As he received an honorary doctorate at the University of Chichester on September 16, 2026, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew offered the new graduates of the university, and the world at large, a series of powerful and deeply compelling reflections upon the true nature of freedom and the principles that should guide one’s choices in life.

Speaking to the graduates movingly about his own youth, His All-Holiness stated: “We too, my own generation, were once young, and we lived through the contradictions of our society, its challenges, but also its positive prospects, its disappointments and its hopes.”

His All-Holiness explained that “youth is a period of intense inner crisis for the human person, and the soul of the young person is a sensitive seismograph of developments. The crisis of youth, which is ‘normal’ from an anthropological perspective, is intensified by the external circumstances of each age. Today especially, you young men and women face unprecedented developments in the field of scientific knowledge, momentous changes in the course of history, and continuous ‘digital leaps.’”

His All-Holiness said that like himself and the young people of his age, “you too, the promising young men and women of today, are called to build your present and your future within a civilization which you did not yourselves create.” He admonished the graduates, and all young people, not to neglect the most important questions regarding the meaning of life itself. “Amid the turmoil of human affairs,” he said, “no human being—and certainly not you, young men and women—can push away the ultimate questions about the meaning of existence, about life and death, about happiness and misery, about right and wrong, about good and evil, about the perplexities of our freedom.”

Reminding the graduates that “the human being is not merely a biological entity, nor merely a citizen of the world,” His All-Holiness stated that the human being “is a spiritual being with an exalted vocation. The underestimation or rejection of spiritual values and traditions has gravely negative consequences for every dimension of personal and social life.” He observed that “the fascination with technological achievements leads to the identification of development with technological progress,” and noted also that “the growth of scientific knowledge does not keep pace with the development of the moral sensibilities of the human person.”

This, His All-Holiness, explained, demonstrated the need for religion. “Religion,” he said, “remains of critical importance for contemporary man” because in an age in which the ‘existential vacuum’ is a global phenomenon, amid the pervasive anthropological confusion and the mutually contradictory proposals for the meaning of life, religion is the answer to the ultimate questions of human existence, which stir our minds and souls.” He pointed out that “we cannot imagine a human being who does not ask about the meaning of his life. Religion constitutes ‘a constant of human existence,’ while the suppression of the religious need and its expression provokes profound alienations in the human person.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch also said that “religion is of central importance not only for the personal orientation of life, but also for the identity of peoples and cultures. This became particularly evident at the end of the twentieth century when, after the fall of the Eastern Bloc, the religious self-awareness of its peoples, repressed for decades, re-emerged. Atheist ideology and prohibitions failed to uproot a religious identity bound up directly with the cultural distinctiveness of those peoples. A wholly secularised society, cut off from its religious roots, cannot possibly preserve its humanistic orientation.”

His All-Holiness also pointed out another neglected and often overlooked fact that demonstrates the importance of religion: “Within religious traditions, the greatest achievements of civilization and of particular cultures, their fundamental values, and their ordering of those values were born, shaped, and preserved. With the religions is bound up the great spiritual heritage of humanity. Nothing of significance in the course of human history can be understood without regard to its religious roots. Whatever is most precious among the things that peoples have preserved is connected with their religion or religions. Religious treasures and artefacts fill museums; the religiosity of peoples reveals central aspects of their culture.”

Another “essential function of religion,” His All-Holiness stated, “is its peacemaking power and mission. From Professor Hans Küng comes the phrase: ‘No peace among the nations without peace among the religions. No world peace without peace among the religions. No peace among the religions without dialogue among the religions.’”

“No one can deny,” said the Ecumenical Patriarch, “that today we are living through a profound ‘crisis of freedom.’” He observed that “individual and collective life has become, for the human being, more demanding and more difficult.” Amid these difficulties, “the central question of human existence is the understanding and use of our freedom. Unfortunately, it is proclaimed today with a loud voice that freedom is ‘the art of avoiding commitment.’ The impression has been skillfully planted in our young people that commitment means adaptation to outdated patterns of life, confinement within obsolete schemes. Freedom is very widely identified with the possibility of choice. Yet the truth of our freedom is judged not by the fact that we choose, but by what we choose. The issue that remains is the linking of freedom with responsibility. Freedom understood as responsibility is Ariadne’s thread, which leads us out of our intricate existential labyrinths.”

In line with this understanding of freedom, His All-Holiness told the graduates: “Studying the concept of freedom as autonomy, in the Kantian sense, I came to understand that autonomous freedom does not mean doing whatever I desire; it is not to be identified with a self-sufficient and arrogant self-determination, but is obedience to the moral law, which is the foundation of human dignity, that is, of the absolute worth of the human person. As Kant makes clear, what befits the human being is not the attitude of the arrogant volunteer, who has no need of the idea of duty in order to do good since he does it of his own inclination and initiative, but the attitude of indebtedness and obligation.”

The insight of this philosopher coincided with those of Saint Paul: “We recall here the great theologian of freedom, the Apostle Paul, according to whom the renewal of the human being in Christ is, and is experienced as, liberation and freedom. Freedom, which is a gift from above and not a human achievement, is expressed as the indissoluble unity of faith in God and love for one’s fellow human being, one’s brother.”

His All-Holiness explained that “these two aspects of freedom, the philosophical and the Christian, with their differences but also with their common character as a refusal of the self-deification of the human being and as absolute commitment, together form a robust existential possibility for the creative combination of the identity of the contemporary responsible and free human being with the quality of the believer.” Accordingly, His All-Holiness concluded: “The human being ‘honored with freedom’ has a higher destiny than simply to do ‘whatever he wants.’”

May we all prove worthy of this immense responsibility and honor.

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NEW YORK, NY — The Hellenic Film Society will present a special retrospective celebrating legendary Greek-Cypriot filmmaker Michael Cacoyannis as part of the 2026 New York Greek Film Expo, a Greek film festival, taking place October 8–18 throughout the New York metropolitan area and New Jersey.

The Michael Cacoyannis Retrospective will take place October 16–18 at the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI), 36-01 35th Avenue (at 37th Street), Astoria, NY 11106, and will feature four of the filmmaker’s acclaimed classic films.

Widely regarded as one of the most important Greek filmmakers of the 20th century, Cacoyannis brought Greek stories and characters to international audiences through a distinguished career spanning film, theater and television. His work earned international acclaim and numerous awards, including multiple Academy Award nominations. The retrospective offers audiences an opportunity to experience four landmark films on the big screen and to revisit the work of a filmmaker whose influence continues to resonate in Greek and international cinema.

The Michael Cacoyannis Retrospective includes:

A GIRL IN BLACK

ΤΟ ΚΟΡΙΤΣΙ ΜΕ ΤΑ ΜΑΥΡΑ

• Directed and written by Michael Cacoyannis
• 1956 | 140 minutes | Greek with English subtitles
• Friday, October 16 at 7 pm

Set on the Greek island of Hydra, Cacoyannis’ acclaimed drama follows a young woman whose troubled family life and relationship with an outsider lead to jealousy, conflict and tragedy.

• The film received a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film.

ZORBA THE GREEK

• Directed and written by Michael Cacoyannis
• Based on the novel by Nikos Kazantzakis
• 1964 | 142 minutes | English and Greek
• Saturday, October 17 at 6:30 pm

One of Cacoyannis’ most celebrated films, Zorba the Greek stars Anthony Quinn as the exuberant Alexis Zorba and Alan Bates as an English writer who travels to Crete.

• The film received seven Academy Award nominations and won three Oscars, including Best Supporting Actress for Lila Kedrova, Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction.

STELLA

ΣΤΕΛΛΑ

• Directed and Written by Michael Cacoyannis (based on a play by J. Cambanellis)
• 1955 | 90 mins | Greek with English subtitles
• Sunday, October 18 at 3 pm

Starring Melina Mercouri in one of her most iconic performances, Stella follows a fiercely independent nightclub singer who refuses to surrender her freedom for love.

• The film was selected for competition at the 1955 Cannes Film Festival and received the 1956 Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Film.

WINDFALL IN ATHENS

ΚΥΡΙΑΚΑΤΙΚΟ ΞΥΠΝΗΜΑ

• Directed and written by Michael Cacoyannis
• 1954 | 91 minutes | Greek with English subtitles
• Sunday, October 18 at 6 pm

A young saleswoman loses her clothes and the lottery ticket she is convinced will be a winner, when two boys steal them while she swims. All is not lost, however, when she meets a handsome young musician who becomes the new owner of the ticket.

• Winner of a Diploma of Merit at the Edinburgh Festival.

“Michael Cacoyannis was a groundbreaking filmmaker writing, directing and editing his films giving each one his singular vision and style. He brought his commentary of Greek culture and society to the global stage where his films transcended and resonated with audiences garnering worldwide critical praise. The retrospective also allows the Hellenic Film Society to highlight film preservation and restoration. By screening Stella, a film that has not yet been restored, we can magnify the importance of preserving the rich cultural heritage of Greek film and protecting it for generations to come.”

— Maria (Mary) Miles, President, Hellenic Film Society

The Michael Cacoyannis Retrospective is one of the special programs featured during the 2026 New York Greek Film Expo, which presents 12 films from Greece and Cyprus at venues throughout New York City and the metropolitan area from October 8–18.

Tickets and additional information about the retrospective and the complete New York Greek Film Expo schedule are available at HellenicFilmSociety.org.

About the Hellenic Film Society

The Hellenic Film Society USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization rooted in the belief that Greek cinema should be an integral part of the American cultural landscape. HFS promotes feature films, documentaries, and shorts made by Greek filmmakers and filmmakers of Greek descent, as well as films that celebrate the cultures of Greece and Cyprus.

In addition to its annual New York Greek Film Expo, HFS presents Always on Sunday, a monthly Greek film series at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, often to sell-out crowds. HFS also helps organize Greek film screenings in a growing number of cities across the United States.

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PAPHOS, Cyprus — Following last year’s successful event, the Joanna Sophia Foundation is once again joining forces with Round Table 7 Paphos, with the support of the Municipality of Paphos, to host the 2nd Joanna Sophia Fun Run/Walk Around the World in 5K on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at Castle Square in Paphos. A Family Fun Festival, in collaboration with the Cyprus Red Cross Paphos Branch, will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The event raises awareness about epilepsy and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) while honoring the memory of Joanna Sophia, who passed away unexpectedly in 2018 at just nine years old due to SUDEP.

Everyone is welcome at the Joanna Sophia Fun Run/Walk Around the World in 5K, from experienced runners and running groups, to families with children of all ages. Participants will come together to support the Foundation’s mission and provide assistance to families in need.

This one-of-a-kind Fun Run/Walk will feature surprises, Instagram-worthy inflatables straight from New York, excitement, and other happenings along Paphos’ scenic coastal route, with views of the world’s No. 1 sunset.

Kostas Ioannou, Joanna Sophia’s father and founder of the Joanna Sophia Foundation, thanked everyone who participated in last year’s event. “For our family, this is much more than simply a run. It is an opportunity to honor Joanna Sophia’s memory while raising greater awareness about SUDEP and epilepsy,” said Ioannou.

He also shared that parents who experience this kind of loss have no choice but to keep going, to get back up and move forward, and that all of us should strive to live our lives to the fullest. He invited the public to take part in this year’s Fun Run/Walk and help strengthen the message of #LetJoannaInspireYou.

The Municipality of Paphos and Round Table 7 Paphos also recognize the importance of the event to the community and the cause it supports. “Following last year’s success and seeing the happy faces of both children and adults, we are thrilled that the Joanna Sophia Foundation has once again entrusted us with the 2nd Fun Run/Walk,” said Leondios Tselepos of Round Table 7 Paphos.

Tselepos said this year’s event will once again offer a unique and fun run at sunset. The Cyprus Red Cross Paphos Branch Family Fun Festival will also take place at Castle Square beginning in the morning, creating a full day of activities for the entire family.

“Together, it promises to be an unforgettable day for the entire family,” Tselepos said. “Join us as we raise awareness in Cyprus about SUDEP and epilepsy and #LetJoannaInspireYou.”

For more information about the Foundation and to register for the event, visit joannasophiafoundation.org.

ABOUT THE JOANNA SOPHIA FOUNDATION

The Joanna Sophia Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing public awareness of epilepsy, supporting SUDEP research, and providing financial assistance to families caring for children with epilepsy. For more information, please visit joannasophiafoundation.org.

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On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, following the 15th Assembly meeting of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the U.S.A., hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate met in Pittsburgh, PA, under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America for the Fourth Synaxis of Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the U.S.A. 12 hierarchs attended the gathering, representing the various eparchies under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the U.S.A., namely the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the American Carpatho-Russian OrthodoxDiocese of North America, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, and the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of the Americas. 

In his message to the Hierarchs, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew underscored: “The development of fraternal relationships among the Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate also strengthens their common contribution to the work of the Assembly of Bishops there and to broader cooperation with the other Orthodox communities throughout the country. The unity of the Church constitutes a lofty and abiding responsibility of the local Orthodox Hierarchs. For the Hierarchs of the First Throne of Orthodoxy, the guarantor of unity, this constitutes a sacred obligation and duty. Every step toward cultivating mutual trust, every common effort to address pastoral concerns, and every tangible expression of love, strengthen our witness to the world.” 

In his opening address to the Synaxis, Archbishop Elpidophoros noted that “First of all, thanks to all of you for making the effort to participate in this Fifteenth Assembly of Bishops Meeting. As Bishops of the Mother Church of Constantinople, we have a duty and a responsibility to uphold the decisions that have been inaugurated and effectuated by the Great Church. One can wonder about the effectiveness of certain Assemblies worldwide, but one thing is sure, our Assembly in the United States is deeply engaged in the lives of our Faithful, through a whole host of ministries and services. I hope that each of us takes full advantage of this multifaceted diakonia, for it can only enhance our Archpastoral efforts.”

Following the opening remarks, hierarchs discussed and shared information about their respective eparchies and other ministries. The Vicariate for the Palestinian/Jordanian Orthodox Christian Communities was represented by Rev. Protopresbyter George Jweinat. His Grace Bishop-Elect Alexander of Nicopolis presented the latest developments in the life of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate. V. Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostom Onyekakeyah gave an update on the Mission and Outreach Ministry towards African-Americans. 

The following hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate participated in the Synaxis: His Eminence (H.E.) Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, H.E. Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, H.E. Metropolitan Sevastianos of Atlanta, H.E. Metropolitan Athenagoras of New Jersey, H.E. Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon, H.E. Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa, His Grace (H.G.) Bishop Spyridon of Amastris, H.G. Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea, H.G. Bishop Theophan of Philomelion, H.G. Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia, H.G. Bishop Anthony of Synada, and H.G. Bishop-Elect Alexander of Nicopolis. 

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The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America met in Pittsburgh, PA from October 3-6, 2026, for the 15th convening since its formation. The Assembly expressed sincere gratitude to Metropolitan Savas for hosting the meeting at the new Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh Center, as well as the Pittsburgh pan-Orthodox community for hosting public events.

The weekend began with Vespers at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church on Saturday, October 3 and a concelebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Sunday, October 4.

Assembly XV focused primarily on the ongoing effort to create a Common Catechesis. After reviewing the work of the Theological Education Committee, the Assembly reaffirmed the mandate to the Committee to formulate a classical catechetical text.

> Read His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America’s closing remarks here. 

The Assembly approved additional work on catechesis that engages many of the Assembly’s committees and new working groups.  This comprehensive approach is unique in its inclusion of many voices and crucial in its collaborative nature for the teaching of the Orthodox faith in English. This represents a significant and distinctive undertaking which received the blessing and full support of all the Hierarchs present during the Assembly. Inspired by Saint Paul’s words: “and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2), this collaborative project will be a unique offering to the entire Orthodox Church.

Additionally, the Assembly of Bishops approved the American Sign Language Lexicon of Orthodox Christian Terminology as presented by the Assembly’s sign language lexicon team.  The lexicon team members present included Presbytera Karen Bartz (Interpreter), Greg Coogan, Hannah Mann, and Lola Lee Beno, accompanied by Savannah Foster, President of the Orthodox Christian Deaf Association (OCDA). Deacon Tigran Khachikyan, Emily Hart (Interpreter) and Mah-Rya Proper (Interpreter) were also present digitally.

During their time together, the Hierarchs of the Assembly reaffirmed their calls for a peaceful and just ending to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East. Reiterating earlier statements, the Assembly continues to call for “an immediate cessation of hostilities wherever war persists.” They urged the governments engaged in these conflicts to end the suffering of the people. Also, the Hierarchs grieved the dangers that Orthodox Christians face daily, especially in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the diminishing populations of Christians there. The Hierarchs urge their flocks to offer assistance through charitable giving to those agencies working to alleviate the suffering of people, as especially through the various programs of the Assembly’s Humanitarian Agency: International Orthodox Christian Charities. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

The Hierarchs of the Assembly discussed the growing effects of artificial intelligence. Both positive and negative concerns were expressed that call for greater discernment and discussion. It was noted that the Assembly’s Affiliated Ministry, Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology, and Religion (OCAMPR), will examine the topic at their 2027 conference.

On the tenth anniversary of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church in Crete in 2016, the Hierarchs are reminded anew of the vital importance of pan-Orthodox cooperation and collaboration as an essential expression of the unity of the Orthodox Church and a faithful witness to the Orthodox Christian faith in today’s world.

With thanksgiving to the Almighty God for the unity and cherished brotherhood of the Assembly of Bishops of the United States of America, the Assembly appeals to the wisdom of our Mother Churches to encourage the active cooperation of all Hierarchs in the United States without exception.

The next Assembly meetings will be hosted by the Metropolitan Nathanael (Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago) October 23-26 in Chicago, Illinois, and the following Assembly meeting will be hosted by Metropolitan Saba (Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America) in Houston, Texas in October 2028.

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BOSTON — “You stole a little bit of my thunder,” Alpha Omega Council President Costa Speliakos said into the microphone, addressing Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, who had just spoken. Onstage before 500 guests in the Fairmont Copley Plaza’s Grand Ballroom for the Council’s 50th anniversary gala Oct. 2, Speliakos nodded: “We are all on the same wavelength.”

Speliakos was referring to an idea the Archbishop had drawn from Isocrates after offering the invocation: that Greek identity rests on shared education and culture, not ancestry alone. “The Greeks are the seedbed of Western civilization,” the Archbishop said, emphasizing that the Hellenic inheritance could be shared by anyone who embraced its ideals. In that spirit, Alpha Omega “welcomes one and all,” he said, citing a condensed version of Isocrates’ words inscribed on the Gennadius Library in Athens: “Those who partake of our culture are called ‘Greeks.’”

The black-tie gala opened a three-day anniversary weekend. Co-chairman Bill Galatis welcomed guests, and Dr. Vivian Paraskevi Douglas and Peter Costarakis performed the national anthems of Greece and the United States. The master of ceremonies was John Metaxas, who joined CNN in 1994 and anchored several of its financial news programs, including “Your Money.”

Peter Agris, publisher of The Hellenic Chronicle, founded the Council in 1976 to bring Greek American professionals together for fellowship and good works. Its 10 incorporators, the Council’s anniversary film recalls, were sons of the boys who came over in the early 1900s: doctors, judges, scientists and government officials at the height of their careers. “There was an auspicious beginning to this wonderful endeavor, and the Omega point is not even yet on the horizon,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said.

“Fifty years ago, a handful of visionaries had an idea, and tonight that idea fills this room,” said Harry J. Vlachos, whose term as the Council’s 38th president ended two days before the gala. Today the Council hosts Greek Heritage Night with the Boston Red Sox, a golf classic and a student essay contest on the Battle of Marathon, and helps crown Boston Marathon winners.

The custom dates to the early 1930s, when George C. Demeter, a Greek American state legislator, took it upon himself to meet the winners at the finish line with laurel wreaths from Greece. Agris, then-Gov. Michael Dukakis and others made it official in 1984. Since then, Greece’s consulate in Boston and the Council have supplied olive wreaths cut in Marathon, Greece, for the men’s and women’s champions in the running and wheelchair divisions.

Metropolitan Methodios of Boston thanked individual Alpha Omega members for their generous contributions to the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center in New Hampshire, including its chapel, cafeteria, soccer field and new indoor sports facilities.

The Founders’ Award went to Nancy Agris Savage, the founder’s daughter. A former senior House Foreign Affairs Committee aide, she succeeded her father at The Hellenic Chronicle. The paper was “like the sibling that got all the attention,” she said. Her father met her mother, a disc jockey, while buying an ad on a small Greek radio show in New Hampshire. Each of us, she said, is “a living museum of the immigrants who came here for a better life.” She is now leading the newspaper’s digitization project, which received early support from the Alpha Omega council.

Boston University received the Philhellene Award, which honors champions of Hellenism, Greek or not. Kelly Polychroniou, head of BU’s Modern Greek language program, accepted it for President Melissa L. Gilliam, who could not attend. She noted that in 1877, Boston University awarded Helen Magill White a Ph.D. in Greek, making her the first woman to earn a Ph.D. from an American university. BU is now working with the University of Athens on semester and yearlong study there, she said.

Telemachus “T.A.” Demoulas, a fourth-generation member of Market Basket’s founding family, received the Emerging Leader Award. His great-grandfather Athanasios, he said, landed in New York on St. Patrick’s Day and took the celebrations for a welcome meant for the Greeks. They honored the patron saint of the Irish. Athanasios went back to Greece in 1912 for the First Balkan War, then returned and settled in Lowell, Massachusetts. In 1917 he and his wife, Efrosini, both from Kalambaka, Greece, opened Demoulas Market, a small grocery specializing in lamb. It stood in the Acre, a neighborhood first settled by Irish canal workers and later known as Lowell’s Greektown.

The store made it through the Great Depression largely on credit. Demoulas said his great-grandfather credited the immigrant neighbors who came in every day, the French, the Irish and the Greeks, with keeping it open. The Irish, it turned out, had welcomed him after all. His grandfather and namesake, Telemachus, left high school as a sophomore to help save the store from foreclosure. It grew into Market Basket, one of New England’s largest grocery chains.

The Peter Agris Memorial Awards, which Agris Savage has run for more than 30 years, have given nearly $1 million to students. This year’s recipients are Fotini Anastopoulos, Christian Andriolas, Tyler Davis, Maria Manousakis, Calista Sybrant and Theodora Tsevas. “I think that at a time when our democracy is in peril and the concept of truth is under attack, your young journalists here give me hope that things can be better for the future,” Metaxas said, wishing them “the courage to pursue the truth.”

Greek singer Konstantinos Argiros was also honored. The next night, he drew an impressive crowd to BU’s Agganis Arena for his Boston concert debut.

Speliakos promised a more visible Council that reaches beyond its own events. He called for closer work with educators, universities and cultural institutions, and a greater role for younger leaders. “Our heritage is extraordinary, but heritage survives only when it is shared,” he said.

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Following a successful inaugural gathering in Boca Raton this past March, The Chant Stand will host its second annual Young Aspiring Chanters (YAC) Conference October 23–25, 2026 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Dallas. 

Open to all Orthodox Christians ages 18–35, regardless of jurisdiction or prior experience, YAC offers three days of instruction in Byzantine chant, worship and fellowship. Participants will study under Protopsaltes Samuel Herron, Joshua Boyd and Peter Elgohary. 

On Saturday evening, The Chant Stand and the Holy Trinity Young Adult League will host a Glendi of dinner and dancing, open to participants and Orthodox young adults from the wider community. 

The weekend will conclude Sunday, October 25, with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Constantine of Denver and chanted entirely by conference participants. 

The inaugural conference, held at Saint Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton, drew more than 40 young men and women from across the country, many of whom had never chanted before. The conference was held under the spiritual guidance of Father Mark Leondis of Saint Mark Greek Orthodox Church. Since then, several participants have returned to their home parishes inspired to take their place at the analogion and to continue growing in this tradition. 

“Boca exceeded everything we hoped for,” said Sam Atalis, co-founder of The Chant Stand. “We’re finding that young Orthodox Christians want to take part in this tradition, and to do it alongside others who share that desire. YAC is meant to be that first step — but also a community to keep coming back to, whether you’re just beginning or continuing to grow in this art form.” 

For those who wish to continue their education, YAC also serves as a gateway to more advanced study through programs including the Trisagion School of Byzantine Music, among others. 

Registration for YAC is $200 and closes October 18. Glendi tickets are available as an add-on at registration. Register now at thechantstand.org/yac/register. 

About The Chant Stand 

The Chant Stand is an Orthodox Christian nonprofit co-founded by Sam Atalis and Andreas Stamatakis, members of Saint Mark Greek Orthodox Church in Boca Raton, Florida. Dedicated to preserving the sacred art of Byzantine chant and passing it on to the next generation, The Chant Stand serves as an accessible entry point for young Orthodox Christians who feel called to this tradition. The Chant Stand is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information, visit thechantstand.org or email [email protected]. 

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When Greece was experiencing a migrant crisis, what stood out to Noel Demetrio amid all the noise was her observations about how Greeks responded. This was the first time she understood what the Greek concepts of philotimo and philoxenia actually meant, and seeing those values in practice helped her understand what it truly means to be Greek.

Noel Demetrio is a student at the University of Texas at Austin, where she is pursuing a Plan II Honors major and plans to add international business to her studies. A parishioner of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, Noel joined the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Girl Delegates to the United Nations program in February 2024.

Noel’s aunt Sherry initially encouraged Noel to apply to the Girl Delegates program, saying it had Noel “written all over it.” Noel took the idea seriously, thinking back to her experience in Greece.

“I had watched Greeks who were struggling themselves still constantly find ways to give to others, especially during the refugee crisis,” Noel says. “It made me feel like if I were ever given an opportunity to use my voice or represent my Greek heritage in a meaningful way, I had a responsibility to at least try. So when this opportunity came along, I knew I had to apply.”

For Noel, her Orthodox faith and Greek culture have always been closely connected. Her parents taught her faith should be reflected in how people treat and care for others–echoing philotimo and philoxenia. She was raised with Saint John Chrysostom’s teaching about seeing Christ in the person in need at the church door, not only in the chalice. 

Through the Girl Delegates program, Noel has had the opportunity to advocate for girls on an international level while representing her Greek Orthodox faith and values. 

The program has also allowed Noel to participate in important conversations at the United Nations, and exposed her to perspectives she might not otherwise have encountered. During the 68th and 69th sessions of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, she had the opportunity to participate in conversations concerning women’s rights, including with leaders from Nepal, Cyprus, and Greece. 

Through the program, Noel also developed a network of talented young Greek women who have become both friends and sources of inspiration. She met girls from across the country who continue to inspire her, including fellow Chicago-area Girl Delegate Dia Drossos. Noel describes Dia as a wealth of information whose passion encourages her to continue learning and becoming more involved.

“Every time I talk to her, I walk away wanting to know more and do more,” Noel says.

Noel’s work at the U.N. also led to her recognition at the White House, where she was selected as one of 10 Girls Leading Change honorees in 2024. There, she met other young women who had made meaningful contributions to their communities and shared her commitment to creating tangible change. Noel remains in contact with several of the honorees, and continues to draw inspiration from their work. 

“Watching their continued accomplishments constantly pushes me to think bigger,” she says.

Noel also believes the Girl Delegates program helped prepare her for college, challenging her to look at problems through a global lens and better understand how different cultures, backgrounds, and experiences can shape the way people view the same issue in distinct ways.

Noel encourages all Greek Orthodox girls to apply to the Girl Delegates program. 

“Walking into the United Nations never gets old. There’s an energy and a sense of hope there that’s hard to describe,” Noel says. “It’s an experience most people will never have, and getting to advocate on behalf of girls while also representing our Greek Orthodox faith makes it even more meaningful.”

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On Sunday, October 4^th, the community of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Pittsburgh, PA welcomed Hierarchs from the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America for a reception and performances spotlighting local cultural dance troupes and choirs along with testimonies highlighting the work of the Assembly’s agencies. The Hierarchs were welcomed by Rev. Fr. Michael H. Kallaur, Presiding Priest of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, the Parish Council, and faithful. 

During the reception which was hosted by the parish community, the Orthodox Volunteer Corps, in partnership with Neighborhood Resilience Project, organized a food assembly station for their backpack feeding program. The Hierarchs and faithful were entertained by performances from several dance troupes and choirs, including:

• Saint Constantine School of Pittsburgh Students, a Pan-Orthodox school in Bellevue, PA;
• Otets Paissii Performing Folk Ensemble from the Bulgarian Macedonian National Educational and Cultural Center in West Homestead, PA;
• St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral Byzantine Choir of Pittsburg from the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese in Pittsburgh, PA;
• St. Nicholas Serbian Tamburitzans from St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Monroeville, PA;
• Slavjane Folk Ensemble from St. John the Baptist American Carpatho-Russian Church in Allison Park, PA; 
• Kyiv Ukrainian Dance Ensemble from St. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Carnegie, PA;
• Saint Miriam Byzantine Choir, a Pan-Orthodox choir in Pittsburgh, PA; and,
• Grecian Odyssey Dancers from Presentation of Christ Greek Orthodox Church in East Pittsburgh, PA.

Spyridoula Fotinis, Director of Inter-Parish Associations for the Assembly, served as the Master of Ceremonies. Short testimonials from the Assembly’s six Agencies were read by:

• Fr. Paul Abernathy, Orthodox Youth and Young Adult Ministries
• Natalya Delsante, Orthodox Volunteer Corps
• Dominic, Orthodox Christian Fellowship
• Victoria Dionisos, Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry
• Presbytera Theophani Sarigianis, Orthodox Christian Mission Center
• Archon Nicholas Terezis, International Orthodox Christian Charities

At the conclusion of the reception, Fr. Nicholas Anton, Assembly of Bishops’ Director of Operations, thanked the dancers for their lively performances and the faithful of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church for their hospitality.

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On Sunday, October 4th, the community of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Pittsburgh, PA welcomed Hierarchs from the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America for a pan-Orthodox Hierarchical concelebration of the Divine Liturgy.

Attended by more than 300 faithful from the Pittsburgh-area, the Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Chairman of the Assembly of Bishops, along with the following Hierarchs and clergy.

> Find the extensive list of Hierarchs and clergy in attendance here.

Orthros was chanted by the St. Nicholas Cathedral chanters, lead by Amy Hogg, and the Divine Liturgy was chanted by the Pan-Orthodox Choir of Pittsburgh, under the direction of Archpriest Thomas Soroka.

His Grace Bishop Irinej gave the homily which highlighted our calling to love one another as Christ loves us. His Grace said, “where love is present, God will also be there present. And most certainly where God is present, there too is love, for He is love.”

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Elpidophoros conveyed the Medal of St. Theodora, the highest recognition of the Assembly of Bishops, upon Anne van den Berg for her dedicated service to Orthodox Christian unity in the United States of America. Mark Arey, the other 2026 recipient, was unable to attend in-person.

Rev. Fr. Eleftherios Constantine, Dean of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, welcomed the assembled Hierarchs to the cathedral and expressed well wishes on behalf of the clergy and faithful of Pittsburgh for a productive convening of the Assembly. The assembled Hierarchs were then invited to join the clergy and faithful in the community hall for a reception hosted by the Cathedral community.

> Find His Eminence full remarks at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy here. 

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