On Saturday, January 28, 2017 at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education commemorated the Feast of the Three Hierarchs and Greek Letters Day. His Eminence Geron Archbishop Demetrios of America handed out certificates to 74 students who successfully passed the Proficiency exam.

453 students participated this year in the examinations offered by the Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education. Maria Makedon, Director of the Office of Education indicated that among the successful candidates were students from states like Missouri and Virginia. Dr. George Liakos, President of the New York Greek Medical Association, offered the Keynote Address. 

In attendance at the crowded Cathedral was, among others, the Consul General of Greece in New York, Constantine Koutra; the Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus, Vassilis Philippou; the Consul Emmanuel Koubarakis; His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela; and the Abbot of the Patriarchal Monastery of St. Irene Chrisovalantou, Archimandrite Ierotheos Zacharis. The Director of the Day School of St. Nicholas in Astoria, Dr. Anastasios Koularmanis, congratulated students and teachers for their perseverance. The Proficiency Exam has been held successfully for 45 consecutive years.