The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Folk Dance and Choral Festival will be held February 13 – 16, 2014 in Anaheim, California at the Anaheim Marriott Hotel. Now in its 38th year, FDF will welcome 100 dance and choral groups who will participate in three days of friendly competition, while enjoying fellowship and developing lifelong friendships.
This year’s FDF theme, “Connect”, brings us together as Orthodox Christians through participation in religious services, prayer, dancing, singing and serving. FDF provides a multi-faceted way during which thousands of Orthodox Christians will “Connect” through our faith, dance and fellowship.
“In today’s technological age, we are connected virtually around the clock with smart phones, computers, tablets, Twitter, Facebook and a multitude of other social medial resources. It is a blessing to stay connected with our family and friends, but we must also remember the importance of being connected to the Lord through our daily lives, through prayer, and through thanksgiving,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “Let us use this year’s theme of FDF – Connect – and let it inspire in each of our hearts a renewed commitment to Jesus Christ and living our faith through His examples of love and forgiveness.”
The Metropolis of San Francisco is honored to welcome His Eminence Metropolitan Elpidophoros of Bursa to FDF for the first time. Metropolitan Elpidophoros is a Metropolitan of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and is also the Abbot of the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery of the Holy Trinity on the island of Halki. He is the Dean of the Halki Theological School, founded in 1844 by Patriarch Germanos IV, which has provided for the education of 12 Ecumenical Patriarchs, as well as numerous other hierarchs and clergy throughout the world, and has been a pivotal presence in Orthodox Theological education. Halki was forcibly closed by the Turkish government 42 years ago and Metropolitan Elpidophoros has been a strong voice for the reopening of this important theological institution.
His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas of the Dardanelles will also be visiting FDF for the first time. Metropolitan Nikitas is a Metropolitan of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and previously served as the first Metropolitan of Hong Kong from 1997 – 2007. He grew up as a dancer in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and he has tremendous knowledge, respect and love for the preservation and perpetuation of our Hellenic culture. Metropolitan Nikitas serves as the Director of the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute in Berkeley, CA.
Opening Ceremonies will feature the traditional parade of parishes, the Agiasmos service, presentation of scholarships, and the Diakonia service programs. Dance Competition will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and the Choral Competition will be featured on Friday afternoon. Workshops will be offered on Friday and Saturday for all dancers and singers. These have become very popular in more recent years, with Metropolis Clergy and Youth Workers leading fun, interactive, engaging discussions for all age groups.
This year’s Saturday night Glendi will feature special guest performing artist, Glykeria. An international recording artist and performer for over 30 years, Glykeria is one of the most popular Greek female artists over the past 50 years. She will share her talents at FDF during a full performance at the Saturday evening Glendi.
The faithful will gather in worship on Sunday morning led by His Eminence Metropolitan Elpidophoros and His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas, along with numerous clergy from across our Metropolis. Finally, shortly following Divine Liturgy, the Advanced Senior round will conclude the exciting competition for the weekend. The evening will be a grand celebration with the Awards Banquet and Ceremony where thousands of dancers will come to the stage to accept awards for their winning style in folk dance, choral and costume categories.
Come to Anaheim and be inspired by the amazing dancing and singing at FDF 2014. For more information, visit www.yourfdf.org. See you in Anaheim!