Deptford, NJ – On Sunday, November 2, 2025, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey will host the 15th Annual Delaware Valley Region Ambassador Awards Banquet at The Adelphia Restaurant. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 4:00 pm, followed by dinner and the awards program at 5:00 pm. Tickets are $100, with RSVPs required through local parishes by October 17.
Now in its fifteenth year, the banquet has become a cornerstone of the Delaware Valley’s Orthodox calendar. Families, clergy, and parish leaders from across southern New Jersey, southeastern Pennsylvania, and Delaware gather each fall for an evening that blends fellowship with recognition. What began as a way to highlight parish service has grown into a tradition that affirms the strength and continuity of Orthodox life in the region.
His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, enthroned in 2023, will preside for the third time, continuing a role he first assumed in December of that year. His leadership connects the event’s history with the present moment as he honors parishioners whose dedication shapes daily church life.
The Ambassador Awards highlight a wide range of service. Adults are recognized for contributions in community outreach, the work of Philoptochos, church music, and youth advising. Young people in the Greek Orthodox Youth of America are honored as Ambassadors of Faith, Hope, Love, and Peace, titles that reflect their efforts to embody Christian values within their communities.
This year’s banquet also carries added significance as the first held since Saint Iakovos of Evia was officially named patron saint of the Metropolis in September 2024. His designation lends deeper spiritual meaning to the celebration and ties the awards more closely to the living tradition of the Church.
Last year’s gathering filled Adelphia’s grand ballrooms with more than 400 attendees. Cosmos Philly covered the 13th annual banquet, where Metropolitan Apostolos presided for the first time and set a tone of renewal. The atmosphere was one of warmth and pride, with families applauding honorees whose service often goes unnoticed outside parish walls.
This 15th anniversary celebration promises to carry that spirit forward, uniting generations under one roof and honoring the quiet dedication that sustains church and community life throughout the Delaware Valley.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, November 2, 2025
Cocktail Hour: 4:00 pm
Dinner & Program: 5:00 pm
Location: Adelphia Restaurant, 1750 Clements Bridge Road, Deptford, NJ 08096
Tickets: $100
RSVP Deadline: October 17, 2025, through local parishes
Featured image: His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey presides over the 13th Ambassador Awards Banquet at Adelphia Restaurant in Deptford, NJ.
Please confirm event details with the organizers before attending, as dates, times, locations, and registration information may change.