Fr. Philaretos Johannides (Filaretos Ioaniddes)

Prior to 1921, Fr. Philaretos served as priest at Holy Trinity. St. Sophia was incorporated in June, 1921. Fr. Philaretos became the first priest at St. Sophia and served as the president of the first board of trustees. On June 1, 1923, Fr. Philaretos was elevated to Bishop. Bishop Philaretos became the first Bishop of Chicago and would later become Metropolitan of Syros. From June 1, 1923 until August 7, 1927, Bishop Philaretos served "locum tenens" as the Bishop of San Francisco. On August 7, 1927, Kallistos Papageorgapoulos was elected as the first Bishop of San Francisco.

In 1950, Anastasios Mountanos, then former owner of the California Greek-language newspaper, gave an interview speaking of the origin of the St. Sophia community. He said that the leaders of the St. Sophia community began to meet in October, 1920, at a location on Post and Mason streets. They voted to write to the Archbishop and ask him for permission to hire the services of Fr. Philaretos as their first priest. Their request was granted.

Bishop Philaretos is recognized as an influential figure of the early Greek American experience in Chicago. This photograph was taken in the late 1920's after he became bishop of the Chicago Diocese.

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