On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Christmas Divine Liturgy, according to the Julian calendar, at the Holy Vatopedi Metochion of St. Andrew in Galata, Istanbul, Türkiye, where the Russian-speaking community of the city worships. 

Hundreds of Greek Orthodox faithful from across the West Coast and as far as Honolulu, Vancouver, and Kavala gathered in Anaheim, California on February 13, 2025, for the Metropolis of San Francisco’s 48th annual Greek Orthodox Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF).

This week, the Orthodox Observer conducted an interview with Demetrios S. Katos, President of Hellenic College Holy Cross (HCHC). Keep reading to learn about President Katos's vision for the future of HCHC.

This week the Orthodox Observer’s Dr. Claire Koen sat down with Emily Dimitriou and Donny Chiarel, who will be married this July 4th. Donny and Emily met in 2021 when they were both enrolled in the first virtual cohort of Hellenic College Holy Cross’s Kallinikeion Institute. Keep reading to learn about the sweet story of how Donny and Emily met and fell in love while learning Greek.

The annual Three Hierarchs Program, held this year on January 24, 20205, is a cherished tradition for over 15 years, bringing together the communities of St. George in Asbury Park/Ocean and St. Barbara's of Toms River for a special celebration.

The Maliotis Cultural Center was honored to host an important symposium, “The UN Global Health Agenda: Concerns, Values, and Spirituality,” organized by the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in collaboration with the Academic Council of the United Nations System (ACUNS). This timely gathering brought together leading scholars, faith leaders, and advocates to explore the ethical and spiritual dimensions of global health challenges.

The Daughters of Penelope Orion Chapter #130, Boston presents a "Symposium on Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery in Today's World" on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at the Maliotis Cultural Center.

National Philoptochos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is pleased to issue its 2024 Impact Report and to announce that in 2024, an astounding $1.9 million was raised, and $1.5 million in funding was allocated to national and international organizations through its extensive programs and ministry commitments.

This week, find insights about the upcoming Gospel reading, where we learn about the Prodigal Son who returns home after squandering his inheritance. How does his father receive him back? Why was his brother angry? How does God relate to us when we repent?     

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is pleased to announce the publication of the 2025 Annual Directory. 

Today, February 11, 2025, His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphaniy of Kyiv and all Ukraine was welcomed by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s headquarters.

On Sunday, February 9, 2025 His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America attended the Enthronement of V. Reverend Archimandrite Meletios as the new Abbot of St. Irene Chrysovalantou Monastery in Astoria, NY.

Your Beatitude, Metropolitan Epiphaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine,

Reverend Hierarchs and Clergy,

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last evening, together with Archons of the Order of Saint Andrew, we received Your Beatitude at a dinner celebrating Your presence in the United States. Today, with much joy and anticipation, we receive You here at the Headquarters of the Sacred Archdiocese of America. In both cases, we are glad to behold Your Beatitude and are grateful for Your appearing in our midst.

In the rich history of the Greek Orthodox Church in America (GOA), the role of girls is both vibrant and multifaceted. And in today’s increasingly interconnected world, the importance of youth engagement in global discussions cannot be overstated. The Girl Delegate Program to the United Nations (UN) stands as a beacon of empowerment, providing young women with the opportunity to represent their faith and culture in the international arena.

This weekend, the Orthodox Observer's Marissa Costidis interviewed Fr. Elias Villis prior to an event honoring him and his wife Presvytera Melanie for their twenty-five years of service at the Church of Our Savior in Rye, New York.

The B&E Goulandris Museum is proud to present "Catch Me," a groundbreaking exhibition by internationally acclaimed Greek-American artist Nicholas Kontaxis, running from March 18 to May 18, 2025. Born with significant physical and developmental challenges, including a seizure disorder, Nicholas has defied the odds to become a celebrated artist whose work transcends boundaries. This transformative event marks a cultural milestone, offering audiences a unique experience that blends art, resilience, and inclusivity.

The Maliotis Cultural Center is proud to present the history of Black American Philhellenes. Jacob Wiliams, William Scarborough, The National Pan-Hellenic Council, and Archimandrite Raphael Morgan have shared in the rich experience of Black and Greek Americans through their experience and love for Hellenic Culture.

FOCUS North America is pleased to announce two significant updates for its operations across the Southern California region: the official renaming of FOCUS Southern California to FOCUS Orange County and the appointment of Valeska Hall as the new Center Director of FOCUS Orange County. This change coincides with the establishment of a second regional FOCUS Center in Los Angeles, which operates as FOCUS Los Angeles.

Over 3500 participants gathered Jan. 16-20 at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem to attend the 24th Hellenic Dance Festival (HDF). The Metropolis of Atlanta-sponsored event hosted participants from across its Metropolis and beyond.

A special ceremony took place today at St. Nicholas Orthodox Shrine, Flushing, New York, to honor 46 exceptional students from parishes across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut who excelled in the LOTE (Languages Other Than English) examination for the Greek language.

On Saturday February 1, the 43rd annual Board of Trustees meeting of the St. Photios National Shrine took place at the Renaissance Hotel in St. Augustine, FL. The newly enthroned Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta was present to lead the meeting.