Pioneer Greek families began arriving in Phoenix in the early 1900s and founded the first Hellenic Orthodox Church in Arizona in 1930 on an unpaved street in Phoenix at 333 E. Virginia Ave. In 1973, the church was relocated to the present site of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 1973 E. Maryland Avenue where it is considered, “The Jewel of the Desert.”
Arizona was not yet the 48th state in 1909 when the first Greeks arrived in the dusty but bustling city of Phoenix, population 11,134. They were two brothers, Charles and Chris Sanichas, who came westward from Chicago after immigrating to the United States from Greece in 1907. Each brother opened fruit and confectionary stores in downtown Phoenix.
Soon, the growing Greek immigrant population was ready to build a church on the Virginia property and so awarded a local contractor $15,900 to build the church and adjoining community hall. It was on March 25th, 1931 that the first Divine Liturgy was held by a visiting priest. Rev. Ieronimos Koutroulis was the first resident priest who began his time at Holy Trinity with the Easter service in April, 1931 until his retirement in 1947.
Over the ensuing years, more Greek-born individuals would arrive in Phoenix and a few other areas of Arizona, establishing families, securing employment, and starting businesses. While those early arrivals maintained all aspects of their culture and Orthodox Christian religion, they determinedly learned the English language, assimilated into American life, and became industrious and patriotic citizens of their adopted community and nation.
As the community grew and the church property began to show its age, the then parish president, George P. Kokalis, sparked and fostered the decision in 1972 to sell the Virginia property and move the church to a 17.5-acre piece of land at 1973 E. Maryland Avenue, where Holy Trinity resides today. At the time of its construction, Holy Trinity contained the largest installation of colored faceted glass in the southwestern United States. The completion of the Church took place over many years with the inclusion of the hand-painted Iconography by a trained Iconographer from Greece. The Church has often been referred to as “The Jewel of the Desert.”
On February 7, 1988, His Grace Bishop Anthony elevated Holy Trinity to the level of Cathedral by proclamation, where it continued to grow significantly over the years.
Today, after more than 100 years, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral continues to grow and strives to bear more effective witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as expressed in the apostolic tradition and worship of the Greek Orthodox Church. We invite you to also participate in this witness by joining the worship and fellowship of our parish.
Church photos, documents, and history dating back to 1923
