Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Upper Darby, PA, hosted the Salutations to the Theotokos service on Friday, April 5, 2024. The event was graced by the presence of His Eminence, Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, who presided over the service. The ceremony was further honored by the attendance of the Evzones, the military honor guard of Greece, as well as members of the Federation of Hellenic American Societies of Philadelphia and the Greater Delaware Valley, and other distinguished dignitaries.
During the service, His Eminence bestowed the “Blessing of an Anagnostis” upon two young men, Dimitrios Staparounas and Chrysovalantie Papatsiaras. This blessing grants them the privilege to read prayers and captions at the Psaltiri.
The evening culminated with a ceremonial gift from Greece, presented to Metropolitan Apostolos by Ms. Sophia Pavlidou, who accompanied the Greek Honor Guard, the Evzones.