For 21 years, the parish in Salem, Oregon has been known as the Greek Orthodox Mission of Salem. However, over Thanksgiving weekend in 2019, the parish had reason to celebrate as they were joined by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco who presided over a blessing service for their new parish property, a 4.3 acre parcel that will be the site for their new church. Since the founding of this community in 1998, they have been renting space for worship from local churches and schools, but now with the purchase of land, they are making plans to build their own church. The nearest Orthodox communities are 30 miles to the north or south of Salem, so having dedicated parish facilities will enable the congregation to be more immersed in the daily life of the Church and the opportunity to develop and expand ministries, as well as continue outreach programs into the community.
Community Also Awarded Grant to Pay Off Mortgage
Another milestone was also celebrated on November 29, 2019, and that was the announcement of the naming of the mission parish to “Holy Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church”. With the acquisition of land and the naming of their community, the faithful in Salem have many exciting opportunities ahead, and they remain faithful in their efforts to not only physically build their church, but to also build up the Body of Christ. The Salem parish is now working towards two important goals: increasing their stewardship in order to be able to support a fulltime priest, and developing a plan to build worship and fellowship space on their property.
“To witness the vibrancy of the Orthodox faith in Salem, and to see them take these next bold steps was truly uplifting,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos. “The future of the Greek Orthodox Church will depend on communities like Salem and the many other young and flourishing parishes that will spread Orthodoxy and position our faith for even more growth and bringing people to know the love of Jesus Christ.”
Holy Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church is one of six mission parishes in the Metropolis of San Francisco. Through the generosity of their stewards, they raised over half the necessary funds for the purchase of the property. At a dinner that same evening, Thomaida Hudanish, Director of the Metropolis Missions and Evangelism Ministry, presented the parish with a $90,000 grant allowing them to pay off the remaining mortgage. This grant was made possible through the St. George and St. Katherine Endowment, which was established several years ago with its purpose being to support the establishment of new parishes in the Metropolis of San Francisco. “The Missions and Evangelism ministry team was eager to help this parish because they exhibited a commitment to sacrificial giving, participation in parish life, and taking advantage of the resources we’ve offered as a Metropolis,” stated Hudanish.
Rev. Father Jerry Markopoulos, proistamenos at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Eugene, Oregon, has been providing for the spiritual needs of the faithful in Salem for the past ten years, assisted by area clergy. He has also been a visionary leader, helping the parish set goals that will reap benefits for generations to come. “This community is filled with faithful and loving members who have a compelling vision of the Church and its purpose for existing. They place worship of the Holy Trinity of first importance, and strive to attain to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, confident that He who began a good work there many years ago, will complete it,” said Markopoulos.
On the following day, Saturday, November 30, 2019, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos ordained Steve Tussing to the Holy Diaconate at his home parish of Saint John the Baptist in Beaverton, Oregon. Tussing graduated from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in May 2018, and has been serving part-time as pastoral assistant at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Eugene, Oregon. Now known as Deacon Stephanos, he will continue to assist the communities in both Salem and Eugene.
The Metropolis Missions and Evangelism Ministry is one of thirteen distinct and innovative ministries offered by the Metropolis of San Francisco. Missions and Evangelism is an important component of our work, to educate, equip and engage clergy and faithful in Evangelism and Mission in the Orthodox Christian Tradition. The Missions and Evangelism Ministry Team is currently researching potential areas for planting new parishes. For more information, please visit www.GrowOrthodoxy.org.