Parish History and Timeline

As the Town of Frederick, Maryland began to flourish after the early recession of the 1990’s, the little town, nestled in the rolling hills of Western Maryland began to see a growth in residents working in Washington, DC and surrounding suburbs. Among these professional and business people moving out to the suburbs were families of the Orthodox faith and the process to start an Orthodox parish developed.

  • 1981 – Mrs. Catherine Flitzanes, a long time resident of Mt. Airy wrote to Archbishop Iakovos concerning possibilities of forming a Greek Orthodox parish in the local vicinity of Frederick or Mt. Airy. The seed of faith was sown.
  • 1990 – Father Germanos Stavropoulos, Chancellor of the Diocese of New Jersey and an avid train buff was visiting Brunswick, Maryland (trains!). On the way back home to New York, Father Stavropoulos grabs a white pages, intent on finding Orthodox Christians to write to them and invite them to a first Liturgy in Frederick.    
  • 1991 – In January over 100 letters are mailed to Frederick area Orthodox Christians. On the Sunday of Thomas, April 14, the first Divine Liturgy was held at All Saints Episcopal Church, 108 Church Street, Frederick, Maryland.  The liturgy was celebrated by Father Germanos Stavropoulos and Father Steven Vlahos.
  • 1993 – In December,  the congregation purchased the Church of the Nazarene building, 920 West 7th Street. The first Liturgy at the new location was held on Christmas Eve, presided by Father George Giannaris who traveled to Frederick, Maryland every weekend from Washington, DC.
  • 1994 – In May, the new purchase was given the name Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church. These early years included the guidance of several priests Father George Giannaris, Father Paul Economides, Father Steven Vlahos and Father George Kalpaxis.
  • 1995 – In August, the dedication of the new front lawn marquee took place. In October, the Reverend Father Mark Arey served his first Divine Liturgy as the first full-time priest.
  • 1997 –In February, Father Mark Arey is assigned to the Archdiocese Headquarters in New York. Father Ernest Arambiges, recently retired from the Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Baltimore, MD presides at services through Lent and into June. In June, Father Anastasios Kousoulas, is the newly assigned priest of the parish.
  • 1999 – Renovations are started in May for the installation of a new commercial kitchen and was completed in September.
  • 2001 – The community celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the parish.
  • 2005 – Social Hall renovations are completed and is renamed the Dr. Peter Tsaknis Social Hall.
  • 2011 - His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey appoints the former Chancellor of the Metropolis, the Very Reverend Archimandrite George Nikas as the new Proistamenos of Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church effective July 1, 2011.
  • 2012 - His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey appoints Rev. Protopresbyter Panagiotis Papanikolaou as the new Proistamenos of Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church effective Sept. 2012.
  • 2013 – On Sunday, September 29th, the community held a Special Parish Assembly to discuss one item only – to proceed with Phase 1A of our Renovations Project. The motion passed with a 21 to 9 vote in favor to proceed. Phase 1A is the removal of the existing ceiling in the Nave and the installation of a new barrel-vault ceiling in order to give a more Byzantine style appearance. 
  • 2014 – On January 13th we commenced with Phase 1A of our Renovations Project; the removal of the existing ceiling in the Nave and the installation of a new barrel-vault ceiling in order to give a more Byzantine style appearance.
  • 2014 – On April 11th we completed Phase 1A of our Renovations Project; the new Byzantine style ceiling, pseudo dome and Corinthian columns were installed in the Nave. The renovations were completed in time to celebrate Holy Week and Holy Pascha.
  • 2014 – His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey assigned the Very Reverend Archimandrite Nektarios Cottros as the new Presiding Priest of Saints Peter and Paul Church effective September 15th.
  • 2016 - The members of our Parish celebrated the 25th year Anniversary celebration. Here is a video of some past events, shown at the Anniversary. Click here.
  • 2018 - Effective January 1st His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey, assigned Rev. Fr. George Mastakas as the Parish Priest for Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church.
  • Present - We are thankful that our Holy Orthodox Faith has attracted many who have chosen to convert to Orthodoxy and have become part of our present day community. With God’s grace, the community will continue to prosper and grow.

  

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