Tuesday marked the day for groundbreaking on a new Metropolis Center for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh that will be located in South Strabane Township. The new center was deemed a necessity when Metropolitan Savas took over as the Presiding Hierarch of the Greek Orthodox Church of Pittsburgh. The current center near the Shadyside section of Pittsburgh is a repurposed 125 year old mansion that was purchased 65 years ago. Growth of staff and activities made the current building obsolete so 12 years ago the idea for a new Metropolitan Center was conceived. Through contributions of $6 million over five years from the Peter Giorgi and the Giorgi Family Foundation, land donations from local parishioners Michael Kusturiss and Michael Pihakis and additional capital from Athena Sarris, the dream of the new center has become a reality. The new campus will be comprised of a 15,000 square foot building that will house a church, library/conference room, office space, multipurpose room with caterer’s kitchen and an outdoor terrace. The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh serves eastern and central Ohio, West Virginia and the majority of Pennsylvania. Metropolitan Savas looks at this area as a Church of the Pittsburgh area that is also a part of a greater Church in the United States and finally the greater Church of the world.