Rectangular, paper marriage certificate.  It was created in the landscape orientation.  Beige background framed with ornate green border with gold edging around all four sides.  A circular illustration/medallion is centered in the top third of the certificate.  Predominant colors in the medallion are shades of dark teal with touches of yellow, gold and red.  A dove  with wings spread open is at the top.  A yellow circle with yellow beams radiating out from the circle is depicted behind the dove.  Two bearded figures are seated beneath the dove.  The one on the left is male and has shoulder-length medium brown hair, a medium length beard of the same color.  He is wearing a white tunic with a red mantle draped loosely across his shoulders and onto his lap .  His right hand raised as if bestowing a blessing, while His left hand is holding an unadorned scepter. The One on the right is also male.  He has longer white hair, long white beard, and has His left hand raised,  His right hand is held low by His side and is holding a gray sphere.   He is wearing a white tunic with a dark mantle draped across his right shoulder and onto His left leg.    
    Behind the circle illustration, there is a  rectangular illustration running horizontally across the top of the certificate.  There are 2 angels with large white wings depicted on each side of the medallion.  Each angel is holding a Stefana.  They are also holding a banner that reads:  "This is a great Sacrament". Background colors here are varying shades of dark teal.
    Beneath the above illustrations, in the center, there is the number of the document in red ink:  "No. 1682"
   Underneath the Certificate Number, the document has two columns of text; each listing the details of the marriage certification. Each Column is titled:  "Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Chicago Certificate of Marriage".  The column on the left is written in the Greek language.  The column on the right is the English translation of the left.  There are signatures of everyone involved and a circular stamp of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese at the bottom of the certificate in dark ink.

Foti (Frank) Panayoti Avgidis was born in Balukiser(sp?), Turkey in 1894 of Greek parents. In 1912 he immigrated to America in order to escape being drafted into the Turkish Army. As a young man he worked in his brother in law's bakery in Crystal City, MO. His brother in law returned to Turkey to bring his family back to America, but was caught up in the massacre of the Greeks by the Turks. All of my father's family, mother, father, sisters and brother in law were all massacred. Mr. Avgidis then worked for the railroad, laying railroad ties as the west was becoming the new frontier. He worked all the way to the state of Washington.

Merssini Kefala was born in Pelikintos (sp?), Mytelene, Greece in 1904 (?). She immigrated to America in 1923 accompanied by her sister in law to be. They came to Stallings, IL to the farm owned by Peter and Vasil Kefalas, her brothers.

Mr. Avgidis was a friend of Peter and Vasil Kefalas and thereby the couple became acquainted. They were married December 7, 1924 in the home that Foti had built for his new bride.

They had two children, Diana and Frances. There were married 48 years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Avgidis are deceased along with their daughter Diana.

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