Goarch Press Office

04/11/2026

03/05/2026

In communist Albania, atheism was enshrined in the constitution. Owning a copy of the Gospel was enough to land a person in prison for a decade–if they were lucky. Churches had been destroyed, clergy executed, and the entire nation’s spirituality driven underground. It was in this world that His Beatitude Archbishop Joani of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania first encountered Christianity, through a borrowed book.

“It was not a conversion,” Archbishop Joani says. “It was a revelation.”

Read the full article at the link in the comments below. Photo by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos.

03/05/2026

Michael N. Bapis was born and raised in Salt Lake City, a place where being Greek Orthodox meant you belonged to something small, but so strong. The strength of his commitment to his faith is evident as he speaks with pride and love, preparing to lead Leadership 100 as it continues to grow in its mission and members.

On the day before the official announcement and the passing of the torch from Demetrios Logothetis, who held the position of Chairman for the past four years, that Michael senses he is not only taking on a new responsibility, but a role that he is already familiar with.

Read more about Michael Bapis's story at the link in the comments below. Photo by David Beyda Photography.

01/07/2026

01/07/2026

We observe the events unfolding in Venezuela with a heart full of both expectation and anguish. Our Christian faith calls us unwaveringly toward reconciliation rather than conflict. As our Lord taught, those who labor for peace are blessed as children of God (Matthew 5:9). We urge all who hold power or influence to seek resolution through patient dialogue, to reject the path of armed confrontation, and to safeguard the rights and sacredness of every human being.

History teaches that violence begets only deeper wounds; it is through justice, restraint, and mutual respect that true healing begins.

May leaders of courage emerge to shepherd the Venezuelan people toward a future that honors the Sanctity of Human Life—pursuing Justice through paths that uphold Human Dignity and the foundations of lawful order and Democracy.

Photo by Orthodox Observer/Brittainy Newman

12/18/2025

12/16/2025

What does it mean to be Greek American? Lily Talmers explores this question by blending Americana folk music with Greek rebetika melodies. “The songs help me seek connection to both things,” Talmers said. “I write music to be able to access music more deeply. Greek music is always a part of that vision.”

Story by Sara Tsugranis
Photos courtesy of Alex Brown & Bailey Lecat

12/16/2025

It was in 1960, at St. Constantine and Helen Church in Detroit (now Westland), that Angelo Kircos‘s chanting ministry truly began.

When meeting Kircos—whether in person or across a Zoom screen—you feel the exuberance and joy of a man who has spent his life in service to his church, his family and his faith.

At 98 years old, his smile remains bright, his eyes wide with joy, and his voice strong, even after decades of chanting the hymns of the Greek Orthodox Church. Angelo jokes about his years, but his son Lazaros says, “You’re not old! You’re not even 100!” Lazaros is right; there is nothing old about Angelo.

Angelo remembers every detail of his life in Greece and in America, speaking with clarity and pride about coming to the US in 1955 with his young family to give them a chance for a better life.

Today, Angelo continues to serve as the chanter at St. George Church in Southgate, Michigan, where he is believed to be the oldest active chanter in the country—perhaps even the world. He can be seen at his stand on Sundays and throughout the week–a treasure to his community, to chanters, to his family and to the entirety of the Greek Orthodox Church.

Read the full story at the link in the comments below. Photos courtesy of the Kircos family and by Orthodox Observer/Marissa Costidis.