THE RICH HISTORY OF ST. PROPHET ELIAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
The history of the people in this story is one of close affinity with
God. This affinity was never more clearly illustrated than in the early
history of San Bernardino. Early Greek citizens of the San Bernardino
area were a close group who frequently met together to eat, sing and
dance. Our surviving mothers and fathers constantly recall with fond
memories, the many glendi held in each other's homes by the
approximately forty Greeks who made up the population in the area.
These immigrants held dear to themselves the traditions of Greece and
a deep love of God which they demonstrated by frequently traveling over
120 miles round-trip to attend Church in Los Angeles.
The early parishioners of St. Elias held their first worship in San
Bernardino on St. Nicholas Day, December 6, 1932 at the American
Legion Hall. The Los Angeles church, which was very helpful to San
Bernardino in the early days, sent Father George Mistakidis to perform
the service. When available, priests were also sent to help celebrate
Easter, but the San Bernardino Greeks always made Easter a special
holiday with or with out benefit of clergy. Happy gatherings were always
held at someone's home, either Tom Thanukos or Nick Litras, George
and Nick Pallas or Riginos Sellas to roast lambs and cherish their
traditions. To these families and others like them, we owe our heritage
and our thanks.
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and our community.
