Long Distance Moving Service | Local Move in MD | Maryland Movers
 

Moving - Woodlawn, Maryland

Are you planning a move into or out of Woodlawn, MD, any time soon?  Movers USA, a local moving company, can help.  We can plan every step of your move for you and help make it an easy event.  Call Movers USA or just click here to begin your moving process.

Have you read the history of Woodlawn, MD?  Well, here is a brief summary for your pleasure.

A Brief History of Woodlawn, Maryland

The Greek Orthodox Catherdal of the Annunciation, Woodlawn, Maryland

“History is a great and wise teacher. The study of our past gives us a greater measure of vision for the future.” These thoughts were echoed many times by the late Father Constantine Monios. He often reflected on the historic first Divine Liturgy that took place on Sunday, March 18, 1906, attended by 150 pioneering immigrants. It marked the establishment of a humble church that would evolve into one the largest Greek Orthodox parishes in the United States.

Nearly twenty-five years ago, as the Cathedral approached its 75th Anniversary, Father Monios envisioned a superb tribute to the founding fathers—a well-documented history of the first Orthodox community in Maryland. At the time, a 22-year-old parishioner, Nicholas Michael Prevas, was in the midst of researching his own family history and was knowledgeable as to the archival sources available to properly complete this task. With Father Constantine’s guidance and support, Nicholas Prevas began researching and writing the unique story of the parish.

Two and half years later, in the summer of 1982, Mr. Prevas’ work was published as a 300-page volume entitled History of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, complete with photographs, footnotes, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. Archdiocesan acclaim soon followed along with numerous favorable reviews by the Orthodox Observer, Proini Weekly, Hellenic Times, and the Maryland Historical Magazine. In October 1982, the parish council recognized this milestone achievement and officially named Nicholas M. Prevas as “Parish Historian” of the Annunciation Cathedral.

One segment of Annunciation’s fascinating history concerns the establishment of a cemetery. In 1912, parish leaders purchased the first Orthodox burial ground in the State of Maryland—The Greek Section at Woodlawn Cemetery. Over 600 Greeks were buried there prior to the acquisition of the “Greek Orthodox Cemetery” in 1943. With the encouragement of Father Monios, Nick Prevas spent years of research to learn the stories concerning many of the immigrants buried there. This second labor of love resulted in the publication Gone But Not Forgotten. The 200-page volume was published to coincide with the 90th Anniversary of that historic cemetery observed in January of 2002. The book is dedicated to the memory of his father, Michael Nicholas Prevas, who was a great source of inspiration and his research companion over many years.

With the experience of two books, Nicholas Prevas has now undertaken his most challenging project to date. As we approach the 100th Anniversary of Annunciation Cathedral in 2006, he is writing the Centennial History—a richly documented and fascinating story that will trace 100 years of progress…100 years of Orthodoxy in Maryland. The history will be divided into ten decades: 1906-1915; 1916-1925; 1926-1935, 1936-1945, etc. A unique introduction gives wonderful insight into the early immigrants and events leading up to the establishment of the parish. With strong reference to his prior works, he is interspersing new and exciting findings that represent on-going research since the 75th Anniversary in 1981.