The Greek Americans of Mattituck, Long Island: Part 1

“The Libraries of the Town of Southold are excited to present a series of community conversations in honor of the Town’s 375^th Anniversary. One Sunday each month from April to November, Sunday Story conversations will shine the spotlight on individuals and families who have made a significant impact on our community,” said Jeff Walden, Director of the Mattituck – Laurel Library.

On Sunday, June 28^th, at 2 p.m., at the Mattituck-Laurel Library meeting room a Sunday Story Hour on the Transfiguration of Christ Greek Orthodox church was held. Very Rev. Constantine Makrinos and Catherine Tsounis Siolas were interviewed in analytic, sharp questions of who, what, when, where, and why. The participation of members of the Transfiguration of Christ church in a Southold Anniversary event has not taken place since the 1976 Southold Town Bicentennial of the United States. Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell attended and told his memories from the 1970’s. Mrs. Stavroula Nicolas Raia, of the Kimisis tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church of Southampton, donated her photography and public relations services.

“I came out of retirement, where I have been a hermit putting fifty years of newspaper articles in books,” explained Catherine Tsounis Siolas. “This Sunday Story Hour is taking place because of the energetic drive of two persons. Our priest on July 15^th will have his six year anniversary at the Transfiguration Church. He inspired me by saying ‘we will do it together.’ For three months. He announced at Sunday services The Sunday story Hour, inspiring nieces and nephews of deceased members to come. He will be completing thirty years of his ministry in august 4^th 2015. Very Rev. Constantine Makrinos is to be congratulated in making this event happen.”

“The second person responsible is the low key Director of Mattituck – Laurel Library,” continued Ms. Tsounis-Siolas. “The director said ‘the idea germinated from monthly meetings of the East End library who wanted to celebrate the town’s past in a unique way.” He told me that listening to one another’s stories can help the past come alive — and helps us to ask questions and solve problems together in the future. Story telling is a positive change that can change our present and future history.  The Director changed the date several times to accommodate my schedule. How could I refuse to help Southold in their 375^th Anniversary? Our director grew up in Greenport, L.I. during the growth of the Greek community and their church. Jerry Matovcik, his Administrative Assistant, created an excellent power point slide presentation of our church from the time period 1969-2014. Jeff Walden, Director of the Mattituck – Laurel Library, is responsible for creating this moment in history on June 28^th.”

“We have a unique person with us today who grew up with members of our community in the 1970’s and has been a friend to all to this day,” said Ms. Tsounis Siolas. “He attended youth dances at the church in the late 1970’s with his friend Michael Tsontakis. The Epidy twins were his friends. He grew up with Greeks, understanding their culture. He has been in the shadows helping all as an Assessor and Southold Town Supervisor for ten years. He does not have a Greek name. This political leader understands and supports us more than anyone with our surname. We are honored to have with us Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell.”

Persons who attended were library attendees and Greek and Cypriot-Americans whose families were founders and rebuilders of the Transfiguration of Christ Church. They included: Katerina Mihaltsis, representing the Jimmy Mihaltsis family whose uncle Theofan Kyvernitis built the  church; Helen Mahares, a founder from the 1960’s who remembered church services on the beach; Helen Lignos, whose parents Marika and James Maoury were founders of the church, Manny Constantine, whose grandfather Harry Constantine was one of the founders and three generations of his family have been in Mattituck from 1950 to 2015; Mrs. Stavroula Nicolas Raia, Southampton photographer who has donated her photography and public relations services for over seven years to the Transfiguration Church; Mr. Peter and Popi Pappas, former Parish Council President and chanter who has donated his services for thirty years; Mr. Andreas Markakis, former President and a major force in rebuilding the church from 1984 to the late 1990’s; Mr. Tony Coutsouras, former president who inspired regrowth in-2013; Mrs. Virginia Tripolitis, church secretary/administrator and editor of the Church Dance Journal; Mr. Amaras, the husband of the late parish council member Tula Samaras, with his family Effie Lemodetis-Galanis, Tom Galanis and their sons; Dr. John G. Siolas, Pam and Vince Conlon and members of the Mattituck community.

“In the 1960’s, Greek- American middle class families from Riverhead to East Marion had a dream of establishing a Greek Orthodox Church on the tip of Long Island” explained Rev. Makrinos in his presentation. “The first President was Theofan Kyvernitis. Steve Tsontakis was the architect and Peter Demetriou, the church lawyer, donated their services. William Smith of Yennecott Realties of Southold was the builder. They formed an organization called the North Fork Greek C Association. Funds were gathered through cake sales held every Saturday by the association ladies and donations to the building fund. Services were held in the backyards of members until they secured the premises on Saturday at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Mattituck. . How was the name chosen and why? Catherine Siolas was there. The families had a luncheon in the Church of the Redeemer in Mattituck. They began giving donations for saints’ names. The highest amount of donations was for the Transfiguration of Christ Church name.

The church was built in Potato fields now replaced by vegetable fields. On October 11, 1969, under the leadership of Theofan Kyvernitis, a Cypriot immigrant/businessman, the groundbreaking ceremonies took place on Breakwater Road with the late Very Rev. Dr. john Poulos of St. Demetrios Church in Astoria, New York. Mr. Theofan Kyvernitis donated the property from the land of former farmer/real estate broker Stanley Sledjeski. The late Harry Stavrides paid for the foundation. The late Mr. James Moraitis donated the kambana (bell). The first liturgy was held on august 6, 1970. The first annual dance hosted by the North for Greek community was held on September 5, 1970 at the American legion Hall, Greenport. More than six hundred persons attended under the chairmanship of the late Angelo Panagopoulos.”

“A youth organization was established in July’1970 and a Sunday school in June 1973 by Catherine Tsounis. The first Philoptohos president was Mrs. Esther Demetriou. A Hellenic culture School was organized in September 1975 under Gabriel Kousouris, parish council president and co-ordinator Catherine Tsounis. Playground facilities were completed in September 1975 with Chairman John Epidy. The church had an outdoor playground of two basketball fields and a tennis court. Today we have a covered picnic area with a shed for cooking.

Rev. Makrinos explained “the church was consecrated on Sunday august 8^th, 1976 by His Eminence archbishop Iakovos, with pastor Rev. Timotheos Tenedios, Very

Rev. Anthimos Draconakis and Archdeacon Methodios.  The relics of Sts. Theona, Iakovos the monk and Anastasia were sealed in the Holy Altar table. Mr. Elias Kulukundis donated one thousand dollars to become Godfather of the church and pledged seventy-five thousand for a community center.

“In November 1984, the church burnt due to candle left lit in the altar. There was total destruction. Church was held in the basement. Donations by middle class families built the church. Their Building Fund motto was “Together We Will Grow.” The architect was Gordon K. Ahlers of Jamesport, Long island. The builder was John O’Neill of O’Neill Builders, Inc., Bayport, N.Y. The reopening took place on May 1, 1988.”

to be continued…….