The flag bearing the seal of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew proudly flew as the sun set over Manhattan in front of Saint Bartholomew’s Church on Park Avenue.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America presented a special tribute concert honoring the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the late Nikolaos Steliaros, Archon Mousikodidaskalos of the Holy Great Church of Christ.
With the blessing of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, this Pentecost tribute concert was offered in celebration of His All-Holiness’ patronal feast of the Holy Apostle Bartholomew, in memory of the late Archon Nikolaos Steliaros (who reposed in the Lord in September 2024), and as an expression of filial gratitude for the many rich blessings that the Mother Church of Constantinople continues to impart on all of her faithful sons and daughters in the United States and throughout the entire world.
This concert, entitled “Praise the Lord All Nations: Every breath, praise the Lord,” featured the Romanos the Melodist Greek Orthodox Byzantine Choir and Chanters Society of Greater New York, who performed a selection of seasonal hymns from the feast of Pentecost chanted in the traditional Byzantine style of the Orthodox Church’s centuries-old Psaltic Art.
Fr. Peter Thompson, Vicar of St. Bartholomew, welcomed the audience. This is the fourth time the church has held an event in collaboration with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese to honor the Ecumenical Patriarch. Many special guests gathered for this ecumenical celebration of the Ecumenical Patriarch and Archon Steliaros, including Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Archbishop Demetrios formerly of America, Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia, Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, Archdiocesan District Chancellor Fr. Elias Villis, and local clergy. Mr. Steliaros’ wife Eleni, family, and friends were also in attendance for this special tribute.
Ecumenical and interfaith leaders and guests also in attendance include: Bishop David, President of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches; Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Bishop Robert Brennan, Roman Catholic Bishop of Brooklyn; Bishop Irinej, Serbian Orthodox Church – Diocese of Eastern America; Bishop Vashti McKenzie, President-General Secretary of the National Council of Churches; Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis; Rabbi Diana Gerson, Associate Executive Vice President of the New York Board of Rabbis; Mr. Gary Spruch, American Jewish Committee; Monsignor. Robert Murphy, Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations; Rev. Simeon Odabashian, Vicar of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America; Rev. Boghos Tinkjian, Armenian Prelacy; Rev. Marius Dumitrescu, Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas; Rev. Julie Hoplamazian, The Episcopal Church; Rev. Jerry Varghese, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, as well as the Consul Mr. Petros Dorizas, representing the Consulate General of Greece.
Spiritual Advisor of the Romanos the Melodist Chanters Society of New York, Fr. Michael Giavris, opened the program welcoming guests, praising the Ecumenical Patriarch and the late Archon Steliaros, and introducing the Romanos the Melodist society who were joined by loved ones of Archon Steliaros who wished to honor his memory. Additionally, Archon Peter J. Skeadas spoke highlighting the evening’s honorees.
Bishop Nektarios also offered remarks honoring the great leadership of the Ecumenical Patriarch as well D Archon Steliaros’, “unwavering devotion to byzantine music and steadfast devotion to his students.” His Grace stated Archon Steliaros, “only wanted the joy of passing on this tradition.”
Before the show commenced, Archbishop Elpidophoros gave remarks and presented the medal of Saint Paul, the highest honor of the Sacred Archdiocese of America, to Eleni Steliaros, the wife of late Archon Steliaros. “This evening is indeed a very special occasion, one which we are sharing with the Community and with our good friends at Saint Bartholomew’s. For the Feastday of the Spiritual Father of Orthodox Christianity, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, commences now, with the setting of the sun,” His Eminence stated, “he music offered this evening is theurgic in nature, bringing us, through our sense of hearing, into a divine reverie where we are transported into the conscious presence of God. This is the hallmark of Byzantine Music; for it does not embellish sound for the mere sake of adornment, but rather accentuates and indeed, punctuates the spiritual import of the hymnody of the Church. Thus, it is meet and right that tonight also be a commemoration – a memorial to the most exceptional and dignified cantor, Nikolaos Steliaros, Archon Mousikodidaskalos of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who was made an Archon by the same Ecumenical Patriarch we give thanks for tonight.”
The Romanos the Melodist choir sang twelve beautiful pieces which echoed through the beautiful church of Saint Bartholomew; Apolytikion of Romanos the Melodist, Apolytikion of Apostle Bartholomew, Apolytikion and Kontakion of Pentecost, Festal Prokeimenon, Slow Kekragarion, Vesperal Hymns of Pentecost, Psalm 135, Katavasies of Pentecost, Matinal Doksastikon of Pentecost, Slow Doxology, Dynamis – Trisagion Hymn, and Liturgical Hymns.
The evening was a special and heartfelt celebration of the Ecumenical Patriarch and Archon Steliaros.
Photos: Orthodox Observer/Yannis Malevitis
