By GOARCH
Anaheim, CA – February 15, 2024 – The Metropolis of San Francisco Folk Dance Festival (FDF) celebrated it’s 47th year. This year’s theme “Dance 2 Life” was truly embodied as dancers of all ages celebrated their faith and heritage through energetic and vibrant dances and performances that were full of life. Performance groups played traditional Greek instruments, danced historical folk dances, and sang the songs of their motherland throughout the joyful weekend.
“My beloved Christians, when you dance and when you sing, and when you play your instruments “with all your might” as Scripture says, you give praise and glory to the One Who lives and moves among us” remarked His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
His Eminence met with various organizations dedicated to celebrating life and paving a path forward for the youth of our Archdiocese to have more opportunities to connect with their faith and culture. On behalf of the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos, Jeannie Ranglas, National Philoptochos Second Vice President and Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos President, presented $5000 in honor of Archbishop Elpidophoros to the Archdiocesan Youth Summer Camp Scholarship Fund.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco were honored guests at the Archon Dinner hosted by Archon Gerry and Jeannie Ranglas where a $12,000 donation was presented for the Metropolis of San Francisco’s program “Pilgrimage of Discovery” whose mission is to bolster the future of the Orthodox Church by educating and inspiring future leaders through fostering a lifelong connection to the Mother Church of Constantinople.
The YAL Conference team also met this weekend, led by Chairman George T. Anagnostopoulos appointed by Archbishop Elpidophoros, in preparation of their 2024 National Conference “UNIFY” – aiming to unite young adults from across the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for a five-day experience centered on faith, fellowship, worship, service, and fun.
The FDF weekend proved to be a vibrant celebration of cultural expression, fostering unity, joy, and a sense of community.
The Metropolis of San Francisco Folk Dance Festival continues to be a testament to the enduring spirit of fellowship, bringing Orthodox Christians together in the spirit of love, faith, and shared traditions.
View all photos on Flickr here.
Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos