Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Upper Darby, PA, hosted the Salutations to the Theotokos service on Friday, April 5, 2024. His Eminence, Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, presided over the service, which was graced by the presence of the Evzones and the military honor guard of Greece. Members of the Federation of Hellenic American Societies of Philadelphia and the Greater Delaware Valley, as well as other dignitaries, attended the event.
During the ceremony, His Eminence bestowed the “Blessing of an Anagnostis” upon two young men, Dimitrios Staparounas and Chrysovalantie Papatsiaras. This blessing allows them to read prayers and captions at the Psaltiri.
The evening concluded with a ceremonial gift from Greece presented by Ms. Sophia Pavlidou, who accompanied the Greek Honor Guard, the Evzones, and was given to Metropolitan Apostolos.