Building in Faith: Your Metropolis Center

“One generation shall proclaim thy works to another…” -Psalm 144:4

The mission of our holy, God-protected Metropolis of Pittsburgh is to proclaim our Orthodox faith by engaging in Christ-centered ministry. A new Metropolis Center enables that mission by serving you, the faithful of Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia today and for generations to come. This is your Metropolis Center, a place to worship, to meet, to enable ministry, gather in celebration and more – all of the things that allow us to live our faith.

Fulfilling our mission for the future means proclaiming our commitment today.

You have the opportunity to declare your steadfast belief in the mission and ministries of the Metropolis by pledging your support to this once-in-a lifetime project. The Giorgi Family Foundation and other Metropolis families such as the Kusturiss, Pihakis and Frangakis families have already declared in these our foundational stages of commitment.

On behalf of the Metropolis Center fundraising committee, I ask that you too prayerfully consider a pledge in support of your Metropolis and its work for the glory of God and His Holy church for years to come.

Giorgi Family Foundation Gift

Through the Giorgi Family Foundation, the Metropolis Center received a transformational gift – a gift of significance and lasting impact. The Giorgi family of Reading, PA, has committed $6 million over five years – the single largest donation ever offered by the foundation.

“We know this transformational gift from the Giorgi Family Foundation will have a meaningful impact on the people and parishes of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh for generations to come,” said Peter F. Giorgi, President of The Giorgi Family Foundation. “The ministries of the Metropolis and its parishes profoundly affect the lives of all those served by the Church, and we are pleased to partner with the Metropolis to build its capacity to stand as an even greater presence in our communities.“

Established in 2016 to honor family patriarch Fredrick Giorgi, the foundation regularly awards grants to arts organizations, animal welfare groups, innovative research and more. Peter F. Giorgi is director of the foundation as well as President and CEO of Giorgi Global Holdings, Inc., a U.S. based international business in the agricultural, food processing and packaging sectors.

Rendering Flyover Video

More Than a Building

The vision is to construct a new and efficient Metropolis Center that is easy to access and allows the Metropolis to grow in all of the ministries and services that it provides. A new Metropolis Center also facilitates greater interaction between the Metropolis and its parishes, deepening and strengthening ties between both.

The new center allows the Metropolis to:

Improve capacity to create new ministries to serve parishes and faithful in three states (OH, PA and WV)
Focus on current and future opportunities and establish facilities to serve generations to come
Provide recurring continuing education for clergy
Furnish Philoptochos and other ministries with office space
Improve communication between the Metropolis, parishes, clergy, and faithful.
Host Divine Liturgies, conferences, and gatherings
Offer ample parking and ease of access from all points of the Metropolis
Centralize and simplify administration of all staff and ministries
Reduce future refurbishment and related future costs associated with the aging current administrative center
Improve stewardship of Metropolis funds through decreased operating (utility, maintenance, etc.) costs

We are ORTHODOX Christians:

We are a COMMUNITY of believers
A COMMUNITY of families
A COMMUNITY of young and old
We are saved in COMMUNITY
Our new center allows for COMMUNITY
Clergy, parish leadership, families, youth, young adults, Philoptochos
Retreats, training, sharing, gathering for all ages, for all functions

Frequently Asked Questions

After researching numerous options in Pittsburgh and the region, a generous steward offered 9.5 acres of undeveloped land in a prime location that allows the Metropolis to better serve its parishes and faithful.

Another generous donor offered an adjacent property of approximately 9 acres, providing a buffer against an encroaching development and allowing for cost-reducing site development options.

A: The current Metropolis Center building is over 100 years old and has structural limitations that make it a difficult place to meet and work; the building is outdated and it is not financially feasible to maintain or renovate the property.
A: A capital campaign will seek donations from supporters and stakeholders of the Metropolis.
A: The Capital Campaign will last five years to raise funding needed to cover the cost of construction and the creation of an endowment to support ongoing operations. Construction will hopefully begin at the end of 2021 and last approximately two years.
A: The new center will be located at the corner of Enterprise Road and Fairway Drive in South Strabane Township (Washington) in proximity to the intersection of Interstates 70 and 79. This location makes it accessible to all points in the Metropolis. The new location will have ample parking, meeting, and event space.
A: A search committee explored options to either purchase an existing building or build a new center, using criteria focused on improving functionality for staff and parishes. Many factors went into the decision to build a new facility including accessibility, space for worship, meetings and trainings, parking, room for ministries like Philoptochos and flexible office space.
A: All current Metropolis staff will be housed in the new Metropolis Center and additional spaces will be available for Philoptochos, youth and other ministries.
A: The official see of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh will always be Pittsburgh, regardless of where the new center is located. St. Nicholas in downtown Pittsburgh continues as the Metropolis Cathedral. Many metropolise offices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (e.g. Atlanta, Denver, Detroit) are not located within their respective city limits.

Project Budget

Total Project Budget:	$14,950,000
Facility Construction:	$9,000,000
Landscaping & Paving:	$2,000,000
Furniture & Fixtures:	$900,000
Architect & Engineering:	$450,000
Moving Expenses & Maintenance:	$65,000
Endowment for Operations & Ministries:	$2,100,000
Personnel & Administrative Costs:	$435,000

Sponsorship Opportunities

The new Metropolis Center offers a singular opportunity to honor God through your stewardship, to celebrate your family or commemorate the lives of loved ones by sponsoring the chapel, the iconostasis, the Metropolitan's residence, office space, meeting rooms, and more. A commemorative plaque will be hung prominently either in the building or a possible prayer garden.

Campaign Leader:	$6,000,000 (done!)
Office Building:	$2,000,000
Chapel, Icon Screen, Icons:	$1,500,000
Multi-Purpose Hall:	$1,000,000
Terrace, Entryway:	$500,000
Metropolitan's Residence:	$500,000
Kitchen Equipment:	$250,000
Grounds, Landscaping:	$500,000
Library/Conference Room:	$250,000
Metropolitan's Office:	$200,000
Chancellor's Office:	$150,000
Registrar's Office:	$150,000
Philoptochos Office:	$150,000
Youth Office:	$150,000
Camp Office:	$150,000
Education Office:	$150,000
Registry/Archives Room:	$150,000
Reception Area:	$150,000