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As the competition at the Hellenic Dance Festival (HDF) came to a head, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America spoke to clergy about the spiritual value of dance, music, and fellowship.  “There is a spiritual […]\nThe post Dances and fellowship have ‘spiritual value,’ Archbishop Elpidophoros says at HDF appeared first on Orthodox Observer.

On January 16, 2026, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America arrived in New Orleans, Louisiana for Hellenic Dance Festival’s 25th annual competition showcasing the beauty of traditional Greek folk dancing and music. He was greeted […]\nThe post Hellenic Dance Festival in full swing as Archbishop Elpidophoros arrives appeared first on Orthodox Observer.

The horns of a brass band breached the doors of a New Orleans ballroom as excitement mounted at the opening ceremony of the Metropolis of Atlanta’s 25th Hellenic Dance Festival. Following a drumline, one of […]\nThe post This year’s Hellenic Dance Fest has a cajun kick appeared first on Orthodox Observer.

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has conferred its highest honorary distinction—the “Saint Demetrios” Emblem—upon His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, formerly of America. The award, bearing the image of the city’s patron saint, was presented during a […]\nThe post Aristotle University of Thessaloniki bestows highest honor on Abp. Demetrios appeared first on Orthodox Observer.

Yesterday, Jan. 14, AHEPA issued the following announcement: “AHEPA is saddened to hear of the passing of former President of Cyprus, George Vassiliou. Vassiliou passed last night at the age of 94, having been in […]\nThe post AHEPA mourns the passing of former President of Cyprus, George Vassiliou appeared first on Orthodox Observer.

Approved by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the following ordinations are scheduled to take place over the weekend of January 17–18 at Saint Anthony’s Monastery in Arizona. The ordinations will be celebrated by His […]\nThe post GOARCH announces approved ordinations appeared first on Orthodox Observer.

A crowd of faithful gathered on a concrete wharf as His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America offered an Agiasmos, or Blessing of the Water, over a fleet of sponge and fishing boats. At the end […]\nThe post The Archbishop blessed his boat. Then, his grandson retrieved the cross from Spring Bayou. appeared first on Orthodox Observer.

The students arrived in pairs from six schools in the Archdiocesan District: The Cathedral School in Manhattan, St. Demetrios Greek American School in Astoria, A. Fantis Parochial School and D.G.K. School in Brooklyn, Greek American […]\nThe post Archdiocesan District hosts annual spelling bee appeared first on Orthodox Observer.

St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church in Flemington, New Jersey celebrated the burning of its church mortgage after its Hierarchical Feast Day Vespers on December 8. This milestone was the first goal on the parish’s “Path […]\nThe post St. Anna Church in Flemington, NJ celebrates church mortgage burning appeared first on Orthodox Observer.

The Mother Church of Constantinople—who is also the Mother of the Church of Russia—expresses its deepest sorrow over the latest Russian attack directed against the person of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, an attack which […]\nThe post Communiqué: Ecumenical Patriarchate on attack from Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service appeared first on Orthodox Observer.