LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 65th Anniversary of the Greek
Orthodox Cathedral of St. Paul in Hempstead, New York

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
65th Anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Paul in Hemp-
stead, New York; this auspicious occasion will be celebrated in May
2010; and
WHEREAS, The establishment of a Greek Orthodox community on Long
Island was first nurtured on April 21, 1944 when sixteen people attended
a meeting in Mineola, New York, and formed an interim committee; on June
13, 1945, the Orthodox Greek Catholic Community of Nassau and Suffolk
Counties, New York, Inc. was founded; and
WHEREAS, The first Saint Paul's Church in Hempstead, New York, was
erected on a parcel of land that was purchased on Greenwich Street; on
December 23, 1950, services were conducted even though the building was
not yet completed, and on April 15, 1951, Archbishop Michael blessed the
cornerstone of the new edifice and that evening the name of Saint Paul
was voted upon to become the Patron Saint of the Church; and
WHEREAS, An influx of Greek Orthodox Christians to Long Island made it
necessary to build a larger Church and Complex in order to meet the
growing needs of the faithful; in 1955, the Cathedral property was
purchased and a ground breaking ceremony took place in the summer of
1957; His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos officiated in the laying of the
cornerstone in 1959; and
WHEREAS, Fifty years ago, on March 16, 1960, the icon of the "Lament-
ing Mother of God" was seen to tear in the home of Peter and Pagona
Catsounis in Island Park; this phenomenon attracted world wide attention
and thousands from near and far came to witness and to venerate the
icon; the Ecumenical Patriarchate proclaimed it to be a "Sign of Divine
Providence"; the icon is permanently enshrined in the Greek Orthodox
Cathedral of St. Paul in Hempstead, New York; and
WHEREAS, On Palm Sunday, April 3, 1988, Saint Paul's Church was offi-
cially proclaimed as the Cathedral of Long Island; and
WHEREAS, In addition, May 2010, marks the 50th anniversary of Father
Nicholas J. Magoulias being ordained to the priesthood in the Greek
Orthodox Cathedral of St. Paul in Hempstead, New York; in 1963, he
assumed the pastoral helm of the Community and officially retired in
January 2006 after 46 years of dedicated service; and
WHEREAS, The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Paul in Hempstead, New
York, stands on the threshold of tomorrow, prepared to meet the chal-
lenges 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 65th Anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St.
Paul in Hempstead, New York, 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 the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Paul, 110 Cathedral
Avenue, Hempstead, New York 11550.