On October 5, 2019, the Greek Orthodox Community of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Salt Lake City, UT, gathered to celebrate V. Rev. Archimandrite George Nikas’ 50th birthday. The celebration took place in the church’s gymnasium and was perfectly transformed into the right kind of setting for a birthday. Father Nika’s even joked that people will start to hire the volunteers involved in decorating the room. Then, he went on to thank the Parish Council, the Ladies of Philoptochos and every volunteer who made the night possible.

Mr. Paul Kotrotsios, Father George Nikas, Mr. & Mrs. Nick Bapis and Ms. Aphrodite Kotrotsios.

Father Nikas expressed to his guests just how blessed he is to be part of their parish for a few years now. “I want to thank all of you for being here tonight, I consider it a vast honor. I have served at many parishes, including having served as chief secretary, youth director, and finally as chancellor at the Metropolis of New Jersey. All of which I am grateful for the experience, but most importantly, I always enjoy my time when I am at the parish level, as a simple parish priest,” said Father Nikas.

Ms. Aphrodite Kotrotsios, Mr. & Mrs. Nick Angelidis, Mrs. Jeannine Timothy, and Mr. Paul Kotrotsios.

In lieu of gifts, Father Nikas chose to throw attention on to Holy Trinity’s Iconography fund. The historic church is still in need of some iconography to be done and The Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church needs a Pantokratora. He expressed that it is not mandatory to donate but if anyone would like to offer anything to feel free. “Most importantly, when I visit the V. Rev. Archimandrite George Nikas.

Mr. Nico Bamberger Priskos, Ms. Despina Kogianes, Mr. Chris Metos, Dr. Ioanna Kotrotsios, Mr. Nick Bapis, Ms. Aphrodite Kotrotsios, and a friend.

Sunday school classrooms, our Greek school classrooms, our Joy, Hope, and Goya and you see all of our children besides the wonderful talents that they each possess, their faith, their love of their church and acknowledgment of having Hellenic roots and of being Greek orthodox is surreal,” shared Father. In the late 1800s, Greek immigrants were arriving in Salt Lake City. In January of 1905, a meeting of all the Greeks was called in order to organize the Greek Community. They established a Greek Orthodox Church and a Greek Town. In April of 1905, the first priest arrived and on October 29, 1905, the church was named Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

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