Three dedicated church musicians of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will be honored on National Church Music Sunday, October 7, 2005, the first Sunday after the Feast Day of St. Romanos, patron saint of church musicians.

This day is designated as an annual Archdiocese-wide commemoration of the contributions that choir directors, choir members, organists, psaltai, and Church School/Greek School music educators make to their parishes. In addition, that Sunday is when the work of the eight Metropolitan Church Music Federations and the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians is recognized. Many local parishes hold special recognition events on National Church Music Sunday for their church musicians.

This year, three church musicians who have served for more than 25 years as choir directors received personal recognition from His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios. These individuals will be honored in their home parishes with a Years of Service medal depicting St. Romanos the Melodist.

The National Forum administers the award for the Archdiocese. Since the inception of the award in 1988, 292 choir directors have received the Years of Service medal. The names, parishes, and years as choir directors who are receiving the 2007 service awards include:

Maria Alex  St. Spyridon  Clarksburg, WV  25 years
Chris Giannopoulos  St. George  Albuquerque, NM  25 years
Deanne Keltner  Sts. Constantine & Helen  Monroe, LA 25 years

A singular honor for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese was the FIRST PLACE award presented to Holy Trinity Cathedral in Toledo OH in a contest sponsored by the multi-denominational National Religious Music Week Alliance to recognize the best ideas for celebrating National Religious Music Week, which they designate as the last week of September. Holy Trinity placed first among all the other denominations that submitted entries! The Alliance presented Holy Trinity with a check for $500 to use in support of their music ministry.

As a service to the parishes, the National Forum recently mailed a specially-designed poster to commemorate National Church Music Sunday 2007 to each parish priest and choir director in the Archdiocese. The full-color poster was designed by George Theodossiou of Brockton, MA. This year’s poster depicts the Synaxsis of the Archangels, and highlights the following passage from the canon: “The ranks of the Bodiless Powers, Lord, as the stand beside the throne of Your Glory, honor you with unceasing voices, for You O Lord, are their strength and their song.”

Dr. Vicki Pappas, National Chairman of the Church Musicians Forum, commented on National Church Music Sunday. She urged all parishes "to honor their local church musicians for their dedicated service to their parish through its hymnography, who give of their time and talents Sunday after Sunday, year after year." She also encouraged parishes to use National Church Music Sunday "to support the work of the Church Music Federations of their Metropolis and to be generous in their contributions to the National Church Music Ministries Fund in support of much-needed national liturgical music programs. All these commemorative activities during the month of October enhance and support further development of the liturgical music ministry of our Archdiocese."

Contact: Vicki Pappas
Phone:  812-855-8248
E-mail:   pappas@indiana.edu

When making his contribution to the Greek Fire Relief Fund, Alex Spanos stated, “We watched with heavy hearts the catastrophic fires and the destruction they left behind which affected thousands of people, their property and the beautiful countryside of Greece.  I was greatly moved by the tragedy unfolding before my eyes and I know that every Greek American and every person was equally moved”.  Alex Spanos, a noted philanthropist, has contributed generously to the relief efforts for victims of the 1986 earthquake in Kalamata and to countless charities supporting Hellenic groups and causes throughout his life.  He has always been at the forefront of any effort to assist and promote Greece to the rest of the world.

His Eminence, commenting on the gift, continued, “No doubt, the noble generosity of the Spanos family speaks highly of their sense of philanthropy.  Truly, they are an inspiration for every faithful member of our Archdiocese and the community-at-large.   I hope and pray that others will follow their example and give according to their means.  The people who lost everything are depending on our help”.

Mr. and Mrs. Spanos, who live in Stockton, California, are the proud parents of two sons, two daughters and have 15 grandchildren.  In addition to being the founder of the nation’s largest family-owned land development and construction companies, Mr. Spanos is also owner of the San Diego Chargers.  The family has contributed to numerous philanthropic, cultural, civic, educational, athletic and medical organizations and causes throughout the United States and abroad. 

Contact: Bishop Andonios of Phasiane
Department of Philanthropy
Tel.: 212.774-0283

Announcing the appointment, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios said: “Fr. Frank is assuming a very important ministry of offering his priestly services to the community of the Archdiocesan Cathedral. God has given him the talents and the will to execute in the best possible way the many and demanding duties and responsibilities which accompany this important appointment. We are looking prayerfully to a promising and fruitful ministry of the new Dean of the Cathedral.”

The Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is an institution of the Archdiocese with over 800 families. It includes the Cathedral School, a private school consisting of grades K-8. Its Divine Liturgy services are broadcast live on television and the Internet every Sunday morning with special services broadcast on the Internet throughout the year.

Chartered in 1892, the Holy Trinity Cathedral has been serving the Greek Orthodox Community of New York City for over a century providing regular divine worship, counseling, Christian education, human services and cultural programs for people who live, work and visit in New York City. It has served as the national Cathedral of the Archdiocese since 1962 hosting patriarchs, hierarchs, dignitaries and visitors from throughout the world.

As the Dean of the Cathedral, Fr. Marangos will oversee its liturgical life, ministries, and programs including the Cathedral School. He will offer educational programs for broadcast on television and the Internet.

For the past 28 years, Fr. Marangos has served with dedication, pastoral care and distinction the Archdiocese in various capacities: As pastor of St. Mark Church, Boca Raton, FL (1989-1997); of the Annunciation Church, Pensacola, FL (1983-1989); and of the Annunciation Church, Houston, TX (1979-1983); as the Archdiocesan Executive Director of Communications, the Archdiocesan Director of Religious Education (1997-2006), and as Adjunct Assistant Professor at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He has most recently been appointed Adjunct Assistant Professor at St. John’s University in New York.

Fr. Marangos received a Bachelor of Arts from Hellenic College and holds a Master of Divinity with honors from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, 1979. He earned a doctorate of education, Ed.D., with honors, in Adult Education from Nova Southeastern University, Fischler Graduate School of Education and Human Services, Miami, FL and a doctorate of ministry, D.Min. with honors, in Christian Education from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX. He is certified as a  Distance Learning Leader from the United States Distance Learning Association.

Ordained to the Diaconate in January 1979 and to the Priesthood in June 1979, he was elevated to the rank of Protopresbyter by Archbishop Demetrios in 2002.

Mr. John Stratakis, the President of the Board of Trustees of the Cathedral, welcomed the selection of Fr. Marangos to the Cathedral Community and stated that: “His record and accomplishments are impressive, and we look forward to working with him in leading the Cathedral into the future. As the new Dean of the Cathedral, he undoubtedly will face new challenges and be presented with unique opportunities. I am confident that, with the help and support of our Board and the community at large, Fr. Frank will achieve great success at the Cathedral.” 

In his remarks, Mayor Bloomberg congratulated the Archbishop for his great pastoral sensitivity to the people of New York during the 9/11 tragedy and applauded the Archbishop’s expression of love and concern for the victims of the recent fires in Greece. Mayor Bloomberg also commented on his warm and neighborly relationship with the Archbishop as he resides directly across the street from the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. He noted that the Archbishop, beyond being a dear friend, is also a moral compass for him and the people of New York. Archbishop Demetrios responded by thanking the Mayor for the generous reception in acknowledgement of his 40-year anniversary as a Bishop and gave thanks to God for all that has been given to him.
   
Also present at the reception were former Mayor of New York City David Dinkins, Consul General of Greece Katerina Boura, Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus Andreas Panayiotou, Vice-Chairman of the Archdiocesan Council Michael Jaharis, National Philoptochos President Georgia Skeadas, President of AHEPA Ike Gulas, Archons and Leadership 100 members, representatives from Greek American organizations and federations, and representatives from the Mayor’s office. 

Contact:
Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos
Tel.: 212.774.0244
Email:  communications@goarch.org