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The Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church
Santa Cruz
CA
95060
- Orthodox Church in America churches in Santa Cruz, CA
- Orthodox Church in America churches in California
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Who we are
Mission Statement
Be an inclusive community living the Orthodox Christian Faith and providing a place of prayer and devotion for those seeking the truth of God.
Be an inclusive community living the Orthodox Christian Faith and providing a place of prayer and devotion for those seeking the truth of God.
Street Address
223 Church Street
Santa Cruz,
CA
95060
United States
Phone: (831) 429-6500
Fax: (831) 429-5604
Download The Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church vCard with Service Times
Quote of the Day
John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Denomination
Orthodox Church in America
Orthodox Church in America churches in Santa Cruz, California, United States
Orthodox Church in America churches in California, United States
Orthodox Church in America churches in United States
All churches in Santa Cruz, CA
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Social Media
The Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church Santa Cruz on YouTube
Leadership
Leader Name:
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Fax:
(831) 429-5604
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on Social Media:
The Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church Leadership Photos
Administration
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Mailing Address
Driving Directions to The Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church
Travel/Directions Tips
Parking
Do not ever park in Cruzio’s private lot adjacent to the church. They tow.
Street parking meters work 7 days a week, 8AM-8PM. Bring coins.
Parking lots and garages offer all-day parking. Use credit or ATM cards at the kiosks to pay for a numbered space at Locust Street garage and Soquel/Front Street garage.
Purchase a City ParkCard to use at the parking meters or pay-by-space lots. At the parking meters you can feed the meter to the daily maximum and when you return your unused time is refunded back to your ParkCard. Make sure you park completely within the parking space markings. http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/home/showdocument?id=2491
Sign up for Parkmobile pay-by-phone system. One call to start your parking session and another call to end your session. You only pay for the time you park. Make sure you park completely within the parking space markings. http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/home/showdocument?id=2491
FREE Sunday parking along the Santa Cruz City Hall Offices on one-way Locust Street. Access best from Chestnut Street.
Street parking meters work 7 days a week, 8AM-8PM. Bring coins.
Parking lots and garages offer all-day parking. Use credit or ATM cards at the kiosks to pay for a numbered space at Locust Street garage and Soquel/Front Street garage.
Purchase a City ParkCard to use at the parking meters or pay-by-space lots. At the parking meters you can feed the meter to the daily maximum and when you return your unused time is refunded back to your ParkCard. Make sure you park completely within the parking space markings. http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/home/showdocument?id=2491
Sign up for Parkmobile pay-by-phone system. One call to start your parking session and another call to end your session. You only pay for the time you park. Make sure you park completely within the parking space markings. http://www.cityofsantacruz.com/home/showdocument?id=2491
FREE Sunday parking along the Santa Cruz City Hall Offices on one-way Locust Street. Access best from Chestnut Street.
The Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church Santa Cruz Service Times
9:00 AM Sunday Orthros
10:00 AM Sunday Divine Liturgy
Sunday School - Summer Vacation
12:00 PM Sunday, Fellowship after Divine Liturgy
6:00 PM Paraklesis - TBD
6:00 PM Vespers - TBD
Service Times last updated on the 21st of June, 2024
10:00 AM Sunday Divine Liturgy
Sunday School - Summer Vacation
12:00 PM Sunday, Fellowship after Divine Liturgy
6:00 PM Paraklesis - TBD
6:00 PM Vespers - TBD
Service Times last updated on the 21st of June, 2024
Worship Languages
Dress code:
The general rule for men and women is to dress appropriately, modestly and respectfully, because we stand before God. Visitors however wear everything from jeans to suits, long dresses to skirts, t-shirts to shirts with ties, dress shoes to sneakers. We ask, however, that you do not wear beach attire, such as, shorts, mini-skirts, tank tops, low-cut or strapless dresses. Some Orthodox women wear head coverings, but this is not required. Men are asked not to wear hats, such as baseball caps.
Children and Youth Activities
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Additional Info:
The Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church Photo Gallery
The Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church History
Our Parish History
Once Greeks began settling in Santa Cruz County, it became a matter of time before they would be able to have their own church. This took many decades, however, because their numbers were not nearly enough to found and support a church.
All of the Greeks of Santa Cruz County found themselves very far from Greek Orthodox churches in these early years. The nearest were Holy Trinity and the Annunciation in San Francisco, where they attended services from time to time, and especially during great feast days and on the occasion of weddings and baptisms. When the church of the Saint Nicholas opened in San Jose in 1945, many became members and regular churchgoers of that community, and some, like Spiro Mellis, served in the parish council for several years. The few Greeks of Watsonville began churching themselves at Saint John the Baptist church in Salinas once that community opened in 1956.
Until the late 1970s no attempt was made to organize either socially or ecclesiastically. An informal group of Santa Cruz ladies involved themselves in some charitable work in the ‘40s and ‘5Os, but that’s as far as it went. In the late ’40s and ’50s and early ‘60s, intermittent services were held at the Calvary Episcopal Church on Center Street, in Santa Cruz, by priests from Saint Nicholas in San Jose, and at least on three occasions the Paul and Ellen Sandas home was used for Easter Agape services.
The 1970s also saw the influx of a few more Greek Orthodox into Santa Cruz, including Paul Makris, James (Elias) Peterson, the Gryspos family and others. It was the courageous and indefatigable James Peterson, who was to play the leading role in organizing the Greek Orthodox Christians as a community in Santa Cruz County. Jim was from Detroit, Michigan, but had lived in San Jose for years where he was involved as choir director at Saint Nicholas. In 1972, he and his family moved to Santa Cruz.
The Founders original petition was made to Bishop Anthony, of blessed memory.
— Excerpted from The Silver Anniversary of Prophet Elias: Parish History, by Nicholas G. Itsines, Ph.D
A Brief History of Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church
1913 – First Greeks began settling in Santa Cruz, California.
1978 – “Yasou” letter was sent out about organizing a church. Orthodox Christians, numbering 125, were identified. The first meeting held. Monies were collected under the name “Greek Orthodox Missionary Church Fund of Santa Cruz County.” The first service held at the Seventh Day Adventist Chapel on November 26th.
Once Greeks began settling in Santa Cruz County, it became a matter of time before they would be able to have their own church. This took many decades, however, because their numbers were not nearly enough to found and support a church.
All of the Greeks of Santa Cruz County found themselves very far from Greek Orthodox churches in these early years. The nearest were Holy Trinity and the Annunciation in San Francisco, where they attended services from time to time, and especially during great feast days and on the occasion of weddings and baptisms. When the church of the Saint Nicholas opened in San Jose in 1945, many became members and regular churchgoers of that community, and some, like Spiro Mellis, served in the parish council for several years. The few Greeks of Watsonville began churching themselves at Saint John the Baptist church in Salinas once that community opened in 1956.
Until the late 1970s no attempt was made to organize either socially or ecclesiastically. An informal group of Santa Cruz ladies involved themselves in some charitable work in the ‘40s and ‘5Os, but that’s as far as it went. In the late ’40s and ’50s and early ‘60s, intermittent services were held at the Calvary Episcopal Church on Center Street, in Santa Cruz, by priests from Saint Nicholas in San Jose, and at least on three occasions the Paul and Ellen Sandas home was used for Easter Agape services.
The 1970s also saw the influx of a few more Greek Orthodox into Santa Cruz, including Paul Makris, James (Elias) Peterson, the Gryspos family and others. It was the courageous and indefatigable James Peterson, who was to play the leading role in organizing the Greek Orthodox Christians as a community in Santa Cruz County. Jim was from Detroit, Michigan, but had lived in San Jose for years where he was involved as choir director at Saint Nicholas. In 1972, he and his family moved to Santa Cruz.
The Founders original petition was made to Bishop Anthony, of blessed memory.
— Excerpted from The Silver Anniversary of Prophet Elias: Parish History, by Nicholas G. Itsines, Ph.D
A Brief History of Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church
1913 – First Greeks began settling in Santa Cruz, California.
1978 – “Yasou” letter was sent out about organizing a church. Orthodox Christians, numbering 125, were identified. The first meeting held. Monies were collected under the name “Greek Orthodox Missionary Church Fund of Santa Cruz County.” The first service held at the Seventh Day Adventist Chapel on November 26th.
The Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church Historical Photos
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