OLIFebruary2014 MAZI

Your guide to Faith, Dance, and Fellowship #FDF2014 www.yourFDF.org What’s New? 1 Get connected! As a parallel to our theme this year, we are launching an FDF app! Find the app by searching “Greek Orthodox Folk Dance & Choral Festival” in the app store. Available on iOS and Android products! (Available for Windows and Blackberry via web browsing.)

2 #ThrowBackThursday! For the past 4 weeks, we’ve asked you to share your favorite FDF memories via social media. Check some of our favorites out on page 24.

3 Glykeria in concert! Legendary Glykeria will be performing an exclusive FDF performance.

4 A sit-down awards banquet is back! In the past few years, venue constraints meant that we had to In this issue: separate dinner from our awards program. However, this year we’ve been able to secure the neighboring convention center to host our full Sunday Night Dinner & Awards Banquet! Welcome Letter from His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos 2 Letter from His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios 3 Letter from Congressman Edward R. Royce 4 Welcome to our Guest Hierarchs 5 Welcome Letter from Fr. Gary Kyriacou 7 Letter from the 2014 Managing Director 8 Metropolis News- Strategic Plan to Chart New Course for Metropolis 9 Metropolis Philoptochos News 10 Memorials 11 Metropolis Calendar Of Events 12 Metropolitan Anthony Humanitarian Award 13 Elios Society Award of Excellence 15 “Theres An App for That!” 16 Diakonia 18 Workshops 20 Congratulations! 23 A Thracian Treasure from a Young Greek American 23 Social Media Shoutout 24 Friday Night Glendi Musicians + Margarita! 26 Glykeria 28 Youth and Young Adult Ministries Update 30 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival 31 Summer is Back! 32 Greek Village Immersion Camp 34 Ionian Village 36 Judge Bios 39 [email protected] /FOLKDANCEFESTIVAL

@YOURFDF @YOURFDF 1

February 13, 2014 Aquilla & Priscilla the Apostles

Beloved in the Lord,

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another….” I John 1:7

I greet you with joy in the Lord as we gather for yet another wonderful weekend of Faith, Dance, and Fellowship at the 38th Annual Folk Dance and Choral Festival in Anaheim, California. During these next three days together, we will have many opportunities to share time in fellowship, prayer, and Christian unity.

We are honored to welcome His Eminence Metropolitan Elpidophoros of Bursa to FDF for the first time. Metropolitan Elpidophoros is the Abbot of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of the Holy Trinity on the island of Halki, and is also the Dean of the Halki Theological School, which was forcibly closed by the Turkish government over 42 years ago. Metropolitan Elpidophoros has been a strong voice for the reopening of this important theological institution and for the religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas of the Dardanelles will also be visiting FDF for the first time. Metropolitan Nikitas previously served as the first Metropolitan of Hong Kong from 1997 – 2007. He grew up as a dancer in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and he has tremendous knowledge, respect and love for the preservation and perpetuation of our Hellenic culture. Metropolitan Nikitas presently serves as the Director of the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute in Berkeley, CA.

The presence of these two distinguished hierarchs underscores our connection to the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the foundation of our faith and culture, which are essential to our spiritual development and witness to the world. It is now up to us to connect our faith with our actions so that all that we do emulates a holy Orthodox Christian life. Walking in the light of Christ and following His commandments is not always an easy road, but it is one with everlasting rewards.

Let us strive to connect our Orthodox Christian values to all aspects of our lives and allow God to work in us and through us so that we may be instruments for His glory!

With Love in Christ,

Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco

2 3 Welcome to our Guest Hierarchs!

His Eminence Metropolitan of Bursa and Exarch of Bithynia was born in 1967 in Bakirköy, Istan- bul. He studied at the Department of Pastoral Theology, Theological School of the Aristotle Uni- versity of Thessaloniki, from which he graduated in 1991. In 1993, he finished his postgraduate studies at the Philosophical School of the University of Bonn, Germany submitting a dissertation entitled, “The Brothers Nicholas and John Mesarites”. He was ordained a Deacon in 1994 at the Patriarchal Cathedral and was appointed as the Codecographer of the Holy and Sacred Synod. In 1995, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod. From 1996-1997 he studied at the Theological School of St. John the Damascene in Balamand, Lebanon, where he improved his knowledge of the Arabic language. In 2001, he presented a doctoral disserta- tion at the Theological School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki under the title: “Severus of Antioch and the Council of Chalcedon” proclaiming him a Doctor of Theology. In 2004, he was invited to Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston, where he taught as a visiting professor for one semester. In March 2005, at the proposal of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, he was promoted by the Holy and Sacred Synod to the position of Chief Secretary and was ordained to the priesthood by the Ecumenical Patriarch in the Patriarchal Cathedral. In 2009, he submitted two dissertations to the Theological School of Thessaloniki and was unanimously elected Assistant Professor of Symbolics, Inter-Orthodox Relations and the Ecumenical Movement. The dissertations are entitled: “The Synaxis’s of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne (1951-2004)” and “Luther’s Ninety-five Thesis. Historical and Theological aspects. Text - Translation - Commentary “. In March 2011, he was elected Metropolitan of Bursa and in August of the same year was appointed Abbot of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of the Holy Trinity on the island of Chalki. He has served as the Orthodox Secretary of the Joint Interna- tional Commission for the Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Lutheran World Federation and as a member of the Patriarchal delegations to the General Assemblies of the Conference of European Churches and the World Council of Churches. He was the Secretary of the Pan-Orthodox Synods in Sofia (1998), Istanbul (2005), Ge- neva (2006), and Istanbul (2008). He has been a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches since 1996.

His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas of the Dardanelles was born in 1955 in Tampa, Florida where he was raised with his brother, John. A member of Savant, the University of Florida Honors Society, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from the University in 1976. He is listed in the Who’s Who of American Colleges and Universities in 1975 and 1979. Metropolitan Nikitas attended Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, MA where he received his Master of Divinity with Honors in 1980. He was a Rotary International Graduate Scholar from 1980 – 1981 and a Graduate Scholar, Ministry of the Exterior, Greece, from 1981 – 1982. He pursued his graduate studies at the University of Thessaloniki, Greece, until Novem- ber 1982. He further studied the Russian language at the St. Petersburg Theological Seminary in St. Petersburg, Russia from late 1992 through mid-1993. His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas’ first assignment upon ordination was Associate Pastor at Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Merriville, Indiana. He remained at the Cathedral un- til 1987 at which time he became the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Chicago, Illinois. During his tenure as Chancellor from 1987 to 1995, he was involved in numerous educational, community service and interfaith activities including: Lecturer in Orthodox Christianity; Teaching theology at Loyola University, Chicago, Illinois, from 1988 to 1991; Member, Board of Directors, the Hellenic Foundation (1989 – present); Member, Board of Directors, the Hellenic Museum (1991 – 1992); Teen Living Program Volunteer (1990 - 1992) and Volunteer of the Year, Teen Living Program (1992); Member, Executive Committee, National Workshop – Relations between Christians and Jews (1991); Member, Steering Committee, 32nd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress. In 1994, he was appointed Director of Development for the International Orthodox Christian Charities and on July 1, 1995, he became Pastor of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Chicago, Illinois. On Saturday, December 14, 1996, His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas was consecrated a Hierarch and named Metropolitan of Hong Kong and South East Asia. This historic event took place in the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George the Great Martyr, Phanar, Istanbul. He was enthroned as the first Metropolitan of Hong Kong and South East Asia (the Exarchates of China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore) on Sunday, January 12, 1997 at the Cathedral of St. Luke the Evangelist in Hong Kong. In March of 2007, His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas was appointed Director of the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute in Berkeley, California. Metropolitan Nikitas serves as the Chair of the Patriarchal Committee on Youth, just as he represents the Patriarch on the Steering Committee of the Elijah Foundation, an international committee on interfaith dialogue. His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas is fluent in English, Greek and Russian and has a working knowledge of Latin, Church Slavonic and Spanish. 5 voula pam

christine george Welcome to #FDF2014 vasili Connect! By Fr. Gary Kyriacou FDF Chairman

christa anthony

FDF stands for Folk Dance Festival and we also commonly use it to stand for Faith, Dance, Fellowship, so FDF is both the name and motto of this ministry

kristina konstantino and this weekend. Our theme this year is CONNECT because FDF is a fantastic opportunity to connect with old friends, new people, our culture, our

christine religion, God and each other. kathrine But CONNECT has also come to mean being tied in to technology, and connected we are! Through our laptops, phones and other handheld devices we’re connected to the Internet, to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. We can instantly connect to information, entertainment and friends and family

john alex even if they are thousands of miles away. Being connected seems vital and valuable to us; in the short time this technology has been available, we have come to rely on it and treat it with a reverence bordering on obsession.

vaso maria Connecting through technology is a huge benefit, but it can also be a distraction. We may be communicating and connecting through our devices while ignoring and neglecting important people and events right in front of us. It’s easy to forget that technology is supposed to give us more time, not take up all our time. Ironically, it is now necessary to dis-connect from technology in order to make true connections the old-fashioned way.

evangelia danielle cathy We have all put plenty of time, treasure and talent toward getting to this weekend and this place. Let’s honor our hard work and open ourselves up to true connection; with God, with Orthodoxy, with Greek culture, and most of all, with each other. Connecting to each other as Christians is also

alexandra elizabeth irene connecting to God and His Word. “Where two or three have come together in my name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:20) If we take a moment to unplug, and reflect upon the importance of our connection to Christ, every aspect of our life will profit greatly. In John 10:10, Christ explains, “I came that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.” Let’s honor what Christ did for us by putting aside our devices and taking time to connect. Let’s see our devices for what they really are, tools, and make sure our reverence is not for them, but for our Living God. manoli john taki pete

anysia FDF provides us with an opportunity to grow closer to each other, to meet other Orthodox Christians from around the world, and to strengthen our relationship with Christ. You can send your emails, text messages, and post to Facebook and Instagram; FDF has even created an app to make it easier to connect to us! But make sure this kind of connection is secondary to truly being present for this weekend of opportunities and unity. This life-giving experience only maro comes around once a year; for some, it is once-in-a-lifetime. Take time tj to unplug in order to truly CONNECT. yianni spero paul #yourFDF Management Team 6 7 metropolis news Strategic Plan Charts Dynamic Course for the Future Every successful group including churches periodically as- sesses where it is, where it wants to be and how it will get The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco there. With faith and love in Jesus Christ, the Metropolis welcomes all people with joy, peace and love on #connectFDF of San Francisco accepted this challenge and embarked By Christine Alexopoulos on the process of formu- lating a Strategic Plan during the their journey to theosis and salvation through summer of 2012. A committee of 50 clergy and lay lead- churches that save, heal, preach the FDF 2014 Managing Director ers from throughout the diverse geography of the Metrop- Welcome to the 38th Greek Orthodox Folk Dance and Choral Festival at the Anaheim Marriott! olis participated in two in-depth planning retreats during Gospel and guide the faithful. 2014 marks another amazing year as we CONNECT over 2300 participants, more than 40 par- which the core of the Strategic Plan was developed. The outcome has provided a cohesive and visionary road map to ensure that the Metropolis is proceeding methodically ishes, and 9 states together under one roof for 4 days of Faith, Dancing, and Fellowship (wow)! with its work, and that it is being proactive in developing meaningful programs and ministries for the spiritual, educa- tional, and social edification of its faithful. Through a disciplined process, a detailed analysis was conducted of the This wouldn’t be possible without the help of our wonderful Management Team. I am truly hon- Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of the Metropolis and reaffirmed the Mission of the Arch- ored and thankful to have had the pleasure of working with these accomplished individuals, who diocese and Metropolis which is to: have shared their God-given talents to help produce yet another successful FDF. The success of Proclaim the Gospel Teach and spread the Energize, cultivate, and guide the life of the Church in the United FDF is also proven through the continued support and love of our participants...YOU! 1of Christ. 2Orthodox Christian 3States of America according to the Orthodox Christian Faith and Faith. Tradition.

As we take time this weekend to connect to family and friends (new and old), remember to connect The identification and articulation of the Core Values of the Metropolis were also integral to this process, as these to what has brought us all here - our Faith. To quote the wise words spoken from a young 2013 guide the overall work of the Metropolis to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ: FDF participant, “With God we are unstoppable.” Core Values 1. Christ-centered These Core Values then led to the development of a We ask that you carry this year’s theme with you every day, and continue to CONNECT and 2. Active participation in sacramental life Vision Statement for the Metropolis, and after thorough strengthen your relationship with Christ. This year will be one for the books! 3. Education and extensive analysis, prayerful reflection and consen- 4. Integrity, transparency and accountability sus-driven discussions, the Strategic Planning Commit- 5. Stewardship tee unanimously embraced the following “SWEEPing” 6. Outreach and evangelism Vision: 7. Inclusiveness and engagement Metropolis of San Francisco Vision 8. Courage 9. Communications using all media 10. Minister to all generations and strengthen our families and relationships STEWARDSHIPSWEEPWORSHIP EDUCATION & PHILANTHROPIC 11. Financial responsibility Congratulations to the AGAPE Dancers! EVANGELISM OUTREACH {Using the Core Values as a guide along with the detailed results of the SWOT analysis, the following 11 Task Forces Thank you for representing our Parish with pride! were formed. Over the past year, they have developed detailed Strategic Objectives and Action Plans for the imple- Continue to Glorify Christ in all that you do! mentation of their respective areas: 1. Education 4. Philanthropic Outreach 7. Specialized Ministries – Wellness 10. Metropolis Organization and Development We appreciate the efforts of our Dance Directors Pres. Christie Kyriacou and Christina Joannou 2. Liturgical Life 5. Stewardship 8. Communications 11. Parish Organization and Development and our dancers: Natalie Joannou, Elena Kyriacou, Harrison Kyriacou, Jacob Kyriacou, Gavin 3. Missions and Evangelism 6. Youth 9. Finances Martinez, Rhianne Martinez, Angela Mira, Valentina Mira, Kiveli Padelides, Sophia Papanicolaou, The Strategic Plan will become the basis for the work of the Metropolis Council and its committee infrastructure. It will also be the focus of the Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assemblies which will facilitate gatherings of the teams working on Alex Qutami, Adam Sanderson. each Strategic Goal, and then sharing their reports with the delegates regarding their progress, successes and chal- With Great Love, lenges. The Strategic Plan will be made available both in hard copy, as well as published on the Metropolis website so Fr. Gary Kyriacou, The Parish Council and the Entire Community that it is a working resource for all our faithful to engage them in this process and encourage their active support and participation in this plan. St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Mailing Address: PO Box 1970, Camarillo, CA 93011 Now the real work begins as the Metropolis prioritizes its efforts and works diligently to achieve the blueprint created by the Strategic Plan that provides an exciting road map to achieve its sacred destiny. There is no end to what we can Physical Address: 3100 Ponderosa Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010 achieve if we work together for God’s Glory and as faithful stewards of His Holy Orthodox Church. (805) 482-1273 www.saintdem.org Visit the Metropolis website: www.sanfran.goarch.org for more in-depth information on the Strategic Plan and how you can get involved today! To have the daily scripture readings, hourly prayers, parish events and updates about our building project, please 8download our free parish app from the Apple Store: St. Demetrios Church or use our QR code. 9 Metropolis Philoptochos 2013 – 2015 Metropolis Philoptochos Board: Row 1 (Seated): Presvytera Evelyn Adams, Mari Lou Diamond – Corresponding Secretary, Agatha Felactu – 1st Vice President, Jeannie Ranglas – Continues Legacy Of President, Michele Genetos – 2nd Vice President, Mary Lofton – Chapter Liaison, Lisa Xanthos – Recording Secretary. Service And Philanthropy Row 2: Judie Christopoulos, Bobbie Soupos, Patricia Aleck, Connie Ralph, Elaine Kanellos, Elaine Wright, Sophie Mastor, Rose Sogotis, Mary Peros, Kristina Mehas, Mary Pruitt, Gloria Vincent. Jeannie Ranglas, Row 3: Archimandrite Apostolos Koufallakis, Chancellor; His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos. Metropolis Philoptochos President Not Pictured: Bernadette Anthony, Frances Bissias – Honorary Member, Kathy Gabriel – Assistant Treasurer, Tula Gallanes – Honorary Past President, Diana Jianas – Treasurer, Genie Kontos, Christine Peratis – Honorary Past President, Valerie Roumeliotes – Honorary Past President. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 Philoptochos has a history of more than 80 years of devoted service to those who are in need. Within the Metropolis of San Francisco, Philoptochos is a dynamic movement which includes 56 chapters and over 4,000 members who are committed to helping others through care, compassion, philanthropy and love. With the guidance and leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, the Metropolis Philoptochos is a proud partner in many important endeavors which further the mission and vision of the Metropolis and support and strengthen our communities. may their memory be eternal! The Metropolis Philoptochos encompasses many areas of service including: Kids ‘n’ Cancer Camp Agape, Bishop Anthony Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment Fund, Philoptochos Lodge at Saint Nicholas Ranch, 2004 +His Eminence Metropolitan 2009 Rhonda Eleni Gadinas 1997 Paul Ginis Hellenic College/Holy Cross Adopt-a-Student, Women’s Health and Wellness, Social Services/Emergency Anthony of Blessed Memory 2009 John Gianakopoulos 1994 Nick Varvitsiotis Relief, and Pennies and Prayers. Each of these ministries reaches people of different ages with diverse chal- 2013 Fr. Nicholas Andrews 2009 Dimitri Simvoulakis 1994 Soula Kunelis lenges, but with one common thread – need. 2013 Fr. Demetrius Dogias 2006 Tasia Tsobanoudis 1994 Manolis Abazis This is where Philoptochos is committed to making a difference. For all those in need – whether it is a child 2012 Fr. James Diavatis 2006 Jivko Bebelekov 1993 Jim Markus with a terminal illness; young men studying for the priesthood; mission parishes striving to build up new 2012 Fr. Anthony Tomaras 2004 Anthony Forakis 1993 Chris Tasulis Orthodox communities; people struggling with unemployment or homelessness; Philoptochos gives from the 2012 Fr. John Asimacopoulos heart and gives unconditionally as an example of their commitment of service to others. 2002 John Papadoupoulos 1992 Spiro Pathos 2011 Fr. Anthony Moschonas 2002 Hariklia Frangos 1992 Katerina Perivoliotis With the upcoming implementation of the new Metropolis Strategic Plan, the work of Philoptochos will be 2011 Fr. Theophilos Theophilos 2001 Kathy Trapp 1988 Bill Angeles elevated even more. The Task Force on Philanthropic Outreach will provide even greater opportunities to 2007 Fr. Efstathios Mylonas 2000 Anna Efstathiou 1988 Ted Petrides expand the ministry of Philoptochos and engage even more women – and men – in this important work. Philoptochos has been the torchbearer for our Church in their ministry and has been the primary source 1995 Fr. Leonidas C. Contos 2000 Vilma Matchette 1986 Dora Stratou of philanthropy in our church and civic communities. We are excited about the possibilities that can be 1993 Fr. A. Homer Demopulos 2000 Jim Papangellin 1980 Christos Papadimitrakis achieved when even more people become inspired and involved in this fulfilling ministry. 2013 Mary (Maria) Kakavulias 1999 Elizabeth Angelis 1989 Chris Tsantilas 2012 Mary Vouras 1999 Fisher Theodore Harper Each of us has been created in the image of Christ, to do good works and to walk in His path. We invite 1979 Cynthia Anderson you to join us for this journey where the impossible can be achieved with the help of God! 2012 Donald K. Hiatt 1999 Ian Joseph Harper 2011 Panos Angels 1999 Katherine Velthoen www.sfphiloptochos.org 2010 Athan Karras 1998 John P. Angel 2010 Dennis Boxell 1998 Sonia Spachis 10 2010 Maria Kalmantis 1997 Kim Efstathiou 11 Metropolis Calendar Metropolitan Anthony of Events Humanitarian Award 2014 Gerry and Jeannie Ranglas February 23-24 May 29- June1 August 28-31 Metropolis Council Meeting Metropolis Philoptochos Metropolis Philoptochos The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco is pleased to honor Gerry and Jeannie Ranglas as the 2014 recipi- Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Kids ‘n’ Cancer Camp Agape Kids ‘n’ Cancer Camp Agape ents of the Metropolitan Anthony Humanitarian Award. The Ranglas’ have demonstrated their love for the Church and Center - Dunlap, CA Prescott, AZ Camp Marston – Julian, CA their support for the community through many years of exemplary philanthropy.

February 24-25 June 12-15 September 8 Gerry and Jeannie have offered of their time, talent and treasure as outstanding stewards at the parish, Metropolis Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assembly Metropolis Philoptochos The Twelve Great Feasts Through and Archdiocese levels as well as to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. They are founding members of the Saints Constantine Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Kids ‘n’ Cancer Camp Agape Icons and Hymns – Part I and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cardiff- by-the-Sea, California where they remain active parishioners and bene- Center - Dunlap, CA Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Online Metropolis Webinar factors of the community. Gerry and Jeannie are also members of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Center - Dunlap, CA February 25-26 September 15 Fund. In the Metropolis, Gerry and Jeannie have supported many ministries including the Monastery of the Theotokos Metropolis Clergy Retreat June 21-28 The Twelve Great Feasts Through the Life-Giving Spring, Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, Faith Forward, and were Premier Sponsors of the Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Greek Village Immersion Camp Icons and Hymns – Part II inaugural Metropolis Gala in 2013 which Jeannie co-chaired. The Ranglas’ have also been exceptional supporters Center - Dunlap, CA Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Online Metropolis Webinar of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and have provided for the needs of our Mother Church through their generosity, and Center - Dunlap, CA March 8-9 September 15-19 were sponsors and participants in the Metropolis Pilgrimage, “Journey of Faith: East and West” to Rome, Athens and Pan-Orthodox Celebration of the June 26-29 Metropolis Adult Resort Camp Constantinople in 2010. Sunday of Orthodoxy Metropolis Church Music Federation Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Gerry was born in Athens, Greece and moved to San Diego as a young child. He grew up attending Saint Spyridon Saint Steven’s Serbian Orthodox Conference Center - Dunlap, CA Cathedral - Alhambra, CA Ascension Greek Orthodox Greek Orthodox Church and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business from San Diego State University. He Cathedral - Oakland, CA November 10-13 is the CEO and Owner of R&V Management Corporation, a real estate, investment and management firm for over 30 March 14-16 Pan-Orthodox Clergy Retreat years. In honor of Gerry’s devotion to the Church, he was bestowed the honor of Archon Depoutatos by the Ecumeni- Metropolis Young Adult Lenten Retreat July 6-12 Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat cal Patriarchate. Most recently, Gerry was appointed as a member of the Leadership 100 Board of Trustees. Malibu, CA Metropolis Summer Camp – Session I Center - Dunlap, CA Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Jeannie was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois to parents of Greek ancestry. She moved to San Diego when she March – April 2014 Center - Dunlap, CA November 22 married Gerry 37 years ago. Jeannie is currently in her fourth year serving as the Metropolis of San Francisco Metropolis Lenten Online Book Club Light the Path - Metropolis Philoptochos President, a leading ministry with innovative programs including Kids ‘n’ Cancer and the Bishop Anthony July 13-19 Philoptochos Christmas April 27 Metropolis Summer Camp – Session II Luncheon Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment Fund. She has also been a member of the National Philoptochos Board for the Hellenic Cultural Parade Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Archdiocese for 15 years. Jeannie served as co-chair of the National Philoptochos Convention in Phoenix, Arizona San Francisco, CA Center - Dunlap, CA Mary Greek Orthodox during the 2012 Clergy-Laity Congress of the Archdiocese. Her service at her local parish has included Parish Council Church – Long Beach, CA President, Philoptochos President, and President of the Cardiff Orthodox Housing. Jeannie chaired the Thyranoixia May 2-3 July 20-26 Metropolis Oratorical Festival Metropolis Summer Camp – Session III December 6 and Consecration of Saints Constantine and Helen, and was also recognized for her leadership with the Anthousa Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Light the Path - Metropolis Award from the Saint Spyridon Philoptochos in San Diego. Center - Dunlap, CA Center - Dunlap, CA Philoptochos Christmas Gerry and Jeannie’s philanthropy extends into the civic community as the primary donors for the establishment of the Luncheon May 4 July 21-26 Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Ancient Greek History Chair at the University of California San Diego in 2005. This position provides for excellence in Metropolis Philoptochos Kids ‘n’ Cancer Metropolis Philoptochos Church – Stockton, CA education on Greek philosophy, literature and classics, and leaves a lasting legacy of their family’s dedication to their Spring Reception Kids ‘n’ Cancer Camp Agape Hellenic heritage. Jeannie was also recognized by the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary with the Women of Dedica- Big Canyon Country Club - Newport All Saints Camp – Gig Harbor, WA tion award for her community service and leadership. Beach, CA August 2-7 As the proud parents of Athan (32) and Alexis (28), Gerry and Jeannie are committed to maintaining a strong family May 23-26 Metropolis Philoptochos life, and instilling in their children the importance of service to others. Both Athan and Alexis grew up participating in Metropolis Family Camp Kids ‘n’ Cancer Camp Agape the dance group at their parish and competing in FDF, and they remain active supporters of the Church. Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Camp Angelos – Portland, OR Center - Dunlap, CA “Gerry and Jeannie are cherished friends and stewards of the church who have continually offered their gifts with faith, love and tireless commitment. They give of themselves with exceptional generosity as a demonstration of their devotion and service to Jesus Christ,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “They were also very close friends of His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony, of blessed memory, and I know that he would be pleased that their years of dedication and philanthropy are being duly recognized as the 2014 recipients of the Metropolitan Anthony Humanitarian Award.” 12 13 Award of Excellence Christ J. Kamages, AIA

Christ Kamages builds faith. Architecture is spiritual work for him. This began at 14 years of age. The deep Christian Orthodox traditions of the Kamages family led Christ to consider a career in the priesthood. But an apprenticeship with Christopher Kantianis, AIA, in Boston in the 1960’s exposed him to architecture, design and Byzantine theories and The Elios Charitable Foundation is proud to present styles. An MIT science fair award for Byzantine Architecture, where he elegantly demonstrated how to place a round dome on a square base, permanently sealed his career and life mission. Christ J. Kamages He grew up at St. George Cathedral in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he was a member of the St. George Olym- pians Drum and Bugle Corp. Kamages’ undergraduate work at the Boston Architectural Center has exposed to the the 2014 Elios Award of Excellence design methods and process architecture. Community work in architecture arose from Master’s studies at the State & University of New York at Buffalo. The “Buffalo Experiments”, as they were known, created a visionary design methods the 2014 Folk Dance & Choral Festival group which held architects responsible to serve civilization by concentrating on user needs and hands-on work with clients. He also taught undergraduate and graduate architectural design and process at SUNY-Buffalo in the 1970’s. with a grant for the 19th consecutive year He has since become a guiding force as principal in a series of architecture firms such as Cannon Design, Inc. Grand Island NY and in Boston MA. The 1980’s saw Kamages move to San Francisco, where his tenure as the Director of at With the support of Elios Society members and Hellenic Charity Ball sponsors and attendees, The Ehrenkrantz Group in San Francisco reinforced the process and methods foundation for design and also expanded the Elios Charitable Foundation was able to provide grants to the following organizations this past year: the community focus with successful civic projects, like the Pasadena Police Department Building which won an AIA Architecture in Justice Award in 2002. Kamages acquired the firm created EKONA Architecture and Planning, and Center for Tebtunis Papyri at the University of California, Berkeley expanded his work to church projects. The firm’s development today, as CJK Design Group, has multi-million dollar Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco for the Ambassadors Program projects throughout the United States. Folk Dance & Choral Festival Greek Cultural Parade on April 7, 2013 Kamages has truly advanced the profession of architecture by achieving that synthesis between the rational, analytical Greek Historical Society of the Bay Area for Project Istoria aspects of building design and the emotional and cultural forces of community interaction in the design and construc- Hellenic Heritage Institute in San Jose tion process. This has led to overwhelming success in working with hundreds of Orthodox communities to inspire them The Hellenic Journal with his passion for a rebirth of the true Eastern spirit where traditional church sacred space is essential and vital to Hellenic Library Research Fellowship Program at Sacramento State University community life. He collaborated with the late V. Rev. Leonidas Contos on the publication of Ecclesia, A Facilities and Los Angeles Greek Film Festival Artifacts Handbook, a guide to church communities to help them better understand the planning and design process. Modern Greek Studies Foundation for the San Francisco Greek Film Festival Kamages has gone on to develop unique church designs such as the Axios, an expandable prototype for growing Modern Greek Studies Program at San Francisco State University for a Visiting Professor mission parishes, and the copyrighted Triad design, which uses the beautiful Byzantine principles while optimizing the seating capacity, sight lines, and programmatic functions of an Orthodox Church. Elios Charitable Foundation He served as Chairman of the Board of the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute (PAOI) for 12 years, and as a past member of the Metropolis Councils for the Metropolis of San Francisco and as a former member of the Arch- Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting the Spirit and Ideals of Hellenic Culture diocesan Council. He is a founding member of the ELIOS Society and the Pan-Cretan Chapter of Polirinia of Marin, www.elios.org | www.facebook.com/EliosCharitableFoundation California. In 2000, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew conferred Kamages with the offikion, Archon Architekton, the first in history to bear this title, as recognition of his efforts in Ecclesiastical architecture. His church projects have become national landmarks and have consistently garnered awards and have stimulated communication, spirit and awareness “The Elios Society salutes Christ Kamages as he deservingly is honored during this year’s FDF,” said Anthony Saris, President of the Elios Society. “Christ embodies a commitment to both our Orthodox faith and Hellenism, and his life- long acts of service are sincerely appreciated and worthy of emulation. AXIOS!” He and his wife, Patricia reside in Lucas Valley, Marin, California and are members of the Nativity of Christ in Novato, California, They are the parents of Keri and Peter, and are the proud grandparents of Nikolas and Alexis Kamages, 14 and Eleni and Katia Antonis. 15 #FDF2014 launches our first WESTERN GREEK AMERICAN NEWS MONTHLY ever smartphone application! The voice of the Greek community for over three decades! By Alexandra Schwenke, Management Team Stay connected ... subscribe today for just $35 a year. FDF SPECIAL: BRING THIS COUPON TO THE HJ BOOTH AND RECEIVE $5 OFF

Every year FDF is changing, and finding new ways Congratulations to the 2014 FDF dancers and singers! to make this weekend all about you. Well now.. Stop by the HJ / MY PAREA BOOTH at FDF and enter to win 2 tickets to the Glykeria concert, There’s an Mario Frangoulis concert, and more! App for That...

With our new app, you can get more involved with FDF than ever. All of the schedules for the weekend Subscribe Today!

can be found right on your phone. You can even WESTERN GREEK AMERICAN NEWS MONTHLY www.hellenicjournal.org customize your own schedule focusing on the per- YES! Sign me up for Enclose a check or credit card information with this completed form & mail or fax to: formances and events you’re most interested in. ✔ The Hellenic Journal, 696 San Ramon Valley Blvd., #176, Danville, CA 94526-4022 one year (12 issues) tel 925-939-3900 toll free 877-939-3988 fax 925-407-2931 of The Hellenic Journal website www.hellenicjournal.org e-mail [email protected] As you make new connections with participants ✄ We accept: ❏ Visa ❏ Master Card ❏ American Express ❏ Discover (check one) from all over the country, find them in the app and q $35 for one year - 12 issues add them to your friends list! Wondering who’s talk- q $65 for two years - 24 issues #______Sec. Code ______Exp. ______Please list credit card billing address if different than address below ing about FDF on Twitter? Right from the app view a ______States outside of California live feed of everything #yourFDF related! ______q $31.96 for one year - 12 issues q $59.36 for two years - 24 issues To subscribe online, visit www.hellenicjournal.org. We are so excited to bring all of you this new tool Click on “CONTACT,” then click on “SUBSCRIBE.” and such a great way to stay connected! Have a OR become a donor and The HJ is a 501c3 non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted great weekend and stay tuned for more ways to receive the Hellenic Journal by law. make FDF 2014 YOUR FDF!! complimentary for one year. Name ______❏ Aesop $60 – $99 Address ______❏ Plato $100 – $199 ______❏ Homer $200 – $499 City ______❏ Aristotle $500 – $999 State ______Zip ______❏ Socrates $1000 + Telephone (______) ______Search “Greek Orthodox Folk Dance and Choral Festival” in Amount $______E-mail ______your app store today! Or use your smartphones QR reader to scan our QR code to download.

Available on iOS and Android platforms and is available for Windows and Blackberry via web access. 16 1-877-939-3988hellenicjournal.org I hellenicjournal.org I www.facebook.com/hellenicjournal17 St. Anthony, Pasedina. Holy Trinity, Portland. Singing Christmas Serving meals at Union carols with the elderly in the community. Station.

St. Katherine, Redondo Beach: Pajama Drive Project- For Children in the process of being adopted. Diakonia 2014

St. Nectarios, Covina. Saints Constantine & Helen Cathedral of the Children’s hospital, Night Pacific, Honolulu, HI. Created school kits for Outreach Service. IOCC and cleaned up Kailua Beach. Ascension, Oakland. Collected money and compiled hygiene kits for IOCC. St.Demetrios, Seattle. Collected food for the Woman’s Jubilee Center. St. Sophia Cathedral, Los Angeles. Assumption, Long Beach. Volunteered at the Jeffrey Foundation Collected toiletries to support Christmas Party. the Long Beach Rescue Mission.

Assumption, Long Beach. Participated in a Christmas card project for the local veterans at the Long Beach Veteran Medical Center.

St. Spyridon, San Diego. Volunteered to dance at a fundraiser for the feeding of 18 the hungry. 19 HIgh School “Summer is BACK!” ...well, at FDF anyway! For anyone who misses Summer Camp, missed out on Summer Camp, or is just ready for FDF Workshops Summer Camp to be here already, we miss you too! So, let’s make a reunion of out of it! If you’re in High School and want to spend your workshop time with some of 2013’s Camp “Connect” is the theme for FDF this year. This can mean many different things for ourselves, our Counselors and fellow-campers, grab your friends and join us relationship with God and with others. When you attend a 2014 FDF Workshop you will examine for a workshop Summer Camp-Style! this theme and surely take away with a better understanding of it, and ways to apply this theme to your life.

“Relationships in the Orthodox Faith” with Chris and Kali Retelas Young Adults Every year the workshops at FDF continue to get better and better, and this year is no exception! “Dating and getting married is the easiest thing in the world to do! Even easier, Again, we are offering workshops for elementary, middle school, high school students, and young doing it in a way that is fulfilling, real, healthy, and truly Christian,” said no one adults. We are also proud to announce that the workshops for parents are here to stay at FDF. So ever. However, as this is on our minds and hearts a lot more than we care to ad- parents, please take a break during the day and attend a parent workshop, where you will con- mit, come and join us, as we share our frustrations and humorous experiences with nect with other parents and be inspired by our faith. one another. And together lets investigate what helpful insights and encourage- ments the ancient Orthodox witness might offer us in regards to this profoundly While we would like to remind our readers that workshops are mandatory for all participants, the important aspect of human life! goal of FDF workshops is to inspire and strengthen our faith in the spirit of fellowship. Attend one and you will want to attend more! “Red Rover, Red Rover” with Father Haralambos Fox Where is the weakest link in your connection? Be careful - when the marauders come FDF would like to sincerely thank all of our workshop presenters this year for offering their time to attack, that’s where they’ll strike! Come for some practical tips on beefing up your and talents to FDF. How will the 2014 workshops “connect” you? Connection to Christ to withstand any assault…. Come prepared for some spiritual AND physical activity (shoulderpads optional).

“Orthodoxy in Motion” with Fr. Jim Pappas The primary age level children will engage in 7 Arts and Crafts activities each with it’s own spiri- “BACK PEW DUDE” with Father John Hondros tual theme. The children will do one outreach activity. In addition, they will create works of art The well-dressed Greek Orthodox woman stood in the front pew and prayed thus to that can be brought home. The workshop is designed to be an open house format. Participants herself: “Lord, I have been to Church from the time I was baptized. I know all the can come at anytime during the posted hours. All participants are required to complete at least 2 prayers and Apolytikia in Greek, even better than Father. I follow all the fasts and projects. Doing all 7 will add to this creative and exciting experience. I receive Communion when I feel worthy. I have brought my kids to Church, to Greek School and Folk Dance from the time they were little. I’m a tireless volunteer Elementary and I donate what I feel my Church needs. I am a good person and I’m thankful I’m not like that ‘Aplytos’ sitting in the back pew!” “Hold on! We are on our way to connect to our home! “ Join us “Back Pew Dudes (and Dudettes)” as we take an eyebrow-raising look at Parents with Fr. Jordan Brown Luke 18:9-14. Hey young FDF Dancer! Hurry up and get ready to sing, dance, and climb yourself down, for today God is coming to your house! We are “AFTER 25 YEARS OF YOUTH MINISTRY, I THINK I FINALLY going to do whatever it takes to get back home with Christ. Zacchaeus KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT! What the Church, the Bible, is going to help us. Your Children, and Mine have taught me about Raising Our Kids in the Orthodox Faith” with Fr. Anthony Savas “The Orthodox Avengers!” with Fr. Panagiotis Sotiras From the time our children are born and Baptized in the Greek Orthodox In this workshop, we’re going to talk about Marvel’s very popular Avengers movie Church, we have certain ideals and expectations about how their lives are go- and how it helps us better understand our Orthodox faith. If you love the Avengers, ing to play out. We envision their futures to be blessed with health, family, com- fort and a solid grounding in the Church. As parents, we play the most crucial Middle School or super-hero movies in general, then this workshop is for you! role in our children’s spiritual development. Together, let’s discover how!

“Using Faith, Trust, and Communication to Help Your Dance Program Flourish” with Directors “Living Life Inside Out” with Fr. Tom Zaferes Stacie Zoumberakis and Nikole Varvitsiotis What do we believe, really believe about ourselves and God? Does it matter? We Come and learn how different dance programs work and how both have will examine, together, what it is that we are to know about our faith and espe- invested in their young dancers- mentoring them into directors that in turn cially God. We will begin to address who we are and why we are here. And what give back to the program. does that mean to the world around us? We will answer the question: Do we live in a “hostile” world? Should we as Orthodox Christians feel threatened? Or does Join us for a discussion of how two dance programs in Southern California everyone basically believe the same thing and we have nothing to worry about? function and how their mentor program works. A Q&A will follow for any- HIgh School Finally do we have obligations to ourselves and the world around us? one interested in helping their dance program thrive. 20 21 Congratulations Steve Padis Jewelry Nick Metrakos & Anysia Dumont Danielle Doumak & Panayioti Pelargos congratulates all the dancers at FDF 2014 Voula Kolios & Vasili Contos

"We've locked in our vote, and you’re all winners!"

Engaged 2013 Engaged 2013 Married 2013 Congratulations to a few current Managment Team members that have recently gotten engaged or married. This ministry has been blessed to see so many beautiful relationships bloom and we wish them many happy years!

Did you meet your fiance or spouse through FDF? Let us know by submitting your names to [email protected]

A Thracian Treasure from a Young Greek American

Smilemeni Pnoi is a new collectible CD presenting the music and style of 82-year- old Theodosis Logaroudis, one of the last original players of Thracian gaida from the village of Avestades, Evros, Greece. The project was conceived, designed, financed, and executed by Vicky Hioureas, member of the parish of Saint John the Baptist in Anaheim. Vicky’s work in the field of cultural re- search and archiving is an outstanding achievement. Though vari- ous ethnomusicologists, gaitatzides, and interested parties have recorded Logaroudis playing his gaida, no single project has yet been produced to highlight his musical skill. This was the primary impetus for Smilemeni Pnoi: to record and archive the singularity of Logaroudis’ playing, and to showcase and honor a musician who has the foresight to understand the importance of disseminating his sound to future generations of gaid- atzides around the world. Vicky recorded Theodosis Logaroudis over the course of several days in his front yard in his village in Evros, with her digital recorder. The rest of the production was completed in the city of Thessaloniki. She has created a “sonic museum” of the highest quality that captures the beauty, variation and depth of the playing technique of this great master of gaida. Smilemeni Pnoi will move and inspire the L  S  D  enthusiasts of Greek Thracian folk music and dance in the US, in Greece and abroad. Vicky’s project offers a great service to our community and to FDF, as she becomes a shining example for the younger genera- 101 Utah Street Suite 201 | SF | CA 94103 tions of Greek-Americans for her devotion, passion, and creative and voluntary spirit. www.PadisJewelry.com Congratulations and thank you to Vicky Hioureas for her Smilemeni Pnoi.

888-500-GEMS (4367) *If you wish to acquire the CD, please contact Vicky at [email protected] 22 23 24 #orthodox #dedicatio #connect #hellenism

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#strength #rejoice @yourFDF social media shoutout 25 Dromeno is a traditional ensemble presenting authentic regional music from the Greek mainland and beyond, overlapping into the surround- ing regions and finding the musical legacy that connects the traditions of the Balkans. Featuring clarinet and voices, the instrumentation includes accordion, saxophone, zourna, guitar, laouto and percus- sion, and enables the group to span the sounds of Greek music, from western Macedonia and Ipiros, through Thessaly and Thrace. Drom- eno will be joining us for our Friday night Glendi featuring Christos Govetas on clarinet, zourna and vocals; Ruth Hunter on accordion and vocals; Eleni Govetas on saxophone, defi and doumberleki; Nick Maroussis on guitar and laouto; Bobby Govetas on drums and daouli; and also Benji Rifate on trumpet. Featured Musicians: Endasi is a Greek music ensemble comprised of Dimitri Papadimitriou (Atlanta), Yianni Themelis (New York) and Dimitrios Dallas (Chicago). Endasi is not only a name, but the essence of how they approach and play Friday night Glendi music – with intensity. Hailing from folk dance backgrounds, Endasi developed a deep love for traditional

We are proud to announce a special guest appearance by Alexandros Papadakis (lyra, askomantoura, vocal) and his ensemble, Georgios Psarakis (laouto, vocal) and Andreas Arvanitis (laouto). Alexandros is an accomplished musician from the island of Crete. In his earliest years, Alexandros was moved by the traditional music of his native village, ardactos, which is located in the Lampi municipality of Rethymno, Crete. He began his musical journey at Greek music and have since amassed a large repertoire ranging from traditional to modern Greek styl- the age of nine. His uncle was the first to put a lyre in ings. Endasi has played all over the U.S. and has participated for over 10 years at FDF, performing at night his hand. He credits his learning to several teachers, events and in over 100 different shows for groups of all ages. They have just the right mix of music for your most notably Petros Karbadakis and Manolis Mar- next event. For more information, visit www.endasi.com. garitis. While honing his craft, he surrounded himself with local musicians, absorbed their magnificent sto- ries and techniques, and dedicated his life to continu- ing age-old musical traditions. After years of dedica- tion and continual discovery, Alexandros is a master Margarita is at it again! of the melodic lyre and he plays with undeniable spirit and love. Through his passionate voice, commanding askomantoura (Cretan bag pipe), and deli- Last year’s Greek/English rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger” got everyone cate playing of the habioli (flute) he captivates his listeners. out of their seats, and this year she will capture your soles (no pun intended) again with her new hot single, “OPA.” Collaborating with singer/songwriter Leah Tysse and DJ Gus Sverkos under alias name HH (Homegrown Helens) her dance inspired single will surely get you grooving. Joining us from Athens Greece, Sotiris Lykidis on the lyra and Kostas Georgiadis on daouli will be playing Pontian music for Thorivos from the Annunciation Modesto. Sotiris Lykidis grew up in Athens and began “Music and dance are the most expressive ways to show emotion. That’s the rea- playing the lyra at age 13. Playing the lyra was part of the family tradition, as his grandfather and father son we are united here in Anaheim with such force,” Margarita says with enthu- also play. His father was his first teacher, and his first lyra was built by his grandfather. After learning from siasm. “’OPA’ is not only a song, but a dance. It’s like shouting let it out! After a his dad for a year Sotiri started working with the well known Georgos long day of competition what’s better then throwing Amarantidis at age 14, and continued taking lessons for four years. your hands in the air and doing the ‘OPA’?” Growing up with the sound of the lyra in the family made Sotiri’s ap- preciation and love grow for the instrument, and he acknowledges that Margarita will be hosting opening Ceremonies this year, and has the honor of he continues to learn to this day. This is his fourth FDF. Kostas Georgia- singing with the talented Glykeria for the second time in her career. Sunday’s dis grew up in Thessaloniki Greece, and began playing the daouli at closing ceremonies will be full of fun and surprises as she recaps the weekend. the very young age of 8. His desire and love for the sound of the drum made him a self taught musician. As he has pursued his dreams, he Look for her music on iTunes, CD Baby, her Facebook Page “Margarita Music has played with several different Pontian musicians and artists through- INTL.” out all of Greece. He especially loves sharing his passion for Pontian Follow her on her Twitter at @margaritaintl and her Youtube channel music, and the energy that it provides through the different dances. Margaritaintl and visit her website at www.margaritaintl.com This is his sixth FDF. As returning FDF participants, they are looking forward to once again partaking in the festivities and excitement of FDF. 27 3 questions for the Voice of Greece 1 Do you think that music and live performances will always be a pri- ority for Greeks even when they’re going through tough times? Is it one of their outlets? Πιστευετε οτι ι μουσικη κ οι ζωντανες εμφανισεις By Gus Sverkos θα ειναι παντα προταιρεοτητα για τους Ελληνες, ακομα και οταν περνανε δυσκολα; Ειναι η μονη 2 For the past 30 years, Glykeria has been one of the most prominent and distinct voices of Greek music, filled with un- τους διεξοδος; Τι εχετε δει σαν καλλιτεχνης; Μιλαμε When you go home to relax what matched depth, melancholy and emotion. Her 2012 tour of the Americas, with sold-out shows in Canada, South Amer- για πολιτικη συνεχεια, αλλα τι εχετε δει απο τιν kind of music do you listen to? ica and the U.S.is a tribute to her worldwide fame, a status that extends beyond Greeks at home and in the diaspora πολιτιστικη πλευρα μετα απο την κριση; Οταν πατε σπιτι να χαλαρωσετε τι μουσικη ακουτε; to the French, Israelis, Brazilians, Armenians, Argentinians and others who have heard her belt those powerful songs. Greeks live through music and socializing. My Sentimental music, Byzantine music. It has col- The 2014 Greek Folk Dance and Choral Festival is proud and excited to present legendary Greek singer Glykeria. opinion is socializing gives the person an op- ored all of Greek music to this day. It all comes As part of our main entertainment for Saturday night, Glykeria will be performing live with her full orchestra in the portunity to solve their problems. The economy from the Byzantium, Anatolian music, The distinct Platimum Ballroom. doesn’t get solved through socialization. It’s a rhythms and harmonies of dance from Anatolian big issue right now. I believe Greece has a very and Pontic regions. The dancing; This music is strong culture and will get through and continue Glykeria was born in Agio Pnevma Serres, and began her career in 1974 working in the Athens Plaka scene of the therapeutic. to listen to music and we will get through it. boites and gave performances with well-known artists, singing songs by M. Hadjidakis, M. Theodorakis, M. Loizos and others.

In 1983 she made a large leap into her distincive career with her live concert “Omorfi Nyhta” and due to its massive success Lyra Music released her first live album,”H Glykeria Stin Omorfi Nyhta”,which went on to break every musical sales record in Greece up to that point.

Glykeria has performed to audiences all over the world, from Argentina, to France, to Israel. In the summer of 1993 3 she performed in Israel for the first time and after many successful concerts she was proclaimed the most popular Do you have English language singers foreign singer; the Mayor of Jerusalem awarded her the golden key of the city. She also performed with the Israel who influence your own music? Philharmonic in 1999 and released multiple albums which all went Gold. Υπαρχουν αγγλοφωνοι καλλιτεχνες που σας επιρεαζουν;

We are are all filled with great joy and enthusiasm that this year’s FDF is hosting such an amazing talent. Glykeria truly No, only Greek singers because I sing in Greece. Of course is “The voice of Greece” and we look forward to her performance this year. when I was outside of Greece I was listening to other sing- ers outside of Greece. But I really do love Greek music. My original influences are Greek. And I’m in engaged in Greece. 28 29 Metropolis Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries Ministering to our youth and young adults has never been more challenging. Our youth today are so busy between school, sports, and extracurricular activities and of course, dance practice! Our 20-somethings are busy trying to establish themselves, whether in college or working. And our 30-somethings may be readjusting the plans they made for themselves in their 20’s because of the economic realities of the past few years. With the increased complexities of life for our youth and Saint John Chrysostom young adults, it has never been more important for them to have rock-solid understanding of and faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For this reason the Metropolis Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries is working hard to expand its ministries, programs and resources for youth Oratorical Festival workers.

We are all living and working in the mobile age, and the Metropolis Office of Youth and Young The Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, started by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department Adult Ministries is committed to building up its presence on the internet. The website serves as a of Religious Education in 1983, is an incredible opportunity for our children and teenagers to think about, unified place to connect our youth, young adults, clergy, youth-workers and parents throughout our research, write and speak publicly about their faith. We all know that public speaking is a valuable skill. very geographically diverse Metropolis and will be a place for all to share their ideas. So please check out the site! Through this Festival, the Church provides a supportive and nurturing environment for our young people to www.gosfyouth.org become confident public speakers and simultaneously be given the opportunity to learn about their faith. In addition to public speaking, this year the Archdiocese has added two new categories for participation in Check out the Youth and Young Adult Ministry website which will aim to keep everyone informed the festival: poetry and essay writing! of all Metropolis and Regional ministries and upcoming events taking place throughout the year! Last year the Metropolis Oratorical Festival winners were Timothy Kaelin from St. George Church in Eu- The Metropolis also has five Facebook pages to help connect us and keep everyone informed of gene, Oregon for the Junior Division (Grades 7 – 9) and Susanna Silva, St. Basil Church in San Jose, CA events throughout the Metropolis! for the Senior Division (Grades 10 – 12). After the Metropolis Festival both Timothy and Susanna partici- pated in the National Oratorical Festival which took place in Detroit, MI.

Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco GOYA His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos continues to encourage all communities throughout the Metropolis to Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Young Adults establish this ministry in their yearly calendars. As a Church we are deeply concerned about the religious Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Summer Camp education of our young people. The Oratorical Festival provides this opportunity par excellence. Each and Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Oratorical Festival every community should embrace the Festival for the benefit of our youth and provide them with this chal- Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Youth Workers lenging opportunity to proclaim their faith in the public arena!

2014 District Festival Dates For more information about the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, please contact: Pacific Northwest: April 6, Church of the Assumption, Seattle, WA Paul Gikas, Director Bay Area: March 30, Holy Cross, Belmont, CA Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries Eastern California: April 6, Annunciation Church, Modesto, CA (415)814-1186 Southern California: April 6, Saints Constantine and Helen, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA Southwest: April 5, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix, AZ [email protected]

This year’s Metropolis Festival will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2014 at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA. This year’s National Festival will take place June 13-15, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio.

For more information visit www.religioused.sanfran.goarch.org 31 Summer is Back! Metropolis of San Francisco Summer Camp at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco is proud to announce the 34th year of Summer Camp at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA. Last year over 300 youth between the ages of 8 and 18 from throughout the Metropolis and beyond attended the newly organized camp with the theme, “Love one another”. Building on the success of last year’s program, this summer’s theme is the very next verse of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (John 13:34 – 35).

“AS I HAVE Summer Camp 2013 at Saint Nicholas Ranch with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos LOVED YOU” Words really cannot express what an incredible experience 2014 Summer Camp Management Team Summer Camp can be. Imagine for a moment being away Director: Paul Gikas, Director, from home for a whole week, leaving behind the pressures Metropolis Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of school, society and everyday life. From the moment you Program Director: Jacob Saylor, Youth Director, arrive at camp you notice a unique atmosphere. It’s relaxed, Holy Trinity, San Francisco, CA. fun and loving all at the same time. You are placed in a cabin Camp Administrator: Johanna Duterte, GOYA Advisor, with 10 other guys or girls your same age. There are over Saint Nicholas, San Jose, CA. 100 kids at the camp from many different churches. You real- ize that there are so many other kids just like you, Orthodox! Counselors and staff are selected from throughout the Metropolis. You wake up in the morning and the whole camp does morn- ing prayers together, giving thanks to God as a group for a peaceful night and asking Him to bless the coming day. You then have a fresh country-style breakfast followed by activi- Session I: July 6 – 12 ties like sports, Orthodox life discussions, swimming, arts and crafts, archery and canoeing all day long, only taking a Session II: July 13 – 19 break for lunch and a short siesta. At the end of the day you give thanks to God for such a blessed day. You have a deli- Session III: July 20 – 26 cious dinner and then have an evening activity like a camp fire, junk yard wars or “A night with God”. Then you end the evening with your cabin with some time to reflect on your relationship with God. The week culminates with the Divine ONLINE REGISTRATION will open on Liturgy at the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving February 15th at www.gosfyouth.org. Spring. This weekend stop by the Metropolis booth All of this takes place in loving embrace of the Church and for more information, or visit us online at in such a heavenly location as the Ranch in the Sierra Moun- www.gosfyouth.org. tains of California. At the end of the week you can’t believe how many other kids you have met, how much fun you had and how much you have grown spiritually. You are very sad it’s time to go home, but you will be taking with you memo- ries and friendships that will last a lifetime. With a week like this, it’s no wonder that camp is such a life-transforming expe- rience for all who attend!

32 33 the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring which is adjacent to Saint Nicholas Ranch. Arts and crafts, swimming, basketball, volleyball and canoeing are also just a few of the many extracurricular activities included in the campers’ daily schedule, plus evening campfires, storytelling, folk dancing and singing.

The 230-acre Saint Nicholas Ranch is nestled in the foothills of the Sequoia National Park. Its hiking trails, apple orchards, historic barn and lake provide the aura of a traditional Greek Village to further enhance a truly cultural experience.

New! This year bus transportation will be available from the Los Angeles area for an additional cost.

This weekend stop by the Greek Village booth for more information or visit us online at www.ourgreekvillage.org to register beginning February 15th.

Metropolis “Elliniko Horio” Greek Village Immersion Camp

The Greek Village Immersion Camp Seeking Counselors for “Elliniko Horio” is a successful and growing ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Greek Village Immersion Camp San Francisco. Now in its fifth year, the Are you a young adult (age 19 or older or have completed your first year of college) looking for a reward- Greek Village Immersion Camp, “To ing and meaningful way to spend part of your summer? Have you ever thought of being a summer camp Elliniko Horio”, will be held June 21 – counselor? 28, 2014 at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA. This year Now in its fifth year, Greek Village is an established and growing ministry of the Metropolis of San Francisco. the camp will be offered for children This is a Greek language and culture immersion program for youth ages 7 – 15 which takes place over the ages 7 through 15. course of a week at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center in Dunlap, CA.

The Greek Village Camp offers a As a Greek Village counselor, you will be responsible for the paidia in your cabin, but you will also assist with creative and educational immersion camp activities and the educational part of the program. program which brings children closer to their ancestral heritage through This year’s Greek Village will be held June 21 – 28, 2014. Taking place in the Sequoias just outside of Fresno, instruction in language, customs, tradi- this is the perfect location for you to help create the feeling and atmosphere of the horio for our youth. tions and the Orthodox faith. With the guidance of skilled instructors, campers will participate in classes including: language, cooking, geography, mythology, music, dance, theatre and more. The children will As this is a Greek language and culture immersion program, proficiency in Greek is preferred but is not re- attend worship services daily and also have an opportunity to observe the monastic life at the Monastery of quired. If you are interested please visit the Greek Village booth this weekend or visit us online at 34 www.ourgreekvillage.org. 35 Ionian Village: Mare Than Just a Summer Camp Kastro chlemoutsi by: Gabrielle Stavropoulos

So, you think you’ve had the best summer of your life already? I’m here to tell you that if you haven’t been to Ionian Village yet, then the best summer of your life has not happened. Ionian Village is not just a summer camp…it is so much more. Ιονικό Χωριό: Ionian Village. Those two words at the end of twenty days are no longer two words. They are home. Ionian Village is the perfect IONIAN combination between your average metropolis camps on steroids, a place where it’s hard not to embrace and love your culture, an unforgettable religious journey, and the best tour of Greece anyone could ever hope to have. ...a place where it’s hard not VILLAGE to embrace and love your culture, an unforgettable 2 0 1 4 religious journey...” On the outside looking in, you that the various dances we had me. How could people you’ve don’t understand it. On the at camp were bigger and better spent twenty days with possibly inside looking out, you can’t than both proms I went to. But become your family? explain it. I could tell“ you that you probably wouldn’t believe the second night of camp, the me. How could a church camp There are so many more crazy athletic staff made us have the best dances ever? amazing experiences I could construct racecars out of junk I could tell you that I got to tell you about, and with every and then race them, and it venerate the relics of saints one, you still probably wouldn’t was the best thing ever. But who died over 400 years ago, believe me. Well, I challenge you probably wouldn’t believe and it was the most moving you to trust me. I challenge me. How could Junkyard Wars experience ever. But you you to believe me. Ionian possibly be a fun thing? I could probably wouldn’t believe me. Village was the best summer of tell you that over 200 campers How could seeing completely my life. I have my best friends, and over 35 staff members intact bones of deceased saints my family right next to me to joined hands and Greek possibly have that big of an comfort me even though we’re danced for almost two hours impact? I could tell you that I miles and miles apart. Even straight, and it was beyond now have a support system though it’s over, it is in no way amazing. But you probably that stretches to every corner done. No distance can hold us wouldn’t believe me. How of the country, and a family apart, and no summer will ever could sweating and Greek that I meet at the chapel in my beat the one I spent at Ionian dancing for that long possibly prayers every single night. But Village. be that great? I could tell you you probably wouldn’t believe

Gabrielle Stavropoulos was a 2013 Ionian Village camper in cabin Delphi. #AREYouREAdY?! She is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina and is currently a freshman at North Carolina State University.

Ionian Village is a unique ministry of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese that SeSSion 1: June 23 - July 12 SeSSion 2: July 20 - AugusT 8 offers campers and staff members a life-changing opportunity to experience Greece and live their Orthodox Faith. More than simply a summer camp, Ionian Village promises to be the best summer of your life. Ionian Village for Greek orthodox Youth currentlY in Grades 8 to 12 offers two sessions each summer, both open to Greek Orthodox youth who have completed 8th grade through 12th grade. Ionian Village also offers a Spiritual Odyssey program for young adults ages 19 through 24. Registration for all Ionian Village programs is now open online at www.ionianvillage.org. www.ionianvillage.org 36 37 Judges Bios FDF 2014

Dance Judges Agios Germanos” which tells the story of her Renee Cleary has taught Greek Dance at Ful- journey through the Florinan highlands, was lerton College and was a member of a perform- published in the Oli Mazi newspaper. Other ing Greek Dance Group for thirteen years, regions of research, interest and study include seven as the director. She has traveled widely Epirus, Eastern Macedonia and Vlach dances, through Greece, collecting and researching traditions and culture. Her devotion and love both costumes and dances. She observed both for Greek dance continues to guide her study professional and amateur dance groups and today. village festivals. Renee has been involved con- tinuously for 35 years with Greek dance work- Larry Halfhill has 20 years of FDF experience shops, festivals, consultations and as a teacher as a dancer, director and choreographer. He of Greek dancing. She first participated in became a competition dance judge in 2006 FDF in 1981 and has been a costume or dance as a way to contribute back to FDF and bring judge every year since 1985. a different perspective to the judging process. Larry’s Greek roots derive on his mother’s side Sofia Efstratiou-Nicolaou has been dancing from Arcadia. His broad-based dance experi- ER SPEC from childhood and has directed several dance ence over a period of 30 years spans regions MM IA troupes in her 25-year dance career. She has and borders. Current areas of special interest U LS been attending FDF since 1988 and started her include Crete, Anatoliki Romilia, Macedonia, S ATHENS dance and director calling at the St. Nicholas the Peloponnese and Megara. Larry lives in parish in San Jose, California. Sofia spent 5 Seal Beach, California with wife Bessie Nico- years in Greece where she was a dance mem- laou Halfhill, a former FDF dancer and director, $1350 (incl. tax) ber of the Lyngistes Dance Troupe led by Yannis and children Thanasi, Maria, and Leonidas. and Ira Konstantinou. During her years abroad, He is an active member of St. John the Baptist she attended several dance seminars and nu- Greek Orthodox Church in Anaheim. Larry *GREEK ISLANDS *ITALY *CRUISES *EUROPE *FIJI *TAHITI* merous cultural gatherings and events. Through attended the University of Southern California, *EUROPE *HAWAII * BAHAMAS *HOTELS* this dance journey, she developed a deep un- where he earned BS and MS degrees in engi- derstanding, true inspiration and passion for the neering and an MBA. *SPACE LIMITED *BOOK BY FEB 25* Greek heritage through dance. This experience gave her the opportunity to obtain extensive Louis Kades was born in Los Angeles to Greek (562) 761-1791 knowledge in many dance regions of Greece. immigrants from Arkadia in the Peloponnese. Sofia has studied in great detail the dance, Growing up he was exposed to the traditional music, customs, traditions and dress of Western songs, dances and customs from his parents’ *Restrictions apply, based on availability, weekend surcharge applies, Macedonian giving heaving emphasis on the re- homeland. An avid dance enthusiast from an stop-over option available gion of Florina. Her article, “A Journey Through early age, he eventually became involved in 38 39 and loving it. His devotion to his ethnic Greek of Greek dance for 40+ years. She was intro- nars, classes and performances in Greece and heritage in both dance and theatre has brought duced to and fell in love with the heart, soul in the United States. She presented a paper on him immense joy and pleasure. George has and parea of Greek dance and music at the “A Wedding in Florina” at the International Or- been involved in Greek dance since 1963, has Intersection, the folk dance café opened by ganization of Folk Arts (IOFA) in 2000 which participated in many Greek cultural events, pro- Athan Karras in the 1960s. She performed was also published in Oli Mazi. She has also ductions, international festivals, TV and films. with the Intersection Greek Dancers and was written several other articles for Oli Mazi, in- George has been a judge for the FDF since an original member of the Panegiri Dancers, cluding “The Transmission of Traditional Village 1986. He also has been a member of the FDF directed by Nikos Varvitsiotis and co-directed Dance”, and a tribute to Don and Ellie Hiatt, IONIAN VILLAGE 2014 Board of Trustees for many years. by George Nickols, performing for ten years at co-founders of FDF. Anne is one of the founders festivals in Pasadena, Northridge and Redondo and leaders of the Café Asteria Greek Dance SCHOLARSHIP George Papangellin began dancing in 1974 Beach long before those communities were Club in Los Angeles, and on the Board of OPPORTUNITY with the Ionian Dancers, at St. Nicholas par- sending dance groups to FDF. Robbi directed Kypseli Greek Dance Center, two venues where ish in San Jose. He helped start the Parnassos dance groups at St. Katherine’s in Redondo traditional Greek dance is taught, danced and TWO LUCKY FDF PARTICIPANTS WILL ReCeIve Dancers for Holy Cross parish, Belmont in 1981. Beach for eight years and has been a judge at disseminated. She consults with dance groups A SChOLARShIP TO ATTeND IONIAN vILLAGe SeSSION 2 (JULY 20 - AUGUST 8) In 1983, he directed the Epirus Dancers at St. FDF on and off since 1998. She has travelled and has taught Greek dancing classes at vari- SChOLARShIP APPLICATION AvAILAbLe Nicholas in San Jose. After moving to Fresno, to Greece, has attended weddings and partici- ous venues, including Kypseli, Café Asteria, ONLINe AT WWW.YOURFDF.ORG he joined and directed the Kefi Dancers, for St. pated in workshops with a special interest in Pierce and Santa Monica Community Colleges. many thanks to our anonymous donors for this generous gift George. During his time in both Fresno and San the regions of Pontos, Thrace and Macedonia Anne has been an FDF judge continuously since Jose, he stage directed various Greek variety as well as Kalymnos, thanks to Louise Bilman. 1988 and an HDF judge for several years. She (music, dance, skit) performances in San Jose, Along with Anne Sirota, Robbi is one of the co- also serves on the FDF Board of Trustees as a San Francisco, Phoenix, Fresno and Seattle. In founders of Café Asteria and is on the Board of judge consultant. Anne lives in the Los An- Fresno, he choreographed “Zorba, the musi- Directors at Kypseli Greek Dance Center where the operations of the Folk Dance Festival in cal” for The Good Company Players. He contin- she continues to dance and teach and is ac- 1990 and continued to be on the FDF Board ues to either direct or work with various dance tively involved in perpetuating interest in Greek of Trustees until 2008. Striving to expand his groups in Fresno’s St. George Greek Commu- dance and culture. knowledge of dance and culture beyond his nity, and teach Greek folk dance, traditions and parents’ villages he has participated in vari- costumes to Elder Hostel classes at St. Nicholas Anne Gani Sirota was born in the Greek com- ous workshops and seminars including help- Ranch, in Dunlap. George has held several munity in Alexandria, Egypt, where her grand- ing to organize several workshops. Through positions within the governing and operational parents settled in the early 20th century after these workshops he has cultivated friendships bodies of the Folk Dance and Choral Festival emigrating from Epirus. Anne has studied, with many instructors and villagers throughout (FDF) of the Metropolis of San Francisco. He performed, and taught Greek dance for over Greece. One of his key interests is in Greek folk served as Dance Judge Coordinator for 13 45 years. She was assistant director and lead music and he loves to play the daouli and the years, and most recently as a dance judge. dancer of the Ellas Dance Theater, directed doumbeleki. He met his wife Vicki (Apostolou) He has also been a dance judge at the HDF in by Charlie Kyriacou for four years, as well as Balkan Music & Kades originally from Seattle, WA through Georgia, North Carolina, and more recently at a member of several other Los Angeles per- FDF and from 2003-2006 they co-directed the the inaugural AGDC (American Greek Dance forming companies including the Intersection Dance Workshops award winning Pyrkagia. Over the years he has Competition) in Chicago. He has traveled Greek Dancers directed by Athan Karras, a Join us this summer at one of our week-long camps. Daily classes with renowned faculty, dance parties, consulted and assisted various directors with throughout Greece and, together with Dr. Mary founding member of Panegiri, directed by Niko informal setting, and lots of fun. Beginners with no previous knowledge welcome. Scholarships available! their groups. Coros, prepared the Kamari Dance Group, St. Varvitsiotis, and of O Pontos, directed by Niko Registration • Instruction on folk • Daily children’s programs George, Fresno, to perform at various venues Savvidis. Anne travels to Greece often and has information and instruments • Dancing to live music more online George Nickols is a native of Los Angeles, holds in Crete in the summer of 1999. concentrated her studies of Greek dance on • Singing workshops every evening • 5 dance classes each day! • Hiking & swimming a BA in Mathematics, worked in global network Pontian and Macedonian villages in Northern eefc.org • Ensemble coaching & • Part-timers & evening jam sessions party-goers welcome telecommunications, and is currently retired Robbi Shulman has been involved in the world Greece, attending festivals, weddings, semi- Mendocino Woodlands in Mendocino, CA • June 28 – July 5, 2014 40 Iroquois Springs Camp in Rock HIll, NY • August 9 – 16, 2014 geles area and is retired from UCLA after 26 youngster, he did pay undivided attention to Eptanisa), and other regions of Greece. He FDF for over 25 years through dancing, direct- years as an educator, so she helps to take care the dances performed by elders in his native continues to present at seminars and serve as ing, and organizing. He began his dancing of her three grandchildren (plus another one island of Chios. His love of dancing was not put a consultant to groups across the United States career at St. George Parish in Downey, Cali- coming soon!). into action until he saw a performance by the and Canada. He has also served as a judge fornia and later at Assumption in Long Beach, Terpsichoreans in Philadelphia in 1976 celebrat- at several Greek folk dance events and com- California. He started directing 15 years ago Bessie Stavropoulos has been involved in FDF ing the country’s bicentennial. He remained an petitions in the United States (Hellenic Dance at various churches in the southland includ- for 20+ years either as a dancer, director or active dancer until August of 1983 when he left Festival, Metropolis of Atlanta; Americas Greek ing St. Sophia, St. George, and Assumption, both. Born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, the east coast to pursue graduate studies in Los Dance Competition) and in South America and has gained a vast amount of experience she first attended FDF in 1987 as a dancer Angeles. He stumbled upon the Panygiri dance (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Buenos Aires with many regions throughout Greece. He from St. John the Baptist. In 1993, she began group while they were performing at the Greek and South America. Aris currently resides and has extensively studied the dances and tradi- directing at the age of 15 and one year later, festival in Arcadia that very summer, and at- works in the Washington, DC area and he is tions of Rethimno, Crete, which is where his her group was the first primary group to ever tended practices as time allowed. His first in- married to Anna Yortzidis, a native of New- family originates, and has a broad knowledge win sweepstakes in FDF history. She continued volvement with FDF was when he was invited to port News, VA. They are the proud parents of dances and traditions from the Cyclades, dancing and directing well into her college dance Chios dances for a memorial to Manoli of Asimina, their young toddler and dancer in Dodecanesa, Eptanisa, Macedonia, Thrace, years but stepped away for a short period to Abazis in San Francisco. Nikos is a psycholo- training. Aris and Anna are also co-founders and Pontos. He also has provided consulta- complete her degree. Upon returning to the gist in Los Angeles, working with homeless and the Byzantio Greek Dance and Cultural Arts tion with various dance directors throughout dance scene, she received the Division I - Direc- troubled teens. He was the recipient of the Program based in the Greater Metropolitan DC the southland. tor’s Award in 2003. She became the head 2008 Humanitarian Award. Nikos has taught area and affiliated with the St. Katherine Greek director of her community and was directing dances from Chios at Kypseli, and consults with Orthodox Church in Fall Church, VA. Costume Judges as many as four groups at a time. Bessie has various groups in the Los Angeles area. Nikos Bertha Angels first got involved in FDF in attended many seminars throughout the United has been an FDF judge since 2006. Stelios Zoumberakis has been participating in 1983 as an observer and her involvement States, Canada and Greece. For four con- secutive summers from 2007-2010, she studied Aris Yortzidis has been involved with FDF for An unforgetable evening with internationally acclaimed Tsahouridis Brothers and their band... dance in Greece which included attending 27 years as a dancer, director, and member of seminars taught by some of Greece’s finest the FDF Board of Trustees. He began dancing instructors, touring Thrace and Macedonia in his home parish of St. George in Downey, and learning the many traditions and dances CA in 1982 and also performed with various of her father’s region of Preveza, Ipiros. With groups in southern California. In 1995 and the help and support of the St. John’s Dance until his departure from Southern California Ministry, Bessie organized the Horepse Dance in 2000, Aris directed groups at St. George, Seminar in Las Vegas in 2007, 2008, 2009 and Downey, CA; Sts. Constantine and Helen, Car- 2012 where they featured top instructors and diff-by-the-Sea, CA; and St. Katherine, Redon- Saint George Parish invites you to an Apokreatiko Glendi musicians from all over Greece and the United do Beach, CA. In 1996, Aris received an FDF A dinner-dance feturing the talented and award winning States. She directed the Las Vegas groups Scholarship that provided him the opportunity Tsahouridis Brothers from Veria, Greece and DJ Peter Loukatos! through 2010 then moved on to become a to research the dances of Serres; the dances dance judge in 2011. This will be her third and traditions of his father’s village of Chryso- A one night only concert that has no musical boundaries... year on the judges’ panel. Currently living in chorafa (Gagauzika; where his father is from),

Greece, she continues to attend various dance Serres; the dances of the Vlachs of Serres; and seminars and participates in the local tradi- the dances of Pontos in Serres, Katerini (where tions. his mother is from), and Thessaloniki. He has March 1, 2014 at 6:30pm Saint Sophia Cathedral continued his research and has obtained broad Reservations: Nikolaos Stefanidis was born in Chios, Greece knowledge of the dances of Thrace, Mace- Maniatakos Ballroom Melina Roumbos 1324 South Normandie Ave and though he did not dance that much as a donia, the islands (Kyklades, Dodekanisa, Email: [email protected] Donation: $100 Los Angeles, California (800) 653-4605 42 After Feb 22: $125 progressed over the years as her children She has been dancing since a very young fornia Arts Council for Lifetime Achievement a dance judge as FDF. Demetri has also been embraced Greek Folk dancing. Through this age. Her pride and love for her Greek heri- in the Arts in 2002. Dena has been an FDF an HDF judge. Demetri can be contacted involvement Bertha developed a passion for tage have encouraged her to study Greek costume judge since 1999 and is also a cos- through www.demetri-media.com. costumes that has led to years of continued dance, costumes, and to help teach and share tume judge for HDF. research and learning. Bertha has been for- her knowledge and experience with people of Choral Judges tunate to be part of several communities in diverse backgrounds. Her formal involvement Demetri Tashie’s love of Greek music and Pinio Dovalis Benetatos holds a Bachelor of the Los Angeles area. Currently, she is an in Greek folklore began in 1984 when she dance began at a very early age. As an Arts in Piano Performance from CSULB and a active member of Saint Sophia Cathedral. was instrumental in forming, dancing and di- adult, he developed a passion for the folk Master’s Degree in Piano Performance from Over the years she’s done extensive research recting the Patriotes of Modesto. From 1984 music, rituals, costumes, crafts and dances USC. Following the completion of the Mas- and made costumes from every region of to 1999, she directed, assisted or danced in associated with the varied regional cultures of ter’s Degree’ she continued post-graduate Greece in support of multiple communities. In 10 different dance groups in Modesto. She rural Greece. His love for the unusual has led studies focusing on solo and duo-piano reper- the course of researching costumes, Bertha was also involved with the coordination, him to find teachers both here and abroad. toire and concerti. Pinio has held sta2 posi- has gained extensive exposure in materials, research and production of 11 award-winning Among others, he plays laouto, zurna, flo- tions in the dance and music departments at pattern making, embroidery, crocheting trim costumes. Irene also chaired 3 very successful geras, yayli (bowed) tanbur, and percussion. CSULB’ CSUF’ UCLA’ California Institute of and detailed sewing in an effort to preserve FDF Symposia held in Modesto. Besides playing music and dancing, Demetri the Arts’ and teaching positions at Orange the rich authentic Greek traditions of costume Irene has served on the FDF Board of Trustees travels frequently to Greece to film and makes Coast College and Kids’ College at Cypress making. She hopes to translate her experience in several positions and has been involved documentaries on various folk rituals and cel- College. Mrs. Benetatos is an active member in critical support of the tremendous efforts with various aspects of FDF. Irene has been ebrations of village life.. His particular passion of Music Teachers Association of California’ shared by all at FDF this year. a costume judge at FDF since 2001. is for the Anastenaria custom of Eastern Thra- Music Teachers National Association’ CAPMT’ ce which culminates in the participants danc- American Guild of Organists’ and the Nation- Julie Mamalis has been involved in the folk Dena Stamos has been involved in Greek ing on live coals in honor of Saints Constan- al Guild of Piano Teachers. She is Music Direc- dance movement for the last 28 years, where dance since her childhood in Chicago. She tine and Helen. Demetri is a past president she has researched and created Greek cos- first performed at age seven. She became in- and lead dancer for GAFS, the Greek Ameri- tiful han tumes for the Annunciation parish in Sac- volved in FDF eighteen years ago as Executive can Folklore Society, founded by Paul Ginis, Beau dmade ramento. She is instrumental in presenting Director of the Modesto dance groups. Dur- in Astoria NY. Demetri teaches at GAFS as a “cultural exhibit” for the parish’s annual ing this time the Modesto representation grew well as other local Folk Dance groups. In ΤΣΑΡΟΥΧΙΑ Greek festival, providing visitors a historical from twelve dancers in two groups to 140 November 2008, he headlined at the Ken- By Ιωαννης Γεωργακος overview of ancient Greece to the present, dancers and seven groups. Dena is respected nedy Center’s Millenium Stage in Washing- through the display of a vast collection of and admired for the accomplishments of the ton DC, bringing his group, “The Greek Folk photographs, authentic items and clothing. Modesto groups at FDF: 57 awards, including Ensemble” and their show “Journey Through She currently serves as a member of Annun- 6 Sweepstakes medals and 19 First Place med- Greece “ to our nation’s capital. Demetri has ciation’s parish council, and is a long-time als. Her expertise in costuming is also evident an extensive folk instrument collection, with a member of the church choir, where she was in the 18 costume awards won by Modesto varied representation of tsambounas, as well the organist for 25 years. Julie has retired teams. She did the research for those winning as many chanters for askomandoura (bagpipe from a long career at the State Capitol where costumes, and parents and dancers did the from Crete), all intricately carved. Many zur- she worked as an administrative assistant for work with her help. Dena has one of the larg- nas, from diverse places throughout Greece a state assemblymember and senator. Julie is est private collections of Greek Folk Costumes and beyond, as well as many folk flogeras the mother of two grown children, who both on the West Coast and has done multiple (flutes), and gaidas, round out his collection. participated in FDF, and now enjoys watching exhibits throughout the state. Dena has been He has given, and is available for, lecture fr α three grandchildren who are presently enthusi- involved with FDF for 25 years, including serv- demonstrations of the various folk instruments om Αραχωβ astic participants of FDF! ing as treasurer on the FDF Board of Trustees. used in Greek folk music, as well as lecturing SITE : www.to-tsarouxi.gr She was a recipient of the FDF Humanitarian on many other aspects of Greek Folk Cul- Irene Peros is a native of Modesto, California. Award. She was also honored by the Cali- ture. This will be his 5th consecutive year as EMAIL : [email protected] Tel : 0030 22670 31068 44 Fax : 0030 22670 31097 tor/Organist of Assumption Greek Orthodox Encouragement Award’ winner of the Greek Church in Long Beach and also maintains a Women’s University Club National Competi- busy teaching schedule at her private music tion’ the National Association of Teachers of studio in Cypress where she and her husband’ Singing Artist Award’ 1st place in the Dean Harry reside. Pinio greatly enjoys her position Allen Scholarship Competition’ Classical as pianist and vocal coach for Meritage Vo- Singer Convention AFE winner’ finalist in the cal Arts Ensemble based in Orange County’ Hennings-Fischer Young Artist Competition California. and 1st place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing NATS competition. Athena Mertes currently resides in Las Vegas’ NV where she is the choir director at St. John John Michael Boyer has been a professional the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church. She singer and choral conductor for more than 15 received her Master of Music degree in vo- years. As part of his degree in music from UC cal performance and Bachelor of Music de- Berkeley, he studied orchestral, choral. and gree in music education from UNLV. Athena operatic conducting with David Milnes and teaches middle school choir’ and is an active Marika Kuzma. As Protopsaltis of the Me- performer of concert and opera repertoire. tropolis of San Francisco and an expert Byz- In addition to her success as an opera and antine cantor, he lectures on liturgical music concert performer’ Athena has earned nu- across the United States and abroad. He is merous awards for her performances’ such a member of Cappella Romana (cappellaro- as the Metropolitan Opera National Council mana.org), was artistic director of the Josquin Singers and associate conductor of Bay Area Classical Harmonies (bayareabach.org). He coached Chanticleer for their Grammy award- winning recording of Tavener’s Lamentations and Praises. Boyer is an active composer, producing music for Cappella Romana’s Di- vine Liturgy and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology’s All Creation Trembled. He is currently collaborating on a project for the St. John of Damascus Society (johnofda- mascus.org) with composers Matthew Arndt, Alexander Khalil, Kurt Sander, Richard Toensing, and Tikey Zes. John is in his final semester as a seminarian at Holy Cross, after which he plans to pursue a PhD in musicology through the University of Athens.