On February 13, 2025, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America attended the Clergy Reception and Synaxis at the 48th Annual Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF), held at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, California. This year’s festival, themed “Embrace. Empower. Elevate.”, brought together clergy and faithful from across the Metropolis, celebrating the deep connection between faith and Hellenic culture.
In his address, Archbishop Elpidophoros expressed his joy and admiration for the event, emphasizing its significance as a cornerstone of cultural and spiritual enrichment.
“Once again, I am absolutely exhilarated to be with all of you for this 48th FDF, the truly remarkable marriage of Culture and Faith that this Metropolis has been sustaining for decades,” he stated.
He extended his gratitude to Metropolitan Gerasimos, acknowledging his leadership in sustaining the festival and fostering a strong sense of identity and belonging among Greek Orthodox youth and the broader community.
“The sense of identity and belonging that our young people receive from the FDF – and indeed all our Faithful – is truly astounding,” he remarked.
Reflecting on the festival’s theme, “Embrace. Empower. Elevate.”, Archbishop Elpidophoros drew inspiration from Saint Maximos the Confessor, likening the journey of faith to a spiral of constant ascension—a movement toward God. He highlighted the liturgical year as a roadmap guiding Orthodox Christians toward Eternal Life, with each feast, fast, and celebration marking important milestones along the way.
“Every Great Feastday, every Triodion, every Lent and Holy Week – these are markers for our spiritual journey,” he explained.
Addressing the clergy, the Archbishop underscored their pivotal role as spiritual guides, tasked with keeping the faithful on this path through encouragement, teaching, preaching, and unwavering faithfulness to the Orthodox Tradition.
As the festival coincided with the Triodion period, a time of preparation for Great Lent, Archbishop Elpidophoros described it as an “Apokreatiko before our Apokreatiko”—a season of joy and celebration before the spiritual rigor of Lent begins.
Closing his remarks, he thanked the clergy and organizers for their dedication in making the FDF a vibrant and meaningful experience for all participants. He extended his blessings for the Lenten journey ahead, anticipating the spiritual culmination of Holy Week and Pascha.
“My thanks to all of you for making this possible, and my blessings to you all for another Lenten journey ahead, and the glories of Holy Week and Pascha.”
The Folk Dance and Choral Festival, now in its 48th year, continues to serve as a dynamic expression of Orthodox faith and Greek heritage, bringing together generations in a shared celebration of culture, tradition, and spirituality.
Read the full address:
Beloved Brother, Your Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos,
Your Graces,
Dear Fathers,
Once again, I am absolutely exhilarated to be with all of you for this 48th FDF, the truly remarkable marriage of Culture and Faith that this Metropolis has been sustaining for decades.
I want to congratulate my dear brother and concelebrant, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, and thank him for the invitation he always extends to me. Coming to Anaheim is something I truly look forward every year. And to experience this wondrous gathering with so many of the clergy is an additional bonus that fills my heart with joy.
I also want to congratulate you – the clergy of the Metropolis – for your unwavering support of this remarkable program, one which enriches both the lives of your parishes and the lives of your individual parishioners. The sense of identity and belonging that our young people receive from the FDF – and indeed all our Faithful – is truly astounding.
As I said earlier this evening, the theme of the 48th FDF – Embrace. Empower. Elevate. – encompasses a complete circle, or rather a spiral of constant ascension. This is the vision of Saint Maximos the Confessor, who saw in the promise of Eternal Life, the never-ending movement of the creature toward the Creator.
As you all know so well, the liturgical year of the Church is a series of milestones along this path toward Eternity. Every Great Feastday, every Triodion, every Lent and Holy Week – these are markers for our spiritual journey.
Therefore, you – the clergy – serve as guides to your faithful. To keep them on the path by your encouragement. By your teaching. By your preaching. And by your faithfulness to the Traditions of our Holy Orthodox Church.
I am so pleased that the FDF falls in this special time of Triodion. Rather like an “Apokreatiko” before our “Apokreatiko.” A time of celebration and rejoicing.
My thanks to all of you for making this possible, and my blessings to you all for another Lenten journey ahead, and the glories of Holy Week and Pascha.
Photos: Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
