LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Saint
Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of West Babylon, New York, to be cele-
brated on Sunday, November 1, 2009

WHEREAS, Religious institutions, and the many spiritual, social and
educational benefits they confer, play a vital role in the development
of the moral fabric of a responsible citizenry; and
WHEREAS, It is the tradition of this State and this Nation to pay
tribute to those institutions and individuals who have contributed to
the ethical and spiritual values of their communities; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body takes pleasure in commemorating the
50th Anniversary of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of West Baby-
lon, New York, to be celebrated at a Gala on Sunday, November 1, 2009,
at Chateau La Mer, Lindenhurst, New York; and
WHEREAS, In 1958, the Greek Orthodox families of Babylon, New York,
petitioned the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of New York to grant a Charter
for the establishment of a parish in their community; and
WHEREAS, The Charter was granted by the Archdiocese in early 1959, and
Father George Kambanis was assigned to serve as the congregation's first
priest; and
WHEREAS, Graciously, the Seventh Day Advent Church in Babylon offered
their church as a place for the newly recognized Babylon Hellenic Commu-
nity to worship for their first Easter Services held on April 5, 1959;
and
WHEREAS, Still needing a place of their own in which to worship, the
parishioners quickly procured adjoining stores on Little East Neck Road
in West Babylon; however, their search for a permanent home continued
throughout the year; after several locations were considered, it was
agreed upon to purchase an existing house of worship located at 54
George Street in Babylon; and
WHEREAS, The first liturgy held in the newly acquired church was cele-
brated on March 11, 1961; and
WHEREAS, In 1962, the Church selected its name, St. Nicholas Greek
Orthodox Church; throughout the ensuing years the community and its
membership continued to flourish and soon its beloved home of worship
would no longer be able to accommodate the needs of the parish; and
WHEREAS, In 1972, a building committee was formed and authorized to
seek out a location for a larger church; the committee selected and
purchased a parcel of land located at 200 Great East Neck Road, West
Babylon; and
WHEREAS, The ground breaking ceremony was held on December 5, 1982,
and it was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Iakavos and then
parish priest, Father Maximos Moses; and
WHEREAS, In October of 1984, the design for the new edifice was
commissioned and the architectural style had been inspired by the
parish's namesake, the original St. Nicholas Church, located in Asia
Minor; and
WHEREAS, In 1987, the contractors were selected and the Cornerstone
Ceremony for the new church was celebrated; and finally, the Dedication
Ceremony of the completed church was held in December 1989; and
WHEREAS, Today, Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church stands on the
threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the challenges of the coming
decades while retaining that spiritual resolve which characterizes its
past; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to take note of
enduring religious institutions and to bring such institutions to the
attention of the people of this Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
of West Babylon, New York, to be observed on November 1, 2009, fully
confident that this commemoration reflects the belief in those values
which enhance the dignity and purpose of life; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, West Babylon, New York.