On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America presented a Pentecost Tribute Concert at St. Bartholomew Church in New York City, in celebration of His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew’s patronal feast of the Holy Apostle Bartholomew, and honoring the memory of the late Nikolaos Steliaros, Archon and Teacher of Music of the Holy Great Church of Christ.

This concert, entitled “Praise the Lord All Nations: Every breath, praise the Lord,” featured the Romanos the Melodist Greek Orthodox Byzantine Choir and Chanters Society of Greater New York, who performed a selection of seasonal hymns from the feast of Pentecost chanted in the traditional Byzantine style of the Orthodox Church’s centuries-old Psaltic Art.

Many special guests gathered for this special celebration, including His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios formerly of America, His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America (Serbian Orthodox Church); Their Graces Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia and Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, Archdiocesan District Chancellor Rev. Fr. Elias Villis; and Rev. Fr. Marius Dumitrescu, Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas.

His Grace Bishop David, President of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches. Very Rev. Fr. Simeon Odabashian, Vicar of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America; Very Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian, Armenian Prelacy; Rev Fr. Jerry Varghese, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church; were among the numerous inter-Orthodox, ecumenical and interfaith leaders and guests.

Mr. Steliaros’ wife Eleni, family, and friends; as well as Consul Mr. Petros Dorizas, representing the Consulate General of Greece, were also in attendance for this special tribute.

Spiritual Advisor of the Romanos the Melodist Chanters Society of New York, Rev. Fr. Michael Giavris, opened the program by welcoming the guests, and introducing the Romanos the Melodist Society,

Before the show commenced, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros gave remarks and presented the medal of Saint Paul, the highest honor of the Sacred Archdiocese of America, to Eleni Steliaros, the wife of late Archon Steliaros. “This evening is indeed a very special occasion, one which we are sharing with the Community and with our good friends at Saint Bartholomew’s. For the Feastday of the Spiritual Father of Orthodox Christianity, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, commences now, with the setting of the sun,” His Eminence stated, “the music offered this evening is theurgic in nature, bringing us, through our sense of hearing, into a divine reverie where we are transported into the conscious presence of God. This is the hallmark of Byzantine Music; for it does not embellish sound for the mere sake of adornment, but rather accentuates and indeed, punctuates the spiritual import of the hymnody of the Church. Thus, it is meet and right that tonight also be a commemoration – a memorial to the most exceptional and dignified cantor, Nikolaos Steliaros, Archon Mousikodidaskalos of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who was made an Archon by the same Ecumenical Patriarch we give thanks for tonight.”

The Romanos the Melodist Choir sang twelve beautiful pieces which echoed through the beautiful church of Saint Bartholomew; Apolytikion of Romanos the Melodist, Apolytikion of Apostle Bartholomew, Apolytikion and Kontakion of Pentecost, Festal Prokeimenon, Slow Kekragarion, Vesperal Hymns of Pentecost, Psalm 135, Katavasies of Pentecost, Matinal Doksastikon of Pentecost, Slow Doxology, Dynamis — Trisagion Hymn, and Liturgical Hymns

Source: goarch.org