Metropolis of San Francisco sponsors Three Hierarchs Celebration Held in Belmont, CA

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco offered a special program on Sunday, January 29, 2012 in celebration of the Feast of the Three Hierarchs. Under the guidance and direction of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, the Metropolis Committee on Greek Education and Culture organized this event, with the assistance of Metropolis Chancellor Archimandrite Apostolos Koufallakis, which was held at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Belmont, CA.

The ceremony and celebration began with Great Vespers led by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, with welcome remarks offered by Rev. Fr. Peter Salmas. Dr. Anastasios Papademetriou, the Constantine and Georgeian Georgiou Endowed Professor of Greek History, and Executive Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Hellenic Studies at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, was the featured speaker at this event, offering a very thought-provoking presentation entitled “From Caesarea:  Understanding the World of the Three Hierarchs and Their Importance for the Present Day.” 

Distinguished guests attending the event included: His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas of the Dardanelles; Mr. Nicolaos Theophanous, Honorary Consul of Cyprus; Mr. Demetra Rassia-Andreades, wife of the Consul General of Greece – San Francisco; Mr. Theofanis Economidis, Metropolis Council Vice President; several clergy from the surrounding parishes; local University professors; teachers and staff from area Greek language schools, and parishioners from the surrounding communities.

The Greek Education and Culture Committee of the Metropolis of San Francisco organized the Inaugural Writing Contest and Exhibit of students’ artwork from the Greek Schools in the area, under the guidance and supervision of Mrs. Theodora Kounalakis and Mrs. Ioanna Lekkakou.  Twenty-six students participated in the Writing Contest from the Greek School of the Holy Cross Church in Belmont, CA.  All students showed exceptional inspiration and originality.  Students received their awards from His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos. A special award for “Exceptional Knowledge and Rich Vocabulary” was presented to Stamatis John Papadopoulos, and the award for “Exceptional Synthesis and Structure of Ideas” was presented to Marina Andreadis.

The following students received recognition for their participation in the writing contest:

• 3rd Prize: Mary Papadopoulos - $100
• 2nd Prize: Mayia Kompela - $200
• 1st Prize: Melina Sofia Stavropoulos – Scholarship for the Greek Immersion Summer Camp   of the Metropolis of San Francisco – “Our Greek Village” -$400

His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos expressed his sincere congratulations to the winners and all the participants and encouraged the students and teachers to continue to be inspired by the Three Hierarchs’ exceptional life and work.

The event concluded with the traditional cutting of the Vasilopita and a reception providing an opportunity for fellowship and dialogue amongst the attendees. The Greek Education and Culture Committee plans to make this an annual event in observance of the Three Hierarchs and Greek Letters Day.

View this Press Release in Greek