The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians awarded the prestigious Saint Romanos the Melodist Medallion to two deserving individuals at the 2026 Clergy Laity Congress, with the award presented by the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
As is tradition, the National Forum awards the medallion at each biennial Clergy Laity Congress. The medal is awarded to musicians in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America who have made significant and exemplary national contributions to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and its music ministry.
We are pleased to announce the following recipients of the 2026 Saint Romanos the Melodist Medallion recipients:
- Fr. Michael Palad
- Nicholas (Nick) Chimitris
Fr. Michael Palad has composed, arranged and published music for church choirs including an English Doxology, choral music for the Sacrament of Mariage in the Eastern Orthodox Church and has published the well-known Greek folk song “Snow on the Bell Tower”. In conjunction with Narthex Press, Father Michael started publishing weekly Sunday Orthros music supplements which also include audio recordings.
In 2018, Fr. Michael conceived the idea of gathering Orthodox musicians from all jurisdictions in the Phoenix, Arizona and beyond to sing and enjoy fellowship. Orthodox Christian Choral Fellowship (OCCF) was established and incorporated in 2018. The theme “One Day, One Hymn, One Church” was created and received with great enthusiasm and participation. This resulted in a video posted on social media for all to enjoy. OCCF created a website where the music could also be purchased. In 2020, during the COVID outbreak, “OCCF” went virtual which allowed participation to reach Orthodox musicians nationally and internationally.
He is a National Forum Honorary Life Member, has received the Patriarch Athenagoras Award for distinguished metropolis service, the San Francisco Federation St. John Damascus and St. Cosmas the Melodist awards and has received the Folk Dance and Choral Festival Director Award.
Fr. Michael has served and the Spiritual Leader of the San Francisco Church Musicians Federation and has led chant groups during federation conference Vespers and Orthros services. He currently serves as Presiding Priest at St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church in Peoria, Arizona where he has served for 32 years. Axios!
The medallion was also awarded to Nicholas (Nick) Chimitris. Nick has provided transformative national leadership through his service as National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians Chairman since 2020. His work has reshaped the infrastructure, visibility and national reach of Orthodox church music within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
During his three terms as National Chairman, Nick has revitalized the National Forum, accomplishing numerous programmatic and organizational advancements. Under his leadership, the National Forum has become a 501C3 non-profit organization. He was instrumental in scheduling annual audiences for the National Forum Council of Presidents with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, increasing the National Forum’s national recognition and open communication with His Eminence. He is currently spearheading the National Forum’s Anastassiou project, publishing the Diatonic and Enharmonic liturgies in the approved English translation.
Another major program conceived by and being led by Nick is the Saint Romanos Church Music Festival, a national music competition and educational program for youth. This new youth initiative has been enthusiastically approved by the Holy Eparchial Synod for Archdiocesan implementation.
Nick has energized the Council of Presidents to implement his vision for the 50th Anniversary of the National Forum, aligning the National Forum as a full partner in the 2026 Clergy Laity Congress creating a National Forum musicians registration track.
Nick has championed the use of technology to reach church musicians, developing a ground breaking on-line training platform for clergy, church musicians and youth, the Parish Music Leadership Initiative or commonly known as the “MELI” project.
He has increased accessibility of the National Forum’s “Liturgical Guidebook” by creating and offering the option of either a digital or print format.
In 2003, Nick was awarded the Patriarch Athenagoras medal for his contributions to the Chicago Metropolis and the Chicago Metropolis Church Musicians Federation which he led as its longest-serving president for nine terms. He continues to serve on the Federation Board. Through various commendations and awards, his service has been recognized by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew; Archbishop Elpidophoros of America; Archbishop Demetrios, formerly of America; Metropolitan of Chicago Iakovos of blessed memory; and Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago.
Nick has been involved with church music for sixty years and served as choir director for over forty of those years. He is currently the choir director at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Hammond, Indiana. Axios!
