The parish of St. Demetrios in Upper Darby, PA, recently marked its annual Feast Day with a blend of spiritual reverence and community recognition. The celebration, centered around The Great Festal Vespers, was led by His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos and drew clergy from throughout the Delaware Valley.
In a highlight of the evening, longtime community pillar George Agatsiotis was honored for his exceptional service to both faith and community. His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos presided while Agatsiotis was awarded two prestigious awards bestowed by the Order of AHEPA. Supreme President Savas C. Tsivicos asked Executive Director and Past Supreme President George Horiates to represent him at the ceremony.
The first award presented to Agatsiotis was the AHEPA Ellis Island Medal of Freedom, chartered by AHEPA in 1991. The second was the AHEPA Patriarch Bartholomew Award for extraordinary service to the church. This latter award, created to honor Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, features a medallion replicating the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the Patriarch in 1997 – an honor AHEPA was instrumental in securing.
The event commenced with a warm welcome to His Eminence by the Greek School and parish representatives. Following the Vespers service, attendees gathered in the church hall for a banquet where Mike Economou, President of the Parish Council, addressed the guests and paid tribute to Agatsiotis’ lifelong devotion to the church.
Several community leaders spoke on behalf of Agatsiotis, including Basil Mossaidis (a member of the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church) from AHEPA and John Vasiliou from St. Demetrios, further underscoring the impact of his contributions.
The celebration was further enriched by the presence of numerous Archons from the Delaware Valley. Additionally, the officers of the Federation of Hellenic American Societies of Greater Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley were sworn into office by His Eminence, adding another layer of significance to the evening.
This Feast Day celebration not only honored St. Demetrios but also showcased the strength of the Greek Orthodox community in the area, highlighting the importance of faith, service, and cultural heritage. The event served as a testament to the vibrant and interconnected nature of the Greek American community in the region, bringing together religious leaders, community organizations, and dedicated individuals in a celebration of shared values and traditions.