The wide embrace of Saint Spyridon reaches deep into the very fabric of New York City. Generations of immigrants have sought sanctuary here, planting roots and helping to form a vibrant Greek Orthodox community. Thousands of weddings and baptisms have been recorded by the Archdiocese since the 1930s. Scores of New Yorkers are connected through an invisible lineage to this sacred space. Changes in the urban landscape in recent years have made Saint Spyridon more diverse, expanding its mission to serve the surrounding Latino neighborhood and a thriving commuter community. The story of Saint Spyridon is one of a true cultural landmark—a divine and inspired space with a rich past, enduring present and promising future. Since its inception, New Yorkers have reveled in the Church’s architectural presence—among the most significant Byzantine structures in the Western Hemisphere. The richness of the materials used and the faithful adherence to the Byzantine architectural traditions, create the perfect canvass on which the remarkable iconography (and future beautification) is placed. This Washington Heights jewel easily takes its place among the most beautiful churches and cathedrals of New York City.
