Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation (Baltimore, Maryland)

The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, located in Baltimore, Maryland, is a church of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Formally established on March 18, 1906, it is the oldest of the 11 Greek Orthodox parishes in the State of Maryland. An overwhelming number of Greeks who immigrated to Baltimore made the decision very early to remain in this country. Many operated businesses at city market houses, became homeowners, and established families. The beginning of the 20th century brought them into an ecclesiastical experience as well. By the spring of 1937, the magnificent edifice on Preston Street became a vital part of their rich history filled with faith, dedication, and perseverance. The Cathedral is an important center of Greek-American culture in Baltimore.

History
Plans to construct the magnificent Romanesque style church edifice with Byzantine touches at the corner of Maryland Avene and Preston Street were approved in May 1889 by the congregation of the Associated Reformed Church (Protestants). The noted architect was Charles Cassell, and the cost was reported at $75,000. Later, an additional $25,000 was spent to build the rectory adjacent to the sanctuary. The sanctuary project took one and a half years to complete. The Baltimore Sun reported that the first church services were held on October 5, 1890. In 1900, the Associate Reformed Church merged with the First Congregational Church, and it became known as the Associate Congregational Church. The parish flourished here until April 1934, when they downsized and moved to 1311 Bolton Street in Bolton Hill. The Preston Street church was then vacant for three years and scheduled for demolition to make way for a gasoline filling station.

The Greek Orthodox community of Baltimore, established in 1906, had been worshipping at the church located at Homewood Avenue and Chase Street since 1909. With the growth of the parish, however, that location was deemed inadequate and larger quarters were sought. A delegation from the Greek community went to City Hall in the spring of 1937 and convinced the Mayor and City Council to allow them to purchase the vacant Preston Street church. The sales price was finalized at $40,500. The Greek community then began to remodel the interior to conform with Orthodox traditions. Note: The four Tiffany windows installed by the Protestants between 1894-1903 enhance the rich Byzantine transformation of the interior sanctuary that took place in later decades.

A special procession from the Homewood Avenue church was held on April 23, 1937, followed by the first church services in the new house of worship conducted by The Very Rev. Joakim Papachristou, who was assigned to the parish in 1935. He would serve Annunciation for an impressive fifteen-year tenure noted by a remarkable expansion of programs. The following year, on May 8, 1938, the consecration ceremony took place with Archbishop Athenagoras officiating at the dedicatory services. Within five years, the Greek community sponsored various large fundraisers and the mortgage was paid off by 1942.

During the 1940s, the parish coordinated war relief efforts to assist the homeland and the United States after it entered World War II. Annunciation also took the bold initiative to purchase 14 acres of property and established its own burial ground. By the spring of 1944, the Greek Orthodox Cemetery on Windsor Mill Road became a reality. Prior to this, from 1912-1943, parishioners were buried at the “Greek Section” at Woodlawn Cemetery, about a mile away on Woodlawn Drive. By the 1950s, English language was being interchanged with Greek in the sermons and parts of the church services. These developments began with the arrival of The Rev. George P. Gallos in 1954 as the first full-time American born priest of Greek descent who served the parish for 11 years.

The Annunciation community also became more involved in interdenominational activities establishing a stronger rapport with churches and institutions in the surrounding areas of the Mt. Vernon neighborhood. A major decision was reached in 1958 when the parish chose to remain in Baltimore City. To expand its facilities, the original rectory was taken down, and a larger Education and Social Center was constructed using most of the original granite. A dedication ceremony then took place in the spring of 1961 officiated by Archbishop Iakovos. The parish has also shined in the spotlight each year hosting its annual Greek Festival. The Rev. Emmanuel Bouyoucas, who arrived in 1965, conducted the ribbon cutting for the first festival in 1971 called the “Athenian Agora.”

Another historic milestone was reached on March 23, 1975, when the Annunciation Church was designated as the Greek Orthodox Cathedral for the State of Maryland, with Metropolitan Silas bestowing the title in an impressive ceremony. It was a fitting conclusion to the 10-year pastorate of Father Bouyoucas who departed later that year. The expanded role as a cathedral coincided with the arrival of The Rev. Constantine Monios as the new Cathedral Dean in November 1975. The pace of events soon quickened under his spiritual leadership.

The acquisition of five townhouses (25, 27, 29, 31, and 33 W. Preston Street), across from the sanctuary in the late 1970s, led to the ambitious planning and construction of the Annunciation Orthodox Center which was dedicated in September 1984. During the 1980s, other capital improvement projects were also completed such as the Chapel of Holy Wisdom in the Education Building and the Chapel of the Holy Resurrection and mausoleum on the cemetery grounds. The arrival of The Rev. Louis Noplos as the new assistant priest in 1982 would mark the beginning of a new era of dedicated teamwork between clergy and laity. Father Noplos served as the assistant priest at Annunciation for 14 years until departing for a senior clergy assignment in the fall of 1996.

The 1990s saw additional restoration and beautification of the sanctuary, remodeling of the kitchen, construction of an elevator, and the acquisition of five additional townhouses for future use. In 1992, the Commission for Historical Architectural Preservation bestowed a historic designation upon the Annunciation Cathedral building. In 1996, parishioner Constantine Moralis was ordained to the Diaconate and then Holy Priesthood at Annunciation Cathedral and served as the assistant priest for six years. Youth programs were soon expanded, college campus ministries established, and the parish’s website was officially launched.

During its ninth decade, the Annunciation community also hosted and witnessed an event of great historic significance – the visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople to the Annunciation Cathedral on October 23, 1997. In November of 2000, the community honored Father Constantine Monios for completing 25 years of exemplary service and the social hall was dedicated and renamed in his honor. Sadly, one and half years later, on June 21, 2002, Father Monios “entered into rest” at the age of 68. It was the first time in parish history that a priest had passed away during his pastorate at Annunciation.

As his successor, The Rev. Constantine Moralis, his devoted assistant, was elevated to the dignity and status of Archimandrite on August 4, 2002. Under his spiritual leadership, the Annunciation community continued to flourish, expand its ministries, and opened a bookstore on the lower level of the Education Building in 2004. Two years later, it proudly celebrated 100 years of Orthodoxy in the State of Maryland at a Grand Centennial Banquet held in March 2006. To remember this milestone, Annunciation Cathedral produced a commemorative album of its yearlong celebration. In addition, a documented history book entitled, “House of God…Gateway to Heaven,” was written by Parish Historian Nicholas M. Prevas and published by the Cathedral in 2007.

Records show that Archimandrite Constantine Moralis would serve as the Presiding Priest of Annunciation for two decades until his elevation to the Episcopacy as Bishop Constantine of Sassima on October 15, 2022. A lavish farewell banquet was held in his honor before his departure to serve the Metropolis of Denver. As his successor, The Rev. Anastasios P. Bourantas assumed his duties at Annunciation Cathedral on October 1, 2022. The following year, on October 28, 2023, Deacon John Bullock, the former Pastoral Assistant, was ordained to the Holy Priesthood at Annunciation. Working together, Fathers Bourantas and Bullock serve the spiritual needs of this vibrant, growing, and progressive-thinking congregation. The year 2023 also saw the implementation of “The Archangel” newsletter. This detailed chronicle of parish life is now published six times a year and sent by email to parishioners to keep them informed of all the latest news and events pertaining to their community and its wide array of ministries. For over 85 years, the corner of Maryland Avenue and Preston Street has been the center of all religious and social activities of the Annunciation Cathedral community. It is the oldest of the Greek Orthodox parishes in the State of Maryland and a part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Architecture
The building's overall design is in the Neo-Byzantine style.