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Saint Paul's Greek Orthodox Church Saint Paul - History - Contact - Services - Schedule - Links (c. 3-65) After his encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus and baptism, Paul tells in his letter to the Galatians that he "went away at once into Arabia," spending time in the desert wastes before returning to Damascus. By the time of his return to Damascus, the essentials of his teaching were clear: God’s promise to Abraham has been fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus. The risen Jesus is the climax of history for He is both the Messiah, the Christ, and "the power and wisdom of God". His teaching in the synagogues in Damascus that Jesus "is the Son of God," proved so controversial that there were plots to kill him. He escaped Damascus by being lowered over the city walls in a basket at night. Three years after his conversion, Paul journeyed to Jerusalem to meet with Peter. Luke describes the suspicion with which the leaders of the Church in Jerusalem greeted Paul and that it was Barnabas who secured Paul’s acceptance. From Jerusalem, Paul returned to Syria and ultimately went to its capital, Antioch. It was in Antioch of Syria that followers of the Way were first called Christians. St. Paul made four apostolic journeys as he evangelized Greece and Asia Minor and his letters can be read in the New Testament. Orthodox nameday: 29/6 . Sait Paul's Greek Orthodox Church St. Paul's Greek
Orthodox Church of Regina has been at its current location of 3000
Argyle Road since 1976, however, the history behind the church extends
much further back. George Trihas was the pioneer of the Greeks in
Regina having arrived in this city in 1903. For years he was the
proprietor of the "Home Candy Coffee Mug" at 1796 Hamilton street
which after his death was taken over by his children John and Peter.
The first wave of Greek settlers moved to Regina in 1911 using skills
they had previously learned to open up various restaurants and hotels
throughout the city. George Plasteras was another pioneer in Canada
having first landed in Toronto in 1906 and who lived in Regina up
to his sudden death in 1951. History continued on the Parish's website Saint Paul's Greek Orthodox Church 3000 Argyle Road Regina, SK
Schedule of Services and for other information about the Parish: Please click here to visit the Parish's website Another Le Grisbi DESIGNS web site.
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St.
Paul was a persecutor of the Christians and took part in the first
stoning of a Christian martyr, St. Stephen. Intent on exterminating
the new faith, Paul sought to travel to Damascus to undertake the
persecution of Christians there. It was during his trip from Jerusalem
to Damascus that his life would take a crucial turn when he encountered
the risen Jesus in a searing vision of light that left him temporarily
blind and he heard a voice asking him why he was persecuting him.
This experience was revolutionary, engendering a complete transformation
and redirection of his life. As a result of this "revelation",
Saul, the persecutor of Christianity, converted to the faith he
once hated, was baptized by Ananias and received into the Church
of Damascus, the very community he had set out to suppress. From
this moment on, he became a "slave of Jesus Christ". 
At
the time of his death he held an important post with the Provincial
Government. James Mouyos and G. J. Gordegan came to Regina in 1908
and both achieved success in the city, thus ensuring Regina would
remain their permanent home. Constantine Protopappas was another
Greek who immigrated to Vancouver in 1909 and then to Regina in
1912. However, he then went back to Greece to fight in the Balkan
Wars from1912-1913. George and Nick Kangles first arrived in Canada
1911 and achieved a great deal of success in the restaurant industry.
In 1929, they opened the La Salle Hotel which they used to help
bring a wave of immigrants from Greece to work and mentor in hopes
that they would find the same success the Kangles brothers did.
Both were well liked and greatly esteemed all over the Province.
Peter V. Girgulis came to Regina in 1912, as well as brothers John
and Nick Giokas who together with their brother-in-law John Nicolou
owned and operated the Marina Café on Scarth street. They also bought
the Winston Arts in which their café was situated. Nick Pappas ran
the renovated Balmoral Café together with his brother Sam and in
addition owned the entire McCallum Block. Sam Sinis was the owner
of the Novia Café, Peter Cordogan was the owner, with his brother
and cousin, of the Savoy Café. They also paved the way for the second
set of immigrants in the 1950s and soon after, there were approximately
40 restaurants and hotels owned by Greeks throughout the city. It
is also interesting to note that approximately three-quarters of
these Greeks all came from one region, the province of Arkadia.