OurParish - St. George Greek Orthodox Church

A Short History of Our Church

The Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean City, Maryland was built during the fall of 1984 and was completed in the spring of 1985. Named in memory of Evanthia Cappy’s father, George Dotska, the church was constructed as a labor of love by Michael Cappy.

Mike, a World War II veteran, and a commercial artist, began his construction business in 1955. He was president of the Washington Metropolitan Area Home Builders in 1959. Mike was involved with President John F. Kennedy’s fair housing campaign representing the Washington area builders. After developing numerous housing communities in the Washington Metropolitan Area, Mike built the two tallest buildings in Ocean City (The Capri and the Quay) in the early 70’s

Mike and Eve relocated to Ocean City in 1979 where they opened Dolphin Real Estate and Dolphin Construction. After building many condo’s, townhouses & shoppes, the opportunity came to purchase the lots and begin construction of the church.

Prior to the building of the St George Greek Orthodox Church in Ocean City, worship services were held in Salisbury one Saturday a month except during the summer where Father Michael Yachnis conducted Sunday services in the Episcopal Church on Coastal Hwy.

Drawing on his over 30 years of experience as a builder, Mike was able to obtain from many of the local subcontractors and suppliers, donations of time, labor and materials and before long the dream of a “Greek Church” in Ocean City became a reality. During construction people gave of their time and money, and even the church communities of Washington, Baltimore and Virginia provided some of the religious items by either donation or loan.

The first liturgy was celebrated by Father George Gallos with Father John Tavlarides assisting on June 22, 1985. The second service on June 30^th was performed by Father Michael Yachnis, which was a dream of his also to have a church building in Ocean City.

Psalms 127:1 says “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” Mike and Eve are always mindful of the fact that the St George Greek Orthodox church was built for the Glory of God.

Our Patron Saint

Apolytikion
Liberator of captives, defender of the poor, physician of the sick, and champion of kings, O trophy-bearer, Great Martyr George, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Kontakion
Cultivated by God, you became manifest as an honorable tiller gathering for yourself the sheaves of virtue. For you sowed with tears but reaped with gladness; in the contest you competed with your blood and came away with Christ. By your intercessions, O Holy One, all are granted forgiveness of sins.

About Saint George
George, a truly great and glorious Martyr of Christ, was born of a father from Cappadocia and a mother from Palestine. Being a military tribune, or a chilliarch (that is, a commander of a thousand troops), he was illustrious in battle and highly honored for his courage. When he learned that Emperor Diocletian was preparing a to persecute Christians, Saint George presented himself publicly before the Emperor and denounced him. When threats and promises could not move him from his steadfast confession, he was put to unheard-of tortures, which he endured with great bravery, overcoming him by his faith and love towards Christ. By the wondrous signs that took place in his contest, he guided many to the knowledge of the truth, including Queen Alexandra, wife of Diocletian, and was finally beheaded in 296 in Nicomedia. His sacred remains were taken by his servant from Nicomedia to Palestine, to a town called Lydda, the homeland of his mother, and then finally transferred to the church which was raised up in his name. St. George's Feast Day is celebrated on April 23; the translation of the Saint's holy relics to the church in Lydda is commemorated November 3; Saint Alexandra the Queen, on April 21.

[Taken from The Great Horologion (Book of Hours), Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Boston, MA]