The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco celebrates over 100 years of ministry on the west coast with a magnificent black-tie Gala held at the Westin St. Francis on Union Square, 335 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA on Saturday evening, October 28, 2023. The Gala honors its fourteen ministries, the extraordinary leadership of the Hierarchs who have served the Metropolis over the past century, and the presentation of the 2023 Theofanis Economidis Award to His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a festive reception followed by a formal dinner at 7 p.m., and glorious entertainment. George and Christine Psefteas are the Gala Co-Chairs.

While the Greek Orthodox Christians founded the first parish in San Francisco in 1904, the Archdiocese was established in 1922. San Francisco was one of the four original Districts, which comprised parishes in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Sacramento, CA, as well as Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, Pueblo, CO, Price and Salt Lake City, UT.

Over the past century, the Metropolis of San Francisco has established itself as a vibrant center of Orthodoxy which includes 67 parishes and two chapels in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. There are also three dynamic monastic communities in Florence, AZ; Dunlap, CA; and Goldendale, WA. Comprised of 1.2 million square miles of land and water, the Metropolis of San Francisco is one of the largest territories in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which is under the spiritual guidance and jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

“This year’s Metropolis Gala is the culmination of over 100 years of faithful ministry on the west coast. From its humble beginnings at the turn of the 20th century to our current geographic reach, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco has been unwavering in its commitment to spread the Gospel through our parishes and the hundreds of dedicated clergy who have carried the message of God’s love to the people,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos. “We have taken special care these past 19 years to build up our ministries to be responsive to the current needs of our faithful of all ages, yet visionary to anticipate the trajectory of growth so that as we enter this second century of ministry on the west coast we can be even more impactful and deliberate in fulfilling our calling to serve the Lord.”

Tickets for this year’s Metropolis Gala on Saturday, October 28, are $300 per person, $150 for Young Adults (ages 18-30, maximum of two tickets per person) and Sponsorships are available online. Special pricing for weekend hotel accommodations is also available online or by calling 415-397-7000 (Group Name: Greek Orthodox Metropolis Gala 2023).

The Gala first began in 2013 and has been a source of funding support for the expansion of our Metropolis ministries. So much has been accomplished over this past decade, yet there is more to be realized through your generous support. We hope you will join us!