The Consulate General of Greece in Boston Fills with Carols, Wishes, and the Greek Language from Schoolchildren

BOSTON – The Consulate General of Greece in Boston was filled with the joyful voices of students from Greek schools of the Metropolis of Boston. The students sang the hymn of the Nativity of Christ, the well-known “Your Nativity, O Christ our God,” as well as the traditional carols, all in fluent Greek and with proper pronunciation.
Consul General Symeon Tegos had scheduled school visits every half hour to avoid overcrowding, although this arrangement was not always feasible due to Boston’s heavy traffic, especially during this time of year.

The children would arrive, sing carols, extend their wishes to Mr. Tegos and Metropolitan Methodios, receive his blessing, and then collect their gifts. They enjoyed Christmas treats along with their parents.

In addition to the schoolchildren, the celebration attracted many members of the Greek-American Community from the greater Boston area and neighboring cities such as Lynn, Braintree, Belmont, Weston, and Somerville, led by Greek-American Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. Numerous academics from Boston universities, Greek-American physicians, especially from Massachusetts General Hospital, located near the consulate, clergy, and businesspeople were also present.

Attendees included Bishop Antonios of Synada, the interim Dean of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and Archimandrite Bartholomew Mercado, the School’s ecclesiarch and professor of Canon Law. Among the hundreds of attendees throughout the event were also readers of both the Greek and English editions of the National Herald.

Consul General Symeon Tegos made the following statement to the National Herald:

“For the third consecutive year, the General Consulate of Boston had the great joy of welcoming students from ten Greek schools in the area and hundreds of our compatriots with their children from all over New England to celebrate Christmas together with carols from all over Greece, live music, traditional sweets, and gifts! It’s a wonderful event that has now become a tradition, and our children eagerly look forward to participating, creating an amazing atmosphere for all of us together with their families. I would like to wholeheartedly thank our Metropolitan Methodios for his presence, The National Herald for supporting this initiative, as well as the teachers, parents, and hundreds of our compatriots who honored us once again by celebrating with us. Merry Christmas!”

His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston stated to the National Herald:

“My soul rejoiced seeing and hearing our children from the Greek schools chant the hymn of the Nativity and sing the traditional carols with such ease and correct articulation in the Greek language.”

He added, “The joy and smiles were so evident on their faces, while their parents proudly watched them, and I, as their spiritual father and bishop, shared in that pride.”
Metropolitan Methodios also noted, “Many congratulations are due to the esteemed Consul General Mr. Symeon Tegos, who once again organized such a beautiful Christmas celebration, continuing the tradition of Orthodox and Hellenic caroling.”

He emphasized, “Congratulations are also due to the teachers of our schools and, of course, to the parents who are raising such virtuous children with values and traditions. I wholeheartedly wish everyone a Joyful Christmas and a New Year filled with health and every Divine gift.”