St George Greek Orthodox Church
St George Greek Orthodox Church, Fresno California, is located in the St George region of Fresno County. It is one of many such Greek Orthodox churches throughout the state of California. The community is made up mainly of Hmong and Lao-Tzu ethnic groups. The church was built in the late 1800s. There is a traditional Greek building with red decorated walls. There is a pentagonal altar facing Mt. Soledad.
This particular church is unique because it is the only one of its kind in Fresno. Many of the other Orthodox churches were built later than this in Sacramento. A brief visit to the church can be forgiven for thinking it looks like an old Greek temple. When entering the entrance, there is a carved statue of the virgin mother and child.
St. George is critical in Fresno. The St. George Greek Orthodox Church serves the predominantly Greek population in the area. Many Fresno residents are converts to the Orthodox faith.
The priests and ministers wear long white clerical shirts. They have beards and black veils. This is the traditional attire for most priests. The church is open for visitors after regular church services. This church caters to adult membership. Many of the children attending attend local schools.
The Greek Orthodox faith believes in theosis or salvation through participation in the earthly kingdom of Christ. Everyone, including adults, goes through a process of becoming a “king.” This means that they are to become as good as their father in spirit. This involves several ascetic practices. Men are required to shave their heads and even to get married. Women usually leave their homes and wed at a very young age.
St. George is a place where people of all ages attend regularly. Many cultural events and workshops are held in the area. The church is very active in local charitable and social activities. This makes it a fine place to be a member of the Orthodox community.
A visit to St. George puts one into a different spiritual dimension. This is due to its warm and welcoming personality. The community welcomes people from all walks of life. There is no discrimination of any kind. People of every age, race, and ethnicity can be found here.
The church is very popular with the tourist industry. Many foreigners travel here on business trips. The accommodation offers friendly and warm hospitality. There is a wide range of hotels, inns, and apartments to choose from.
It would be interesting to know what the views of the locals are. The church is almost invisible from the road. Many of its structures are built from scratch. Despite this, many people find the place very welcoming and consider it part of their lives.