St. Demetrios Hellenic Dancers Perform for Archbishop Demetrios

Dance Troupe with Metropolitan Maximos & Archbishop Demetrios
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Pittsburgh, PA-- The Senior Dance Group of our church attended the 16th Annual Metropolis of Pittsburgh Greek Folk Dance Festival, in Pittsburgh, November 11-13, where they had the historic opportunity to perform for two heirarchs of our church, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Maximos, (who appeared well after his recent injury.)

The yearly event, which includes workshops on regional dances and performances by the attendees, was hosted this year by Father Paul’s former parish of Ypapanti (Presentation of Christ) Church in East Pittsburgh. In addition to learning many exciting new steps, our group also got to perform some dances from our repertoire. There were 12 churches from all over our diocese and 1 from Canada in attendance, but St. Demetrios was the only church representing the Cleveland area. All the groups performed for each other at a luncheon on Sunday (a chance to show off, as well as, get new ideas!)

Spyro Efpraxias, Andy Costaras, Tommy Asimakis and Steve Giallourakis, welcoming the Archbishop, outside Ypapanti Church

But this year, we also had the very special honor to perform on Saturday for His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, who was visiting from New York. In a stunning display, our Evzones, along with young men of other churches, ushered the Heirarchs into Olympia Hall under an arch of Greek and U.S. flags. Each dancer received the Archbishop’s blessing and then performed during a lunch in his honor. Our young ladies and instructor Eleni Papouras-Jenks danced the impressive “Foties” or “Candle Dance.” The Archbishop then addressed all the groups and spoke very eloquently about how dancing is a natural phenomenon that mimics the “rhythm and motion of the Earth itself.”

Eleni Papouras-Jenks, Lia Tjotjos, Eleni Giavroutas, Maria Steffas, Debbie Papadorotheou and Peggy Giavroutas at Olympia Hall dancing for Archbishop Demetrios

This year’s workshops focused on Cretan dancing, taught by Louis Gialedakis of Toronto, Canada; Pontian dances, taught by Sandy Papadopoulos of Atlanta, Ga.; and dances from Karpathos taught by Vasili Brembros of New Jersey. The group returned to Rocky River, inspired with a lot of great ideas and new dance steps, which they can’t wait to show to our parish!