappas, Colagerakis, Kalogerakis, Spirakis, Moushouris, Tschouros, Coutlakis, George, Patelides, and Naomi families.
One can only imagine how many stories of hard work, dedication to their families, church and community are represented in this short list! It would be a great loss to all future generations if we do not take the time to honor our forefathers for their contributions to our magnificent city in the mountains!
Let their Memory Be Eternal- Remembered and Recorded!
