TENAFLY, NJ – A unique concert of classical music, under the artistic direction of conductor Dimitris Fousteris, in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, was held at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John the Theologian in Tenafly on November 18, in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the beginning of the Greek Revolution of 1821.

The composers, Nikolaos Astrinidis and Manolis Kalomiris, the sopranos Elena Biktasheva-Fousteris and Alyson Spina, the baritones Costas Tsourakis and Anastasios Fakinos, the pianist David Maiullo, the violinist Dr Yelena Savranskaya together with all the musicians, impressed the audience with their performance.

In his welcoming remarks, Archbishop Elpidophoros warmly congratulated all the musicians for the excellent program they presented and referred to the importance of the anniversary.

“Today, among other things, we enjoyed ‘Ti Ypermacho,’ our national anthem during the years of slavery. This is what our ancestors sang and they gained strength, courage and hope. Even today when we hear this hymn we are moved and weep. In so many centuries of slavery, it was faith in God that kept us alive. Thanks to their sacrifices we can and do live today in a free and democratic country, such as America, a country that has the same values ​​as our Greece. I hope we never have to fight for our freedom again. May God never deprive us of what we have acquired with so much sacrifice, blood and struggle. We are grateful to all our fathers who resisted, fought, were tortured, so that we could be free. Long live our Greece and all Hellenism everywhere on Earth,” he said.

The conductor, Dimitris Fousteris, expressed his gratitude for the great honor bestowed on him, congratulated all the musicians who with their work, as he said, keep the torch of culture burning and encouraged parents to send their children to music schools because the new generation is the future for the continuation of our tradition and culture.

The presiding priest of the Cathedral, Fr. Angelo Artemas, spoke to The National Herald and thanked His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, the priests of the Metropolis and all the guests who honored the Cathedral with their presence.

Parish Council President Steven Ferranti, thanked the Camarinos, Filios, Stathopoulos, Tsamutalis, and Tsougarakis families for the financial support of the concert.

The host and sponsor, Michael Camarinos, and his wife Lauren, said that the historic anniversary of the Revolution was commemorated with a very beautiful concert at the Cathedral, spreading joy and pride to all.