Abp. Elpidophoros Celebrates Liturgy at 49th Folk Dance and Choral Festival

Photo: orthodoxobserver.org

PHOENIX, AZ — The final day of the Metropolis of San Francisco’s 49th Annual Greek Orthodox Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF) began with a Divine Liturgy celebrated in the event’s main ballroom, uniting dancers, families, and clergy in worship. The gathering, filling the space nearly to capacity, emphasized the festival’s spirit of joy and shared faith rather than competition.

His Eminence Abp. Elpidophoros of America presided over the liturgy alongside Metr. Gerasimos, Metr. Kyrillos, and Bp. Ioannis of Phocaea, joined by numerous priests of the Metropolis of San Francisco.

In his homily, Abp. Elpidophoros connected the Gospel reading to FDF’s theme, “SHINE,” encouraging attendees to recognize and reflect the spark of God in every human soul. He described the liturgy as “the practice ground for all of us to cultivate this kind of vision,” highlighting the festival’s integration of faith, culture, and community.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Elpidophoros highlighted the legacy of Leadership 100 at the Phoenix conference.

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