Saint Spyridon Greek-American School: Nurturing Faith and Cultural Heritage Since 1958-2015
Dr. Anastasios Koularmanis, Director of the Department of Greek Education, will publish a series of articles focused on Greek education, with a particular focus on several day schools.
As a testament to the resilience and dedication of the Greek Orthodox community residing in upper Manhattan, Saint Spyridon Greek-American School was established, providing a beacon of education and cultural preservation. The school, which grew out of the Hellenic Orthodox Church of Washington Heights, Inc., was officially incorporated by the State of New York on June 25, 1931. However, the community’s efforts to establish a parish predate this step , with the Rev. Kanellos Kanellopoulos conducting services. in various places under the name of Pantanassa the Virgin Mary.
It was not until the arrival of the Very Reverend Archimandrite Vaselios Lokis in 1931 that the church was officially organized and named Saint Spyridon. In January 1935, Archimandrite Lokis celebrated the first Divine Liturgy, and later that year the church was consecrated by Archbishop Athenagoras. The community flourished under the leadership of Archimandrite Lokis, and by 1937 Saint Spyridon had become one of the largest communities in the archdiocese, with 850 members and the largest Sunday school with 600 students.
During the tenure of Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papalambrou, the community realized its long-held dream of establishing a parish school. On April 26, 1959, Archbishop Iakovos inaugurated the St. Spyridon Parish School in a grand ceremony attended by a large congregation. The school was named “Theodore P. Tsolainos – Constantine P. Goulandris Parish School” to honor the generous contributions of prominent parishioners.
The school has proudly graduated numerous students, many of whom have attended prestigious specialized high schools in New York and achieved notable success in their respective careers. Today, Saint Spyridon School is home to one of New York’s largest preschool programs, welcoming children from diverse backgrounds.
Despite the challenges facing the community, Saint Spyridon has remained committed to meeting the needs of its parishioners and adapting to changing times as it considers its role in the 21st century.
