“Welcome to FDF 2012”

issue 3
FEBRuary 2012
Photo by: Kostas Petrakos
“Welcome to FDF 2012”
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
This weekend we are gathered here in Anaheim, California for the 36th
Annual Folk Dance and Choral Festival. Once again, I am overwhelmed
with joy and thanksgiving to the Lord for the opportunity to be with you
all as we celebrate our faith and culture during this weekend which will
bring together over 4,000 members of our Orthodox Christian family. It
is also an honor and privilege to welcome His Eminence Archbishop
Demetrios of America whose presence and participation this weekend at
FDF will be a blessing for everyone in attendance.
The theme for this year’s FDF is “Believe”. In this one simple, sevenletter word comes the depth and breadth of our lives as Orthodox Christians.
The word “believe” is defined in the dictionary as: “to have confidence in
the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something”. In the Gospel of
Saint Mark we read these words spoken by the Lord: “If you can believe,
all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23 This is a profound
statement to think that all good things can come to us if we only believe.
As Orthodox Christians, our faith is founded on our belief in Jesus
Christ, in the Trinity, in the Holy Scripture and in the teachings of the Holy
Fathers of our Church. This weekend is an opportunity to demonstrate
our beliefs through our actions and in an environment that promotes and
supports Christian fellowship. The next time a friend shares with you
something new and interesting and they conclude their comments with the
popular phrase: “Do you believe it?”, ask yourself this same question as it
pertains to your faith. Do you believe it? Do you live it? Now is the time to
take action and believe in what has been given to us in the precious gift of
our Orthodox faith and in salvation through Jesus Christ.
I truly believe that this weekend will be filled with the abundant blessings
of our Lord, and I believe that the bonds of friendship and Christian
fellowship amongst all those gathered will be strengthened by the love
of Jesus Christ. I pray that His grace, peace and mercy will be with you
all this weekend, and throughout the year as you bring praise and honor
to His Holy Name through your belief in Him as Our Lord and Savior!
With Love in Christ,
XMetropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco
Reverend and dear Father Gary, Board of Trustees, Distinguished
Guests, Participants of the Greek Orthodox Folk Dance and Choral
Festival,
I greet you in the grace and peace of the Lord and wish upon each of
you His bountiful blessings as you participate in the 2012 Greek Orthodox
Folk Dance and Choral Festival in Anaheim, California.
It has been said that Greek dance expresses a strong emotional validation
for solidarity and provides an important means of communicating both
the individual and collective spirit of personal and cultural identity. As
planners and participants of the 2012 Festival you embody this truth and
affirm both the vibrancy and unity of the youth of the Metropolis of San
Francisco and your identification as enthusiastic bearers and promulgators
of the rich spiritual and cultural wealth of our Greek Orthodox faith
tradition.
The paternal love and admiration felt by my beloved brother in Christ
and your beloved Hierarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, is
a sentiment I, too, share for each of you as you engage with kefi and
enthusiasm in the weekend festivities. I offer my best wishes for your
spirited participation and extend my prayers that you may always derive
joy in being connected through celebration and song in the shared journey
of our precious faith and culture. X
With paternal love in Christ,
+ DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America
A message from
Father Gary Kyriacou
Our San Francisco Metropolis’
Greek Folk Dance and Choral
Festival ministry has worldwide
notoriety. Almost everywhere I
go, Greeks know about FDF, and
if they don’t, they are amazed
when they hear a description of the
content, scope and history of our
event. They often respond in great
wonder: “Greek dance on the West
Coast? California? Really!”
FDF is an event that requires
year-round planning. For me it is
another holiday in the long line of
family gatherings that I plan for
fr. gary continues on page 7
2012 Board of Trustees
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, Executive Chairman
Father Gary Kyriacou, Chairman
Spiro Beckas, Vice-Chairman
Katia Boudouvas, Operations Officer
Michael Syrengelas, Director of Finance
John Boudouvas, Director of Marketing/PR
Kathy Loukatos Meck, Director of Choral Festival
George Demos, Director of Endowment
Christa Barbas, Judge Coordinator/Liaison
Eleni Beckas, Secretary
George Nickols, Judge Consultant
Anne Sirota, Judge Consultant
Vickie Demos, Scholarships Manager
John Buzas, Legal Consultant
Fr. John Hondros, Liturgical Coordinator
Fr. Peter Stratos, Diakonia Project Coordinator
Table of contents
features
5
Expanded
Metropolis
Office
Paul Gikas
Fr. Bob Fox, Symposiums and Program Coordinator
Paul Gikas, Metropolis Youth Director
Laurie Sahines, Parent’s Rep - North
Amalia Chryssopoulos-Skarzenski, Parent’s Rep – South
16
2012 Management Team:
Nick Metrakos Managing Director
Christine Alexopoulos Director of Registration
Joanna Demos Opening Ceremonies
Katherine Dikeakos Competition Team
Vasili Dikeakos Competition Team
Danielle Doumak Banquet
Evangelia Gryparis Day Events
Anthony John Competition Team
Nick Kapetanios Night Events
Zoe Kaplanis Greeks Got Talent
Christine Karambelas Competition Team
Voula Kolios Director of Competition
Speros Mantas Logistics Team
Paul Mantas Logistics Team
George Mitsopoulos Security
Bobby Patsios Registration
George Plumis Competition Team
Kristina Plumis Competition Team
Vaso Rahimzadeh Workshops & Registration
Manoli Rodarakis Director of Logistics
Alexandra Schwenke Competition Team
Yeoryia Selberis Registration
Maro Tsigarida Opening Ceremonies/Marketing & PR
John Zoumberakis Logistics Team
SPECIAL THANKS
TO OUR 2012 FDF
OLI MAZI SPONSORS
Mr. Demetri Argyropoulos,
Prima Worldwide
Dr. John Costouros & Stefanie Roumeliotes
Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth Frangadakis
Mr. & Mrs. Isidoros Garifalakis
Mr. & Mrs. Gerry Ranglas
Mr. & Mrs. Paul P. Sogotis
PAGE 2
Metropolis Philoptochos
Excels In Their Ministry
To Serve Others
Elios Award
Steve Padis
16
Remembering
10
Mary Vouras
Greek Dance
Venues in LA .............
7
Look To The Internet 5
New and Exciting Workshops 5
Third Annual Greek Village Camp
6
Rolling Up Our Sleeves 6
“2012 Judges’ Profiles”
8
Fdf 2012 Dance & Choral Groups
11
FDF 2012 Glendi Musicians
18
FDF
“Lord, I BELIEVE;
help my unbelief!”
Mark 9:24
“I BELIEVE in one God, Father
Almighty, Creator of heaven and
earth and of all things visible
and invisible. And in one Lord
Jesus Christ, the only-begotten
Son of God, begotten of the
Father before all ages.”
“Do not be afraid; only
BELIEVE.” Mark 5:36
“If you can BELIEVE, all things are
possible to him who BELIEVEs.”
Mark 9:23
“This is the work of God,
that you BELIEVE in Him
whom He sent.” John 6:29
“Yes, Lord, I BELIEVE
that You
are the
Christ,
the Son
of God,
who is
to come
into the
world.”
John
11:27
“I am the
resurrection
and the life.
He who
BELIEVES
in Me, though
he may die,
he shall live.”
John 11:25
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whoever BELIEVES in Him should not perish but have everlasting
life.” John 3:16
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray,
BELIEVE that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark
11:24
“Let not
your heart be
troubled; you
BELIEVE
in God,
BELIEVE
also in Me.”
John 14:1
“I have come as a light into the world,
that whoever BELIEVES in Me should
not abide in darkness.” John 12:46
“I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and
he who BELIEVES in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35
It is my joy to welcome you to the 36th Annual Folk Dance and Choral Festival. I know
that this weekend will be filled with the true spirit of Christian love and fellowship, and your
participation will make you wonderful ambassadors of our faith and culture.
We also extend a very special welcome to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America
whose presence is a true honor for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco!
With Love in Christ,
✠ Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco
fdf
PAGE 3
FDF Night Events Schedule
Thursday, February 16th
7:00-9:00 pm Opening Ceremonies
Friday, February 17th
10:00-11:00 pm
Thracian
Vasilios Hioureas
Jordan Elrod
[email protected]
AnaheimHillsRealtor.com
714-458-4508
11:00 pm-12:00 am
Island and Cretan
Antonis Giarakis
Stathis Karathanasis
12:00-2:00 am
Pontian
Yianni Fotiadis
Pereklis Katsiotis
Christo Kosmidis
Saturday, February 18th
8:00-10:00 pm
Endasi
(Dimitri Papdimitriou,
Dimitri Dallas, Yianni Themelis)
10:00-11:30 pm
Cretan
Alexandros Papadakis
Andreas Vardas
Alexandros Frangoulatzis
11:30 pm-2:00 am
Endasi
(DimitriPapdimitriou,
Dimitri Dallas, YianniThemelis)
Nicolas Nicolaou
®
Realtor
DRE#01879968
Congratulations
FDF 2012
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Sunday, February 19th
7:00-10:00 pm
10:00 pm-2:00 am
Banquet and Awards
Ceremony
Olympians
135 S. State College Blvd., #110 Brea, CA 92821 714.582.8000 WindermerePreferred.com WinderemrePreferred.com/blog PAGE 4
James Marquez, Broker / Owner DRE# 01894836 Andrea Marquez, Principal / Owner FDF
Upcoming Retreats and Conferences
For Youth and Young Adults
Sign up today!
He or she should be able
to recognize the early
warning signs that are
often present before an
undesirable situation may
arise. He or she should also
know how to respond to
these signs and situations.
In order to advance
the preparedness of youthworkers throughout the
Metropolis, the Office of
Youth and Young Adult
Ministries will organize a
Youth-Workers Conference
at Saint Nicholas Ranch
and Retreat Center in the
Spring of 2012. There will
be a special training in Risk
Youth-Workers
Conference
Youth
Ministry
has never been more
challenging or rewarding as
it is today. Youth-workers
need to provide a safe
and loving environment
in order for our youth to
learn. They also need to
communicate the Message
of the Gospel in a relevant
and fun way.
Therefore it is critically
important for a youthworker to be well-trained.
and Abuse Management
by a professional trainer.
The latest techniques and
resources for presenting
the Message of the Gospel
to our young people will
also be presented. Whether
you are a youth worker or
a volunteer youth advisor,
this conference is for you!
Please come to the
Metropolis Booth this
weekend to sign up for this
conference. More details
will be available soon on
the Metropolis website:
w w w. s a n f r a n .g o a r c h .
org so keep checking for
further information! X
New and Exciting Workshops Offered
During Fdf – Attend One Today!
Workshops also available for parents
Workshops for all
dancers and singers are
being held at throughout the
day on Friday and Saturday
during this year’s FDF
weekend. Please remember
that it is mandatory
for all participants to
attend a workshop, and
several topics are offered
for various age groups.
Many of the priests from
throughout our Metropolis
will be leading these
exciting workshops and
present great opportunities
to both learn and grow in
LK
DA N C E
&
CH
O R T H O D OX
F
O
our faith!
Elementary
school
dancers and singers will
enjoy playing games and
learning to make an icon.
Junior High aged students
will enjoy interactive
activities that will enrich
their
knowledge
of
our faith. High School
participants will have the
chance to address some
real issues about their
lives and faith, and Young
Adults will be challenged
to lead lives of exemplary
Orthodox Christians while
ORAL
F
K
ES
T
I
E
being surrounded by the
secular influences of our
society.
This year there are also
two workshops for parents,
including
discussions
on how to maintain a
healthy balance between
kids, school, family and
church responsibilities! We
extend a special invitation
to our FDF parents (and
grandparents) to take an
hour on Friday or Saturday
and attend a workshop. You
will be glad you did!
X
�� �
V
AL
GR
E
Faith. Dance. Fellowship.
fdf
Expanded Metropolis Office
of Youth and Young Adult
Ministries Here to Serve You!
Paul Gikas
Ministering to our youth
and young adults has never
been more challenging.
As we know our youth
today are so busy between
school, sports, lessons
and of course………..
dance
practice!
Our
20something young adults
are busy trying to establish
themselves, whether in
college or working. And
our 30somethings may be
readjusting the plans they
made for themselves in
their 20’s because of the
economic realities of the
past few years. With the
increased
complexities
of life for our youth and
young adults, it has never
been more important for
our young people to have
rock-solid faith in our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ!
For this reason the
Metropolis Office of Youth
and Young Adult Ministries
is working hard to expand
its ministries, programs
and resources for youthworkers and to connect our
young people and youthworkers throughout our
very geographically large
metropolis.
As
of
September
2011, Paul Gikas is the
new full-time Director of
the Office of Youth and
Young Adult Ministries
for the Metropolis of San
Francisco. Paul is originally
from St. Spyridon Church
in San Diego, CA, is a
graduate of Holy Cross
Greek Orthodox School
of Theology and also
worked at the Ecumenical
Patriarchate for several
years. Paul is eager to hear
your ideas and feedback,
so please contact him at
[email protected].
org or 415-814-1186. X
Look to The Internet For New
Resources to Keep You
Connected to The Latest
Metropolis Youth and Young
Adult Activities
We are all living and working in the mobile age, and
the Metropolis Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries
is committed to building up its presence on the internet.
Among these resources will be new Youth and Young
Adult ministry websites which will aim to keep everyone
informed of all Metropolis and Regional ministries,
programs and upcoming events taking place throughout
the year. These sites will also serve as a unified place to
connect our youth, young adults, clergy, youth-workers
and parents throughout our very geographically wide
Metropolis and will be a place for all to share their ideas.
GO SF YOUTH – All GOYA aged youth should join this
page! Make new friends throughout the Metropolis, learn
about upcoming events and share your experiences about
your faith!
GO SF YOUNG ADULTS – All 20somethings and
30somethings should join this page! Connect with
your peers throughout the Metropolis, be informed
of upcoming events and learn about your faith!
www.gosfyouth.org – Coming Soon! Keep checking for
the launch of this website very soon! It will be dedicated to
the youth programs of the Metropolis.
www.gosfyoungadults.org – Coming Soon! This website
will be dedicated to 20somethings and 30somethings in
our Metropolis in an attempt to inform, gather and connect
everyone for this growing ministry. X
PAGE 5
THIRD ANNUAL GREEK VILLAGE CAMP
“Elliniko Horio”
A creative and educational program for youth ages 7 – 14
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos with the Greek Village campers
The Third Annual
Greek Village Camp –
Elliniko Horio – will be
held June 23 – 30, 2012 at
Saint Nicholas Ranch and
Retreat Center in Dunlap,
California. This interactive
and educational program
for youth ages 7 – 14 has
become one of the most
popular programs and you
won’t want to miss it! The
Greek Village Camp is a
fabulous experience that
gives children the unique
opportunity to learn about
their faith and culture in a
fun-filled, creative setting.
The Greek Immersion
Camp is a program
where children happily
immerse
themselves
in a fun environment
that bonds them to their
ancestral heritage. With
the guidance of skilled
instructors,
children
connect themselves with
the
Greek
language,
customs, traditions and
faith. New friendships
will be created while the
children attend classes in
Greek Language, Cooking,
Geography,
Mythology,
Music, Dance and Theatre.
Extracurricular activities
offered in the daily schedule
PAGE 6
include: arts and crafts,
swimming,
canoeing,
basketball and volleyball,
plus evening campfires by
the lake, storytelling, folk
dancing and singing.
Campers
attend
worship services daily and
also have the opportunity
to observe monastic life
at the Monastery of the
Theotokos the Life Giving
Spring which is adjacent to
Saint Nicholas Ranch.
The 230-acre Saint
Nicholas Ranch is nestled
in the foothills of the
Sequoia National Park.
Its hiking trails, apple
orchards, historic barn and
lake, provide the aura of a
traditional Greek Village
to further enhance a truly
cultural experience.
Under the guidance
and direction of the
Metropolis
Committee
on
Greek
Education
and Culture, the Greek
Village Camp – Elliniko
Horio – will once again
be led by a team of highly
qualified
instructors,
selected from various
Greek language schools in
the Metropolis. Activities
will be divided based on
age-appropriateness
to
facilitate learning and
enhance the educational
experience.
Enrollment
is limited so reserve your
space today – the deadline
for registration is April 30,
2012!
For
additional
information and to register
online, please visit to
www.ourgreekvillage.org.
Enrollment from the first
to the second years nearly
doubled, and we anticipate
another record increase in
attendance so be sure to
sign up early and reserve
your space today! Stop
by the Metropolis Booth
during FDF to learn more
about this program and
speak with some of our
committee members and
instructors. Don’t delay –
register today! X
Rolling Up Our Sleeves: Action into
our Faith and Faith into Action
As our ancestors
started
coming
to
America during the 19th
century, they arrived
with one piece of luggage
in one hand and a dream
in the other. A dream
that came true with faith
and hard work. Our
ancestors were serious
about their traditions;
their faith, their culture,
and their family values.
They rolled up their
sleeves and worked hard
for their family at home
and they worked hard for
the Church. They had a
true sense of Diakonia!
What is Diakonia?
Diakonia is a service
or ministry for Christ and
His Church, and the whole
world. Its literally means
to work through dirt and
dust and our ancestors did
a lot of that! They rolled
up their sleeves and got to
work, especially for others.
They did this in the home
country and they did this
the country that became
their new home. When
we serve others, we are
serving God’s people and
when we are serving God’s
people, we serve the Lord
Himself.
Our Faith and our
works are inseparable just
as love is inseparable from
action. We roll up our sleeves
to pray hard, we roll up
our sleeves to work hard,
we roll up our sleeves to
cook well, and we roll up
our sleeves to dance well.
Our ancestors passed
on to us that good and
honest work is most
fulfilling when its goal
is to provide for the well
being of others.
As we come together
to honor the rich
cultural traditions of our
ancestors, we must also
roll up our sleeves by
putting action into our
faith and more faith into
our actions by helping
those in need. X
FDF
Nikiforos and Georgia Valaskantjis
METROPOLITAN ANTHONY HUMANITARIAN AWARD 2012
The Metropolis of
San Francisco is pleased
to honor Nikiforos and
Georgia Valaskantjis as
this year’s recipients of
the Metropolitan Anthony
Humanitarian Award. This
dynamic couple has been
exemplary stewards of the
Greek Orthodox Church
for many years. Nikiforos,
a native of Samos, Greece,
came to the Los Angeles
area in 1967, while Georgia
and her family came to
California in 1964 from
Katerini, Greece. They
were married at Saint
Sophia Cathedral in 1977,
and have been supporters
not only of the Cathedral
but also benefactors of
the Assumption Church
in Long Beach, Saints
Constantine and Helen
in Cardiff - by - the - Sea,
Saint John the Baptist in
Anaheim, and the Greek
Orthodox Mission of South
Orange County in San
Juan Capistrano. Nikiforos
and Georgia have also
been great benefactors
of the Saint Nectarios
Church in Covina and
were significantly involved
as the Godparents for the
Consecration of that parish.
They both served on the
Parish Council at Saint
Nectarios, with Nikiforos
serving as President for ten
years.
Nikiforos and Georgia
are members of Leadership
100, and are both on the
Board of Saint Nicholas
Ranch and Retreat Center.
Nikiforos was also named
Archon Depoutatos of the
Greek Dance Venues In Los Angeles
By Members of Kypseli and Café Asteria
Folk dancing became
immensely popular both
among Greeks and nonGreeks during the 1960’s
and 1970’s. Many of us
started dancing at the
folk dance coffee houses
that sprung up all over
the United States. The
most famous of those in
Los Angeles was The
Intersection, owned by
Athan Karras and Rudy
Dannes, which opened in
1964 and closed in 1984.
After The Intersection
closed in 1985, some
committed Greek dancers
started Kypseli, a Greek
dance night, in Pasadena.
Kypseli Greek Dance
Center, now located in
Sherman Oaks, remains
vibrant to this day, due
to the efforts of many
volunteers who love the
Greek culture and dance.
In 2004, other dancers
started another Greek
dance night in West Los
Angeles at Café Danssa,
the only remaining folk
dance coffee house. The
Café Danssa Greek night
morphed into Café Asteria
in 2007.
Kypseli and Café
Asteria have hosted a
number of Greek dance
teachers including Joe
Graziosi, Mary Coros,
Dennis Boxell, Yvonne
Hunt and other FDF
judges, as well as FDF
directors Tony Petrulias,
fdf
Thanassi
Lantzourakis,
Nikos Savvidis, Aris
Yortzidis, Stelios and
Stacie
Zoumberakis,
Dennis Sourvanos, Paula
Darlas, Vasilis and Aristi
Contos; and from Greece,
Yannis
Konstantinou,
Anna Mavrou, Kalliope
Mavrou,
and
Yannis
Dimas. Musicians who have
performed include Ziyia,
Anoush, Soudeniotes, the
Olympians, Makedonikos
Ichos
from
Florina,
Greece, Leonidas and
Stelios
Lainakis
and
Mixalis
Loufourdakis
from Xania, Crete and
more. In addition, for many
years, FDF dance groups
performed at Kypseli,
sometimes with live music.
On
March
16,
Kypseli will celebrate its
27th anniversary with
Soudeniotes, a local band
that includes Nick and
Cassie
Nickols,
Matt
Tavlarides and Alekos
Sioris. Nick and Cassie
are the son and daughter of
long time judge and FDF
Board member George
Nickols. Both Nick and
Cassie have been dancers
and musicians for FDF
dance groups.
Nick
is a medical resident at
UCLA, playing klarino
in his spare time. Cassie
is a professional musician
with a PhD in music from
USC, playing keyboards,
piano, accordion as well
as singing.
She also
directs two FDF dance
groups from St. Nicholas
Greek Orthodox Church in
Northridge. Alekos Sioris
is a long time bouzouki
player who has played at
various Greek restaurants
and dance events, and now
owns Marina Music, an
instrument store that sells
international instruments,
including
bouzoukia,
baklames,
lyres
and
more. Matt Tavlarides is
a professional drummer.
The band takes their name
from the band members’
ancestral
village
of
Soudena, near Kalavrita in
the Peloponnese. We invite you to join
us for this special event
and other nights of Greek
dancing.
Kypseli Greek Dance
Center:
Fridays from
8:30 pm to 11:30 pm, at
4346 Woodman Avenue in
Sherman Oaks, CA, 91324.
For more information visit
www.kypseli.org or call
818-990-5542 or email
[email protected].
Café Asteria: Third
Saturday of the month,
starting April 21, from
7:30 to 11:30 pm, at Pacific
Arts Center, 10469 Santa
Monica Boulevard, in West
Los Angeles, 90067. For
information call 310-5089676 or email xorepse@
gmail.com. X
Ecumenical Patriarchate,
and also received the
Periclean Award from
AHEPA. Georgia has been
active in Philoptochos,
hosting events to benefit
Kids ‘n’ Cancer and the
Camp Agape program,
and was also a recipient
of the Medal of Saint Paul
for her involvement and
support of the Church. For
several years, Nikiforos
and Georgia Valaskantjis
have been faithful donors
to the Monastery of the
Theotokos the LifeGiving Spring in Dunlap,
Cal ifor n ia , a nd se r ve d
and Godparents for the
recent Consecration of the
Monastery’s Katholikon.
Professionally, they have
ow ned Tom’s Fa mou s
Family Restaurants for
m a ny ye a r s , w it h 30
locat ions  th roug hout
southern California.
Nikiforos and Georgia
are the proud parents of
three sons – George and
his wife Georgia, Perry and
his wife Christy, and Peter
and his fiancée Jenny, and
the adoring grandparents
of four grandsons. They
reside in San Clemente,
Califor n ia , a nd enjoy
spending time with family
and friends, as well as
traveling.
“As generous and
exemplary stewards of
the Church, Nikiforos and
Georgia Valaskantjis are
truly deserving recipients
of the Met ropolit an
Anthony Humanitarian
Aw a r d . T h e y h a v e
responded with loving and
giving hearts each time
there has been a need,
never seeking accolades
and praise, but only
wanting to bring glory and
honor to the Lord through
their actions,” stated His
Eminence  Metropolitan
G e r a s i m o s   o f S a n
Francisco. “I pray that their
examples of selflessness
and philanthropy will
serve as an inspiration to
others.” X
gary from page 1
and attend throughout the
year. Family gatherings are
a staple of Greek Heritage
and a hallmark in our lives
as Orthodox Christians as
they are held in honor of
both secular and religious
events. For me, there’s
Thanksgiving, Christmas,
New Year’s, FDF and then
Pascha. (I’m not likening
FDF to a Church Feast day,
but to a family gathering.)
During holidays and
family gatherings, mama
and yiayia (and maybe
even baba and papou) work
hard to prepare an amazing
feast…we
share
our
gratitude by eating well,
enjoying the company of
friends and family and
saying thank you. I want
to take this opportunity
to say ΕΥΧΑΡΙΣΤΩ or
thank you, to all those who
help make FDF what it has
become over 36 years of
labor and love.
I want to thank the
directors, dancers, parents,
judges,
yiayias
and
papous, thios and thias,
youth workers, clergy and
volunteers who make FDF
a successful program.
You are all responsible
for the achievements of
this ministry! FDF holds
amazing
benefits
for
our Orthodox youth and
our event has inspired
similar festivals in the
Metropolises of Atlanta,
Chicago, New Jersey and
New York.
The hard work and
dedication you contribute
has a profound effect on
FDF’s progress and impact.
I appreciate the countless
hours directors put into
researching and watching
videos, and the energy
our families provide by
encouraging their dancers,
taking them to practices,
creating custom costumes
and
celebrating
their
success.
I’m thankful for the
prayers, love and support
of youth workers and
clergy who understand the
importance of an event
that brings our families
together. I’m humbled by
the discipline, integrity
and devotion shown by our
judges. I am encouraged
by the young men and
women that comprise the
management team, the
esteemed members of the
FDF Board of Trustees, and
especially the leadership of
Mr. Nick Metrakos. The
future of this ministry is in
fine hands and continuous
benefits lie on the horizon
for our youth!
I am blessedto serve
our Metropolis as the
chairman of the FDF
Board of Trustees and
grateful to His Eminence
Metropolitan Gerasimos
for his support, guidance
and trust. I appreciate the
opportunity to serve the
faithful of our Metropolis
in this capacity. I want to
thank seven very special
see FR. gary on page 15
PAGE 7
“2012 Judges’ Profiles”
Dance Judges!
Renee Cleary
has taught Greek Dance at
Fullerton College and was
a member of a performing
Greek Dance Group for
thirteen years, seven as the
director. She has traveled
widely through Greece,
collecting and researching
both cost u mes and
dances. She observed both
professional and amateur
dance groups and village
festivals. Renee has been
involved continuously for
35 years with Greek dance
workshops, festivals, con
-sultations and as a teacher
of Greek dancing. She first
participated in FDF in 1981
and has been a costume or
dance judge every year
since 1985.
Sofia Efstratiou
Nicolaou
has been dancing from
childhood and has directed
several dance troupes in
her 25-year dance career.
She has been attending
FDF since 1988 and started
her dance and director
calling at the St. Nicholas
parish in San Jose,
California. Sofia spent 5
years in Greece where she
was a dance member of the
Lyngistes Dance Troupe
lead by Yiannis and Ira
Konstantinou. During
her years abroad, she
attended several dance
seminars and numerous
cultural gatherings and
events. Through this dance
journey, she developed a
deep understanding, true
inspiration and passion
for the Greek heritage
through
dance.
This
experience gave her the
opportunity to obtain
extensive knowledge in
many dance regions of
Greece. Sofia has studied
in great detail the dance,
music, customs, traditions
and dress of Western
Macedonian giving
heaving emphasis on the
region of Florina. Her
a r t icle, “A Jou r ney
Through Agios Germanos”
which tells the story of her
jou r ney th rough the
Florinan highlands, was
published in the Oli Mazi
newspaper. Other regions
of research, interest and
study include Epirus,
Eastern Macedonia and
Vlach dances, traditions
and culture. Her devotion
PAGE 8
and love for Greek dance
continues to guide her
study today.
Larry Halfhill has 20
years of FDF experience
as a dancer, director and
choreographer. He became
a compet it ion d a nce
judge in 2006 as a way to
contribute back to a vital
youth program and bring a
different perspective to the
judging process. Larry’s
Greek roots derive on his
mother’s side from Arcadia. His broad-based dance
experience over a period of
30 years spans regions and
borders, and he considers
all Greek dances to be of
special interest and worthy
of discovery, research and
preser vation. Cur rent
areas of special interest
include Crete, Anatoliki
Romilia, Macedonia
(Aridea, Roumlouki), the
Peloponnese and Megara.
Larry lives in Seal Beach,
California with wife Bessie
Nicolaou Halfhill, a former
FDF dancer and director,
and children Thanasi,
Maria and Leonidas. He
is an active member of St.
John the Baptist Greek
O r t hodox Chu rch i n
Anaheim. Larry attended
the University of Southern
C a l i fo r n i a , wh e r e h e
earned BS and MS degrees
in aerospace engineering
and an MBA in finance
and marketing.
Irene (Eirini)
Loutzaki.
An anthropologist and
dance movement specialist,
Dr. Loutzaki is Assistant
Professor, Faculty of Music
Studies, National and
Kapodistrian University
of Athens. She was for
many years a collaborator
on dance research with the
Peloponnesian
Folklore
Foundation
(Nafplion,
Greece).
From
19952005, she participated in
the Research Programme
Thrace-Eastern
Macedonia,
sponsored
by the Friend of Music
Society, the aim of which
is to create a database for
cultural data. For many
years
she
conducted
fieldwork in Thrace, Crete,
and other parts of Greece.
Her research interests
focuses on politics, gender
and class relations, cultural
practices, and the moving
body. She has published
widely in both Greek and
English and she edited the
bilingual volume ‘Dance
in Greece’ of the journal
Ethnographica, 8 (1992)
and in collaboration with
Avdikos E. and Chr.
Papa kost a s, t he b o ok
Horeft ik a Eteroklita,
A t h e n s , Lyc e u m of
Greek Women, 2004. She
recently completed work
on the documentary film
My Place in the Dance
(2006). She is a member of
the International Council
of Museums (ICOM) and
the International Council
for Trad it ional Music
(ICTM). Since 2003 she
has been nominated as
ICTM Liaison Officer for
Greece.
Dance experience:
She was a member of
the cultural association
“Lyceum Club of Greek
Women” (Athens), where
she taught dance courses
at the Lyceum club and
the Peloponnesian Folklore
Foundation. She has also
taught in her areas of
expertise and has given
work shops i n ma ny
countries. She participated
as dance judge consultant
at FDF in 1996.
George Nickols is a
native Los Angeleno, he
holds a BA in Mathematics
and is currently retired
after a long career in
data
networking
and
telecommunications
corporations. His devotion
to his Greek heritage in
both dance and theatre has
brought him immense joy
and pleasure. George has
been involved in Greek
dance since 1963 and
has participated in many
Greek cultural events,
productions, international
festivals, TV and films.
George has been a member
of the FDF Board of
Trustees since 1990 and
has been a judge since
1986.
Dr. Christos
Papakostas is a scholar,
master dance teacher and
percussionist. He was
born in Larisa(Thessaly).
For the past 20 years, he
has served as a folklorist,
choreographer, dance instructor, and percussion
instructor for multiple
performing groups . He
has undergraduate degrees
in physical education and
sport science with specialty
in Greek traditional dance;
his dissertation focused
on dances of the Roma
(gypsy) community of
northern Greece. He has
published and presented
numerous studies on Greek
dance, music, and folklore;
has taught at multiple
universities in Epir us,
Thessaly and Crete; and
was the author and editing
supervisor for the chapter
on “Traditional Greek
Dance” in the PE textbook
published by the Ministry
of Education for use in
Greek high schools. He
served as artistic director of
Lykion Ellinidon Dramas
(Macedonia) and in several
folk dance groups in
Karditsa(Thessaly), Larisa
(Thessaly); and Komotini
(Thrace). At present, he
lives in Ioannina and is
temporary lecturer in the
Department of Traditional
Music of Epirus Tech
-nological Institute. He also
is executive director for the
Cultural Association of
Perama (Epirus) .
C h r i s t o s i s wel l
known in Hellenic circles
in Europe and Canada
and has taught at dance
seminars in Belgium,
France, and the U.K.
He served as instructor
at Klironomia Hellenic
Fol k lo r e i n C a n a d a
(2004) and is returning to
Klironomia in May 2012.
During the same period, he
will have his first teaching
tour in U.S. . This is his
first participation as judge
in FDF.
George Papangellin
began dancing in 1974
with the Ionian Dancers,
at St. Nicholas parish in
San Jose. He helped start
the Parnassos Dancers
for Holy Cross parish,
Belmont in 1981. In 1983,
he directed the Epirus
Dancers at St. Nicholas in
San Jose. After moving
to Fresno, he joined and
directed the Kefi Dancers,
for St. George. During
his time in both Frenso
and San Jose, he stage
directed various Greek
variety (music, dance, skit)
performances in San Jose,
San Francisco, Phoenix,
Fresno and Seattle. In
Fresno, he choreographed
“Zorba, the musical”
for The Good Company
Players. He continues to
either direct or work with
various dance groups
in Fresno’s St. George
Greek Community, and
teach Greek folk dance,
traditions and costumes to
Elder Hostel classes at St.
Nicholas Ranch, in Dunlap.
George
has
held
several positions within the
governing and operational
bodies of the Folk Dance
and Choral Festival (FDF)
of the Metropolis of San
Francisco. During the
past 13 years, he served as
Dance Judge Coordinator,
and most recently as a
dance judge. He has also
been a dance judge at the
HDF in Georgia, North
Carolina, and most recently
at the inaugural AGDC
(American Greek Dance
Competition) in Chicago.
He has traveled throughout
Greece and, together with
Dr. Mary Coros, prepared
the Kamari Dance Group,
St. George, Fresno, to
perform at various venues
in Crete in the summer of
1999.
Robbi Shulman
has been involved in the
world of Greek dance for
over 35 years. She was
introduced to and fell in love
with the heart and soul and
parea of Greek dance and
music at the Intersection,
the folk dance café opened
by Athan Karras in the
1960s. She performed
w it h t he I nt e r se c t ion
Greek Dancers and was
an original member of the
Panegiri Dancers, directed
by Nikos Varvitsiotis and
co-directed by George
Nichols, performing at
festivals in Pasadena and
Redondo Beach long before
those communities were
sending dance groups to
FDF. Robbi directed dance
groups at St. Katherine’s in
Redondo Beach for eight
years and has judged the
competition at FDF on and
off since 1998. She has
travelled to Greece and has
participated in workshops
with a special interest in the
regions of Pontos, Thrace
and Macedonia, along
with Kalymnos, thanks to
Louise Bilman. Robbi has
continued to teach Greek
dance at Kypseli Dance
Center and at Café Asteria
Greek Dance Club in
West Los Angeles where,
along with Anne Sirota,
she is actively involved in
see judges on page 9
FDF
judges from page 8
perpetuating interest in
Greek dance and culture.
Anne Gani Sirota
was born in the Greek
community in Alexandria,
Egypt, where her grand
parents immigrated in the
early 20th century from
Epirus. Anne has studied,
performed, and taught
Greek dance for over 40
years. She was assistant
director and lead dancer of
the Ellas Dance Theater,
directed by Charlie
Kyriacou for four years,
as well as a member of
several other Los Angeles
performing companies including the Intersection
Greek Dancers, Panegiri,
directed by Nikos
Va r v i t s i o t i s , a n d O
Pontos, directed by Nikos
Savvidis. Anne travels
to Greece often and has
concentrated her studies
of Greek dance on Pontian
and Macedonian villages in
Northern Greece, attending
fe s t iv a l s , we d d i n g s ,
sem i na rs, classes and
performances in Greece
and the United States. She
presented a paper on “A
Wedding in Florina” at the
International Organization
of Folk Arts (IOFA) in 2000
and has written several
articles for Oli Mazi. She
consults frequently with
dance groups and has
taught Greek dancing
classes at Kypseli Greek
Dance Center in Pasadena
as well as Pierce and
Santa Monica Community
Colleges. Anne is one of
the founders and leaders
of the Café Asteria
Greek Dance Club in Los
Angeles, where we teach,
dance and disseminate
traditional Greek dance.
Anne has been an FDF
judge continuously since
1988 and an HDF judge
for several years. Anne is
currently a member of the
FDF Board of Trustees as a
judge consultant.
Bessie Stavropoulos
has been involved in FDF
for over 20 years either
as a dancer, director or
both. Born and raised in
Las Vegas, Nevada, she
first attended FDF in 1987
as a dancer from St. John
the Baptist. In 1993, she
began directing at the age
of 15 and one year later,
her group was the first
primary group to ever
win sweepstakes in FDF
history.
She continued
dancing and directing well
fdf
into her college years but
stepped away for a short
period to complete her
degree. Upon returning
to the dance scene, she
received the Division I Director’s Award in 2003.
She became the head
director of her community
and was directing as many
as four groups at a time.
Bessie has attended many
seminars throughout the
United States, Canada
and Greece.
For four
consecutive
summers
from
2007-2010,
she
studied dance in Greece
which included attending
seminars taught by some of
Greece’s finest instructors,
touring
Thrace
and
Macedonia and learning
the many traditions and
dances of her father’s region
of Preveza, Ipiros. With
the help and support of the
St. John’s Dance Ministry,
Bessie
organized
the
Horepse Dance Seminar
in Las Vegas in 2007,
2008 and 2009 where they
featured top instructors
and musicians from all
over Greece and the United
States. She directed the
Las Vegas groups through
2010. This will be her
second year judging at fdf.
Nikolaos Stefanidis
was born in Chios, Greece
and though he did not dance
that much as a youngster, he
did pay undivided attention
to the dances performed by
elders in his native island of
Chios. His love of dancing
was not put into action
until he saw a performance
by the Terpsichoreans
in Philadelphia in 1976
celebrating the country’s
bicentennial. He remained
an active dancer until
August of 1983 when he
left the east coast to pursue
graduate studies in Los
Angeles. He stumbled upon
the Panygiri dance group
while they were performing
at the Greek festival in
Arcadia that very summer,
and attended practices
as time allowed. His first
involvement with FDF
was when he was invited
to dance Chios dances
for a memorial to Manoli
Abazis in San Francisco.
Nikos is a psychologist in
Los Angeles, working with
homeless and troubled
teens. He was the recipient
of the 2008 Humanitarian
Award. Nikos has taught
dances from Chios at Kypseli,
and consults with various
groups in the Los Angeles area.
Nikos has been an FDF judge
since 2006.
Stelios Zoumberakis
has been participating in FDF
for over 25 years through
dancing, directing, and
organizing. He began his
dancing career at St.
George Parish in Downey,
California and later at
Assu mpt ion i n Long
Beach, California. He
started directing 15 years
ago at various churches
in the southland including
St. Sophia, St. George,
and Assumption, and
has gained a vast amount
of experience with many
regions th roughout
Greece. He has extensively
studied the dances and
traditions of Rethimno,
Crete, which is where his
family originates, and
has a broad knowledge of
dances and traditions from
the Cyclades, Dodecanesa,
Eptanisa, Macedonia,
Thrace, and Pontos. He
also has provided consultation with various
dance directors throughout
the southland.
Aris Yortzidis has been
involved with FDF for 24
years as a dancer, director,
and member of the FDF
Board of Trustees. He
began dancing in his home
parish of St. George in
Downey, CA in 1982 and
also performed with groups
from the St. Anthony parish
in Pasadena, CA and the
Assumption parish in Long
Beach, CA. In 1995 and
until his departure from
Southern California in
2000, Aris directed groups
at St. George, Downey,
CA; Sts. Constantine and
Helen, Cardiff-by-the-Sea,
CA; and St. Katherine,
Redondo Beach, CA. In
1996, Aris received an FDF
Scholarship that provided
him the opportunity to
research the dances of
Serres; the dances and
traditions of his father’s
village of Chrysochorafa
(Gagauzika), Serres; the
dances of the Vlachs of
Serres; and the dances of
Pontos in Serres, Katerini
(where his mother is from),
and Thessaloniki.
Aris has continued
his research and has
obtained broad knowledge
of the dances of Thrace,
Macedonia, the islands
(Kyklades, Dodekanisa,
Eptanisa), and other regions
of Greece. He continues
to present at seminars and
serve as a consultant to
groups across the United
States and Canada. He has
also served as a judge at
several Greek folk dance
events and competitions in
the United States (Hellenic
Dance Festival, Metropolis
of Atlanta; Americas
Greek Dance Competition,
Chicago, IL) and in South
America (Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of Buenos
Aires and South America).
Costume Judges
Bertha Angels: My
name is Bertha Angels
and I am excited to be
rejoining the cast of judges
participating in this years’
FDF. I first got involved in
FDF in 1983 as an observer
and
my
involvement
progressed over the years
as my children embraced
Greek
Folk
dancing.
Through this involvement
I developed a passion
for costumes that has
led to years of continued
research and learning. As
a result of my efforts, I
have previously served as a
costume judge at FDF.
I’ve been fortunate
to be pa r t of sever al
Communities in the Los
Angeles area.
Currently, I’m an
active member of Saint
Sophia Cathedral. Over
t h e y e a r s I ’v e d o n e
extensive research and
made costumes from every
region of Greece in support
of multiple communities.
In the course of researching
costumes, I have gained
extensive exposure in
materials, pattern making,
embroidery, crocheting
trim and detailed sewing
in an effort to preserve
the rich authentic Greek
t rad it ions of cost u me
making. I hope to translate
my experience in critical
support of the tremendous
efforts shared by all at FDF
this year.
Julie Mamalis had an
almost 40-year career as
s legislative assistant for
several Assemblymembers
and a State Senator. She
has devoted many years
in
various
capacities
with the Annunciation
Greek Orthodox Church
in Sacramento, including
serving as a member of
the parish council and as
organist and member of the
church choir.
Julie has been involved
with FDF since 1981,
when she became the
costume coordinator for
the Annunciation Church
dance groups. Over the
years, the Sacramento
dance groups numbered
over 100 dancers of
various ages who annually
participated in FDF. She
took great pride and joy in
observing her own children
and grandchildren who
danced at FDF throughout
those years. In keeping
with her passion and love
for Greece, she has created
a museum-like cultural
exhibit
(Hellenica) for
her church’s annual Greek
festival.
The exhibit
features a vast collection of
Greek artificacts, historical
displays, costumes and a
multitude of photographs.
After many years of
study, research and her
involvement in creation
of Greek dress and props
for performance suites,
Julie was asked to be
an FDF costume judge.
She was ably trained in
Greek costuming by Anna
Efstathiou,Vilma Machette
and Dena Stamos.
Irene Peros is a native of
Modesto, California. She
has been dancing since a
very young age. Her pride
and love for her Greek
heritage have encouraged
her to study Greek
dance, costumes, and to
help teach and share her
knowledge and experience
with people of diverse
backgrounds. Her formal
involvement in Greek
folklore began in 1984
when she was instrumental
in forming, dancing and
directing the Patriotes of
Modesto. From 1984 to
1999, she directed, assisted
or danced in 10 different
dance groups in Modesto.
She was also involved with
the coordination, research
and production of 11
award-winning costumes.
Irene also chaired 3
very
successful
FDF
Symposia held in Modesto.
Irene has served on the
FDF Board of Trustees in
several positions and has
been involved with various
aspects of FDF. Irene has
been a costume judge at
FDF since 2001.
Dena Stamos has
been involved in Greek
dance since her childhood
in Chicago.
She first
performed at age seven.
She became involved in
FDF eighteen years ago
as Executive Director
of the Modesto dance
groups. During this time
the Modesto representation
grew from twelve dancers
in two groups to 140 dancers
and seven groups. Dena is
respected and admired for
the accomplishments of the
see judges on page 15
PAGE 9
REMEMBERING
Mary Vouras
by Dalia Miller
1926 - 2011
She saw the world through her own rose-colored glasses:
Hers was an outlook full of hope and opportunity,
never despair and failure. And she spread that immense
optimism and joy to everyone…
It is with a sense of
irreplaceable loss and
immense sorrow that I
remember and honor Mary
Vouras, noted ethnologist,
folklorist, former FDF
judge, a dear colleague and
close friend of mine.
She was one of two
children born to Greek
immigrants—her mother
from Andros and father
from Asia Minor. Mary
spent her childhood in the
America and received a
degree in chemistry before
her intense love of Greek
culture lured her back
to her beloved Greece in
1959. She lived in Greece
for the better portion of
twenty-three years and
embarked on the seminal
portion of her life’s work
there. Mary worked for
several years in Athens
for the world-renowned
city planner, Constantine
Doxiadis. While living in
this vibrant city, speaking
Greek, dancing and singing
at every opportunity, she
soon found her life’s focus.
She collaborated with
Simon Karas, an eminent
authority on Greek folk and
Byzantine music and who
founded The Society for the
Dissemination of National
Music, headquartered in
Lofos Strefi. During the
Junta regime in Greece,
Mary was instrumental
in securing a Ford
Foundation
grant
to
document, photograph and
record folk dances and
songs from nearly every
region of Greece. Both
Mary and Simon made
numerous, and oftentimes
treacherous, excursions to
remote villages throughout
Greece
to
befriend
musicians, dancers and
villagers in order to record
their music and dances.
Were it not for Mary’s
commitment to such an
ethnographic project, many
of the nation’s cherished
songs and dances would
surely have been lost
during this time of rapid
urbanization in Greece.
Her project culminated
in a 25-LP series of their
field recordings, complete
with extensive notations
and lyrics released by
SDSM in 1972. These LP’s
revolutionized recording
in Greece, creating a
commercial archive for
the
preservation
and
documentation of Greek
music. Her works were later
converted to CDs for more
recent generations to enjoy
as well. Mary’s superb
photographs are featured
on the covers of many of
the recordings. Decades
later, the photographs were
bequeathed to the archives
of the Benaki Museum.
During her time in
Greece, Mary surrounded
herself with prominent
dancers, including Dora
Stratou, musicians and
ethnographers, such as
Sam Chianis and Ted
Petrides (later to become
an FDF judge) who were
all conducting research
in Greece. She also coauthored a book, Greek
Folk Dances, with Ricky
Holden in 1976. It was
in Greece that she first
met William Doebele, a
distinguished
Harvard
University professor of city
see mary on page 19
FDF Memorials
Fr. John Asimacopoulos, San Jose, CA
2011: Fr. Anthony Moschonas, Tucson, AZ Priest
2011:Fr. Theophilos Theophilos, PAlm Desert, Ca Priest
2011: Panos Angels, Los Angeles, CA Parent, Liturgical Usher
2010 Athan Karras, Los Angeles, CA Dancer, Director & Educator
2010 Dennis Boxell, Anaheim, CA Dancer, Director & Choreographer
2010 Maria Kalmantis, Modesto, CA Dancer
2009 Rhonda "Elenis" Gadinas, Portland, OR Parent
2009 John Gianakopoulos Las Vegas, NV Dancer
2009 Dimitri Simvoulakis Modesto, CA Dancer &
Son of FDF Judge Irene Peros
2007 Father Efstathios Mylonas Pasadena , CA Priest
2006 Tasia Tsobanoudis, Modesto, CA Dancer
2006 Bebelekov Musician
2004 His Eminence Metropolitan
Anthony San Francisco, CA;
Metropolitan & Spiritual Father
of FDF For 25 Years
2004 Anthony Forakis, Modesto, CA Dancer
2002 John Papadoupoul�osAtlanta , GA Dancer, formerly with
Dora Stratou Theatre
2001 Kathy Trapp Castro Valley, CA Choir Director
2000 Anna EfstathiouOakland , CA Dancer, Director, Researcher
2000 VilmaMatchetteLynwood , WA Dancer, Director, Researcher,
Costume Judge, Author
2000 Jim Papangellin San Jose , CA Dancer, Director
1999 Elizabeth Angelis Harper Seattle, WA Dancer, Mother of three
1999 Fisher Theodore Harper Seattle , WA Son of Elizabeth Harper
1999 Ian Joseph Harper Seattle , WA Son of Elizabeth Harper
1999 Katherine VelthoenModesto , CA Dancer & Director
1998 John P. Angel Seattle, WA Dancer
1997 Kim Efstathiou Castro Valley , CA Dancer, Director, FDF Officer
1997 Paul Ginis Founder and Director of the Greek American
Folklore Society, Choreographer
1994 Nick VarvitsiotisPasadena , CA Dancer, Director,
Choreographer
1994 SoulaKunelis Granada Hills, CA Mother of three
FDF Dancers & Directors
1994 ManolisAbazis Redondo Beach , CA Dancer
1993 Jim Markus Sacramento , CA Dance enthusiast and supporter,
Researcher, Director
1993 Chris Tasulis Los Angeles , CA Judge, Dancer, Director,
Producer, Choreographer
1993 Father A. Homer Demopulos Seattle, WA Priest
1992 Spiro Pathos Pasadena , CA Dancer
1992 KaterinaPerivoliotis San Jose , CA Dancer
1988 Bill Angeles Seattle , WA Dancer
1988 Ted PetridesAthens , Greece Judge, Dancer, Musician,
Professor
1986 Dora StratouAthens , Greece Dancer, Choreographer,
Researcher
1980 Christos PapadimitrakisBakersfield , CA Dancer
1989 Chris TsantilasSeattle , WA Dancer
1979 Cynthia Anderson Castro Valley
PAGE 10
FDF
FDF 2011 Dance & Choral Groups
fdf
PAGE 11
FDF 2011 Dance & Choral Groups
PAGE 12
FDF
FDF 2011 Dance & Choral Groups
fdf
PAGE 13
FDF 2011 Dance & Choral Groups
PAGE 14
FDF
judges from page 9
1992, Chris worked very closely with
the late Frank Desby, D.M.A., whose
steadfast teaching and guidance were
both inspiring and invaluable.
Aside from his many music
activities and responsibilities at
Saint Sophia including assistant
director of music, Chris was the
organist for the 1986 Clergy laity
Congress in Dallas, Texas, the 1991
National GOYAL Conference in Los
Angeles, the 1995 Mid-Eastern Choir
Federation Conference in Ambridge,
Pennsylvania, the 1997 Patriarchal
Divine Liturgy in Los Angeles, and
several San Francisco Metropolis
Church Musician Conferences from
1983 to present. He was the principal
organist for the three major services
of the 2002 Clergy-Laity Congress
held in Los Angeles, California. He
has worked with many nationally
known Greek Orthodox composers
and choral directors. In February
2009 and 2011, he served as a choral
judge at the 2009 and 2011 Metropolis
of San Francisco Folk Dance and
Choral Festival.
Chris has written “Toward
Achieving an Orthodox Sound: A
Practical Guide to the Use of the Organ
in the Greek Orthodox Church.” He
has also lectured at several workshops
and conferences and served as an
organ and choir consultant for many
Greek Orthodox Churches. In
February 1997, Chris received the
national Forum Patriarch Athenagoras
I Award for Distinguished Service
to the Metropolis of San Francisco.
Chris resides in Burbank, California
with his wife, Eleni who directs the
Saint Sophia Sunday School, and
children Frank Christopher age 13 and Penelope Marigo age 10.. X
Get your Amita
at Mani Imports!
Modesto groups at FDF: 57 awards,
including 6 Sweepstakes medals and
19 First Place medals. Her expertise
in costuming is also evident in the
18 costume awards won by Modesto
teams. She did the research for those
winning costumes, and parents and
dancers did the work with her help.
Dena has one of the largest private
collections of Greek Folk Costumes
on the West Coast and has done
multiple exhibits throughout the state.
Dena has been involved with FDF for
25 years, including serving on the
FDF Board of Trustees. She was a
recipient of the FDF Humanitarian
Award. She was also honored by the
California Arts Council for Lifetime
Achievement in the Arts in 2002.
Dena has been an FDF costume judge
since 1999 and is also a costume
judge for HDF
Fr. Seraphim Dedes
Since 2007, Fr. Seraphim Dedes has
been the full-time music director at St.
Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church.
Fr. Seraphim is a 2006 graduate of
Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School
of Theology and prior to that he was
the Superior of St. Gregory Palamas
Monastery in Ohio. He is best known
for his work in translating and
transcribing Byzantine Chant into
English.
Christopher Yokas
Christopher Yokas has been the
organist at Saint Sophia Greek
Orthodox Cathedral for the past
33 years. He succeeded the late
Xenia Anton Desby, who gave him
considerable encouragement and
advice on his craft. From 1978 through
Orange/Apple/Apricot
Peach, Sour Cherry, Motion
For more information please call 916.373.1100
or email Samantha at [email protected]
www.maniimports.com
FDF 2012 Award Winners
SWEEPSTAKES AWARDS
Division I Sweepstakes Award Olympian Dancers Assumption Long Beach, CA
Division II Sweepstakes Award Keravnos Saint Sophia Cathedral Los Angeles, CA
Choral Sweepstakes Award Ta Aidhonia Saint Demetrios Seattle, WA
CHORAL COMPETITION AWARDS
First Place Saint Spyridon Youth Choir Saint Spyridon San Diego, CA
Second Place Ta Kanarinia Saint Nectarios Covina, CA
Third Place Fotisi Saint George Fresno, CA
Fourth Place Dynami Annunciation Modesto, CA
Choral Director Award Denna Tsatsaronis Annunciation Modesto, CA
Choral Special Achievement Award Ta Kanarinia Saint Nectarios Covina, CA
DIVISION II
Divisional Awards
Kim Efstathiou Memorial Dance Director’s Award Lindsay Fostinis Annunciation
Sacramento, CA
Special Achievement Award Atromiti Saint John the Baptist Anaheim, CA
Category Awards
Primary Category
First PlaceSpithes Annunciation Cathedral San Francisco, CA
Second Place Ellinopoula Saint Nicholas Northridge, CA
Third Place Spitha Saint Anthony Pasadena, CA
Fourth Place Mikra Asteria Assumption Long Beach, CA
Costume Award Nea Zoe Ascension Cathedral Oakland, CA
Choral Award Neo Kyma Saints Constantine and Helen Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
Founders Special Achievement Award Atromiti Holy Trinity Cathedral Phoenix, AZ
Advanced Primary Category First PlaceI Parea Saint George Downey, CA
Second Place T’Angeloudakia Assumption Long Beach, CA
Third Place Floges Saint Nectarios Covina, CA
Fourth Place Sinefakia Saint Sophia Cathedral Los Angeles, CA
Costume Award I Parea Saint George Downey, CA
Choral Award Floges Saint Nectarios Covina, CA
Founders Special Achievement Award Agape Saint Demetrios Camarillo, CA
Junior Category
First Place Spartiates Saint Demetrios Seattle, WA
Second Place Chrysi Psyhi Saint Nicholas Northridge, CA
Third Place Filarakia Saint Anthony Pasadena, CA
Fourth Place Filarakia Holy Trinity Cathedral Phoenix, AZ
Costume Award Armonia Saints Constantine and Helen Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
Choral Award Armonia Saints Constantine and Helen Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA
Founders Special Achievement Award Dynami Saint John the Baptist Anaheim, CA
Advanced Junior
First Place Hrisi Thisavri Saint John the Baptist Las Vegas, NV
Second Place Elliniki Klironomia Saint Nicholas San Jose, CA
Third Place T’Adelphia Annunciation Sacramento, CA
Fourth Place Jr. Olympians Assumption Long Beach, CA
fdf
Costume Award Seismos Ascension Cathedral Oakland, CA
Choral Award Anatoli Holy Trinity Cathedral Portland, OR
Founders Special Achievement Award Seismos Ascension Cathedral Oakland,
CA
DIVISION I AWARDS
Divisional Awards
Nick Varvitsiotis Memorial Dance Director’s Award Georgia Garefis Saint George
Downey, CA
Instrumental Award Eleni Govetas Saint Demetrios Seattle, WA
Special Achievement Award Eliaktithes Saint Katherine Chandler, AZ
Category Awards Intermediate Category
First PlaceAegean Dancers Saint Spyridon San Diego, CA
Second Place Nikiforos Holy Trinity Cathedral Phoenix, AZ
Third Place Astrape Ascension Cathedral Oakland, CA
Fourth Place Orpheus Saint Nicholas Northridge, CA
Costume Award Astrape Ascension Cathedral Oakland, CA
Choral Award Astraios Holy Trinity San Francisco, CA
Founders Special Achievement Award Levendya Saint Demetrios Seattle, WA
Advanced Intermediate Category
First PlaceVeryina Saint George Downey, CA
Second Place Nea Ellas Assumption Long Beach, CA
Third Place Asterakia,Saint Anthony Pasadena, CA
Fourth Place Maniates,Resurrection Castro Valley, CA
Costume Award Veryina Saint George Downey, CA
Choral Award Maniates Resurrection Castro Valley, CA
Founders Special Achievement Award Stavroforoi Saint John the Baptist Las Vegas,
NV
Senior Category
First PlaceSouliotes Saint Demetrios Seattle, WA
Second Place Chrysi Ellines Saint Nicholas Northridge, CA
Third Place Ekrixi Annunciation Cathedral San Francisco, CA
Fourth Place Peloponnisos Saint Nicholas San Jose, CA
Costume Award Chrysi Ellines Saint Nicholas Northridge, CA
Choral Award Souliotes Saint Demetrios Seattle, WA
Founders Special Achievement Award Anemos Ascension Cathedral Oakland, CA
Advanced Senior
First PlaceMinoans I Nativity of Christ Novato, CA
Second Place Chrysi Aetoi Ascension Cathedral Oakland, CA
Third Place Paradosi Holy Trinity San Francisco, CA
Fourth Place Thorivos Annunciation Modesto, CA
Costume Award Minoans I Nativity of Christ Novato, CA
Choral Award Paradosi Holy Trinity San Francisco, CA
Founders Special Achievement Award Metamorfosi Saint John the Baptist
Anaheim, CA
gary from page 7
people who go above and
beyond for this program. I
am forever indebted to Spiro
&EleniBeckas, John &
Katia Boudouvas, Michael
& Elizabeth Syrengelas,
and my wife, Presvytera
Christie Kyriacou. Thank
for your commitment to
the realization of each
and every task, your
enthusiasm, attentiveness
and support.
As we embark on the
festivities of FDF weekend,
let us do it with a spirit
of gratitude. Join me in
showing true appreciation
to everyone that contributes
to the promotion of faith,
dance and fellowship!
In a long lineage of
family celebrations and
gatherings let’s make this
FDF weekend memorable
with a joyful spirit of
thanksgiving. X
Thank you!
PAGE 15
Metropolis Philoptochos Excels
In Their Ministry To Serve Others
The
dynamic
membership of over 4,000
women at the Metropolis
of
San
Francisco
Philoptochos is leading
the way in their exemplary
works to spread the love
of Jesus Christ through
outreach programs and
ministries that positively
impact thousands of lives
each year.
During the summer
of 2011, the Metropolis
Philoptochos continued
its award-winning Kids
‘n’ Cancer Camp Agape
ministry by offering five
camps throughout the
Metropolis for children
with cancer and their
families. Last summer,
over
200
families
participated in this lifechanging program which
offered a glimmer of hope,
a loving embrace, and
the opportunity to spend
precious time together as
a family in a supportive
and caring environment. In
addition to these camps, the
Metropolis Philoptochos
also sponsors two oncology
STEVE PADIS:
EL I O S AWA R D
2 012
PAGE 16
transport programs that
assist families in transporting their children
to hospitals for ongoing
cancer treatments.
Through the vision of
Metropolitan Anthony, of
blessed memory, the Bishop
A nthony Philoptochos
Student Aid Endowment
Fund was established to
support the young men
and women from our
Me t r o p ol i s a t t e n d i n g
Hellenic College and Holy
Cross Greek Orthodox
School of Theology. From
its humble beginnings
offering just $50 - $100
per student, the Metropolis
Philoptochos was able to
award nearly $200,000
in scholarships during
the 2010 – 2011 academic
year to 20 students from
our
Metropolis.
The
generosity of our faithful in
supporting events like the
Light the Path Christmas
luncheons helps make
this possible. Through
the generosity of the
Metropolis Philoptochos,
we are also able to welcome
Steve Padis was born
in Oakland, California
and is married to his wife
Judy and is the father of
four children. He and his
family currently live in
Northern California.
As a youth, Steve
was very active in the
Hellenic Community. He
was head altar boy at the
Ascension Cathedral in
Oakland for many years.
He also was President of
GOYA, District Governor
of the Sons of Pericles
and was a participant in
the first Oakland Greek
Dance Troup. Steve recalls
virtually every night of the
week participating with his
fellow Hellenes playing
church basketball, Sons of
Pericles, GOYA meetings,
altar boy meetings, and of
course, dance practice!
Steve
graduated
from The University of
California Berkeley with a
Bachelor of Science degree
and a Bachelor of Arts
degree.
In 1975 Steve followed
his passion and started
his jewelry career on the
streets of Telegraph Avenue
in Berkeley.
His first
actual store was in an alley
that backed up to People’s
Park. He supplied jewelry
and jewelry components to
fellow street artists.
In 1977 Steve moved
his business to San
Francisco and, at the age
of 25, developed a vacant
warehouse into The San
Francisco Jewelry Center
where Steve has his
main wholesale jewelry
showroom along with 70
other jewelry tenants.
Following his other
passion – wine – Steve
and his wife purchased
a home in Napa Valley
and planted vineyards.
Today this property has
six students from Hellenic
College/Holy Cross to FDF
this year. We encourage
you to get to know them
and learn more about our
School and the wonderful
educational opportunities
available for our young
people.
During this year’s FDF
weekend, the Metropolis
Philoptochos Board, under
the leadership of President
Jeannie Ranglas, will meet
to discuss their ongoing
initiatives and continue
planning for upcoming
events,
retreats,
and
identifying new ways that
Philoptochos can reach
out and support the needs
of our ever-expanding
Orthodox community. The
Board will also welcome
His Eminence Archbishop
Demetrios of America
and
His
Eminence
Metropolitan Gerasimos
of San Francisco to
their meetings. Their
presence will provide an
opportunity to hear from
our spiritual leaders and
gain inspiration from
their love and guidance
as Philoptochos continues
its mission to serve others
and act as a beacon of our
Orthodox faith throughout
the world! X
15 acres of Cabernet
vineyards, a wine cave
and is producing award
winning World Class
wines.
His Greek heritage
and community is still
very important to Steve.
He is a member of
The National Hellenic
Society, Leadership 100
and is a founding member
of the Elios Society.
“The Elios Society
salutes
Steve
Padis
as he is most fittingly
honored during this
year’s
FDF.
Steve
embodies a commitment
to both our Orthodox
faith and Hellenism, and
his lifelong service to
promote both of these
important areas is worthy
to be emulated,” stated
Anthony Saris, President
of the Elios Society. X
FDF
FDF Scholarship Opportunities
FDF is dedicated to helping our young dancers further their education in the Orthodox faith and Greek dance
culture. Below is a list of scholarship opportunities offered every year to FDF participants. If you would like to
be considered for one of these scholarships, notify your parish priest
(or dance program advisor) and ask them to submit your name to
Vickie Demos, Scholarships Director at [email protected] or before the deadline
(now accepting applications for FDF Scholarships for 2013!).
DEADLINE FOR SCHOLARSHIPS IS ALWAYS
JANUARY 15 PRIOR TO FDF WEEKEND!
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Six FDF Memorial Scholarships will be awarded to
outstanding FDF participants recommended by their
parish priest. Each individual will be awarded a US
Savings Bonds in the amount of $1000.
• The Chris Papadimitrakis Scholarship
(sponsored by the FDF)
• The Cynthia Anderson Scholarship
(sponsored by the FDF)
MUSICAL APPRENTICESHIP
SCHOLARSHIP
Two scholarships will be awarded talented musicians
among the FDF community for the purposes of
continuing to preserve Greek culture through Greek
folk music. Winners will enjoy a yearlong opportunity
to learn a traditional Greek folk instrument from
qualified musical instructors that the Scholarship
Committee will identify.
Eligibility and Requirements:
• The Father Homer Demopoulos Scholarship
(sponsored by the FDF)
• Must own instrument of interest
• The Katherine Velthoen Scholarship
(sponsored by the Modesto community)
• Funds cover travel expenses and/or teaching
fees only
• Prior knowledge of instrumental music i.e. schooling, private lessons, ability to read music, etc.
• The Jim Papangellin Scholarship
(sponsored by the George Papangellin family)
• Recipients will perform at both FDF-sponsored and non-sponsored events where instructor’s band plays during the period of the scholarship
• The Dean Philips Scholarship
(sponsored by Vickie and George Demos)
•
Eligibility
1. High School Senior to College Junior
2. Must be current FDF participant
A cassette tape or DVD containing the music learned and played by the recipient is
required upon completion of the scholarship term (compensation for additional costs for submission will be provided following submission)
**Contact Vickie Demos for additional terms
FDF Memorial Scholarships 2011
The Chris Pappadimitrakis Memorial Scholarship:
Peter Dimitrion
Sts. Constantine & Helen Honolulu, Hawaii
The Catherine Velthoven Memorial Scholarship:
Andoni Kocolas
Annunciation Modesto, California
The Cynthia Anderson Memorial Scholarship:
George Andrews
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Long Beach,
California
The Jim Papangelin Memorial Scholarship:
Katherine Perakis
Annunciation Sacramento, California
The Father A. Homer Demopolis Memorial
Scholarship:
Jimmie Stavrakaras
Annunciation Catherdral San Francisco, California
fdf
The Dean S. Phillips Memorial Scholarship:
Eleftheri Christodulelis
St. Anthony Pasadena, California
PAGE 17
FDF 2012 Glendi Musicians
Endasi
Endasi is a Greek music
en- semble, comprised
of Dimitri Papadimitriou
(Atlanta), YianniThemelis
(New York) and Dimitrios
Dallas (Chicago).
Hailing from folk
dance backgrounds, Endasi
developed a deep love for
the Greek music tradition.
With years of musical
experience, Endasi has
performed all over the U.S.
and has appeared several
times at FDF playing for
groups of all ages. Contact
them today for your next
baptism, wed- ding, Greek
night,dance performance,
private party or just to
have a great time. From
traditional music to more
modern Greek stylings,
Endasi has the right mix of
music to make your event
a memorable one. For more
information, visit Endasi at
www.endasi.com or email:
info@ endasi.com .
Olympians
When one hears the
soulful sound of the
bouzoukia, the beat of the
drums, the strum of the
guitar, and the powerful
klarino, you know you are
listening to the Olympians
Band. This is a signal to
dancers that the celebration
has started and it is time to
dance the night away to the
band’s vast repertoire of
music people love so much.
The Olympians first
connection to FDF was
in 1978 as musicians
when
they
provided
entertainment for the
Evening of Mediterranean
Magic,
a
theatrical
show where all dancers
performed. The Olympians
Band helped develop and
expand the integration
of live music with Greek
folk dance performances.
Groups were no longer
constrained by cassette
recordings; the Olympians
were
able
to
take
performances to a higher
level, as the musicians
became an integral part of
the dances.
Tragedy struck the
band in 1986 when guitarist
Steve Kidd was fatally
injured in an automobile
accident. The band went
without a guitarist for a
PAGE 18
couple of years, but saw
the talent and energy of
the group’s present, Jerry
Thermos. George, Jim,
Peter, Jerry and Steve make
up the present members of
the band. They have been
truly blessed as the band
members have played for
their own weddings and
their children’s baptisms.
Alexandros
Papadakis
We are proud to
announce a special guest
appearance by Alexandros
Papadakis
and
his
ensemble. Alexandros is
an accomplished musician
from the island of Crete. In his earliest years,
Alexandros was moved
by the traditional music
of his native village,
Ardactos, which is located
in the Lampi municipality
of Rethymno, Crete. He
began his musical journey
at the age of nine. His
uncle was the first to put
a lyre in his hand. He
credits his learning to
several teachers, most
notably PetrosKarbadakis
and
ManolisMargaritis.
While honing his craft,
he surrounded himself
with local musicians,
absorbed their magnificent
stories and techniques,
and dedicated his life to
continuing age-old musical
traditions. After years of
dedication and continual
discovery, Alexandros is
a master of the melodic
lyre and he plays with
undeniable spirit and love.
Through his passionate
voice, commanding ask
omantoura (Cretan bag
pipe), and delicate playing
of the habioli (flute) he
captivates his listeners. Alexandros performs
throughout Greece. His
superior talent has taken
him around the world as
well with performances in
China, Vietnam, Germany,
Australia, and throughout
the United States. Again
and again audiences are
moved to dance, sing, and
enjoy the pleasures of life
while engaging in a truly
unique musical experience.
His first album, My Song
Bird, was released in 2007
and received accolades for
its innovation and artistry.
His follow up album, At the
Bow of the Boat, released in
2010, paid melodic homage
to his beloved home and
enthralled his growing
international fan base. X
Vasilios’s first encounter
with Greek traditional
music was in joining
his church dance group
ateight years old. While
in the dance group, he
learnedthrakiotika,
and
later learned to play
gaida. These instrumental
sounds were the initial
inspiration forhis love of
Greek folk music. Since
his first attempt at playing
gaida in 2004, he has
traveled throughout all of
Thrace and lived among
the villagers, picking up
different musical styling
from
each
gaidadzi.
Vasilioshad the honor of
staying in Asvestades,
Thraceandlearned
his
primary
style
from
YiannisPehlivanis
(a
local gaidadzi from the
village). Vasilios enjoys
music from all regions
of Greece and lightly
plays a number of wind
instruments from various
regions. His most recent
interest is the Tulum, a
bagpipe from Pontos.
When he is not playing
Gaida, Billy works as a
software/audio engineer in
Los Angeles. X
FDF
mary from page 9
planning that later became her
devoted and adoring husband.
Newly married, Mary returned
to the U.S. to join her husband
in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Stimulated by the academically
charged environment, Mary began
to teach dance and folklore in the
Modern Greek Studies programs
at both Boston University and
Harvard. She also collaborated
with Alexandra Anthony in the
production of numerous films
including Greek Celebrations, a
1985 film that portrayed Greek
village panegyria in Olymbos,
Karpathos, the Agrapha and Crete.
Mary also joined forces with dear
friend and noted photographer,
Constantine Manos, to produce
a piece entitled Greek Villages,
featuring her music and his
exquisite photographs.
Mary serves as an enthusiastic
judge at FDF from 1988 to 2005.
Competing groups of all age
categories and parishes sought
her expert council. Her years
of field research in Greece were
influential in eliciting greater
styling authenticity among the
competition.
Parents, dancers,
directors, and fellow judges—
especially by His Eminence
Anthony of Blessed Memory—
loved Mary, and was thus inducted
into the FDF Hall of Fame in 2002.
Mary was a generous,
thoughtful and loyal friend. I have
many fond memories of adventures
in Greece with Bill and Mary:
remote villages in Arcadia and
her charming Sifnos island home
once owned by Greece’s great chef
Tselementes; a renovated tower
hotel in the wilds of Mani, under
the shade of giant sycamores on
mountainous Samothrace; inside
Soufli’s heralded silk museum,
over platters of horta and grilled
fish on the waterfront in Nauplion;
a tiny taverna in Amorgos with
local musicians who threw a party
just for her, on the roof over her
apartment on Frynihou Street in
Plaka, basking in the glow of the
sun setting over the Acropolis.
Mary was in her element
everywhere. Mary’s signature
voice exclaiming, “Ach, ti oraia!”
shall forever resonate in my heart
just as clear as the joyous times
spending afternoons in our favorite
ramshackle cafenion on a seedy
Athens side street.
Mary, we all loved you and you
so enriched our lives. May your
memory live forever and ever. X
...praise Him with
timbrel and dance…
STUDENT
LODGE
•
FUND
RELIEF
EMERGENCY
A
extends our warmest greetings and respect to
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America
as he joins us in celebration of the
36th Annual Folk Dance and Choral Festival.
ADOPT
Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos
COLLEGE
The
•
S T.
HELLENIC
P E N N I E S A N D P R AY E R S • W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S • S O C I A L S E R V I C E S /
fdf
/
Psalm 150:4
CROSS
RANCH
...αἰνεῖτε Αὐτὸν
ἐν τυμπάνῳ καὶ χορῷ...
HELLENIC
NICHOLAS
•
•
KIDS ‘N’ CANCER CAMP AGAPE • BISHOP ANTHONY PHILOPTOCHOS STUDENT AID ENDOWMENT FUND
PAGE 13
Fr. EARL CANTOS— "Living and
Teaching Respectful Thinking
from Elder Paisios of Mt Athos”
Elder Paisios of Mount Athos is a
contemporary writer and on course for
sainthood in our Church. We will speak
about his life, his counsels of spiritual
awakenings and struggles, as well as how
to think ‘respectfully’ about others. This
is a process that truly frees our own
hearts and minds to better lead the lives
we are called to lead by our Lord.
ELEMENTARY
Paul Gikas
JUNIOR HIGH
Fr. Anthony Savas
Fr. Luke Palumbis
Fr. Nebojsa Pantic
HIGH SCHOOL
Fr. Jason Roll
Fr. John Hondros
FR. ALLAN BOYD—“Believe in the
Crazy that Saves us from Madness!”
With all the extracurricular activities our
kids are doing, our careers, the groceries, and
a slew of other demands of our lives. At times
it feels like we’re just chasing one thing after
another into a kind of exhausting madness.
Well, there’s an awesome cure…and it’s
CRAZY!
Fr. Jim Pappas
Fr. Aris Metrakos
YOUNG ADULTS
Father Niko Bekris
Jacob Saylor
PARENTS
Fr. Earl Cantos
Fr. Allan Boyd
FRIDAY
FRID
SATURDAY
10:30-11:30 am
(Capistrano A)
2:00-3:00 pm, 3:304:30 pm
(Capistrano B)
2:30-3:30 pm
(Capistrano A)
3-4 pm, 4:30-5:30 pm
(Capistrano B)
11:00-12:00 noon
(El Capitan A)
11:00-12:00 noon
(El Capitan B)
11:30-12:30 pm
(Capistrano B)
2:30-3:30 pm
(El Capitan B)
2:30-3:30 pm
(El Capitan A)
4:00-5:00 pm
(El Capitan B)
10:30-11:30 am
(Laguna B)
1:00-2:00 pm
(El Capitan B)
4:00-5:00 pm
(El Capitan A)
4:00-5:00 pm
(Laguna B)
12:30-1:30
(Capistrano A)
11:00-12:00 noon
(Capistrano B)
1:00-2:00 pm
(Laguna B)
2:00-3:00 pm
(El Capitan B)
5:00-6:00 pm
(Laguna B)
4:00-5:00 pm
(El Capitan B)
10:30–11:30 am
(Laguna B)
1:00-2:00 pm
(El Capitan B)
11:00 am-12 noon
(El Capitan A)
2:00-3:00 pm
(El Capitan A)
Workshop flyer.pdf 2
2/15/2012 11:50:22 AM
FR. JIM PAPPAS--Fun and Games
Too!
Join us for fun-filled activities with a Christcentered theme. Bring your friends for
games and fellowship!
PAUL GIKAS--Iconography for Kids!
Come decorate icons with all your friends and
bring a piece of FDF 2012 home with you!
FR. NIKO BEKRIS—“Friendship and
Believing According to Harry Potter”
We will take a look back at the messages of
friendship, self-determination, and believing- in
yourself, in one another, and in God- that can be
found in the Harry Potter series. Specifically,
we'll look at scenes from 'Harry Potter and the
Deathly Hallows: Part 2,' juxtaposed with
passages from the Bible and the wisdom of the
Church."
JACOB SAYLOR—“The Mourning
After”
This workshop will be discussing what our
dynamic and more relevant than ever
Orthodox Faith has to say about the modern
world’s obsession with money, sex, power,
and self.
FR. ANTHONY SAVAS—
“There’s an App for That! Life
Applications from Scripture and the
Church”
From connecting with friends to navigating
cities or online shopping, it seems there’s
always an app for that! We’ll consider some of
the most popular apps today and what they can
teach us about our spiritual life!
FR. ARIS METRAKOS—“iBelieve
iThink”
Everyone questions their faith from time to
time, but what do you do when someone else
questions your faith? Come prepared to role
play and argue for your faith. Even better, you
might get picked to challenge a priest!
FR. LUKE PALUMBIS— “If you can
believe, all things are possible to him
who believes.” Mark 9:23
FR. JOHN HONDROS—“The REAL
Social Network”
“What does it mean to have faith and
believe?” We say these words often but do
we really understand what they mean? And
do we understand how we are supposed to
live our lives if we say we have faith and
believe?
Jesus saw Zaccheos up in a sycamore tree
and said to him, "I must stay at your house
today." (Luke 19:5). How would the Lord
encounter us today . . . through cell phone,
email, tweet, text, Facebook, or in person?
Would we invite Him into our real
home… or settle for Skype?
FR. NEBOJSA PANTIC—“Orthodox
Ninja Tactics”
Come learn the basics of Spiritual Warfare,
and the struggle of everyday life. We will
focus on recognizing the passions and, more
importantly, combating the passions. We will
discuss “who is Jesus Christ in the world
around us and in our lives,” and “am I able to
see clearly who Christ is?”
FR. JASON ROLL—“Jesus Christ is
Now Following You on Twitter”
Do you feel that constant need to check
Facebook? Do you have an uncontrollable
desire to tweet how you are feeling at this
exact moment? This workshop will focus on
enjoying the benefits of social networking
while maintaining integrity as an Orthodox
Christian #JesusIsAlwaysWatching