Cherry Hill, NJ – December 27, 2012
Just days after Christmas, the Kali Parea, Ladies Philoptochos, and Senior Citizens of St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church came together for an afternoon of celebration, music, and shared memories.
More than 80 parishioners gathered on Thursday for a special luncheon, where several members were honored with awards recognizing their years of service to the church and the wider community.
The highlight of the day came after lunch, when Harry Karapalides, of Atlantis, and George Giordas, formerly of the George Giordas Orchestra, took the stage. Together, they brought over three generations of musical tradition to life, performing beloved Greek and American songs. Karapalides charmed the crowd with his accordion—the same one he first played over 40 years ago—while Giordas accompanied him on the bouzouki, his former student now playing alongside his mentor.
Laughter, applause, and singing filled the room as familiar melodies brought back memories and brought the community together.
The event took place as St. Thomas celebrates another important milestone: the groundbreaking of a new senior housing facility, currently under construction and scheduled for completion in 2015—a major step forward in the church’s long-standing commitment to serving its elders with dignity and care.
