At the invitation of John Lulias, Director of the Choir at St. Nicholas Church/Tarpon Spring, FL , seven singers representing the  Chicago Metropolis’ Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians served as choir members in the Epiphany Services. Participants of the 116th Anniversary of the Feast Day of Epiphany in Tarpon Springs, FL included: His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta and His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela.  The Honored guest was Consulate General of Greece Loukas Tsokos.   

Honored to be the only Metropolis ever extended this invitation (2007 and 2022), this year’s representatives were (as pictured L-R): Joanne Volakakis (Holy Apostles/Westchester, IL); Ruth E. Faklis – Federation President (St. Spyridon/Palos Heights, IL), Nick Paloumpis (Holy Apostles/Westchester, IL); George Panagopoulos (St. Basil/Chicago, IL); Elena Biessener (St. Mary/Minneapolis, MN); Gia Xenakis (SS. Peter and Paul/Glenview, IL) and Eleni Karamatskos (Holy Apostles/Westchester, IL).  

The Chicago Metropolis Federation has been sponsoring a ‘Winter Trip’ since 2007.  It is a part of their unique Outreach Programs. The purpose of the Winter Trip is to visit Orthodox churches throughout the United States.  During these visits the travelers will represent the Chicago Metropolis Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, meet fellow choir members, meet clergy/hierarchy, provide an opportunity to experience and share in other church liturgical practices, share best practices of other Metropolis’ Federations, visit neighboring Federation Friends, etc.  All expenses and liabilities are borne by the individual traveler.   

Past trips have included visits to: 

2007 - St. Nicholas Cathedral/Tarpon Springs, FL  

2008 – St. John the Baptist Church/Tampa, FL  

2009 – St. John the Baptist Church/Las Vegas, NV  

2010 – St. Barbara Church/Santa Barbara, CA  

2011 – St. Nicholas Church/San Jose/San Fran., CA  

2012 – St. Sophia Cathedral/Miami/Key West, FL  

2013 – Annunciation Cathedral/Norfolk/Williamsburg, VA  

2014 – Holy Trinity Cathedral/Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ 

2015 - St. Spyridon Church/San Diego/Temecula/LaJolla, CA  

2016 - no trip 

2017 - no trip  

2018 – Holy Trinity Cathedral/New Orleans, LA  

2019 – St. Katherine Church/Naples, FL  

2020 – SS Constantine and Helen Cathedral, Honolulu, HI  

This year Federation Board Members George Panagopoulos and Elena Biessener co-chaired the effort of planning and arranging for the members’ visit.   

During their stay, the Chicago Metropolis representatives sang at the Epiphany Liturgy at the St. Nicholas Church, took part in the Epiphany formal procession of walking to the Bayou while singing hymns, were given an ‘immediate view’ of the sacred ceremony, visited the chapel of St. Michael, attended the Epiphany Ball, attended an Epiphany dinner-dance, and visited the many sites, stores and restaurants that Tarpon Springs, Clearwater and Sarasota had to offer.