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St. Sophia Cathedral
Miami
FL
33129
- Greek Orthodox Churches in Miami, FL
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Who we are
Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral is the first Greek Orthodox Church in Miami and was founded in 1927. It is also a part of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta.
A major decision was made in 1941 to purchase a new site and construct a new church to meet the needs of the growing community. The cornerstone was laid March 7, 1948. The building along with the Community Center was officially open in the year 1950. The consecration of our church was carried out November 25, 1973 by Archbishop Iakovos.
Our Mission
To Safeguard and keep the traditions, values and faith of the Orthodox Church pure and undefiled by proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to all people in accordancewith the Orthodox Faith and to sanctify and minister the spiritual growth and needs of the faithful through Liturgical worship and spiritual programs
A major decision was made in 1941 to purchase a new site and construct a new church to meet the needs of the growing community. The cornerstone was laid March 7, 1948. The building along with the Community Center was officially open in the year 1950. The consecration of our church was carried out November 25, 1973 by Archbishop Iakovos.
Our Mission
To Safeguard and keep the traditions, values and faith of the Orthodox Church pure and undefiled by proclaiming the Gospel of Christ to all people in accordancewith the Orthodox Faith and to sanctify and minister the spiritual growth and needs of the faithful through Liturgical worship and spiritual programs
Location of worship / Church Address
2401 S.W. 3rd Avenue
Miami,
FL
33129
United States
Phone: (305) 854-2922
Fax: (305) 858-1854
Download St. Sophia Cathedral vCard with Service Times
Church Pastor
Rev. Fr. Spiro D. Bobotas
Priest
244 SW 24 Road
Miami,
FL
33129
United States
Phone: (305) 854-2922
Fax: (305) 858-1854
Download Priest Rev. Fr. Spiro D. Bobotas vCard with Bio
Quote of the Day
1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
Denomination
Greek Orthodox Church
Greek Orthodox Churches in Miami, Florida, United States
Greek Orthodox Churches in Florida, United States
Greek Orthodox Churches in United States
All churches in Miami, FL
Affiliations:
Website:
Social Media
St. Sophia Cathedral Miami on YouTube
Leadership
Leader Name:
Rev. Fr. Spiro D. Bobotas
Leader Position:
Priest
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
244 SW 24 Road
Miami
Florida
33129
Miami
Florida
33129
Tel:
Fax:
(305) 858-1854
Leader Email:
Leader Bio:
Fr. Spiro has a B.S. Degree in Business Administration from the University of New Hampshire, Durham and a Master’s Degree in Divinity from the Holy Cross School of Theology. As a Youth Director, prior to ordination he led the Youth Ministries of 60 parishes for the Metropolis of Boston and the Boston Diocese Camp. As a previous business owner with an extensive background in sales and marketing, and with his time as a retail consultant, Fr. Spiro brings a diverse background to his ministry.
In January of 2001 he moved from his native New Hampshire to further develop the “Come Receive the Light Radio Program” which is now known at the Orthodox Christian Network. While working for OCN he took the role of pastoral assistant to Fr. Christopher Metropulos at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Lauderdale. Fr. Spiro was ordained to the Deaconate in 2006 and subsequently to the Priesthood. After serving the Parish of St. Demetrios in Fort Lauderdale for 6 years he was assigned as the Dean of the Saint Sophia Cathedral in July of 2012. In 2013 Eminence Metropolitan Alexios assigned Fr. Spiro as Vicar to oversee the parishes of the Southeast District and has also served as one of four Camp Directors of Saint Stephen’s Camp for the past 5 years. Father’s ministry is enhanced by his Presbytera Lisa and their son John Gabriel .
In January of 2001 he moved from his native New Hampshire to further develop the “Come Receive the Light Radio Program” which is now known at the Orthodox Christian Network. While working for OCN he took the role of pastoral assistant to Fr. Christopher Metropulos at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Lauderdale. Fr. Spiro was ordained to the Deaconate in 2006 and subsequently to the Priesthood. After serving the Parish of St. Demetrios in Fort Lauderdale for 6 years he was assigned as the Dean of the Saint Sophia Cathedral in July of 2012. In 2013 Eminence Metropolitan Alexios assigned Fr. Spiro as Vicar to oversee the parishes of the Southeast District and has also served as one of four Camp Directors of Saint Stephen’s Camp for the past 5 years. Father’s ministry is enhanced by his Presbytera Lisa and their son John Gabriel .
Other Church Leaders:
Rev. Fr. Spiro D. Bobotas on Social Media:
St. Sophia Cathedral Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
Admin Position:
Admin Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
(305) 858-1854
Admin Email:
Mailing Address
Driving Directions to St. Sophia Cathedral
Travel/Directions Tips
Parking
St. Sophia Cathedral Miami Service Times
Services Schedule
Sunday:
Orthos (Matins) 9:00 AM
Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM
For more information on specific weekday services please contact the Church office at (305) 854-2922
STREAM SERVICES
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn51J0pC9bu8bKQdJjm-9Vw/videos
Service Times last updated on the 9th of February, 2022
Sunday:
Orthos (Matins) 9:00 AM
Divine Liturgy 10:00 AM
For more information on specific weekday services please contact the Church office at (305) 854-2922
STREAM SERVICES
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn51J0pC9bu8bKQdJjm-9Vw/videos
Service Times last updated on the 9th of February, 2022
Worship Languages
Dress code:
Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
Local outreach & community activities:
Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility:
Prayers and hymns:
Main Bible:
Hymns and Songs:
Other information:
Average Adult Congregation:
Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
St. Sophia Greek Festival
Miami's Original Greek Festival
March 4 - 6, 2022
Come Experience Greek Food & Dancing
Greek Food, Wine & Spirits
Taverna
Greek Pastries & Coffee
Live Greek Music & Dancing
Tour of Byzantine Cathedral
Greek Jewelry, Clothing, Arts & Crafts and Religious Icons
Amusement Area for Kids
St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
2401 S.W. 3rd Ave. (Coral Way & 24th Road),
Two Blocks West of I-95, Exit #1
305.854.2922
Admission
Adult Admission $7
Children under 12 Free!
FREE ADMISSION, FRIDAY BEFORE 5 P.M.
Free Admission to active military personnel and first responders including police, firefighters and emergency service personnel with presentation of proper ID
Miami's Original Greek Festival
March 4 - 6, 2022
Come Experience Greek Food & Dancing
Greek Food, Wine & Spirits
Taverna
Greek Pastries & Coffee
Live Greek Music & Dancing
Tour of Byzantine Cathedral
Greek Jewelry, Clothing, Arts & Crafts and Religious Icons
Amusement Area for Kids
St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
2401 S.W. 3rd Ave. (Coral Way & 24th Road),
Two Blocks West of I-95, Exit #1
305.854.2922
Admission
Adult Admission $7
Children under 12 Free!
FREE ADMISSION, FRIDAY BEFORE 5 P.M.
Free Admission to active military personnel and first responders including police, firefighters and emergency service personnel with presentation of proper ID
St. Sophia Cathedral Photo Gallery
St. Sophia Cathedral History
Saint Sophia, the Greek Orthodox Cathedral for the Southeast Florida district, is a vibrant, Christ-centered parish in the heart of Miami that provides for the sacramental needs of Orthodox Christians in the community and offers a host of outreach ministries. It also has a long history of religious, social and cultural involvement in South Florida.
Many of the Greeks who arrived in the United States during the great wave of immigration in the early 1900’s eventually found their way to Florida. Some came to Miami because they heard of the warm climate and of citrus fruit growing in the winter. Henry Flagler’s railroad reached Miami in 1896 and had made travel easier. These immigrants came, liked what they saw, and brought their families here. A Greek community was beginning to emerge in Miami.
The Greeks needed a church where they could worship, and where Greek Orthodox religion, language, customs and culture could be taught to their children. However, before they could purchase property, church services were held at various locations. The Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on Biscayne Bay at 464 N.E. 16th Street, Miami, at one time generously offered the Greek Community the temporary use of its elegant church for services. On November 15, 1925, the first group of Greeks met at the home of Stavros Petros to legally establish a Greek Orthodox community. Without hesitation, they pledged funds at this meeting, and a temporary committee was named to draft a constitution and find a suitable church. In the following two years, under the chairmanship and leadership of I.G. Delyanis, the Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Community was organized into a functional entity. Finally in 1927, a constitution was adopted, and an election of the first parish council was held with Achileas Zapetis elected as its first president. A small church was eventually purchased at 1501 N.E. 1st Avenue, which was to serve the needs of the community for the next 20 years.
During these 20 years, both the parishioners and community suffered in the Great Depression, but it steadily grew and matured with the beautiful city of Miami. The Greek School and Ladies Philoptochos were established in the 1930’s, serving the young people and other members of the parish. In order to meet the needs of a growing community, a major decision was made in 1941 to purchase a new site and construct a new church and community center. Under the chairmanship of President John Colozoff, a committee was formed, which jointly and severally assumed this responsibility and did in fact purchase the land where the beautiful Cathedral now stands. The services of a young architect, Chrystoforos Kantianis, were retained to design and supervise construction of the Byzantine church, in addition to a community center, which was to house an auditorium/gymnasium and several classrooms. The cornerstone of the new church was laid at last on March 7, 1948, with His Grace Bishop Germanos officiating. On August 15, 1949, during the A.H.E.P.A. national convention, the first church services were held with His Eminence Archbishop Michael as celebrant, assisted by Fr. Demosthenes Mekras. The community center building was completed in 1952 under the presidency of another great leader and benefactor, George D. Karnegis, for whom the community center would be named in 1994. Later, the interior of the church was completed with the installation of imported marble and mosaic icons as well as beautiful iconography created by Stelios Maris in the Byzantine design—making Saint Sophia one of the most beautiful and impressive Greek Orthodox churches in the United States. A major highlight in the history of the church was the consecration of Saint Sophia Cathedral with the relics of Saints Andrew, Nestor and Haralambos by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos on November 25, 1973.
Since its founding in 1927, the St. Sophia community has been blessed with the service of twelve priests. The very first priest was Fr. Chrysanthos Kaplanis, followed by Fr. Karapiperis, Fr. Daniel Scarpas, Fr. Germanos Papapanagiotou, Fr. Tjomanis and Fr. George Thalassitis. Father Methodios Phousianis then assumed the pastorate at St. Sophia from 1939 to 1945, during the height of the planning phase of the new Cathedral. In 1944, Father Demosthenes J. Mekras came to Miami where he served as Deacon for one year before his ordination to the priesthood in 1945. In 1946, he assumed the spiritual leadership of the congregation. At the time, there was only four Greek Orthodox parishes in all of Florida. During his 43 years at St. Sophia, many of the churches on the East Coast of Florida were established. In the early years of his tenure, though, Father Mekras ministered to an Orthodox population covering almost half the state, from points south of Tarpon Springs and Jacksonville all the way to and including the Caribbean! Fr. Mekras served continuously at St. Sophia with piety, wisdom and dedication until his retirement in 1986. St. Sophia was then blessed to have Father George Neofotistos, a respected religious educator and counselor and former Director of St. Basil Academy, serve as Dean of the Cathedral from 1986 until his retirement in 1993. This was followed by Fr. George Economou and Fr. Maximus Moses. Since 1997, Saint Sophia welcomed Father Stavroforos Mamaies, whose spiritual presence continued that of his predecessors. In 2012 Fr. Spiro D. Bobotas was assigned as the latest spiritual leader of the community.
Saint Sophia Cathedral has grown with its surrounding community. It is a church blessed with many bicultural families, including many who are Greek,Hispanic, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, Bulgarian and more. All of these families serve to enhance the parish’s diversity and affirm the universality of the Orthodox faith. Tapping into the richness of all cultural traditions and the respective emphasis on both faith and family has proven valuable in maintaining a close knit and invigorated community.
With God’s help and our Orthodox Faith, St. Sophia Cathedral will continue to provide sacramental needs and spiritual guidance to all who seek God’s Blessings.
Many of the Greeks who arrived in the United States during the great wave of immigration in the early 1900’s eventually found their way to Florida. Some came to Miami because they heard of the warm climate and of citrus fruit growing in the winter. Henry Flagler’s railroad reached Miami in 1896 and had made travel easier. These immigrants came, liked what they saw, and brought their families here. A Greek community was beginning to emerge in Miami.
The Greeks needed a church where they could worship, and where Greek Orthodox religion, language, customs and culture could be taught to their children. However, before they could purchase property, church services were held at various locations. The Trinity Episcopal Cathedral on Biscayne Bay at 464 N.E. 16th Street, Miami, at one time generously offered the Greek Community the temporary use of its elegant church for services. On November 15, 1925, the first group of Greeks met at the home of Stavros Petros to legally establish a Greek Orthodox community. Without hesitation, they pledged funds at this meeting, and a temporary committee was named to draft a constitution and find a suitable church. In the following two years, under the chairmanship and leadership of I.G. Delyanis, the Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Community was organized into a functional entity. Finally in 1927, a constitution was adopted, and an election of the first parish council was held with Achileas Zapetis elected as its first president. A small church was eventually purchased at 1501 N.E. 1st Avenue, which was to serve the needs of the community for the next 20 years.
During these 20 years, both the parishioners and community suffered in the Great Depression, but it steadily grew and matured with the beautiful city of Miami. The Greek School and Ladies Philoptochos were established in the 1930’s, serving the young people and other members of the parish. In order to meet the needs of a growing community, a major decision was made in 1941 to purchase a new site and construct a new church and community center. Under the chairmanship of President John Colozoff, a committee was formed, which jointly and severally assumed this responsibility and did in fact purchase the land where the beautiful Cathedral now stands. The services of a young architect, Chrystoforos Kantianis, were retained to design and supervise construction of the Byzantine church, in addition to a community center, which was to house an auditorium/gymnasium and several classrooms. The cornerstone of the new church was laid at last on March 7, 1948, with His Grace Bishop Germanos officiating. On August 15, 1949, during the A.H.E.P.A. national convention, the first church services were held with His Eminence Archbishop Michael as celebrant, assisted by Fr. Demosthenes Mekras. The community center building was completed in 1952 under the presidency of another great leader and benefactor, George D. Karnegis, for whom the community center would be named in 1994. Later, the interior of the church was completed with the installation of imported marble and mosaic icons as well as beautiful iconography created by Stelios Maris in the Byzantine design—making Saint Sophia one of the most beautiful and impressive Greek Orthodox churches in the United States. A major highlight in the history of the church was the consecration of Saint Sophia Cathedral with the relics of Saints Andrew, Nestor and Haralambos by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos on November 25, 1973.
Since its founding in 1927, the St. Sophia community has been blessed with the service of twelve priests. The very first priest was Fr. Chrysanthos Kaplanis, followed by Fr. Karapiperis, Fr. Daniel Scarpas, Fr. Germanos Papapanagiotou, Fr. Tjomanis and Fr. George Thalassitis. Father Methodios Phousianis then assumed the pastorate at St. Sophia from 1939 to 1945, during the height of the planning phase of the new Cathedral. In 1944, Father Demosthenes J. Mekras came to Miami where he served as Deacon for one year before his ordination to the priesthood in 1945. In 1946, he assumed the spiritual leadership of the congregation. At the time, there was only four Greek Orthodox parishes in all of Florida. During his 43 years at St. Sophia, many of the churches on the East Coast of Florida were established. In the early years of his tenure, though, Father Mekras ministered to an Orthodox population covering almost half the state, from points south of Tarpon Springs and Jacksonville all the way to and including the Caribbean! Fr. Mekras served continuously at St. Sophia with piety, wisdom and dedication until his retirement in 1986. St. Sophia was then blessed to have Father George Neofotistos, a respected religious educator and counselor and former Director of St. Basil Academy, serve as Dean of the Cathedral from 1986 until his retirement in 1993. This was followed by Fr. George Economou and Fr. Maximus Moses. Since 1997, Saint Sophia welcomed Father Stavroforos Mamaies, whose spiritual presence continued that of his predecessors. In 2012 Fr. Spiro D. Bobotas was assigned as the latest spiritual leader of the community.
Saint Sophia Cathedral has grown with its surrounding community. It is a church blessed with many bicultural families, including many who are Greek,Hispanic, Russian, Serbian, Romanian, Bulgarian and more. All of these families serve to enhance the parish’s diversity and affirm the universality of the Orthodox faith. Tapping into the richness of all cultural traditions and the respective emphasis on both faith and family has proven valuable in maintaining a close knit and invigorated community.
With God’s help and our Orthodox Faith, St. Sophia Cathedral will continue to provide sacramental needs and spiritual guidance to all who seek God’s Blessings.
St. Sophia Cathedral Historical Photos
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