From the early days of ancient Greece to modern times of today, religious beliefs, rituals and tradition play a compelling role not only for natives of Greece, but also in the lives of Greek-Americans.

The Greek Orthodox Church, the keeper of vast treasures of tradition, provides spiritual guidance from birth until death. It is from this deeply rooted tradition that Greek Orthodox faithful find great satisfaction and religious stability.

While Orthodoxy remains virtually unchanged in its two thousand year tenure, the Greek Orthodox Church in America has undergone change, if only in status, from an immigrant to an indigenous church.

As a visible and vibrant community today, the Greek-American people owe much to their early immigrant ancestors who in spite of adverse conditions, shaped the Greek-American identity.

At the turn of the century, thousands of young Greek men came to Utah in hopes of finding the great light promised in America. Like other immigrants, their motivation was strictly economic. Impatient to leave for America, these young men were filled with exaggerated stories of easy money and plentiful jobs. Armed with handkerchiefs containing a few coins, with tags tied to their lapels denoting their intended destinations, these young men set off to find the American dream.

Crossing the Atlantic crowded together in steerage, this army of unskilled Greek immigrants passed the Statue of Liberty hoping to get by the scrutiny of Ellis Island officials and onto the promised land.

LOUIS CONONELOS: STEERAGE WAS BASICALLY 3RD CLASS PASSAGE FROM EUROPE TO US AND THE COST WAS $20-60. AS MANY AS 1500-2000 IMMIGRANTS WOULD BE CROWDED INTO THE HOLD OF THE SHIP. THE LENGTH OF THE PASSAGE WAS 5 WEEKS, CONDITIONS DIFFICULT, OVERCROWED, UNSANITARY. FOOD AT BEST WAS CLEAN.

NARRATOR: Between the years of 1900 and 1920, nearly 352,000 Greek boys and men left their villages for a country thousands of miles away. By 1925, one in every four Greek men between the ages of fifteen and forty-five had come to America. Many came alone, often without sponsors with their families' pool of silver coins sewed to their underwear.

HELEN PAPANIKOLAS, HISTORIAN: THEY THOUGHT THEY WOULD STAY FOR A SHORT TIME. SOJOURNERS. BUT THEY KEPT STAYING TO SEND MONEY FOR THEIR SISTER'S DOWRIE. A GIRL COULD NOT MARRY WITHOUT A DOWRIE AND POOR PEOPLE DIDN'T HAVE MONEY FOR DOWRIES. THEY ALSO WANTED TO HELP THEIR PARENTS BECAUSE GREECE WAS IMPOVERISHED.

NARRATOR: The Greek immigrants arrived in America about the time America needed cheap labor for the rapid industrialization of the west. Rail lines were expanding, changing from narrow gauge rails to standard gauge, coal and mineral mines were opening, bridges needed constructing and water lines dug. America needed the immigrant's brawn; immigrants needed America's money.

MIKE KOROLOGOS: MY DAD CAME OVER FROM GREECE 16 YEARS OLD. ANSWERED AN AD IN THE PAPER THAT SAID THEY WERE LOOKING FOR RR LABORERS ETC. HE THOUGHT HE'D WORK 20 YEARS, GET A PENSION, GO BACK TO GREECE AND LIVE LIKE A KING ON THE AMERICAN MONEY. HE CAME OVER, HAD A TAG ON HIS SHIRT WHEN HE LANDED AT EI THAT SAID TAKE ME TO BINGHAM CANYON UTAH.

NARRATOR: In 1900, there were 3 Greeks in Utah; by 1910 there were over 4,000. Not only was Salt Lake City the hub for Greeks coming to Utah but for the entire Intermountain West as well. Before long Greeks were the dominant labor force in the region's railroads, coal and metal mines, smelters and construction crews. Mining towns in Bingham and Carbon County were booming.

LOUIS CONONELOS: THE LURE FOR THE MINING INDUSTRY LIKE MANY OTHERS WAS ECONOMIC. THE MINES OFFERED PLENTIFUL EMPLOYMENT THAT THE WHITE CITIZENRY DID NOT WANT AND IMMIGRANTS COULD WORK AS LABORERS IN MINES FOR $1.75/DAY. LONG WORK DAYS, 10 HOURS.

NARRATOR: While underground mining of lead bearing ores began in Bingham Canyon in 1863, it was the introduction of large-scale, open-pit mining at the turn of the century that put Bingham on the map luring thousands of immigrants in search of work.

Although jobs were seemingly plentiful, actually getting hired was an entirely different story.

What young immigrants quickly found was that much of the work was dispersed by Leonidas Skliris, the Czar of Greek immigrant labor: the most powerful and influential labor agent in the United States.

LOUIS CONONELOS: THE LABOR AGENT WAS SOMEONE WHO HAD A GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF ENGLISH. HE SERVED AS THE PERSON THROUGH WHOM YOU GOT A JOB. MANY AGENTS OPERATED UNDER A SYSTEM OF TUTILEDGE WHERE YOU HAD TO PAY THE AGENT TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A JOB AND A MONTHLY SUM THEREAFTER TO KEEP YOUR JOB.

HELEN PAPANIKOLAS: AFTER THEY PAID THIS FEE, THE WORKERS HAD TO BUY FROM HIS STORE. IF THEY WERE FOUND BUYING ELSEWHERE, THEY WOULD BE FIRED. ONE MAIN REASON THE GREEK IMMIGRANTS HATED SKLIRIS WAS THAT HE WOULD SIGN UP AN IMMIGRANT, TAKE HIS MONEY AND TWO MONTHS LATER HAVE HIM LAID OFF AND PUT ANOTHER IMMIGRANT IN HIS JOB.

NARRATOR: Life for the immigrants was bleak. It was not at all as they thought it would be. Sometimes they found pick and shovel work for fifty to seventy-five cents a day. Other times they went weeks, even months with nothing. At the bottom of the pay scale, immigrant laborers just wanted work.

With little else to do Greek immigrants kept each other company in Greek coffeehouses sipping thick, dark coffee, playing cards and arguing about politics in Greece. Rooted in Greek tradition, these coffeehouses became the immigrants' place of refuge, comfort, protection and ethnic identity.

CON SKEDROS, HISTORIAN: VERY IMPORTANT IN GREEK TOWNS WERE THE COFFEEHOUSES. THE EARLY STARBUCKS. FOR MALES ONLY. COFFEEHOUSES WERE THE SOCIAL CENTER FOR FRIENDS WITH MUCH TALK OF POLITICS.

PENNY SAMPINOS: WE WERE NOT ALLOWED IN THE COFFEEHOUSES. IT WAS LIKE A BIG MYSTERY TO US. BUT I THINK WE ALL WOULD SNEAK A LOOK IN THERE WHEN WE'D WALK BY. THERE WAS NOTHING UNUSUAL GOING ON. MEN DRINKING COFFEE, PLAYING CARDS, READING GREEK NEWSPAPERS.

CON SKEDROS: I REMEMBER THE STADIUM COFFEEHOUSE ACROSS FROM THE CAPITAL THEATRE. NOTICES WERE POSTED IN COFFEEHOUSES STATING DEATHS ETC. COFFEEHOUSES WERE ALSO POST OFFICES BECAUSE MANY WERE TRANSIENT. IT WAS THE ONLY PERMANENT ADDRESS IN SLC.

MARY DIAMANT: ...AND IT WAS A MECCA FOR GREEKS BECAUSE THE CHURCH WAS DOWN THE STREET. GRANDPA WOULD HAVE STEW ON THE STOVE. THEY PLAYED CARDS AND WOULD GET READY FOR CHURCH.

NARRATOR: Although many Greek immigrants still considered their tenure in Utah as temporary, establishing a church early on was a necessary avenue of protection from America's often hostile cultural environment.

On Sunday, October 29, 1905, the first Greek Orthodox Church in Utah was dedicated. They called it the Holy Trinity Church of Salt Lake City. While today it stands on the corner of 3rd West and 3rd South, it was originally located at 439 West 400 South.

NARRATOR: Greek immigrant life flourished in Salt Lake City's Greek Town although many Greek laborers also worked and lived in the surrounding areas of Magna, Garfield, Tooele, Murray and Midvale. Carbon County, where thirty mines worked three shifts, lured immigrant workers as did the railroad in Ogden. All told, however, it was the Bingham mining district where the greatest number of Greek immigrants first settled.

NARRATOR: Bingham was a melting pot in 1910 with over 40 different ethnic groups.

Each nationality had its own stores, restaurants, lodges, coffeehouses, churches, bath houses, saloons and pool halls.

JOHN CHIPIAN: TO ME BINGHAM WAS COSMOPOLITAN WITH MANY NATIONALITIES. WE ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OTHER, WE HELPED EACH OTHER. WE NEVER LOCKED THE DOORS. IF WE NEEDED SOMETHING WE'D RUN NEXT DOOR, GET IT AND LEAVE A NOTE.

NARRATOR: Bingham Canyon, a town attached to a mine had one long, narrow umbilical cord called Main Street. This twisting, turning thoroughfare served as both entrance and exit.

LOUIS CONONELOS: WE'RE ON THE FAR WEST END OF THE MINE. IN THE DISTANCE YOU CAN SEE SL VALLEY. ONE OF THE TOWNS ON THE SOUTHERN END WAS COPPERFIELD. AT THE BASE WAS BINGHAM TOWN, AND TO THE FAR NORTH THERE WAS A LARGE TOWN CALLED HIGHLAND BOY.

MARY DIAMANT: IF YOU WERE APPROACHING FROGTOWN FROM SLC YOU WOULD FIRST COME UP THE MOUNTAIN SIDE ON TWO LANE, CURVEY ROAD. YOU WOULD GET TO FROGTOWN FIRST AND THAT'S WHERE WE LIVED. FURTHER UP WAS MARKHAM AND THEN FURTHER TO CARR FORK AND THEN THE ROAD FORKS TO CARR FORK AND HIGHLAND BOY AND LEFT TO COPPERFIELD.

ELLEN FURGIS: COPPERFIELD WAS A ONE STREET TOWN WITH LITTLE TRIBUTARIES AT THE END OF IT. THERE WERE LITTLE PODS OF MEXICANS LIVING IN DINKEYVILLE, JAPANESE LIVING IN JAP CAMP AND ITALIANS LIVING IN WOP CAMP AND GREEKS LIVING IN GREEK CAMP.

MARY DIAMANT: THE HOUSES WERE BUILT AS CLOSE TO THE ROAD AS THEY COULD POSSIBLY BE. AND IN FACT ONE TIME SHIRLEY TEMPLE VISITED AND WAS SO SURPRISED TO SEE THE NARROWNESS OF THE STREET. SHE SAID THE DOGS DON'T WAG THEIR TAILS SIDE TO SIDE, THEY HAVE TO WAG THEM UP AND DOWN BECAUSE THERE WAS NO ROOM FOR THEM. IT WAS TRUE BECAUSE IT WAS A VERY NARROW STREET.

BILL DROSSOS: AND WHEN YOU PLAYED BALL, HOME BASE WAS ON THE LEVEL, 1ST BASE WAS ON THE HILLSIDE, 2ND BASE ON THE LEVEL AND 3RD BASE ON THE OTHER HILLSIDE.

MARY DIAMANT: MARCHING IN THE 4TH OF JULY PARADES WE WENT 4 ABREAST. THAT WAS ALL YOU COULD FIT GOING UP THAT STREET.

ELLEN FURGIS: I REMEMBER WE LIVED IN A 3 ROOM HOUSE THAT WAS HALF AS BIG AS THIS ROOM AND WE HAD A SMALL KITCHEN, LIVING ROOM AND A BEDROOM. THE RENT WAS $14 A MONTH.

NARRATOR: In nearby Carbon country, early immigrant life was pretty much the same.

VIRGINIA POULOS: THEY WOULD WORK FROM AM TO PM ON COAL CARS AND THEY WOULD SIT INSIDE WAITING TO HAND LOAD ONE CAR BY HAND BECAUSE THEY WERE PAID BY TONAGE. THEY WERE ASSIGNED A CAR AND THEY WERE WEIGHED WHEN THEY CAME OUT OF THE MINE.

THEY WOULD WORK FOR $1, MAYBE $2 AT THE MOST BUT THEY WERE HAPPY TO RECEIVE THAT BECAUSE THE PRICE OF GROCERIES. MILK WOULD BE 3-5 CENTS, BREAD 5 CENTS, PORK CHOPS 3 LBS FOR 25 CENTS, BUTTER 10 CENTS. AND THEN THEY RAISED GARDENS FOR CANNING AND CHICKENS.

NARRATOR: By 1912, the majority of Greek immigrants were still working in the Bingham mining district, the Carbon County metal and coal mines and in Ogden on railroad gangs. Resentful of having to pay Leonidas Skliris for their jobs, the miners decided to go on strike.

LOUIS CONONELOS: THE STRIKE OF 1912 STARTED IN BINGHAM MINING DISTRICT IN SEPT. WHEN THE WESTERN FEDERATION OF MINERS ORGANIZED THE DISTRICT. THREE REASONS FOR THE STRIKE. 1. AN IMPROVEMENT IN WAGES, THE MINERS WANTED AN INCREASE AND THE COMPANY ONLY OFFERED AN INCREASE OF 25 CENTS/DAY. 2. THEY WANTED RECOGNITION OF THE UNION. 3) THE REASON GREEKS JOINED THE STRIKE WAS TO GET RID OF THE LABOR AGENT SYSTEM WHICH THE COMPANY DENIED OPERATED.

HELEN PAPANIKOLAS: THEY WANTED SKLIRIS TO BE REMOVED AS THEIR LABOR AGENT AND IT WAS DIFFICULT BECAUSE THE MINE MANAGERS THOUGHT HE WAS A GREAT MAN WHO PROVIDED THEM WITH WORKERS AND STRIKEBREAKERS.

NICK BAPIS: DURING THE STRIKE THE FOREMAN WOULD MAN THE MINES AND MY DAD WOULD HAVE TO GO UP THE BACK WAY SO THE PICKETERS WOULDN'T BOTHER HIM.

LOUIS CONONELOS: THE STRIKE STARTED IN SEPT. AND ENDED IN NOV. BUT YOU HAD 4,000 WORKERS ON STRIKE IN BINGHAM DISTRICT AND ANOTHER 5,000 WORKERS ON STRIKE IN MILLS AND SMELTER.

IT HAD THE POTENTIAL TO BE UTAH'S LARGEST INDUSTRIAL CIVIL WAR WITH ARMED MINERS UP IN THE MINES AND THE UTAH NATIONAL GUARD AT THE BASE OF THE CANYON TRYING TO KEEP PEACE.

NARRATOR: While the strike fizzled with the raise in pay denied and the Federation not recognized, it did achieve great importance for the immigrants. The power of Skliris was finally broken. Greeks for the first time since arriving in America felt a sense freedom.

With life lacking in the basic comforts, the young bachelors who found they needed to stay in America longer than originally thought, decided it was time to settle down and marry. Unfortunately, women were few and far between.

The young bachelors took to writing letters to relatives in Greece asking for help in finding suitable wives. The relatives in turn sent back pictures of young women. Matches were made and these women, called picture brides, were bound for America ready to marry men they hardly knew.

MIKE HIMONAS: MY MOTHER'S MARRIAGE WAS ARRANGED BY FAMILY FRIEND. THEY TOLD MY MOTHER THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA. SHE AGREED. I DON'T KNOW IF SHE WOULD HAVE ANY CHOICE.

ATHENA KONTAS: IT WASN'T LIKE NOW WHEN KIDS FALL IN LOVE. WE JUST HAD TO GET USED TO IT. LOVE CAME AFTER WE WERE MARRIED.

DEACON PETER: MY MOM WAS 16 AND MY DAD WAS 32. WHEN HE CAME TO THE HOUSE AND TOLD MY MOTHER THIS IS GOING TO BE YOUR HUSBAND, SHE SAID THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE MY HUSBAND. HE'S AN OLD MAN. THEY FINALLY CONVINCED HER AND SHE WAS SCARED WHEN SHE CAME TO UTAH WITH THIS OLD MAN IN A STRANGE COUNTRY. SHE SAID I LIVED WITH YOUR FATHER FOR 61 YEARS BEFORE HE DIED AND I COULD NEVER ASK FOR A BETTER HUSBAND.

HELEN PAPANIKOLAS: THE FIRST GREEK WOMEN WHO CAME HERE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME UNLESS THEY LIVED IN GREEK NEIGHBORHOODS AND GREEK TOWNS TO HELP EACH OTHER. BUT SO MANY OF THEM WERE IN MINING TOWNS, RR CAMPS AND OFTEN THE ONLY WOMAN WITH 2,000 MEN. ALMOST ALL OF THEM HAD TO TAKE IN BOARDERS BECAUSE MANAGEMENT DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE HOUSING. IT WAS AN OBLIGATION THAT YOU DIDN'T LET A 'PATRIOTIS' BE HOMELESS. AND SO THESE WOMEN OFTEN HAD 10-20 MEN THEY HAD TO COOK FOR.

ONE WOMAN, MRS. KOULAR BOARDED 40 MEN. THE MEN WOULD COME IN THE AM AND WHILE EATING BREAKFAST, THEY WOULD MAKE THEIR LUNCH AND THEN THEY WOULD GO OFF TO THE MINES. WHEN THEY CAME BACK THEY HAD THEIR MAIN MEAL READY OR THEM. THEY HAD 2 CHAIRS IN THE HOUSE, THE MEN ATE STANDING UP.

ELLEN FURGIS: MY MOTHER WOULD ALWAYS COOK A LITTLE EXTRA FOOD AND SHE WOULD ALWAYS SAY THAT MAYBE DAD WOULD BRING SOMEONE HOME. AND THERE WERE A LOT OF BACHELORS UP THERE AND THEY WOULD ALL COME TO DINNER. MAYBE 2 ONE DAY, 1 ANOTHER AND I LOVED THEM TO COME BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS BROUGHT CANDY.

NICK BAPIS EVERY NIGHT MY DAD'S BACHELOR FRIENDS WOULD COME OVER WHEN WE LIVED IN MIDVALE. AFTER DINNER THEY WOULD TALK ABOUT STORIES IN GREECE AND THE WAR AT THE TIME. THEY WOULD TALK ABOUT THE GUERILLAS, AND BEING OUT WITH THE SHEEP FOR DAYS. THEY WOULD HAVE SOME SNACKS AND CHEESE AND SOMETIMES I COULD SENSE THAT ALTHOUGH MY MOTHER WOULD WELCOME THEM, SHE WAS GETTING TIRED OF IT. I CAN NOW SEE HOW IT WOULD BE CUMBERSOME TO HAVE VISITORS EVERY NIGHT.

PENNY SAMPINOS: PEOPLE NEEDED A PLACE TO GO, NEEDED A FAMILY AND IT WASN'T JUST OUR FAMILY, IT WAS ALL THE GREEK FAMILIES. WE TOOK CARE OF THE ONES WHO DIDN'T HAVE A FAMILY IN TOWN.

MARY DIAMANT: I HONESTLY DON'T REMEMBER GROWING UP IN BINGHAM WHERE THE NUCLEUS OF FAMILY SAT DOWN TO HAVE DINNER. WE ALWAYS HAD A GUEST. IT MADE NO DIFFERENCE AND MOM ALWAYS HAD LAUNDRY FROM EVERYONE. WE WOULD BAKE BREAD, 12-14 LOAVES IN AN OLD COAL STOVE.

JEANINE TIMOTHY: . . . NOT ONLY DID THEY COOK AND CLEAN, BUT THEY SPUN THE WOOL, THEY MADE THE CLOTHES, SEWED THE CLOTHES. WASHED BY HAND.

48. MARY PAPPASIDERIS CHACHAS: MANY GREEKS HAD CLOSE BACHELOR FRIENDS. MANY CAME HERE AND NEVER MARRIED. WE HAD A CLOSE FRIEND WHO WAS NOT RELATED TO US. JIM POULAS DROVE A TAXI WHEN MY UNCLE WORKED FOR THE CONONELOS STORE IN NEVADA. JIM POULAS WAS A HANDY MAN. WE HAD AN OLD PIERCE ARROW . . .JIM WAS THE CHAUFFER AND HANDYMAN. HE TOOK ALL HIS MEALS WITH US AND WAS OUR NANNY WHEN WE WERE YOUNG. HE WATCHED OUT FOR US.

NARRATOR: Although Greek women labored tirelessly in their homes, life in America offered a new sense of freedom. Greek families chose to live near each other in Greek Towns.

Greeks in Magna first settled in Ragtown then moved to the west side of town.

Greeks in Helper lived near the Helper school and in North Helper.

In Price they lived on Carbon Avenue, and in Salt Lake and Ogden, near the railyards.

Greeks also lived in Murray, Midvale and of course, Bingham Canyon.

HELEN PAPANIKOLAS: THE WOMEN BROUGHT THEIR CULTURE, SUPERSTITIONS, PROVERBS AND THAT'S WHEN IMMIGRANT LIFE REALLY BEGAN - ALTHOUGH THE MEN BUILT THE CHURCHES.

NARRATOR: The coming of the brides and the marriages that followed paved the way for the second Greek Orthodox Church in 1916. The church, located in Price, was dedicated on August 15, the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and hence, its name, The Assumption.

Now with wives and children on the way, life changed dramatically for Greek immigrants. After years of working in the Carbon County coal camps, some men had saved enough money to buy a small herd of sheep. Others who worked for established Basque and Scandinavian sheep men were given sheep as pay and were now able to be on their own. With vast stretches of land unsettled, many immigrants took up the life they left behind in Greece.

HELEN PAPANIKOLAS: THE SHEEP MEN ARE AMONG MY FAVORITE PEOPLE. IN THE EARLY YEARS THE SHEEP MEN IN CARBON COUNTRY HAD BEEN MINERS AND THEY COULDN'T WAIT TO GET OUT OF THE MINES AND BACK TO THE OCCUPATION THEIR FAMILIES SAID THEY WOULD NEVER FOLLOW.

JOHN H. MAHLERES: THERE WERE ABOUT 35 DIFFERENT GREEK SHEEP MEN. AND THEY MADE ARRANGEMENTS AMONG THEMSELVES AS TO WHERE THEY WOULD GRAZE SO THE SHEEP WOULDN'T GET MIXED. THERE WERE NO WALLS. ALL THE IMMIGRANTS DID THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO BLM THEN.

AT THAT TIME THERE WERE 3-400 THOUSAND HEAD OF SHEEP IN CARBON COUNTY. AS OF TODAY, MAYBE 7-8 THOUSAND HEAD. ONLY ABOUT 3 PRETTY GOOD SIZED HERDS LEFT TODAY.

MIKE HIMONAS: THE SHEEP BUSINESS IS VERY DEMANDING, 24 HOUR HERDING SITUATION, CONSTANTLY ON THE MOVE. YOU HAVE TO DETERMINE THEIR FEED SITUATION AND WHEN YOU HAVE TO MOVE THEM.

JOHN MAHLERES: YOU COULDN'T GO OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WERE LAMBING AND SHEERING. YOU HAD TO BE THERE ALL THE TIME. YOU'D GET UP AT 3 OR 4 AM AND BE THERE ALL THE TIME TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. IF YOU WEREN'T THERE AND YOU LOST A LAMB, YOU'D BE OUT OF LUCK. EVERY HOUR YOU HAD SOMETHING TO DO IN THE BUSINESS, BUT IT WAS ENJOYABLE. WE LIKED IT. I LIKED IT BUT IT WAS A LOT OF HARD WORK.

NARRATOR: Like Bingham Canyon, Carbon County was a melting pot with people from all walks of life. Price and Helper each had one main street full of restaurants, grocery stores, movie houses, saloons and shops.

VIRGINIA POULOS: I GREW UP IN KENILWORTH. IT WAS FUN BECAUSE OUR PARENTS WERE FRIENDS AND WE PLAYED AND CREATED OUR OWN ENTERTAINMENT. SO MANY OF US; LOTS OF GREEK FAMILIES.

ELAINE BAPIS: GOING TO PRICE TO ME WAS LIKE GOING TO A WHOLE NEW COUNTRY LIKE EUROPE. IT WAS SUCH A MIXTURE OF PEOPLE THERE AND WARM PEOPLE. WE WOULD GO TO MY UNCLES GOAT RANCH, COLLECT ARROWHEADS AND THEN GO TO EVERYONES HOUSE AND HAVE GREEK FOOD.

NARRATOR: In those days, midwives and folk practitioners were often called upon rather than the mine and mill doctors. Superstitions like the evil eye, folk cures and dream books to interpret dreams were all part of the Greek culture.

MARY CHACHAS: MY MOTHER WOULD HAVE A DREAM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THE FIRST THING SHE WOULD DO WAS BRING OUT HER DREAM INTERPRETER.

ANDY KATSANEVAS: THERE WERE A LOT OF SUPERSTITIONS FROM OLD COUNTRY. MOTHER TOLD US ABOUT THEM. WE WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO PRIMP OURSELVES IN THE MIRROR AFTER DARK. I GOT THE EVIL EYE. I GOT SICK AND A LADY CURED ME OF IT. SHE PUT A CROSS INTO A GLASS OF OIL. IF THE CROSS SANK I'D BE CURED. I GOT THE EVIL EYE OFTEN.

MARY CHACHAS: MY MOTHER KNEW ABOUT THE EVIL EYE. IT'S NOT THAT YOU LOOK AT SOMETHING WRONG, IT IS THAT YOU ARE OVERLY COMPLIMENTARY OF SOMETHING. OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CHILD. YOU ARE MARKING THEM. THEY DID BELIEVE IN THE EVIL EYE.

NARRATOR: The busy life of the Greek immigrants and their distinctive customs slowly but surely meshed with the natives.

Then came World War I and everything changed. Greek immigrants were suddenly viewed with fear and loathing. This reached hysterical proportions when America entered the war.

HELEN PAPANIKOLAS: THE FIRST WORLD WAR WAS VERY DISRUPTIVE TO GREEK LIFE BECAUSE THE GREEK MEN, STILL YOUNG, CONSIDERED THEMSELVES SOJOURNERS. THEY WERE TO GO BACK TO GREECE. NOT AMERICAN CITIZENS. YET THEY WERE EXPECTED TO REPORT AND FIGHT FOR THE US AND IN THE MEANTIME THEIR SISTERS WERE WAITING FOR DOWRIES AND PARENTS FOR HELP.

NARRATOR: Greeks were targeted for their supposedly unpatriotic behavior. Businesses were charged higher licensing fees, others threatened with closure.

Greeks, however, did everything they could to help with the war effort. In fact although many young Greeks were drafted or volunteered, they were still thought of as aliens who would not do their part.

HELEN PAPANIKOLAS: THEY BOUGHT WAR BONDS, BRING OUT THE COAL RALLIES. GREEKS BOUGHT MORE BONDS THAN ANY OTHER NATIONALITY AND THAT IS DOCUMENTED.

NARRATOR: After 4 years, WWI ended making it even more difficult for Greeks to return to Greece. Life in America took on a sense of permanence. As Greeks sought citizenship, their efforts were denied. For in claiming exemption from the war, their applications for citizenship were put on hold for 5 years.

Then after the war the National Organization of the American Legion demanded a compulsory education program for all aliens.

HELEN PAPANIKOLAS: . . .THEY FORCED CONGRESS TO PASS THE COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAW ALTHOUGH MOST IMMIGRANTS REJECTED IT EXCEPT THE JAPANESE. THE GREEKS SAID THEY WERE TOO TIRED AT NIGHT TO GO TO SCHOOL. THE IDEA WAS HUMILIATING.

NARRATOR: Although Greeks in Salt Lake organized the Hellenic Post #40 of the American Legion, the National Organization continued their dislike of the Greeks, singling them out for clinging to their native language, establishing Greek schools for their children and reading Greek newspapers in coffeehouses. An increasing number of anti-immigrant editorials appeared in the newspapers. But it was the children who often suffered the most.

ANDY KATSANEVAS: LIFE OF THE IMMIGRANTS WAS TOUGH IN THOSE DAYS, PEOPLE WITH HARD TO PRONOUNCE NAMES. THEY'D CALL YOU A DIRTY GREEK. I ALWAYS WONDERED WHY BECAUSE I WAS AS CLEAN AS THE OTHERS.

MARY DIAMANT: IN ONE OF OUR CLASSES A HOME LIVING TEACHER SAID THAT ON THE WEST SIDE YOU COULD FIND ANYTHING FROM A NEGRO DOWN TO A GREEK. AND I TOOK EXCEPTION TO THAT AND GOT CALLED TO THE OFFICE AND IT WAS NOT MUCH LONGER THAT SHE WAS NOT TEACHING AT EAST HIGH.

NARRAATOR: Although the children of Greek immigrants were born in the United States, they were often made to feel inferior to the natives. On one hand, they were eager to learn the American way, while on the other hand their parents felt it equally important for them to preserve their ethnic identity. Although Greek was spoken in the home, parents felt it important for their children to further their Greek education by attending Greek school. These classes were held after American school in the afternoon.

MARY CHACHAS: WE WENT TO GREEK SCHOOL EARLY AND BEGAN LEARNING AT HOME. MR. PRAGASTIS TAUGHT GREEK SCHOOL 2 DAYS A WEEK AND WE LEARNED TO READ AND WRITE.

JOHN CHIPIAN: THE GREEK SCHOOL WAS IN FROGTOWN AND THERE WERE 15 OF US IN CLASS. WE WOULD GO DOWN AFTER AMERICAN SCHOOL AND THAT WENT ON FOR 8 YEARS.

BILL DROSSOS: IT WAS A MUST TO LEARN THE LANGUAGE, THERE WERE NO IFS ANDS, OR BUTS ABOUT IT.

MARY CHACHAS: WE ESSENTIALLY HAD AN EXTERNAL LIFE AND AN INTERNAL LIFE IN A LOT OF WAYS. AN INTERNAL LIFE WITH THE GREEK LANGUAGE, CUSTOMS, CULTURE, FOOD AND EXTERNAL LIFE WHERE WE WERE AS AMERICAN AS ANYONE ELSE. JUST KIDS GROWING UP IN THIS COUNTRY.

NARRATOR: In the 1920's many Greeks had saved enough money to establish their own businesses and leave behind the low-labor jobs.

LOUIS CONONELOS: GREEKS HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE SPIRIT OF ECONOMIC ENTERPRISE. THEY ARE THE WORLD'S TRUE CAPITALISTS. ALL GREEKS HAD THE DESIRE TO MAKE MONEY TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES OR START OWN BUSINESSES OR TO SEND MONEY BACK HOME OR TO PROVIDE MONEY FOR DOWRIES. BUT ULTIMATELY TO GAIN ENOUGH WEALTH FOR FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE AND THAT'S BEEN PART OF THEIR CHARACTER THROUGH HISTORY.

ELLEN FURGIS: MY MOTHER SAVED ENOUGH AND GOT MY FATHER OUT OF THE MINE. THERE WOULD BE ACCIDENTS EVERY SO OFTEN AND THE WHISTLE WOULD GO OFF AND EVERYONE KNEW THERE HAD BEEN AN ACCIDENT. MY MOM COULDN'T TAKE THE STRESS ANYMORE AND SAVED HER MONEY AND BOUGHT HIM A BUICK. HE BECAME A TAXI DRIVER. SO THEN HE WAS AN ENTREPRENEUR. HE WOULD TAKE PEOPLE TO SLC FOR $5 ROUND TRIP.

MIKE KOROLOGOS: MY DAD LEFT THE MINE AND OPENED UP A BEER JOINT AT 4TH SOUTH AND STATE. AND THAT'S WHERE I GREW UP.

GUS BOODROOKAS

MY DAD STARTED AT THE RR AND THEN GOT HIMSELF A RESTAURANT. HE PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY MUCH MORE THAN $10 A MONTH FOR THE RESTAURANT.

NARRATOR: In 1922, with anti-immigrant editorials appearing in the newspapers, another mining strike, this time in Carbon County, exploded in turmoil. Condemned as un-American, Greeks who supported the cause were characterized as ingrates, unfit for American citizenship. The height, reached in 1924, coincided with the Ku Klux Klan attacks.

HELEN PAPANIKOLAS: I REMEMBER AS A YOUNG GIRL STANDING AT THE KITCHEN WINDOW IN HELPER WITH MY MOM AND SISTERS LOOKING AT CROSS BURNING ON A MOUNTAIN SIDE.

THE NEXT NIGHT THERE WAS A CROSS BURNING ON THE RAILYARD, CLOSER TO US AND WE WERE FEARFUL BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

BILL DROSSOS: THEY GOT WORD THAT THE KKK WAS GOING TO COME DOWN AND RUN ALL THE GREEK AND ITALIANS OUT OF BUSINESS IN BINGHAM. THEY GOT WIND OF IT AND THEY ARMED THEMSELVES AND GOT READY FOR THEM. WHEN THE KKK HEARD THE GREEKS WERE PREPARED, IT DISSOLVED. BUT THERE WAS DISSENTION AGAINST THE GREEKS FOR NOT BEING WANTED.

NARRATOR: During the Klan's heightened activity, the Castle Gate Mine number Two exploded on March 8, 1924, killing 171 men. There were fifty Greeks among the dead who left 19 widows and 41 children.

HELEN PAPANIKOLAS: THAT WAS SO HORRIBLE. I RECALL STANDING OUTSIDE OUR HOUSE IN HELPER, A BEAUTIFUL COLD DAY IN MARCH. WE HEARD FIRST ONE WHISTLE, THEN ANOTHER FROM ALL THE MINES AROUND HELPER. THERE WERE ABOUT 28 SMALL MINES. THE TOWN WHISTLE WAS BLOWING. PEOPLE WERE RUNNING THROUGH CASTLE GATE WHICH WAS 2 MILES FROM HELPER. LATER MY DAD DROVE US THERE AND THE DEBRIS WAS STREWN ALL OVER.

THE CHILDREN OF THE DEAD MINERS WITH THEIR CLOTHES DYED BLACK, THE BOYS WITH BLACK SHIRTS, THE GIRLS BLACK DRESSES AND RIBBONS. THAT BLACK DYE HAS A CERTAIN ODOR AND I'VE NEVER FORGOTTEN IT AND IT WAS SO TERRIBLE THAT OTHER CHILDREN WOULD CHANT SAYING ORPHAN, ORPHAN, YOUR DAD GOT KILLED.

MOST OF THESE WOMEN WERE GIVEN A CHOICE BY THE MINE COMPANY. THEY WOULD PAY THEIR WAY BACK TO GREECE. ONLY 4 WOMEN DECIDED TO GO BACK TO CRETE. THE REST SAID NO. WE WILL STAY HERE BECAUSE OUR CHILDREN WILL GET AN EDUCATION.

NARRATOR: The 1920's were the prime of Greek immigrant life. Many families were now leaving the Greek towns for better neighborhoods. The Panhellenic unions were disbanded and new organizations took their place. Among these were the American Hellenic Progressive Association, known as Ahepa and GAPA, the Greek American Progressive Association.

CON SKEDROS: AHEPA IN THE 1920'S HAD THE GOAL OF EDUCATING IMMIGRANTS TO BECOME CITIZENS. COUNTER MOVEMENT WAS GAPA WHICH BELIEVED THAT GREEKS SHOULD BECOME CITIZENS BUT NOT FORGET THE GREEK PART OF CULTURE. AHEPA WAS MORE FOR THE BUSINESSMEN, GAPA FOR BLUE COLLAR WORKERS. TODAY AHEPA SURVIVES, GAPA LARGELY GONE.

NARRATOR: In 1929 the stock market crash ripped through the economy. No one was left untouched. Mines closed as did many businesses.

JOHN CHIPIAN: THE CRASH WAS SERIOUS FOR OUR FAMILY. MONEY WAS TIGHT. DAD HAD TROUBLE GETTING CREDIT FROM WHOLESALERS. WE SCRIMPED AND SAVED.

THE DEPRESSION FOR US WAS A MATTER OF HELPING EACH OTHER OUT. WE'D PITCH IN AND BAIL EACH OTHER OUT. WHEN MY DAD COULDN'T PAY THE CREDITORS, THEY CLOSED THE STORE.

NARRATOR: With the onset of World War II, many Greek Americans rallied to the cause. In all, approximately 600 Utah Greek Americans served, 22 lost their lives.

After the war, America lifted its immigration quota of 1921 that limited the number of Greeks coming to America. John Sampinos, for one, left Greece in 19__ to join relatives in Carbon County and start a new life. Before long his new business venture became an institution on Price's Main Street.

JOHN SAMPINOS: I HAD A CONFECTIONARY THAT SERVED COFFEE, SANDWICHES, MAGAZINES FOR 23 YEARS.

NICK SAMPINOS: I THINK THE HIGH SPOT WAS A MODERN DAY COFFEEHOUSE WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD MEET ON A DAILY BASIS TO DISCUSS BUSINESS, POLITICS AND ISSUES THE LOCAL OFFICIALS WERE FACING.

JOHN MAHLERES: . . . AND WE'D TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AND WHAT'S NOT AND HOPEFULLY THINGS WOULD GET BETTER. WE'D ASK WHERE YOU TOOK YOUR SHEEP OR COWS. IT WAS RANCH STYLE TALK AND WE WOULD MEET THERE WHICH IS GOOD BECAUSE IF LEFT US WITH A LOT OF MEMORIES.

NICK SAMPINOS: ONE THING I RECALL WAS THE OLD TIMERS, THE BACHELORS. SOME IN THEIR 70'S OR 80'S AND I REMEMBER MAKING TELEPHONE CALLS FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO MAKE LD PHONE CALLS TO THEIR RELATIVES. I REMEMBER ADDRESSING ENVELOPES TO THEIR RELATIVES IN GREECE BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T WRITE.

NICK SAMPINOS: . . . AT ANY TIME YOU'D HEAR A NUMBER OF LANGUAGES SPOKEN. THAT'S WHAT I REMEMBER THE MOST AND WHAT IS MISSING FROM THE MODERN DAY CAFÉ SCENE.

NARRATOR: Nowadays Greek towns are long gone; the coffeehouses closed. Greeks today keep alive the organizations that represent the provinces, but they are not so eager to join the general lodges. They see no need. To them the church is the binding force of ethnic life.

JIM SKEDROS: PERHAPS TO AN OUTSIDER ORTHODOXY MAY SEEM EXOTIC WITH ITS SACRAMENTS AND BUILDINGS. AND THAT MAY SET SOME PEOPLE OFF SAYING THEY DON'T BELONG. BUT ORTHODOXY IS VERY OPEN. HOWEVER ONE OF THE MARKERS OF AN ORTHODOX COMMUNITY IS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND BELONGING. IT'S DUE TO THE ETHNIC MAKEUP OF THE ORTHODOX COMMUNITY. IT'S THAT SENSE OF SHARING OF A CULTURE WITH THE NEXT PERSON. IT HAS A SENSE OF TURNING INWARDS.

NARRATOR: The early Greeks in forming an ethnic identity were not out to isolate themselves from mainstream America. Rather it was an attempt to create a community where they could perpetuate their language, their culture and their religion. After all it was the church that held the Greek Orthodox people together through its 400 years of Turkish rule.

JIM SKEDROS: GREEK ORTHODOXY IS ONE OF MANY ORTHODOX CHURCHES IN WORLD. ALL SHARE SAME BELIEF IN JESUS CHRIST AND TRACE THEIR ROOTS BACK TO APOSTLES. SOME OF THE BASIC TENENTS OF ORTHODOXY ARE BELIEF IN JC, THAT JC WAS CRUCIFIED, THAT HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD, THE TOMB WAS EMPTY ETC.

NARRATOR: The classic architecture of many Orthodox churches is Byzantine with a square on the ground level, a cross on the second and a dome on the third level. The entry section is called the narthex, the nave is for worship and the sanctuary holds the alter.

JEANINE TIMOTHY: CUSTOMARILY WHEN WE WALK INTO CHURCH ON SUNDAY WE ENTER THE NARTHEX AND LIGHT OUR CANDLE SYMBOLIC THAT CHRIST IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. AND WE VENERATE THE ICON. DO THE CROSS AND KISS THE ICON.

NARRATOR: Icons play an important role in the Orthodox faith. They adorn the churches through stained glass windows, paintings, and mosaics. They teach about the faith and the saints.

JEANINE TIMOTHY: THE ICONS ARE NOT A RENDITION OF THE SAINT, THEY SHOW US WHAT THE SAINT IS IMPORTANT FOR. ICONS ALSO HAVE LONG STRAIGHT NOSES AND SMALL MOUTHS. SMALL MOUTH MEANS WE DON'T NEED TO SAY MUCH, LARGE EYES TO WATCH OUT FOR TRUTH. THE REST SHOWS WHAT THE SAINT IS IMPORTANT FOR.

ELAINE BAPIS: ICONS IN EARLY CHRISTIAN DAYS WERE A WAY TO EDUCATE PEOPLE WHO COULDN'T READ. GIVE ACCESS TO RELIGIOUS HISTORY WITHOUT WORDS.

FATHER DAN: ICONS ARE WINDOWS TO HEAVEN. THE EARLY CHURCH BELIEVED IN A COMMUNITY OF SAINTS. VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE DIMENSION. HEAVEN IS NOT A FAR AWAY PLACE. IT IS CRUCIAL FOR US TO KNOW THAT WHEN WE WORSHIP WE ENTER THE INVISIBLE DIMENSION.

ICONS ARE HELPFUL IN THAT THEY POINT TO THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND. GIVES ME AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THE INVISIBLE DIMENSION IS SO REAL.

WHEN I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THIS TO MY KIDS WHEN THEY WERE SMALL, I WENT OUT OF THE HOUSE. BEFORE I LEFT I SAID THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE IS THE INVISIBLE DIMENSION. THE INSIDE OF THE HOUSE IS THE VISIBLE DIMENSION. I SAID WHEN I GO OUTSIDE I WANT YOU TO KISS ME. SO I WENT OUTSIDE AND PUT MY FACE ON THE WINDOW AND THEY KISSED ME. I WENT BACK INSIDE AND ASKED WHO THEY HAD KISSED. THEY TOUCHED THE WINDOW, BUT THEY KISSED ME.

NARRATOR: In all Greek Orthodox churches, Icons adorn the alter screen. Christ is always on the right, the Virgin and child on the left and John the Baptist appears in camels hair. The icon immediately to the right of Virgin Mary is always the icon representing the particular church. Other icons include Saint George on a white horse destroying the dragon, Saint Demetrios on a brown horse spearing the Anti-Christ and the archangels Michael and Gabriel. The Last Supper is always above the center door, known as the Royal Gate.

While church icons are arranged in a standard pattern, additional icons appear in other parts of the interior. Ogden's Transfiguration Church, dedicated in 1964, depicts the life of Christ through its stained glass windows.

DEACON PETER: THERE ARE ELEVEN STAINED GLASS WINDOWS.

WE START WITH THE FIRST WINDOW AND IT'S THE ANNUNCIATION WITH GABRIELE COMING TO THE VIRGIN MARY. THEN THE NEXT EVENT WAS HIS BIRTH. THE NEXT EVENT WHEN THEY TOOK HIM TO THE TEMPLE AS A BABE. NEXT EVENT HIS BAPTISM. NEXT EVENT IS HIS TRANSFIGURATION IN THE BIG WINDOW. THE EVENT AFTER IS HIS COMING INTO JERUSELUM ON A DONKEY. HIS LAST SUPPER, HIS PASSIONS, HIS CRUCIFICATION, HIS RESURRECTION AND ASCENTION.

NARRATOR: The Greeks have many old and magnificent religious celebrations. The most important event is that of Pascha, or Easter.

JEANINE TIMOTHY: EASTER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT HOLY DAY IN ORTHODOX CHURCH BECAUSE WITHOUT THE RESURECTION THERE WOULD BE NO CHRISTIANITY.

BECAUSE EASTER IS SO IMPORTANT YOU CAN'T JUST GO ALONG NORMALLY AND SUDDENLY HAVE THIS SUNDAY COME ALONG. OH THIS IS EASTER. YOU NEED A LOT OF PREPARATION AND SPIRITUAL PREP. FOR 40 DAYS WE FAST FROM CERTAIN FOODS. WE NEED TO PREPARE OURSELVES BECAUSE IF CHRIST SUFFERED FOR US, WE CAN ALSO DEPRIVE OURSELF IN ORDER TO FOCUS ON SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT.

NARRATOR: Reliving Christ's final days is what Holy Week is all about for Orthodox Christians. On Holy Thursday, eggs are dyed red to represent the blood of Christ.

NARRATOR: On Holy Friday night Christ's flowered tomb is carried around the church to the singing of dirges.

JEANINE TIMOTHY: AND THEN RESURECTION SERVICE WHICH STARTS AT MIDNIGHT FIRST THING SUN MORN. HE HAS RISEN. IT'S A WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. IF YOU REALLY PUT YOUR HEART INTO THE PREPARATION, THE EASTER SERVICE IS BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT THERE AS AN OBSERVER, YOU ARE A PARTICIPANT.

NARRATOR: Like most other Americans, Greeks observe traditional holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween. But for Greek-Americans, March 25 is their Fourth of July, Independence Day. On this day, in 1821, the Greeks began their 7-year revolt for independence after 400 years of Turkish occupation. This day also coincides with the Annunciation which symbolically represents freedom for Greek Americans.

Today, Greek-Americans remember the past and celebrate their good fortune. Greek school children dress in native costume and recite poems and stories in their native language.

NARRATOR: Time-honored customs, rituals and traditions are very much a part of Greek Orthodox weddings.

JEANINE TIMOTHY: OUR BRIDES AND GROOMS DO NOT GO TO THE CHURCH TO PROCLAIM THEIR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER. BY THE TIME THEY GET THERE THEY BETTER BE READY FOR THIS AND IT IS CHRIST WHO WILL UNITE THEM.

WHEN A MAN AND WOMAN COME TOGETHER, THEY ARE CREATING THEIR OWN KINGDOM OF CHRIST. THE PRAYERS AT THE WEDDING TEACH US THAT CHRIST IS NOW THE HEAD. AS THE NEW QUEEN AND KING THEY WILL FOLLOW HIM AND CREATE THEIR OWN KINGDOM. IN THE WEDDING THEY ARE CROWNED AND THEY ARE CONNECTED BY A RIBBON SO THEY ACT TOGETHER. THEY BECOME AS ONE. AS BRIDE AND GROOM THEY ARE LED AROUND A TABLE THAT HOLDS THE WINE, THE BIBLE, THEY ARE LED BY THE PRIEST. HE HOLDS THE BRIDE AND GROOMS HANDS AND THE BEST MAN HOLDS THE RIBBON. AS A GROUP THEY GO AROUND 3 TIMES SYMBOLIC OF THE TRINITY. THEY SIP FROM ONE CUP OF WINE.

AND THE RINGS ARE PLACED ON THE RIGHT HANDS BECAUSE CHRIST SITS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FATHER. IN GREECE EVERYONE WEARS THEIR WEDDING RINGS ON THE RIGHT SIDE. IN AMERICA SOME CHANGE TO THE LEFT SIDE AS IT IS A CUSTOM IN AMERICA.

NARRATOR: When Greek-Americans put on lavish weddings, they are continuing years of tradition. In the homeland, Greek weddings were the happiest times in lives filled with hard work and few rewards.

NARRATOR: It is no understatement to say that Greek-Americans are proud of their heritage and nowhere is it more evident than at Utah's oldest ethnic block party, the annual Greek Festival held in Salt Lake for over 25 years. While this may be the oldest festival, Greeks in Ogden and Price hold similar celebrations offering delicious food, arts, crafts, cathedral tours and traditional dancing.

ANGEL SKEDROS: THERE'S A GREEK WORD USED OFTEN CALLED KEFFE, IT'S THE SPIRIT AND EXCITEMENT OF HOW PEOPLE ACT. WHEN YOU GREEK DANCE THERE IS SO MUCH KEFFE AND JOY. AND WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT GREEK DANCING IS YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO ASK YOU TO DANCE YOU CAN JUST JOIN IN.

THAT SAME SORT OF KEFFE WITH THE GREEK DANCING COMES IN WITH THE FESTIVAL. THERE'S A LOT OF HARD WORK THAT GOES INTO IT MONTHS AND MONTHS IN ADVANCE.

MARY DIAMANT: THE FESTIVAL STARTED AS A MOTHERS PHILANTHROPHIC FUNDRAISER. BOUGHT COAL AND GROCERIES ON MONEY RAISED UNTIL 1976 WHEN CHURCH SAID WE NEED A BIG FESTIVAL AND WE'VE BEEN GOING STRONG EVER SINCE.

MIKE KOROLOGOS: THE GREEK FESTIVAL IS IMPORTANT NOT SO MUCH FOR THE GREEKS, BUT FOR THE COMMUNITY. IT'S A COMMUNITY FESTIVAL.

ELLEN FURGIS: AND I THINK THAT'S WHY OUR FESTIVAL HERE HAS EXPERIENCED SUCH A FABULOUS SUCCESS. BECAUSE PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE THERE. THEY DON'T FEEL THREATENED. THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY WON'T BE RECEIVED. THAT'S WHY WHEN YOU FEED 50-60 THOUSAND OVER 3 DAYS, YOU KNOW THEY HAVE TO LOVE IT OR THEY WOULDN'T BE THERE.

NARRATOR: From the early immigrant's contributions building roads, railroads, and mining metals and coal to their significant entry into business, Greek-American success stories are a source of genuine pride.

From the early days of Politz's candy store and Rizos drugstores, to George Zeese's Success Markets and Louis Strike's Ajax presses. To Nick Papanikolas's Cannon/Papanikolas contruction company, Nick Vidalikis' Family Centers, Nickolas & Co, and Sargetakis' Silver State Suppliers, the Greek-American contributions are ubiquitous.

While the years have passed, people and places have changed one Greek-American business is still a well-known landmark on Salt Lake's Main Street. Lamb's Grill Café is the oldest continuously run restaurant in Utah. Since its opening in 1919, Lambs continues as a modern day gathering place for the downtown business community.

TED SPEROS: IT'S A GATHERING PLACE IN THE SENSE IT'S NOT THE SAME AS IT USED TO BE WITH 5 OR 6 PEOPLE WHO WOULD MEET EVERY MORNING FOR COFFEE OR LUNCH, NOT FOR BUSINESS, BUT FOR A FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP. NOW IT'S ALL BUSINESS.

NARRATOR: In the early days Greek-Americans opened a variety of restaurants, although, it was not a skill that came from the old country.

HELEN PAPANIKOLAS: I'VE ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED THAT PEOPLE THINK THE GREEK IMMIGRANTS HAD A SPECIAL APTITUDE FOR OPENING RESTAURANTS AND COOKING. THAT'S ENTIRELY WRONG. IN GREECE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH COOKING. THE CLOSEST THING WAS SLAUGHTERING A LAMB AND PUTTING IT ON A SPIT. THE WOMEN DID ALL THAT. BUT WHEN THEY CAME TO AMERERICA, MANY STARTED OUT WASHING DISHES. THEN THEY WERE GIVEN LITTLE JOBS IN THE KITCHEN MAKING SALADS AND FROM ONE THING TO ANOTHER THEY LEARNED TO COOK.

NARRATOR: From the Greek restaurants of yesterday to the fast food outlets of today, Greek-Americans have adapted well to a changing population.

CON SKEDROS: STARTING IN THE LATE 70'S FAST FOOD STARTED. KATSANEVAS INVOLVED WITH CROWN BURGERS. THEY ORIGINALLY TOOK OVER STADIUM CAFÉ AFTER OWNER LEFT FOR GREECE. THEN OPENED THE ATHENIAN ON 2ND SOUTH. AND THEN THEY GOT INTO FAST FOOD. ONCE THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL, OTHERS STARTED UP BY NEWER GREEK IMMIGRANTS. THE ASTRO BURGER, APOLLO BURGER, YANNIS, SOUVLAKI.

NARRATOR VOICE OVER: The Greek-American community today is thriving, vibrant and well educated. Thanks in part to the early values instilled by the immigrants.

MIKE KOROLOGOS: MY GENERATION OWES A LOT TO THE 1ST GENERATION. THEY CAME HERE PENNILESS. CAN YOU IMAGINE NOW GOING TO SOME COUNTRY WHERE YOU DON'T KNOW THE LANGUAGE AND STARTING FROM SCRATCH? THAT WAS GUTS FOOTBALL IN THOSE DAYS AND WE OWE A LOT TO THOSE OLD TIMERS FOR TEACHING US HOW TO WORK AND HOW TO GET EDUCATED AND THAT'S PAYING OFF.

BILL MOUSKONDIS: OUR FATHERS WERE HARD WORKERS AND LEFT LEGACY AND LET US KNOW THAT IF WE WANTED TO CONTRIBUTE, YOU HAD TO PAY THE PRICE TO DO THAT. THEY WOULD NOT TOLERATE US JUST BEING THERE. WE HAD TO PROVE WE HAD SOMETHING TO OFFER.

STAN KOURIS: THEY KNEW HOW IMPORTANT EDUCATION WAS. THAT WAS OUR DRIVE FROM DAY ONE. THERE WAS NO QUESTION WHEN WE GOT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL WE WOULD GO ONTO COLLEGE.

BESSIS MARKOS: AND I REMEMBER SOMETIMES THEY WOULD GET AGGREVATED WITH SCHOOL AND RESPONSIBILITY OF HOMEWORK. I REMEMBER TELLING THEM IF YOU DON'T WANT TO WORK THIS HARD, YOU'D BETTER GO TO SCHOOL.

MARY DIAMANT: OUR PARENTS ALWAYS SAID I WANT THINGS BETTER FOR YOU THAN I HAD AND YOU NEED AN EDUCATION. YOU HAD TO GO TO COLLEGE TO BE BETTER THAN ANYBODY ELSE AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

NARRATOR: Greek immigrants also wanted their children educated in the Greek culture. The thought was for them to learn the American way so they could do better, but learn the Greek language and history so they could stay Greek.

Although the majority of Greek-American students attend regular school, many also attend Greek school in the evening or on Saturday. Greek-American children can also attend the St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox School started in 1997. While so far it only goes up to third grade, it is hoped a new grade will be added each year.

MARGO SOTIRIOU: WE WELCOME ALL CHILDREN. THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT WHEN THEY COME HERE THEY ABIDE TO WHAT WE FEEL AN ORTHODOX SCHOOL SHOULD BE. WE GO TO CHURCH ONCE A WEEK, WE HAVE A PRIEST WHO COMES IN TO TALK WITH THE KIDS AND THEY LOVE IT. WE HAVE 2 GREEK SCHOOLTEACHERS. EVERYONE TAKES GREEK.

NARRATOR: Greek is in a class by itself - the oldest continuously spoken language, the language of art and eloquence, of philosophy and of the New Testament. Indeed, Greek-Americans have much to be proud of.

CHRIS METOS: WE TAKE PRIDE IN SAYING THAT WE HAVE SO MANY TRADITIONS AND WHAT GREECE HAS CONTRIBUTED TO DEMOCRACY. WE TAKE PRIDE IN SAYING THAT YOU CAN BE A GREEK FOR ONE DAY, COME TO THE FESTIVAL. WE SAY ANYONE EDUCATED HAS TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF GREECE BECAUSE OF THE GREEK ALPHABET IS RIGHT INTO THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. IF YOU HAVE BACKGROUND IN SOME KIND OF GREEK EITHER HISTORICALLY OR THROUGH LITERATURE, YOU ARE AHEAD OF THE GAME. SO A GREEK IS A GREEK SIMPLY BECAUSE IT EXISTS ALL OVER THE WORLD.

NARRATOR: As time goes on and we move further and further away from the days of early immigrants, Greek-Americans in Utah have discovered that keeping traditions alive requires a special effort.

CHRIS METOS: WE ORIGINATED THE MUSEUM TO DISPLAY THE HISTORY OF THE GREEK IMMIGRANTS IN UTAH AND AMERICA. WE WANTED TO SHOW PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT OF GREEK DECENDENTS. WE WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IN MOST SCHOOLS WE LEARN TEACHINGS OF CLASSICAL GREEK, ARISTOTLE ETC. WE ATTEMPTED TO CREATE EXHIBITS BEARING THOSE NAMES TO BRING THE PAST HISTORY TO THE MODERN ERA NOW. WE HAVE MINING EXHIBIT HERE AS MINING IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO GREEKS AND THE RR AND COAL AS THAT IS WHERE THEY GOT THEIR START.

SUNDEE LISTELLO: I THINK OUR COMMUNITY AS YOU GET FURTHER FROM THOSE WHO FIRST CAME YOU WANT TO GET CLOSER. THAT IS WHAT KEEPS US CLOSE AND PROUD AND PRESERVING OUR HISTORY NEEDS TO BE CARRIED ON WITH OTHER GENERATIONS.

MIKE KOROLOGOS: I'M GLAD TO SEE WE HAVE A MUSEUM DOWN THERE TO CARRY ON THE TRADITION. TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING, YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN.

NARRATOR: Although today the Greek-American community is strong and cohesive it is nevertheless concerned with problems of ethnic maintenance. At issue is whether or not the Greek Orthodox Church service should be in Greek, English or a combination of the two.

JIM SKEDROS: MY BEING 3RD GENERATION, IT IS THE BIG ISSUE FOR US NOT ONLY IN OUR HOUSEHOLD, BUT ALSO IN CHURCH. DO WE UNDERSTAND GREEK AT CHURCH, OR DO OUR CHILDREN? IT'S A BIG DEBATE IN CHURCH. HOW MUCH GREEK TO KEEP IN THE SERVICES AND HOW MUCH ENGLISH. MY OWN VIEW IS THAT IT WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF OVERTIME. IN A COUPLE MORE GENERATIONS, IT WON'T BE A BIG DEAL. ASSIMILIATION WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF FOR BETTER OR WORSE.

CON SKEDROS: AS I LOOK TO THE FUTURE, THE ORTHODOX CHURCH WILL SURVIVE BUT IT WILL BE DIFFERENT FROM 1950. WE MAY HAVE ALL ENGLISH GROUP AT PE, MAYBE SOME AT TRINITY IN GREEK, SOME ENGLISH. THE COMMUNITY HAS CHANGED WITH NEW DEMOGRAPHICS. IT IS VIABLE, BUT DIFFERENT.

NARRATOR: As we begin the 21st century, it seems the 4th generation Greek-Americans are zealously pursuing what could be considered a revival of cultural expression through Greek food, music and dancing.

ELAINE BAPIS: I'M FASCINATED BY THE 4TH GENERATION'S ENTHUSIASM FOR THE GREEK CULTURE. IT IS SUCH A CONTRAST TO HOW I GREW UP.

NICK SMART: MY PARENTS GENERATION CAME OF AGE WHEN IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SEPARATE FROM TRADITION WHEN RITUALS WERE HANDMADE. THE CYCLE OF THINGS WHERE MY GENERATION WOULD LOOK BACK, WOULD LOOK TO ITS HISTORY AND WANT A CONNECTION TO THINGS PAST.

ELYSE MOUSKONDIS: AS FAR AS FAMILY, WE HAVE TWO CHILDREN. IT WASN'T UNTIL THEY GREW UP THAT THEY REALIZED HOW IMPORTANT THE TRADITIONS AND CULTURE ARE.

ANGEL SKEDROS: THERE ARE MANY FACETS TO BEING GREEK ORTHODOX AND ITS NOT EVEN JUST CARRYING THE TRADITIONS INTO YOUR HOME, THE CHURCH, OR COMMUNITY. THERE'S A FEELING I HAVE WITHIN ME THAT IS VERY PROUD AND IT'S VERY MUCH EXTENDED WITH WHAT I DO WITH MY WORK, MY FAMILY, AND HOW I TREAT MY FRIENDS. IT'S A REFLECTION OF WHERE I'VE COME FROM AND THAT I AM GREEK ORTHODOX.

I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT OUR CULTURE, TRADITIONS AND FAITH WILL CONTINUE ON. I THINK IT IS GETTING STRONGER.

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