Greek Americans

I. Historical Perspective

A. Country of origin - Greece

B. Language(s) - Greek is the official language.  It has a long tradition, remaining relatively the same since the days of Homer (9th-8th century B.C.). About one percent of the population speaks Turkish. English and French are widely understood.

C. Religious background - About 98 percent of the people belong to the Eastern (Greek) Orthodox Church, which is the official religion in Greece and is quite powerful. Although freedom of religion is guaranteed, the state supports the Eastern Orthodox Church through taxes.  Other religions are not allowed to proselytize. The Orthodox Church is a Christian church directed by an archbishop (independent of the Roman Catholic Church) and the Holy Synod.

D. Southern Baptist Work - Today, there are nine Greek churches ministering to the Greek-American communities in Massachusetts, California, Toronto Ontario, Quebec, and Pennsylvania. The need for new churches continues to grow.

E. Sub-cultures - Greek society is traditionally dominated by males, although in the last generation women, particularly those in urban areas, have gained greater prominence and rights. Men consider it a matter of personal honor to fulfill obligations to their families and others. They may attribute their failures to external circumstances, rather than to personal inadequacies.


II. Current/Future Challenges

A. Population - According to the 1990 U.S. census, 1.1 million Greek-Americans live in the United States. Greek-American communities exist throughout the United States, but they are concentrated in four principal areas: greater metropolitan New York City, Boston and southern New England, Chicago and the Great Lakes urban industrial region, and California.
 
B. Present Immigration Ppatterns - Despite their wide geographic distribution, Greek-American communities retain many of the traditions and values brought to the United States by early immigrants. Although Greek-Americans have increasingly adapted to mainstream American culture, the community's social institutions provide continuity with the past. The Greek Orthodox Church functions as the central social and cultural institution in most Greek-American communities.
 
C. Evangelism - The family unit is strong.  It is vital that no member bring shame or dishonor to the family. If the parents die, the oldest child usually helps younger siblings finish their education and get out on their own. The elderly are respected, addressed by courteous titles, served first, and have much authority. Greeks care for their elderly parents at home when possible. If the parents must live in a home for the elderly, their children take care of all arrangements and make frequent visits. To abandon the traditional religious affiliation also brings disgrace to the family.

D. Church Planting - With an Olympic tradition, the Greeks love sports, especially soccer, basketball, swimming, windsurfing, and sailing. Such ministries will provide a great way of introducing Greeks to the gospel, as well as establishing new churches.

E. Family Life 

1. Education - The Orthodox Church is also associated with the Greek language in the United States. Despite the declining use of Greek among second- and third-generations, the language remains a major aspect of Greek ethnicity. The Orthodox Church promotes knowledge and use of the language in church-run schools. In some areas, such as Chicago and New York City, public schools provide Greek language instruction.   
2. Occupation - The Greek-American community's largest fraternal association, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), was founded in 1922 to help Greek immigrants. Since then, the AHEPA has grown to become one of the most influential ethnic organizations in the United States. The association sponsors chapters throughout the country and maintains its national headquarters in Washington, D.C.

III. Resources
• Non published-Individual research done by Mark Hobafcovich.
• Greek Americans by Mark Hobafcovich, Profiles of People Groups in North America
• Culturegrams 2002 : www.culturegrams.com