Hierarchical Blessing Greek Cultural Garden 980 East Blvd. Cleveland June 28, 2026
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America. the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Greek Garden Association of Cleveland hosted an historical Hierarchical Blessing of the Greek Cultural Garden led by His Eminence Elpidophoros, Archbishop of America, and the Metropolitans of the Holy Synod.
Visitors toured the beautiful and historic Garden and were entertained by Athanasios Sarantopoulos (guitar) and Stefanos Makris (bouzouki) before the ceremony.
Watch the short video.
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Athanasios Sarantopoulos
Stefanos Makris
The Clergy arrived and once seated, the Color Guard presented the flags of the USA and the Hellenic Republic and the national anthems were sung.
Clergy arriving in the Greek Cultural Garden
Presentation of the Colors
National Anthem of Hellenic Republic led by Georgios Theodoridis
National Anthem of the United States led by soprano Emelia Aceto
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, gave an invocation. The Master of Ceremonies Honorable Major James P. Trakas, OHMR, Ret. gave welcoming remarks.
Invocation by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros
MC James P. Trakas
Pascalis Papouras, Executive Director of the Greek Garden Association of Cleveland, gave greetings.
Pascalis Papouras
Watch a video of the above events.
His Eminence Metropolitan Savas, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, gave his remarks. Watch.
His Eminence Metropolitan Savas
Next was a musical interlude - Song of Hellas. On the Secret Shore was performed by Emelia Aceto (soprano), Athanasios Sarantopoulos (guitar) and Stefanos Makris (bouzouki). Watch.
The Honorable Steven J. Demetriou, Ohio State Representative District 35, gave his remarks and presented Lou Frangos with a proclamation.
Rep. Steven J. Demetriou
Rep. Steven J. Demetriou and Lou Frangos
Lou Frangos
The Ceremony of Honor to recognize the Chairs of the 2020 Clergy Laity Congress was led by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and presented to Lou and Ann Frangos and Lee and Ageleke Zapis.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and honorees
Acceptance remarks from Lou Frangos
Acceptance remarks from Ann Frangos
The song Glory to God was performed by Georgios Theodoridis, Emelia Aceto (soprano), Athanasios Sarantopoulos (guitar) and Stefanos Makris (bouzouki).
Next was the big moment - the Blessing of the Water in the Greek Cultural Garden by His Eminence Metropolitan Philotheos, Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki.
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