Saint Spyridon Greek-American School: Nurturing Faith and Cultural Heritage Since 1958-2015

Dr. Anastasios Koularmanis, Director of the Department of Greek Education, will be releasing a series of articles that center on Greek Education, with a particular emphasis on spotlighting several Day-Schools.

In a testament to the resilience and dedication of the Greek Orthodox community residing in upper Manhattan, the Saint Spyridon Greek-American School was established, providing a beacon of education and cultural preservation. The school, which originated from the Washington Heights Hellenic Orthodox Church, Inc., was officially incorporated by the State of New York on June 25, 1931. However, the community's efforts to establish a parish predate this milestone, with Reverend Kanellos Kanellopoulos holding services in various locations under the name Pantanassa the Virgin Mary.

It was not until the arrival of the Very Reverend Archimandrite Vaselios Lokis in 1931 that the church was formally organized and named Saint Spyridon. In January 1935, Archimandrite Lokis celebrated the first Divine Liturgy, and later that year, the church was consecrated by Archbishop Athenagoras. The community flourished under the leadership of Archimandrite Lokis, and by 1937, Saint Spyridon had become one of the largest communities in the Archdiocese, boasting 850 members and the largest Sunday school with 600 students.

During the tenure of Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Papalambrou, the community realized its long-held dream of establishing a parochial school. On April 26, 1959, Archbishop Iakovos inaugurated the Saint Spyridon Parochial School in a grand ceremony attended by a large congregation. The school was named "The Theodore P. Tsolainos - Constantine P. Goulandris Parochial School" to honor the generous contributions of prominent parishioners.

The school has proudly graduated numerous students, many of whom have gone on to attend prestigious specialized high schools in New York City and have achieved notable success in their respective careers. Today, the Saint Spyridon School houses one of the largest Pre-K programs in New York, welcoming children from diverse backgrounds.

Despite the challenges faced by the community, Saint Spyridon has remained dedicated to serving the needs of its parishioners and adapting to the changing times as it looks toward its role in the 21st century.