Saint Sophia (Los Angeles)
| Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral |
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| Location | 1324 South Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles, California |
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| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Greek Orthodox |
| Website | www.stsophia.org |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Active |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 2,000 [1] |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | America |
| Metropolis | San Francisco |
Saint Sophia (in Greek: Ἁγία Σοφία; Agia Sophia), was built by Charles Skouras in 1952, in what was then the Greek section of Los Angeles, California. It is located at West 15th Street and South Normandie Avenue in what is now the Harvard Heights neighborhood. This Greek Orthodox church is the result of a Hollywood success story. When Charles and his brothers, Spyros Skouras and George Skouras, were still trying to get ahead in Hollywood, Charles made a vow to God that he would build the most majestic cathedral if God would grant him success in show business. He got his wish, becoming head of Fox West Coast. A man of his word, Charles built the Saint Sophia in Los Angeles.
The church's simple exterior conceals a beautiful interior. Members of the church congregation have included many of Hollywood's actors such as Telly Savalas, whose funeral was held there, and George Chakiris; Sharon Lawrence was married at the church in 2002.
In 2005 at the 36th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the liturgy was given in Spanish, English and Greek, with Orthodox children from a Tijuana, Mexico orphanage providing music. The Byzantine/Renaissance-influenced cathedral still draws its predominantly Greek congregation of as many as 1,000 from perhaps a 60-mile radius – from throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Los Angeles' Greek community has never been centralized, as in cities such as New York City and Chicago.
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[edit] Notable members
- Peggy Stevenson, Los Angeles City Council member, 1975–85
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