One picture frame caught my attention. It was a photo of a bishop whom I did not recognize. Curiously, there was a signed inscription below the picture. Reading it, I realized that this was an autographed picture of Archbishop Alexander Demoglou. Formerly the Titular Bishop of Rodostolou, Alexander was appointed as the first Greek Orthodox Archbishop of North and South America in 1922.

Archbishop Alexander shepherded the Greek Orthodox Christians in the United States from 1922-1930. While the parish was not founded until 1947 and the church edifice not erected till 1974, the picture was tangible proof that the archbishop must have had some sort of connection to the Carolinas. It made me wonder. Did Archbishop Alexander happen to visit Greensboro many years ago? Perhaps he came on a pastoral visit and left the picture behind as a token of his esteem. Another possibility was that the archbishop had given the photo to someone who lived here? Whatever the reason, the framed and signed picture had been kept. Eventually it found its way to the church where it was put away and forgotten.

The mystery behind this long forgotten photo reminded me that parishes are like families. They each have a wonderful and unique past, filled with many colorful individuals and fascinating histories. Yet sadly, many churches and families do not take the time to document and preserve their own history. So many wonderful stories and accomplishments are allowed to fade into oblivion. People attending Sunday services are often blissfully unaware of the men and women who struggled to build the edifice where they worship today.

To avoid this creeping “Parochial Alzheimer’s,” each parish should take steps to establish an archival committee. The purpose of the committee should be to build up and maintain documents, records and other objects of historical interest pertaining to that particular parish. In the same manner that families appoint their members to maintain all the precious belongings and items which indicate their historical and religious origins.

The scope of this project is vast. Items in the collection could range from photos, land deeds, parish council minutes and church registries to old chalices, censers, dance costumes, oral histories recorded on CD’s, trophies and plaques. Like a well-organized family’s attic where only precious items which stand for something valuable are stored.

It is important to remember that the work of such an Archival Committee is ongoing, for the parish, like a family, is a living and growing body. The committee should not view their task as that of a “packrat.” The purpose is not to save junk. Rather, the members of the archival committee have to make thoughtful decisions of what items are important enough to save and preserve. A closet or several drawers will not be sufficient for this purpose. The church should set a room aside and dedicate it as the parish archives where documents and other materials can be catalogued and stored (similar to what families do with their valuable items).

To utilize and promote parish archives, churches could consider establishing an annual event, a “Founder’s Day” or “History Sunday” to celebrate events in the life of the faith community. Similarly, families could have “family reunion celebrations”. Having such events help ensure that the congregation does not forget its past, which might be pleasant or unpleasant. Such an ongoing archival campaign will also ensure that the ongoing accomplishments and achievements of the present congregation will also be preserved for future generations. What a wonderful legacy!

As for the framed picture of Archbishop Alexander, it has not been returned to its dusty home behind the cabinet. It has been cleaned and now hangs in my office as a reminder how we need to preserve our local parish history and family traditions. Exactly like families proudly present, from their halls to their living-rooms, pictures of relatives, friends and important people in their lives. Ω