In the heart of Astoria, Queens, on Monday, June 8, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America attended the commencement ceremony of St. Demetrios Preparatory School and gave an address to the graduating class of 2026.
The ceremony honored the graduates of the Archdiocese’s flagship parochial school, awarding them marks of excellence in major areas of study.
In his address, Archbishop Elpidophoros likened the journey after graduation to the Homeric voyage toward Ithaca, and emphasized that the education the graduates received provides them with a crucial compass—one comprising Orthodox faith, Greek culture, and community.
“The compass will guide us in our lives. And what is this compass? The compass, first and foremost, is God — it is Saint Demetrios, it is our Orthodox faith.” Archbishop Elpidophoros said to the graduates. “You have this tremendous weapon and advantage: you know where to find God when you need Him. You have our Greek civilization. That too will serve you, regardless of what field you study or what career you pursue in life. Your Greek civilization will illuminate your path and give you the principles to study whatever you wish and to choose whatever career you desire. Look around you.”
Archbishop Elpidophoros upheld St. Demetrios as a top-class institution, stating that a strong, foundational education, like that provided by St. Demetrios, is crucial for guaranteeing future student success and fostering lasting community bonds.
“The Gospel tells us that a good tree is known by its fruits. What kind of fruit does it bear? One may say that a tree is beautiful, tall, and impressive, with great branches and splendid leaves. But if it does not bear good fruit, it is not a good tree. Look, then, at our fruits. Look at the young people this school produces,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said. “For this reason, Saint Demetrios School will always remain at the center of the Archdiocese’s attention, of my own personal concern, and of the concern of the entire community.”
In attendance at the commencement ceremony were Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, the Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Hellenic Orthodox Community of Astoria, and Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Fr. Gregory Stamkopoulos, the Director of the Department of Greek Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Also in attendance was Fr. Anargyros Stavropoulos, Proistamenos of the St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, along with other clergy.
Valedictorian Maria Kokoliou, who immigrated to the United States from Athens, Greece, at the age of seven, gave her valedictorian address in both Greek and English.
“I’ve come to understand that it’s about the memories that you make on the way to that specific destination,” Kokoliou said. “Really, there is one beautiful thing about memories. Memories exist outside of time and have no beginning or end. As long as we’re on this earth, we carry them in the deepest parts of ourselves”.
The 2026 Graduation Ceremony at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox High School in Astoria, NY, on Monday, June 8th, 2026.
Sister Salutatorians Antigone and Dimitra Katsaras also gave addresses.
“You will shine anywhere you go, as long as you endeavor in finding yourself in your strength. And from today, we start the beginning of the journey of finding our light in this world,” Antigone said.
Antigone was followed by her sister, Dimitra, who said: “This is an ode to our past and future. We won’t disappear. We’ll persevere here. We’ve made it to the shining future that was just one step ahead.”
Parish Council President Nikolaos Papaioannou, who returned to the presidency of the Executive Council in January, commented on the importance of the school and the ceremony for the future generations of Astoria.
“I want you to hear this clearly. And especially for me, we are proud of who you have become,” Papaioannou said, addressing the graduates. “I live in the community. I work in the community. This is taking care of our kids, and we need to be around for the next generation.”
The ceremony also included the dedication of the St. Demetrios Green Room. A media production lab where “faith, culture, technology, and creativity come to life.” The lab was established through a technology grant by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and funded by the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Fund.
The studio was created to empower students to learn documentary filmmaking, video production, and digital storytelling while preserving and sharing the rich heritage of Hellenic culture and the Orthodox Christian faith.
