Memoirs of Peter Boudoures Chapter 11 Politics and Religion

Elefterios Venizelos

In addition to the political divisions, the Greek Orthodox Church was also divided. The Church of Greece was independent of the Patriarchate in Constantinople. The Royalists supported the claims of the Church of Greece for jurisdiction in the United States, while the Venizelists supported the claims of the Patriarchate. Initially there was only one church in San Francisco, Holy Trinity on Seventh Street near Folsom. The late Archbishop Meletios, who later became Patriarch of Constantinople, came to San Francisco to start a new community for the progressive (Venizelist) element. As a result, in 1921 the Greek community split into two churches, the Holy Trinity representing the Royalists and a new church on Hayes Street, Saint Sophia, representing the Progressives.

The Progressives hoped that, in due time, they could raise enough money to build a monumental cathedral which would be a credit to the Greek Orthodox Religion and to the Greeks of San Francisco. They purchased a lot on the prestigious corner of Hayes and Pierce Streets, on top of a hill. It was one of the nicest locations in San Francisco. The property extended all the way down to Fell Street.

I was not politically or socially active at that time. When Venizelos visited San Francisco in the early 1920s I did not even go to any of the meetings.

I mention this in order to show you that the Greeks were divided, often fanatically. Disagreement existed even between brothers. At that time we Greeks tended to be more fanatical, sentimental and hot tempered than we are today. We often came to quick conclusions that we sometimes later regretted. We didn't, and often still don't, have the good sense to admit who is right and who is wrong.

We were also faced with obstacles created by people who disliked Greeks and other foreigners. They made it difficult for Greeks to be employed unless they changed their names. Some Greek names were not easy to pronounce or were too long. Some Greeks found it convenient to change their names to disguise the fact that they were Greek.