NEW YORK, NY — [Photos: GANP/ Dimitris Panagos]
The Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity welcomed the Christmas season on December 19 with its 49th Annual Cathedral Christmas Concert, “The Sounds of Christmas”. This highly anticipated and heart‑lifting event once again filled the Cathedral with music, tradition, and holiday spirit.
The renowned Archdiocesan Cathedral Choir and Youth Choir, together with the Archdiocesan Cathedral Orchestra, performed under the direction of Maestro Costas Tsourakis, opening the 2025–2026 season of Great Music Under a Byzantine Dome.
The evening began with a warm welcome from Cathedral Dean Archimandrite Chrysostomos Gilbert, who remarked that “this treasured Archdiocesan Cathedral tradition prepares our hearts for the great Feast of the Nativity and fills our holy Cathedral with sacred music, faith and hope,” emphasizing that the Cathedral is truly blessed with such a vibrant and prayerful ministry—the Cathedral Choir and the Youth Choir.
Continuing a long‑standing tradition, the evening featured Orthodox Christmas hymns, Greek traditional carols, and beloved seasonal classics, offering a rich musical celebration of faith and heritage.
“This year’s program draws our attention in a special way to the presence of the Angels”, noted Maestro Tsourakis stressing that “from the angelic proclamation “Glory to God in the highest” to the hymns that celebrate Christ’s birth, their voices remind us that Christmas is the moment when heaven draws near to earth and divine light enters human history”.
“The selections in tonight’s program reflect this truth inviting us to encounter the joy, wonder and hope of the Nativity anew”, he added.
The program included “And suddenly, there was with the Angel…”, “Glory to God in the Highest,” and “Rejoice Greatly” from Handel’s Messiah, performed by soprano and Youth Choir Director Alyson Spina.
Young performers Olivia Athas, Melina Cantagallo, and Anna-Maria Pantelatos offered a beautiful rendition of the Megalynarion of Christmas by Dino Anagnost, orchestrated by Associate Conductor Hilary Baboukis, while fellow young performer Marly Plakoudas charmed the audience with “Once Upon a December” from “Anastasia”.
Even Fr. Chrysostom, a tenor, joined the musical offering, singing Michael Praetorius’ “Lo, How A Rose Eʼer Blooming” alongside Alison Spina, Hilary Baboukis (mezzo-soprano), and Maestro Kosta Tsourakis (bass).
Renowned bouzouki virtuoso Kosta Psarros accompanied the traditional Greek carols, “Πάει ο παλιός ο χρόνος” and “Κάλαντα Θράκης”, adding a cherished cultural touch.
The concert concluded with a joyful sing‑along, as Maestro Tsourakis invited the audience to join in using the lyrics printed in the program.
Organist Dawn Helene and Associate Youth Choir Director Katerina Hadjipavlis also participated in the performance.
Among the distinguished attendees were Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Archbishop Demetrios, formerly of America, Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, Consul General of Greece in New York, Ifigeneia Kanara, Consul General of Cyprus, Kyriakos Pogiatzis, and Elias Lambiris, president of the Cathedral Board, along with the Cathedral Philoptochos President Madeline Lambiris.
“For nearly half a century, this Christmas Concert at our Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity has offered New York City a glimpse of the divine splendor and amazement surrounding the small cave of Bethlehem on the night of our Savior’s Incarnation”, remarked His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, congratulating the Choirs and the Orchestra for their amazing performance.
The Cathedral’s Christmas concert has been a staple of New York’s holiday arts calendar since 1976, when the tradition began under the late Maestro Dr. Dino Anagnost. Nearly five decades later, it remains one of the most anticipated seasonal events in the Greek Orthodox community.
Following the performance, guests gathered for a festive candlelight reception, The Flavors of Christmas, in the Chiotes Family Cathedral Hall. The reception has become a hallmark of the annual event, bringing together parishioners, friends, and music lovers in fellowship.
For those unable to attend, on‑demand broadcast tickets will be available from December 24 through December 31, allowing viewers to enjoy the concert throughout Christmas week. [For more info, please email [email protected]].
