Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

8-10 E. 79th St.
New York, NY 10021
United States

Attesting Officer
Stavros Papagermanos
Director, News & Information


Media Contact
Nikki Stephanopoulos

40.7764821, -73.9630985


THE ORTHODOX CHURCH The Orthodox Church today, numbering over 250 million worldwide, is a communion of self-governing Churches, each administratively independent of the other, but united by a common faith and spirituality. Their underlying unity is based on identity of doctrines, sacramental life and worship, which distinguishes Orthodox Christianity. All recognize the spiritual preeminence of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople who is acknowledged as primus inter pares, first among equals. All share full communion with one another. The living tradition of the Church and the principles of concord and harmony are expressed through the common mind of the universal episcopate as the need arises. In all other matters, the internal life of each independent Church is administered by the bishops of that particular Church. Following the ancient principle of the one people of God in each place and the universal priesthood of all believers, the laity share equally in the responsibility for the preservation and propagation of the Christian faith and Church.
THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
Before the establishment of an Archdiocese in the Western Hemisphere there were numerous communities of Greek Orthodox Christians. The first Greek Orthodox community in the Americas was founded in New Orleans, LA by a small colony of Greek merchants. History also records that on June 26, 1768 the first Greek colonists landed at St. Augustine, FL, the oldest city in America. The first permanent community was founded in New York City in 1892, today's Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and the See of the Archbishop of America. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America was incorporated in 1921 and officially recognized by the State of New York in 1922.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is composed of the Direct Archdiocesan District -- New York and eight Metropolises: Chicago, Pittsburgh, Boston, Denver, Atlanta, Detroit, San Francisco and New Jersey. It is governed by the Archbishop and the Synod of Bishops. The Synod of Bishops is headed by the Archbishop and comprised of the Metropolitans who are in charge of a metropolis. It has all the authority and responsibility which the Church canons provide for a provincial synod.


Full Communicants Average Attendance Other Members Total Inclusive Members Total Churches Membership Calculation Method
2006
1,500,000
1,500,000
560
2004
1,500,000
1,500,000
563
2003
1,500,000
1,500,000
510
2001
1,500,000
510
1998
1,954,500
523
1997
0
1,950,000
532
1977
0
1,950,000
535
1975
0
1,950,000
502
1972
0
1,950,000
502
1971
1,950,000
1,950,000
482
1970
0
1,875,000
471
1969
1,875,000
470
1965
1,770,000
443
1964
1,735,000
441
1963
1,550,000
420
1962
1,500,000
405
1960
1,200,000
382
1959
1,200,000
380
1958
1,150,000
378
1957
1,150,000
378
1956
1,150,000
378
1955
1,000,000
353
1954
1,000,000
347
1953
1,000,000
325
1952
1,000,000
320
Serving Churches Retired Other Service to the Church Total Clergy
2006
553
239
48
840
2004
542
244
48
834
2003
570
803
2001
599
182
48
810
1998
596
806
1977
610
655
1975
545
675
1972
545
675
1971
530
650
1970
530
585
1969
532
586
1965
468
767
1964
465
558
1963
457
537
1962
430
510
1960
417
491
1959
405
485
1958
400
1,150
1957
400
1,150
1956
400
1,150
1955
405
410
1954
390
410
1953
375
375
1952
330
330
1950
325
0
325
Total Schools Staff Pupils Total Individuals
2006
550
2004
500
2003
500
2001
500
1998
500
1971
410
72,924
1970
540
74,100
1969
520
71,000
1964
568
5,800
63,500
69,300
1963
560
5,500
60,000
65,500
1962
540
5,200
56,600
61,800
1960
763
4,600
51,400
56,000
1959
742
4,500
52,000
56,500
1958
758
4,500
55,000
59,500
1957
758
4,500
55,000
59,500
1956
758
4,500
55,000
59,500
1955
355
4,500
20,500
25,000
1954
355
4,500
25,500
30,000
1953
293
2,445
18,897
21,342
1952
284
1,803
18,635
20,438
1950
305
2,250
25,750
28,000
1947
73
5,796
1944
73
5,796
1942
73
5,796
1940
73
5,796
Total Benevolences Total Financials Total Giving Local Expenses Method
1919
$230,288
1917
$230,288