LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Holy
Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Bay Ridge, 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
50th Anniversary of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Bay Ridge,
New York; this momentous occasion will be celebrated with a Gala on
Saturday, May 10, 2014, at Terrace on the Park, Flushing, New York; and
WHEREAS, The Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church had its origin in early
1956 when a small group of dedicated men convened and unanimously agreed
there was a definite need for a Greek Orthodox Church in the Bay Ridge
section of Brooklyn; these seven men subsequently became the founding
fathers of the church; and
WHEREAS, The certificate of incorporation was signed in New York on
November 29, 1957 and was filed with the clerk of the County of Kings on
January 21, 1958; and
WHEREAS, The Archdiocese assigned Father Basil Gregory to the Holy
Cross Greek Orthodox Church in August of 1964, and by September of the
same year, construction began in the establishment of a new home for the
church; and
WHEREAS, The Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church was officially named on
November 16, 1965, and upon its completion, the official opening of the
church was on Sunday, March 13, 1966 at which time the cornerstone of
the church was cemented in place; and
WHEREAS, In May of 1967, Father Gregory announced his need to step
down, and on August 1, 1967, Father Charles Sarelis took over as Priest
of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church; and
WHEREAS, From 1969 to 1973 the number of members more than doubled
from just under 300 to over 600 members; today, the Holy Cross Greek
Orthodox Church is led under the luminous direction of Very Reverend
Father Gerasimos Makris; and
WHEREAS, The Holy Cross 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 the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church
of Bay Ridge, 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 Very Reverend Father Gerasimos Makris, Holy Cross Greek
Orthodox Church, Bay Ridge, New York.