Press Releases

December 2, 2007
Kotseas Square Commemoration Ceremony

Following the Diving Liturgy Father Dean and Father Greg lead a procession including the Kotseas Family, Mayor Lukes, Council Woman Barbara Haller, the Kotseas Family, the Parish Council, the Family Center Committee and the parishioners to Cedar Street where the Ribbon Cutting took place. Father Dean offered a blessing for the completion of Phase I, of The Family Center commencing the Commemoration Ceremony. President Gus Giannakis and Chairman of the Family Center Dimitrios Vasiliadis in independent speeches both thanked the Kotseas Family for their generosity and vision making it possible to have a beautiful parking lot square adorn Saint Spyridon's grounds. They also thanked the others who have donated to the Family Center and encouraged that individuals continue to pledge to make Phase II happen soon. Mayor Lukes and Barbara Haller also spoke. On behalf of Charles and Paul Kotseas and their families, Charles Kotseas gave a heartfelt speech. Many of us were deeply touched and had tears in our eyes. With Mrs. Athina Kotseas and surrounded by their respective families, Charles read:

"Thank you, Father Dean and thank you, Father Greg! Warm regards to all my friends who are here today and much love to my wonderful family, my loving and lovable wife, Eleni, and our four daughters and their families. And the greatest thanks to our Lord God who has given me strength, energy, perseverance and good fortune.

To borrow from what has long been said, "Life is a journey, not a destination." The paths we take through life combine our struggles, love, adversity, joy, pain, knowledge, friends, family and more. How we manage these events and happenings is what helps mold character. We must learn from every step we take and stop along the way to help others who need support.

My late brother, Paul and I are fortunate to have had many wonderful, quality experiences in our lives. We have been blessed with a strong work ethic, great luck, good fortune and a positive focus for our journey. Together we dreamed about the greater good for our church community, so this project with its park like personality is our final offering for you and for posterity. May we all learn the most from our journey!!! Thank You!!!"

The ribbon was then cut signifying the commemoration of the Kotseas Square. The pedestal that will be placed at the gates of the parking lot will be adorned with the following plaques:

Kotseas Square Made possible through the generosity of the families of Charles & Paul Kotseas “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” Proverbs 1: 3

We encourage you to take a moment to visit the Kotseas Square. Read the beautiful bible quote on the pedestal while you admire the beauty of the landscape, the children's play ground, with the bellowing of the American and Greek Flags far above on the flag poles and give a silent thanks to the vision and generosity of Charles & Paul Kotseas and Family for making it possible.

December 2, 2007
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Kotseas Square, First Phase Completed of Saint Spyridon Greek Cathedral Family Center
Kotseas Square Also Significant to Revitalization of Elm Park Neighborhood

The Saint Spyridon Greek Community, and city and neighborhood officials will gather together at a Commemoration & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to recognize Kotseas Square, the completion and official acknowledgment of the Phase I, Family Center project. A reception will follow immediately at Saint Spyridon Cotsidas Auditorium. The Kotseas Square is the first step of the planning and design of the Family Center project and was made possible by the generous donation of Charles Kotseas and the late Paul Kotseas, of Blessed Memory, and their families. The Family Center project is the revitalization of a 50-year community-wide dream and vision. The completed family center will provide a state of the art facility that will embrace its current religious and educational programs and activities while preparing for the future growth of the community. It will also offer a wide range of activities and programs that appeal to every one, including educational, athletic, religious, cultural, philanthropic and social. As Kotseas Square does, the new family center promises to be a significant component of the Revitalization of the Elm Park Neighborhood.

The Family Center Committee has been meeting on a weekly basis since the onset of the building project in early 2005. The committee is made up of selfless stewards who have volunteered their time and talents to assist in facilitating the community’s 50-year dream to build a family center. Dimitrios Vasiliadis, Chairman of the Building Committee states, “On behalf of the Family Center Committees we thank the individuals from our community, such as the Kotseas Family and many others who believe in the family center and have pledged generously to ensure this family center will be built.” Vasiliadis continues, “And this family center WILL be built…we encourage all others to look deep into their heart and contribute to the future of our community.”

Additionally, the hope of the Family Center Committees is that the Saint Spyridon Community continues to work together to help renovate and rebuild a facility that will also revitalize the Elm Park Neighborhood. Gus Giannakis, Parish Council President states, “”This project is a “Win-Win” situation for everyone, including the Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Community, the greater Orthodox community of Worcester, Elm Park and the surrounding neighborhoods, as well as for the City of Worcester. We are very thankful for the vision and generosity of the Kotseas Family and the many others who have given of their treasures and time to help make the family center happen.”

November 11, 2007
Saint Spyridon Family Center Phase II Kicks off with $250,000 Generous Donation
50-year Community Dream is Closer to being Realized Through Generous Pledges by Dr. Mary Lekas in Honor of her Late Mother Mrs. Mersiny Lekas and many others

On Sunday, November 11, 2007 an official acknowledgment was made at the Divine Liturgy services recognizing Dr. Mary Lekas’ generous pledge of $250,000 in honor of her mother, Mrs. Merciny Lekas of blessed memory, for the Saint Spyridon Family Center. Mrs. Merciny Lekas served as a Greek School teacher at the Saint Spyridon Cathedral Greek School program for over 25 years. As a devoted steward, Mrs. Lekas also served as Philoptochos President and helped established the Oxford and Clinton parish Greek Schools mirroring the Saint Spyridon Greek School Curriculum. Many parishioners who have grandchildren enrolled in the Greek School program fondly remember having Mrs. Lekas as their teacher. With Dr. Lekas’ pledge her mother’s legacy will continue in the new family center, which will offer Greek educational programs as well as many other activities to future generations of Saint Spyridon’s Greek community.

Dr. Lekas’ pledge helps the Family Center Committee move Phase II of the building project along. Dr. Lekas’ pledge will be added to the family center funds that comprise donations by many parishioners since the kick off of the Family Center Capital Campaign early in 2005. Phase I, which included the recent completion of a beautifully landscaped 89-car parking lot, was made possible by the generous donations of Charles and Helen Kotseas, and Paul and Athina Kotseas and their families. A commemoration is planned early December to celebrate the official naming recognition as Kotseas Square. Kotseas Square was the first step of the planning and design of the Family Center project. The Family Center will offer a wide range of activities and programs that appeal to every one, including educational, athletic, religious, cultural, philanthropic and social. The completed family center will provide a state of the art facility that will embrace its current religious and educational programs and activities while preparing for the future growth of the community.

The Family Center Committee has been meeting on a weekly basis since the onset of the building project in early 2005. The committee is made up of selfless stewards who have volunteered their time and talents to assist in facilitating the community’s 50-year dream to build a family center. Dimitrios Vasiliadis, Chairman of the Building Committee states, “On behalf of the Family Center Committees we thank the individuals from our community, such as Dr. Lekas, the Kotseas Family and many others who believe in the family center and have pledged generously to ensure this family center will be built.” Vasiliadis continues, “And this family center WILL be built…we encourage all others to look deep into their heart and contribute to the future of our community.”

Additionally, the hope of the Family Center Committees is that the St. Spyridon Community continues to work together to help renovate and rebuild a facility that will also revitalize the Elm Park Neighborhood. Gus Giannakis, Parish Council President states, “”This project is a “Win-Win” situation for everyone, including the Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Community, the greater Orthodox community of Worcester, Elm Park and the surrounding neighborhoods, as well as for the City of Worcester. We are very thankful for the vision and generosity of Dr. Lekas, the Kotseas Family and the many others who have given of their treasures and time to help make the family center happen.”

January 26, 2005
Saint Spyridon Family Center Capital Campaign Kicks Off
with “3-day” Architect’s Presentations—Ground Breaking Planned for Fall 2005;
Elm Park Neighborhood Will Be Revitalized, While 50-year Community Dream Is Finally Realized Made Possible By The Generous $1 Million Donation
from Helen and Charles Kotseas

The Greek Community of Worcester Massachusetts is now able to realize their dream to build a Family Center with the generous donation of Helen and Charles Kotseas. The Family Center will offer a wide range of activities and programs that appeal to every one, including educational, athletic, religious, cultural, philanthropic and social. The vision for the Center is to continue to unite all members of the Orthodox faith, while opening its doors to the Worcester Community with its state-of-the-art facility and many activities.

The first of a series of presentations by the Architect team of BeeryRio Architecture & Interiors, will take place this Friday, January 28, 2005 and will continue through Sunday, January 30, 2005. A private Press Conference for the media, city officials, community dignitaries and possible major donors is scheduled for Friday, 4:00PM—6:00PM with a wine and cheese reception and Architect’s presentation.

Throughout the weekend, the Architect’s will be meeting with many groups of the community that comprise most of the educational, cultural, religious, philanthropic and social activities at Saint Spyridon Cathedral and the Greek Community. In addition, a review will be made of the information gathered from a survey that was mailed out to community members early in January. Participants of the survey have a chance to win a digital camera, which will be presented after the final meeting with the Architects, scheduled Sunday for the Saint Spyridon Community members and the public. Included in the presentation will be a question and answer period with the objective of inviting every community member to feel that their input is valuable and that their involvement is welcomed and vital to the success of the project. Dimitris Vasiliadis, Chairman of the Building Committee comments, “The generous donation of the Kotseas Family to help us realize our long standing dream to build our Family Center is only the beginning. But the doors of the Center will never open if each member of our community doesn’t look deep into their hearts and offer all the help that they can give to ensure that it does get built with the highest of expectations.”

Additionally, the hope of the Building Committee is that the Greek Community as well as the citizens of Worcester embrace the Family Center project and work together to help open a facility that will also revitalize the Elm Park Neighborhood. William Kiritsy, Parish Council President states, “This project is a “Win-Win” situation for everyone, including Saint Spyridon Greek Community, our Orthodox faith brethren, the Elm Park and surrounding neighborhoods, as well as for the City of Worcester. The Family Center will also serve as a vital component within Worcester’s Community Development initiatives for the future.”

For more information, Press Passes for the Press Conference, or for an interview:
Contact: Christina Andrianopoulos, Communications Director & Capital Campaign Co-Chairman
Cell—917.734.9804, or Cathedral Office No: 508.791.7326, CAEntinc@aol.com
www.spyridoncathedral.org