Staten Island, NY – On December 13, 2024 His Grace Bishop David – President of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches (SCOOCh) and Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of New York & New England – hosted the annual Pan-Orthodox Christmas Concert at Our Lady of Zeitoun Coptic Orthodox Church.
Joining His Grace at this spectacular expression of Orthodox unity were His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, His Eminence Mor Titus Yeldho of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church, His Eminence Archbishop Petros of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Archdiocese of New York & Its Surrounding Regions, and His Grace Bishop Gabriel of the Coptic Orthodox Archdiocese of North America. Clergy representing His Eminence Archbishop Mor Dionysios John Kawak of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of the Eastern United States, His Grace Bishop Makarios and His Grace Bishop Sinoda of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church Archdiocese of North America, and His Eminence Metropolitan Saba Isper of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America were also in attendance.
Choirs representing the Syriac, Malankara-Syriac, Antiochian, Greek, Eritrean, Coptic, and Ethiopian traditions offered chanting, hymns and prayers from each of their respective patrimonies, demonstrating how Christ and the Orthodox Christian Faith which He imparted unto us is made incarnate in all cultures and nations which sanctify themselves by accepting His freewill offering of salvation. Faithful Orthodox Christians from each of the various jurisdictions filled the church to capacity and many more watched the Christian Youth Channel’s (CYC) broadcast of the event at home. In addition to the enthralling performances of the choirs, attendees were also treated to moving remarks by His Grace Bishop David and His Eminence Archbishop Titus (Chairman of the Organizing Committee) and a heartfelt Christmas homily by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros.
All proceeds of the concert go to benefit the afflicted families of Lebanon. Donations for their aid are still being accepted via the QR code on the concert flyer attached below.
An album of photos from the event will be forthcoming on this website. In the meantime, CYC’s recording of the concert and a number of photographs are offered below.