Photo: Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is pleased to announce a special tribute concert honoring His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the late Nikolaos Steliaros, Archon Mousikodidaskalos of the Holy Great Church of Christ, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Saint Bartholomew’s Church on Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan at 7:30 p.m.
This concert, entitled “Praise the Lord All Nations: Every breath, praise the Lord,” will feature the Romanos the Melodist Greek Orthodox Byzantine Choir and Chanters Society of Greater New York, which will perform a selection of seasonal hymns from the feast of Pentecost chanted in the traditional Byzantine style of the Orthodox Church’s centuries-old Psaltic Art.
The late Archon Nikolaos Steliaros was born in the village of Thymiana in 1930 on the island of Chios in Greece. He immigrated to New York City in the 1960s and served the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America as a master chanter and teacher of Byzantine Music for over five decades. He left behind an immeasurable legacy in personal contributions to the Psaltic Art — both in the United States and abroad in Greece — as well as a multitude of students who currently serve the parishes of the Archdiocese as clergymen or chanters.
In November 1993, the ever-blessed Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America recognized Mr. Steliaros’ service to the Church by bestowing upon him the singular title (offikion) of Archon Protopsaltis of the Sacred Archdiocese of America. On December 1, 2013, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew personally conferred upon Mr. Steliaros the very high honor and title (Patriarchal offikion) of Archon Mousikodidaskalos (Music Instructor) of the Holy Great Church of Christ during a unique ceremony in the Venerable Patriarchal Church of Saint George at the Phanar. This marked the first and only time that a Greek American has received such a select distinction from the Ecumenical Patriarchate for their service and contributions to the sacred liturgical music of the Orthodox Church.
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, this Pentecost tribute concert is being offered in celebration of His All-Holiness’ patronal feast of the Holy Apostle Bartholomew, in memory of the late Archon Nikolaos Steliaros (who reposed in the Lord in September 2024), and as an expression of filial gratitude for the many rich blessings that the Mother Church of Constantinople continues to impart on all of her faithful sons and daughters in the United States and throughout the entire world.
Admission is free and open to all — let every breath praise the Lord!
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 | 7:30 p.m.
Saint Bartholomew’s Church
325 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022
