Metropolitan Apostolos Joins St. George Parish in Honoring Father Nektarios’ Lifetime of Ministry
Piscataway, NJ – October 11, 2025 — The St. George Greek Orthodox Church community came together for a deeply meaningful evening, an Appreciation Dinner Dance held in honor of their beloved pastor, the Very Reverend Father Nektarios. The event was a heartfelt expression of gratitude for his decades of spiritual leadership, compassion, and tireless service to the faithful of central New Jersey.
More than 350 guests filled the parish hall to celebrate a man whose ministry has touched generations, a priest known for his humility, devotion, and steadfast love for his community.
An Evening of Joy and Fellowship
The celebration featured a cocktail hour, dinner, and live music by Yianni Papastefanou & Orchestra, with klarino by Dimitri Manioudakis. Laughter, music, and the sounds of traditional Greek dancing filled the air, as parishioners, family, and friends gathered to honor their spiritual father.
Archon Jim Polos, Vice President of the Metropolis Council of New Jersey and former Mayor of Highland Park, served as Master of Ceremonies, guiding the program with warmth and reverence.
Parish Council President George Athanasopoulos warmly welcomed everyone, expressing his appreciation to the organizing committee for their hard work in creating such a memorable event. His words reflected the deep love and admiration shared by the entire community for Father Nektarios. As he spoke, the room resounded with spontaneous chants of “Axios!” — “He is worthy!”, echoing the unity and devotion that define the St. George parish.
A Distinguished Guest in Attendance
Among the evening’s distinguished guests was Petros Dorizas, Consul at the Consulate General of Greece in New York, who praised St. George Greek Orthodox Church as “a cultural landmark that has preserved our faith and heritage in central New Jersey.” His remarks underscored the enduring bond between Greece and its diaspora, and the vital role the Church plays in keeping that connection alive.
Inspiring Words from His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey
His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey delivered a powerful address centered on faith, unity, and gratitude. He reminded all in attendance that “without you, there is no priest, bishop, or metropolitan who can be successful in his ministry.”
He spoke with admiration for Father Nektarios, calling him “a humble man, full of love and dedication, who never says no to his flock.” His Eminence also emphasized the importance of education, faith, and language, urging families to keep Greek Orthodox traditions alive for generations to come:
“Without education, there is no blessed future. Let us work together, hand in hand, to keep our faith and language vibrant in this great nation.”
The Metropolitan expressed joy at seeing the parish’s youth dancing earlier that evening, describing them as the living continuation of the Church’s legacy. He also welcomed visiting clergy from Mount Athos, Fathers Antipas and Theosius, whose presence brought blessings from the spiritual heart of Orthodoxy.
A Pastor’s Humble Heart
When Father Nektarios addressed the crowd, emotion filled the hall. In his characteristic humility, he turned the focus back to his parishioners, calling the event a celebration of their shared faith and love.
“Without a priest, there is no parish,” he said. “But without a parish, there is no priest. This is not an honor just for me, it is an honor for every one of you.”
He spoke tenderly of the children who danced, calling them the future of the Church, and expressed gratitude to the teachers, parents, and volunteers who nurture the next generation in faith and heritage. His heartfelt words drew warm applause and renewed chants of “Axios!”- a testament to the affection his parish holds for him.
As the evening continued, the dance floor filled with joy and song. Generations joined hands, grandparents, parents, and children, moving together as one community. It was more than a dinner dance; it was a living reflection of the love, unity, and spiritual strength that define St. George Greek Orthodox Church.
The Appreciation Dinner Dance served as both a tribute to Father Nektarios’s ministry and a celebration of the parish’s enduring faith, a reminder that the heart of every community beats strongest when gratitude and love lead the way.
Please wait...