Consecration of the Church - November 7, 2004

The Consecration of a Church is one of the most blessed events in the life of a parish. It was with such extreme joy and jubilation that our community celebrated this momentous milestone in the life of Saint Nectarios Church and Shrine in Covina. Many thanks to all those in this community who helped pave the way from the very beginning. We especially wish to thank Father Spiro Pieratos who had the vision and determination to make this church what it is today; a safe haven which welcomes all those in need of the intercessory prayers of our beloved Saint. Special thanks to Father Theodore Pantels who continued on with the vision established by Father Spiro and who worked tirelessly so that this beautiful church would be built. At last, the day came to dedicate this beautiful edifice to God for all eternity. Father Peter Stratos who was appointed to serve the St. Nectarios community in 2004, was chosen by His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony to undertake this immense responsibility to continue with the erection of our new Byzantine style edifice.

Of course, an undertaking so large involves many dedicated souls working tirelessly for the love of their church. There were so many people who dedicated their time, talents, and resources to make this particular consecration one of the most memorable in recent history. In fact during the glorious evening at the consecration banquet, we certainly all vividly remember Metropolitan Anthony, of blessed memory, emphatically stating that of all the consecrations he had celebrated, this was the absolute best. It may have been the hospitality of the community, the “parea and philoxenia” extended to him, or it may have been just the warmth, which flows from our Patron Saint, the venerable and honorable Saint Nectarios. It showed in his energy, his praises, his conversations, but mainly in his worship and preaching during the four days of services. Whatever it was, His Eminence felt completely comfortable and at home in our church and community; As many of you know, those were the last four days that His Eminence served as a Hierarch on earth, and we were particularly blessed to have him in our midst at this blessed event in the life of our Church. He instructed and inspired us at this Consecration, even though he was in excruciating pain. We, the parishioners of Saint Nectarios Church and Shrine, honor his memory. May his memory be eternal.

The intercessory prayers of Saint Nectarios are truly uplifting and remarkable. Many have been called to this church to offer their unique gifts of love and prayer and to further the work the Shrine and the healing ministry of Saint Nectarios, who loved the Lord Jesus Christ and our beautiful Orthodox faith. We continue the work which was begun in 1973 with Father George Hadjis when our newly founded church rented space to hold services at St. John’s Episcopal Church in LaVerne. Fr. Hadjis served our parish as interim priest until a full time priest was assigned. Father Paul Koutoukas was the first full time priest assigned to the Covina-Pomona Valley Greek Orthodox Church as it was known then. The church was renamed Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church on June 6, 1976. Father Koutoikas served St. Nectarios Church from 1975 to 1977.

In 1977 Father Spiro Pieratos was transferred to Saint Nectarios Parish. The parish was four years old. Services were conducted at St. John’s Episcopal Church in La Verne. During that time the parish had purchased the present property and renovated two existing houses on the property for rental income. parishioners. Father Spiro envisioned that the parish could and should become a permanent Shrine, dedicated to the healing saint, Saint Nectarios. Father Spiro began corresponding with the now retired Metropolitan Ierotheos of Ydra, Spetsae, and Aegina. At first, responses were not encouraging, but eventually the Metropolitan agreed that not every American Orthodox Christian who revered Saint Nectarios could make the long trip to the Shrine in Aegina and that, therefore, a shrine particularly in the far-away Western States, would help the spiritual and physical needs of those in the United States who had faith in the ongoing healing ministry of Saint Nectarios.

On September 3, 1979 Father Spiro went to Aegina with Presbytera Panagiota and was given a rather large relic of the beloved saint, a rib that had felt the sound of the merciful and loving saint’s heartbeat for 74 years of his physical lifetime on earth.
In June of 1980 the first service (The Agape Service) began in the newly constructed temporary church on the Covina Avenue property, after which Divine Liturgy and Paraklisis (supplication services), especially on Wednesday evenings would take place. A Brotherhood was soon established, which offered an opportunity for those living outside the parish area, and who had physical and spiritual needs, to have their names offered in prayer at the Paraklisis services. Letters and phone calls came in from all over the country in the ensuing months and years. Father Spiro personally communicated with all those who sent in names for prayer and those faithful supporters and contributors formed what Father Spiro named the “Saint Nectarios Brotherhood” – who remain faithful supporters and prayer partners to this day. Donations and offerings eventually made it possible for the construction of the present church and shrine which is truly a beautiful tribute not only to the saint, but to all those (many now deceased) founding members who worked so diligently to make a seemingly impossible dream come true. As our Lord said to His Disciples, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can move mountains!” Father Spiro had such faith and served the Saint Nectarios parish for sixteen years, from 1977 to 1993, until he retired due to health issues.

Father Theodore Pantels was then assigned to our parish in October of 1993 and along with the dedicated parishioners, was given the responsibility of completing the construction of the new Byzantine style Church and Shrine. Much work had been accomplished, but groundbreaking had not yet occurred. Father Ted was to lead our parish and complete the building project. Under Father Ted’s guidance the new church and shrine was indeed built and was consecrated on November 7, 2004. Father Ted served our St. Nectarios Parish for eleven years from 1993 to 2004.

On September 1, 2004 Metropolitan Anthony assigned Father Peter Stratos as the new pastor of Saint Nectarios Parish. His first responsibility was to plan and organize the upcoming Consecration of the Church on November 7, 2004. This assignment was the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in the life of Father Peter and his family. Father Peter served our St. Nectarios Parish from September 2004 until 2006 at which time he was assigned to St. Anthony Parish in Pasadena and Fr. Nicholas Andrews was assigned to serve as interim pastor at St. Nectarios Parish.

In 2006 Father Constantine Douvikas was then assigned by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos as our new parish priest and continues today to guide the community and organize new projects and future plans for our youth programs and the growth of the parish.

St. Nectarios was speaking with the nuns at the convent in Aegina and told them . . .“I am building a lighthouse for you, and God will put a light in it that will shine unto the breadth and length of the whole world. Many shall see the light and come here to Aegina.” But the Nuns could not understand what he was saying to them, and only after the recovery of his Holy Relics and miracles he began working, did they finally understand. He meant that his way of life, his very holy body, were the lighthouse, and if God was pleased He would send His light, and it would shine throughout the world. And those words he spoke to them have been fulfilled.
From the moment Father Spiro received the holy relics of Saint Nectarios in Aegina and brought it to our St. Nectarios Parish here in Covina, the Shrine became a beacon of light for all who call upon the intercessions of Saint Nectarios for healing of soul and body. The saint has not ceased to heal. Today people come from all corners of the world, near and far, to venerate the holy relics of Saint Nectarios and we are honored to welcome everyone and to offer them the blessed oil from the vigil lamp which burns continuously over the holy relics of the saint – to pray with them and give them the love and compassion of God and Saint Nectarios.
Let us act as our Lord said in the Gospel of Saint Matthew, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden . . . let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16. This consecrated beautiful edifice, dedicated for time and all eternity to God, and infused with the intercessory power of Saint Nectarios, is the light which cannot be hidden. This is our opportunity to shed light all around us, this is our mission, this is our vision, and this is our calling, to reach out and bear much fruit through witness and service.