Writing the Centennial History of the
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation
“History is a great and wise teacher. The study of our past gives us a greater measure of vision for the future.” These thoughts were echoed many times by the late Father Constantine Monios. He often reflected on the historic first Divine Liturgy that took place on Sunday, March 18, 1906, attended by 150 pioneering immigrants. It marked the establishment of a humble church that would evolve into one the largest Greek Orthodox parishes in the United States.
Nearly twenty-five years ago, as the Cathedral approached its 75th Anniversary, Father Monios envisioned a superb tribute to the founding fathers—a well-documented history of the first Orthodox community in Maryland. At the time, a 22-year-old parishioner, Nicholas Michael Prevas, was in the midst of researching his own family history and was knowledgeable as to the archival sources available to properly complete this task. With Father Constantine’s guidance and support, Nicholas Prevas began researching and writing the unique story of the parish.
Two and half years later, in the summer of 1982, Mr. Prevas’ work was published as a 300-page volume entitled History of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, complete with photographs, footnotes, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. Archdiocesan acclaim soon followed along with numerous favorable reviews by the Orthodox Observer, Proini Weekly, Hellenic Times, and the Maryland Historical Magazine. In October 1982, the parish council recognized this milestone achievement and officially named Nicholas M. Prevas as “Parish Historian” of the Annunciation Cathedral.
One segment of Annunciation’s fascinating history concerns the establishment of a cemetery. In 1912, parish leaders purchased the first Orthodox burial ground in the State of Maryland—The Greek Section at Woodlawn Cemetery. Over 600 Greeks were buried there prior to the acquisition of the “Greek Orthodox Cemetery” in 1943. With the encouragement of Father Monios, Nick Prevas spent years of research to learn the stories concerning many of the immigrants buried there. This second labor of love resulted in the publication Gone But Not Forgotten. The 200-page volume was published to coincide with the 90th Anniversary of that historic cemetery observed in January of 2002. The book is dedicated to the memory of his father, Michael Nicholas Prevas, who was a great source of inspiration and his research companion over many years.
With the experience of two books, Nicholas Prevas has now undertaken his most challenging project to date. As we approach the 100th Anniversary of Annunciation Cathedral in 2006, he is writing the Centennial History—a richly documented and fascinating story that will trace 100 years of progress…100 years of Orthodoxy in Maryland. The history will be divided into ten decades: 1906-1915; 1916-1925; 1926-1935, 1936-1945, etc. A unique introduction gives wonderful insight into the early immigrants and events leading up to the establishment of the parish. With strong reference to his prior works, he is interspersing new and exciting findings that represent on-going research since the 75th Anniversary in 1981.
In the spring of 2004, the National Herald, a weekly Greek American publication based out of New York, ran its second glowing review of Prevas’ writings. In the article “Eternal Be Their Memory,” author Steve Frangos praised both historical works produced by Prevas as “critical for the development of our own self-understanding of Greek-American history.” In conclusion, Mr. Frangos stated:
“Mr. Prevas has without a doubt set the standard for all such future accounts. Nicholas Prevas has accomplished what many self-proclaimed Greek American specialists have not. He has completed a detailed narrative history of his home community. Now both the living and the dead owe this man a debt that can never be repaid. There are so very few who write about the Greek American experience and fewer still who do it well and with anything approaching grace. In the truest sense of the old Greek folk saying, Nicholas Prevas has given back more than he was ever given.”
We are very pleased and thankful to have this dedicated author in our Cathedral parish. Nicholas M. Prevas received his M.B.A. from the University of Baltimore in 1986 with a specialization in marketing. Since 1987, he has been the Marketing Director at the federal credit union serving the employees of the Baltimore County government. His writing and researching of immigrant and church history is a hobby that has evolved into a true passion. The Centennial Committee is confident that his upcoming 100-year history of the Annunciation Cathedral will be treasured for many decades to come. Prevas’ Centennial History will be the featured section in a special Commemorative Album to be published for the 100th Anniversary in 2006.
Gary T. Padussis, General Chairman
Centennial Committee of Annunciation Cathedral
Baltimore, Maryland
Limited Copies of both Prevas books are still available for purchase. Contact the Cathedral office at 410-727-1831 for further details. Book proceeds benefit the restoration fund for the “Greek Section at Woodlawn Cemetery.”