PHILADELPHIA, PA – GNUSA -[Photos by Douglas John Photography / MDF – & Stellios Lambrou]
The Metropolis of New Jersey hosted its Second Annual Music and Dance Festival on February 13–15, 2026, bringing together more than 600 young participants at the Sheraton Hotel in Downtown Philadelphia. This year’s festival featured 37 folk dance groups, 12 choirs, and 3 exhibition groups from parishes across the Metropolis, creating a vibrant weekend of culture, faith, and fellowship.
The festivities opened with a ceremony and Agiasmos led by His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, joined by clergy of the Metropolis. Welcoming the youth and their families, His Eminence reflected on the deeper meaning of the weekend’s celebrations: “In our Greek Orthodox tradition, beauty has always been a pathway to truth. The hymnography of the Church, the rhythm of our liturgical life, and even the circular movement of our traditional dances reflect unity, harmony, and shared purpose. When we dance together, we do not stand alone—we move as one, just as the Apostle Paul teaches that we are ‘one body in Christ, and individually members of one another’ (Rom. 12:5).”
Beyond the competitions, the festival emphasized service and community. All participating groups took part in the “Agape Bag” service project, an initiative of the Homeless Ministry of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Elkins Park, PA. Together, the youth assembled 1,000 care packages to support individuals in need within their local communities.
Saturday [2/14] evening’s Dinner and Glendi brought everyone together for an unforgettable night of dancing and entertainment, highlighted by a special performance from Kalomira.
On Sunday [2/15] morning, Metropolitan Apostolos, together with Fr. Gregory Gilbert, Chancellor of the Metropolis and clergy from the Philadelphia area, celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the Sunday of the Last Judgment. The day also marked the feast of St. Anthimos of Chios, and participants were blessed to venerate the saint’s relic, lovingly brought to the Liturgy by his relatives, Dr. Nicholas and Ellen Vaganos.
The sermon was offered by Fr. Symeon Williams, Metropolis Youth Director, who reminded the faithful that this Sunday’s Gospel is a call to live our faith through action. He explained that we should keep in mind Christ’s words to both the sheep and the goats, urging everyone to examine their hearts: Have we clothed the poor? Have we visited the sick? Orthodox Christians, he noted, are called to help all who struggle, regardless of background, because Christ is present in every person in need.
Following the Liturgy, His Eminence recognized President Michael Zavolas, President of Pan‑Gregorian Enterprises of New Jersey and Alexandros Theodosiou, President of the PGEI of America Charitable Foundation [award was received by PGEI Vice President, Chris Karamanos] for their generous sponsorship and steadfast support of this year’s festival. The Metropolis expressed heartfelt gratitude to all sponsors for their love and commitment to the youth of the Metropolis of New Jersey.
The festival concluded with a final dinner and awards ceremony, where His Eminence congratulated all participants for their dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to preserving and celebrating Greek Orthodox faith and culture.
