On a wooded stretch of Kingston Pike in west Knoxville, a domed Byzantine church has anchored the spiritual life of East Tennessee's Greek Orthodox community since 1968. St. George Greek Orthodox Church gathers its members each Sunday for the ancient services of the Orthodox Church, supports a robust network of religious, philanthropic, and cultural ministries, and opens its doors each September to thousands of visitors who come for the parish's annual Greek Fest. The parish sits under the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta, a regional body of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
A Parish Born from Immigrant Hope
The Greek Orthodox community of Knoxville traces its roots to about 1915, when the Nicola Cazana family arrived in East Tennessee and were soon joined by other Greek immigrants. Their first concern, in a new country and far from home, was to preserve the Orthodox faith and the customs of their homeland. In 1934 they organized the St. George Hellenic Community Club, with Nick Caracostis as its first president. The first Divine Liturgy in Knoxville was celebrated in 1935 at St. John's Episcopal Church by Father Demetrios Cassis, an itinerant priest who traveled from Roanoke, Virginia.
An official state charter followed in 1939, and by 1946 the community had grown enough to buy the old Baptist church at 921 Broadway. That building served as St. George until 1968, when the parish moved to its present home at 4070 Kingston Pike. The altar was consecrated in 1978. Following Byzantine architectural lines and finished in mosaic iconography, the Kingston Pike church is now considered one of the most beautiful examples of mosaic Byzantine iconography in the Southeast.
The Rhythm of Sunday Worship
Sunday at St. George follows the Orthodox pattern of two services that flow into one another. Orthros, the morning service of Matins, begins at 8:45 AM, and the Divine Liturgy follows at 10:00 AM, usually wrapping up around 11:30 AM. When weekday liturgies are scheduled, they are served at 8:45 AM, and on major feast days Orthros and Divine Liturgy are both held at 8:45 AM.
The Divine Liturgy is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the central act of Orthodox Christian life. Visitors are warmly welcomed to pray alongside the faithful, though only Orthodox Christians living in the sacramental life of the Church and properly prepared should approach the Holy Chalice. At the conclusion of the service, the priest distributes small pieces of blessed bread called Antidoron, taken from the oblation loaf. Everyone present, including visitors, is invited to receive Antidoron as a blessing from the priest.
The coffee hour that follows Divine Liturgy in the community center is a long-standing parish tradition and a relaxed way to meet parishioners over Greek coffee and conversation.
Byzantine Chant and the Church Choir
Most of the service is sung. The music of St. George follows Byzantine Chant, a tradition that has developed over many centuries and gives the worship its distinctive character. Hymns are sung in both English and Greek. The choir, directed by Dr. George Changas, sings during the Sunday Divine Liturgy as well as on feast days and during Holy Week. Chanters Anthony Martin, Samir Harb, Lacey Wendland, and Alex Skoulis lead the musical portions of the services. No previous choral experience is required to join; rehearsals take place on Sunday mornings before Liturgy, and anyone interested is welcome to attend.
Children, Greek School, and Adult Catechism
Religious education at St. George begins early. Sunday School welcomes children from preschool (age two by September 1) through high school, with classes held each week immediately after Holy Communion, from about 11:30 AM to 12:15 PM. The Sunday School year opens with the Blessing of the Waters in August and closes with graduation in mid-May. The volunteer teaching staff, led by directors Catherine Burrage, Alex Ciborowski, and Victoria LaRock, follows curriculum created by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. There is no registration fee, but a registration form is requested for planning purposes. The program encourages regular attendance at Divine Liturgy, the habit of bringing a small weekly offering, and participation in service projects for families in need.
The parish also runs a Greek School for students from kindergarten through high school. Under director Alex Psihogios, students build vocabulary, reading, writing, and grammar in Modern Greek, and learn Greek poems to present at the March program for Greek Independence Day. Registration is handled through the Greek School form.
For adults exploring Orthodoxy, Fr. Dionysis Lampropoulos teaches catechism at 1:00 PM on Sundays. The parish also offers continuing education opportunities for adults throughout the year. The Genesis Bookstore, located in the church hall and open most Sundays after Liturgy, carries books, religious items, and educational materials for those who want to read further.
Philoptochos: The Right Hand of the Church
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, whose name means "friend of the poor," was founded nationally in 1931 and is the largest Christian women's philanthropic organization in the United States. The Knoxville chapter was established in 1946 and continues to serve those in need both locally and beyond. The local Philoptochos supports FISH Hospitality Pantries, InterFaith Health Clinic, Mobile Meals, and other Knoxville charities, and contributes to national and diocesan efforts as well. The chapter's annual Friend of the Poor 5K Run/Walk, held each spring at West High School, raises funds for that work. The board is led by President Kristiana Moore, with Lacey Wendland as Vice President, Kelly Peters as Treasurer, Alicia Gross as Assistant Treasurer, Leann Cooney as Secretary, Maria Poppe as Corresponding Secretary, and Marianne Jennings as Advisor. Membership is open to Orthodox Christian women age 18 and older who are members of the parish.
Cultural Organizations and Senior Fellowship
Several long-standing organizations gather under the St. George roof. The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), founded nationally in 1922, is the largest Greek-American organization and supports the parish's Sunday School and Greek School through fundraising. The Daughters of Penelope works alongside AHEPA and awards scholarships to St. George high school graduates. The Evrytanian Association of America maintains a Knoxville chapter that connects Greek Americans whose roots lie in the Evrytania region of Greece and supports heritage, educational, and philanthropic work both locally and abroad. The STARS Senior Citizens group offers fellowship and activities for older adults of the parish, while the Theotokos Fund, directed by Fr. Dionysis, channels past philanthropic giving to those in need. The Planning Committee advises the Parish Council on the upkeep and growth of the parish's facilities.
Greek Fest: A Knoxville Tradition Since 1977
Each September, St. George opens its campus for the Knoxville Greek Fest, an event the parish has hosted since 1977. Over a long weekend, the festival fills the grounds with traditional Greek food, music, and dance, and draws more than 20,000 visitors. The parish's award-winning Greek dancers train and compete around the country and perform at the festival, and a guided tour of the church introduces newcomers to Greek Orthodox history and iconography. The Friends of the Poor 5K in March and the Daughters of Penelope Rummage Sale, also held at the church, round out the parish's yearly community calendar. The rummage sale supports the Daughters' annual scholarship program and assists with national disaster relief.
Stewardship, Giving, and the Wider Church
The parish practices Orthodox Christian Stewardship as a way of life, asking each member to commit time, talent, and treasure in grateful response to God's gifts. Members in Good Standing are those whose previous year's stewardship commitment is paid in full and who have submitted the current year's stewardship form. Stewardship commitments, along with memorial, candle, and other donations, can be submitted online, by mail, by check, or through Venmo (@StGeorgeGreekOrthodoxChurch) and PayPal. Online donations are also accepted for candle offerings and prayer requests through the "Light a Candle" page. The parish's giving supports both local ministries and the national ministries of the Archdiocese, the Metropolis of Atlanta, and affiliated institutions.
Visiting St. George
First-time visitors will find the church easy to reach. From Kingston Pike, turn onto Kingston Park Drive, then right into the main parking lot. The walkway between the two brick buildings leads to the church entrance on the right, beneath the portico. There is no formal dress code; the parish simply asks that attire be clean and respectful of the worship space. Many attend in suits and dresses, though families with children often come in more relaxed clothing. Standing is the customary posture for prayer, though pews are available for anyone who needs to sit. Members venerate the icons by kissing them and make the sign of the Cross frequently during the services; visitors are welcome to observe and join in as they feel comfortable.
Clergy greet visitors warmly after the services, and parish council members are glad to introduce newcomers to the priest. Services are livestreamed on the St. George YouTube channel, and the office is open weekdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM by phone and email, with in-person visits by appointment. The office is closed on Wednesdays and Fridays, except on days when a Divine Liturgy is scheduled.