The Akrites from St. Demetrios (Seattle, WA) took first place in the advanced senior division.
Metropolitan Gerasimos surrounded by members of the St. John the Baptist (Las Vegas, NV) Youth Choir. They performed several during the Youth Choir competition including: Epi Si Cheri, an excerpt from Paraklesis, and the hymn of their Church, Mnimi Dikeou. This youth choir served as the core group singing the hymns and responses for the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, and took second place in the Division II Choral Competition.
February 29, 2008
Ontario, CA – The Metropolis of San Francisco recently held its 32nd Annual Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF) from February 14 – 17, 2008 in Ontario, California. Nearly 1,500 dancers from 100 dance groups participated in this weekend event filled not only with dancing and singing, but social activities, fellowship, workshops and worship. The ministry of FDF has grown into one of the largest youth gatherings in our Archdiocese. The level of skill and intricacy of the dances, music, costumes and every aspect of the performance is an amazing sight to behold and is a genuine expression of the love and pride for our Hellenic culture.
Planning this year’s FDF was the Management Team under the guidance and direction of FDF Board of Trustees Co-Chairs V. Rev. Father John Constantine and Rev. Father Gary Kyriacou. Patty Diamond-Ladas served as the Managing Director, assisted by Director of Operations Yianni Valsamis. They were joined by 15 other young adults who coordinated every aspect of FDF from registration, hospitality, social events, publicity, and logistics.
The scripture passage, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Luke 12:34) served as the basis for this year’s FDF theme “Pirates of the Aegean – What do you treasure?”, and it was incorporated into various events and activities throughout the weekend. “Orthodox Challenge Session” workshops were coordinated by the Metropolis Youth and Family Ministries department and were offered throughout the weekend. Topics included: Escape the iLAND: Surviving the Ups and Downs of Friendships; XC marks the Spot: The Map to Happiness; “Hand in Hand into the Kingdom - Letting Dance Bring You Closer to God”; and "I Want to Lead!" What it means at the front of the line.
Though dance and singing were the main focuses of the weekend, there were many other offerings for dancers and spectators alike. The main corridor included an exhibit area with vendors as well as ministries such as the Metropolis of San Francisco Youth Office, Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology, and the Ionian Village. The café area included “Greek frappe” and “tost”. A Tavli tournament was held, and Greek movies were available for viewing as well. For the young (and young at heart) there was a carnival complete with pinball machines, video games, inflatable bouncers, and a rock climbing wall.
The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 17, 2008 was celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios. Also present were: His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas of Dardanelles, and His Grace Bishop Anthimos of Olympos. Members of various Metropolis youth choirs, under the direction of Presvytera Maria Hondros from St. John the Baptist (Las Vegas, NV), sang the hymns and responses for the Liturgy. They were accompanied on the organ by 16-year old Christopher Vezzuto from St. Katherine (Redondo Beach, CA).
At the Grand Banquet, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos stated, “It is an amazing thing to see the young people of this Metropolis (and beyond) dance and sing, celebrating in action our rich Hellenic Heritage. It is an uplifting thing to celebrate Divine Liturgy and to pray with so many of you, actualizing our rich heritage or Orthodox Christian faith. Our treasures of culture and faith are rich and vital; to lose them would be a tragedy and to cultivate them is a blessing.” Metropolitan Gerasimos also encouraged the dancers by saying, “Just as you dedicate yourselves to excellence in dance and song, dedicate yourselves to excellence in prayer and good works.”
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios in his Archpastoral Message at the Grand Banquet remarked that FDF is a “flagship” youth and cultural ministry in our Archdiocese and commended the leaders and participants for their exhaustive efforts in planning such an enormous event. Archbishop Demetrios was clearly moved by the exceptional quality of the performances and commented repeatedly on the joy and satisfaction he felt as he witnessed thousands of youth sharing their heritage and faith through music and dance.
The youngest dancers, entered in “Division III”, are non-competing groups which performed on Saturday afternoon. This exhibition-only designation is used as a training ground to prepare younger dancers as they aspire to compete in future years’ events. Over 150 dancers from ages 4 – 6 years old participated in this Division. At the conclusion of their performances, all the young dancers remained on stage with Metropolitan Gerasimos and he led them in a traditional Kalamatiano.
Following the final round of competition on Sunday afternoon, the dance group “Tou Timiou Stavrou”, performed a suite of dances for a packed convention center. These dancers are all students at Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology. Throughout the weekend, they were ambassadors for the School, and assisted at the daily Orthros and Vespers services. Each year, the participation of a dance group from the school is generously underwritten by the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos.
The highest honors for the weekend, the Sweepstakes Awards, went to:
Division I
St. Katherine Choral Group (Redondo Beach, CA)
Neo Kyma Dance Group from Annunciation (Sacramento, CA)
Division II
Dynami Choir (Annunciation, Modesto, CA)
Olympians Dance Group (Assumption, Long Beach, CA)
Also in attendance at FDF were: Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles Mr. Dimitris Caramitsos-Tziras, Consul General of Greece San Francisco Mrs. Xenia Stefanidou, and the Interim Executive Director of Leadership 100 Ms. Paulette Poulos.
The 2009 FDF will be held President’s Day Weekend, February 12 - 15 in Ontario, California. Dance and Choral groups from throughout the Archdiocese are invited and encouraged to participate. For more information, please contact Father Gary Kyriacou at 805-482-1273.
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday, February 17, 2008 at the Ontario Convention Center.
Metropolitan Gerasimos on stage leading over 150 young dancers in a traditional Kalamatiano.
Trikimia from St. Sophia Cathedral (Los Angeles, CA).
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos and His Grace Bishop Anthimos wearing the 2008 FDF t-shirts at Opening Ceremonies.
4th Thursday after Pascha
