About Us

For over 90 years, our organization has provided its members with a place to call home and feel welcome, while educating the youth on the Cretan heritage by offering Greek School, Dance Lessons, cooking courses and Cretan youth activities. Created to give Cretan immigrants a place where they would always be welcome, today’s members continue that tradition and hope to pass it along for generations to come, as the founding fathers did for us. The chapter was established in 1923 and it was incorporated in 1932.

 

Mission

 
 

Incorporated in 1932, The Cretan Association of Detroit is a non profit organization devoted to the cultivation and preservation of the history and the culture of Crete, Greece.  The intentions of the organization are to create an inviting atmosphere through dance, events, and social gatherings for member of all ages and backgrounds.  The organization will promote the Cretan heritage through dance, music and historical activities.
   

History

 

1923

Our club was the first Greek organization in Detroit.
It was an idea by Markos Tseronis and consisted of the following members:
Konstantinos Sakellariou, Michael Kartsonakis, Antonios Tzanoudakis, Spiros Haniotakis, Stilianos Lionakis, Manousos Torakis, Emanuel Lagoudakis, John Karpathakis, John Marinakis, George Ksiritakis, Antonios Mavrantonakis, Michael Magkaforakis, Leonidas Hrisakis, Nicholas Proimakis, John Grimanis, John Fitrakis, Emanuel Stratakis and Antonios Louvakis.

The first meeting occurred on March 11, 1923 and the club was given the name:
CRETAN FRATERNITY OF DETROIT “PSELORETES”
ΑΔΕΛΦΟΤΗΣ ΚΡΗΤΩΝ ΤΟΥ ΝΤΗΤΡΟΙΤ «ΨΗΛΟΡΕΙΤΗΣ»

Our Constitution was created by the above members and it was used as a prototype for other Greek organizations.

1930

The 1st National Convention of PAA took place in Detroit.

1932

Our club was incorporated on March 4th 1932.

1933

The ladies club was created and given the name

LADIES CRETAN FRATERNITY OF DETROIT “CRETE”

ΑΔΕΛΦΟΤΗΣ ΚΡΗΣΣΩΝ ΤΟΥ ΝΤΗΤΡΟΙΤ «ΚΡΗΤΗ»

1947

The youth club was created and given the name:
«ΝΕΟΚΡΗΤΕΣ» (A.K.N.)=ΑΜΕΡΙΚΑΝΙΚΗ ΚΡΗΤΙΚΗ ΝΕΟΛΑΙΑ

1952

The 12th National Convention of PAA took place in Detroit.

1970

The 21st National Convention of PAA took place in Detroit.

1970

A new youth club was created and given the name:

CRETAN YOUTH OF DETROIT

And later the name “LEVENTOGENNA” was added.
1997 Detroit Dance group finished 1st at the Washington DC Convention
1999 Detroit Dance group performed in Greece at the PAA National Convention
   
   

Noteables 

  
1911 First Cretan owned restaurant in Detroit was founded by Nicholas Maragakis and John Loukas.
1912 First Cretan family to come to Detroit was Nicholas and Argiro Lionakis.
1912 First Cretan owned hotel in Detroit was founded by Manousos Torakis.
1915 First Cretan wedding in Detroit was  Kontantinos Demetriadis and Maria Lionakis.
1916 First Cretan owned grocery store in Detroit was founded by Emanuel Karniotakis.
   

Credits

  
  Information provided by Krystallia Cartsonis and Roussos Hourdakis