Description
This presentation examines the Greek community of Utah, and the ways in which they established communities, and interacted with the broader Mormon community. Of particular focus are Greeks from the large island of Crete, which, during this period, transitioned between three administrations – these include the Ottoman Empire (until 1898), the independent Cretan State (1898-1913), and Greece (from 1913). Due to this, the Cretans exemplify a unique and autonomous identity and sense of cultural connectivity, which was carried with them in their migration to Utah. Firstly, the establishment of the Cretan and broader Greek community is explored, looking at: how and where they settled; the working-class nature of the community; how they remained linked; how they fostered community, including through the building of Orthodox churches; how they maintained Cretan and Greek identities; and how they were viewed (and marginalised) by Mormon and Utahn society. Comparisons with other Greek diaspora examples will be made to help ground an understanding of Greek diasporic migratory and community practices. Following this, an examination of their interactions with Mormonism is offered. This seeks to contextualise the Cretans and Greeks as an inherently separate (and somewhat alienated) community in Utah, which also crossed paths with Mormonism, even to the extent that many Greeks became members of the Mormon church, and some married into Mormon families (including a handful of well-known pioneering families). In this way, there was a dialogue and compromise between Cretan and Greek identities, American identity, and the Mormon dominated Utahn identity. In all, this study hopes to open a wider dialogue on interactions between Greeks, Greek Orthodoxy, and Mormonism, and is the logical first step in a larger comparative investigation into Greeks in Utah and Mormons in Greece.| Period | 29 Mar 2025 |
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| Event title | Global Mormon Studies 2025 Conference |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | Salt Lake City, United States, UtahShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |