Greek Folk Dance

Introduction

The mural above is from Mount Athos depicting dancing, singing, and musical instruments at religious festivities. The Orthodox Church has a long tradition of celebrating holidays with song and dance accompanied by musical instruments. Constantine G. Markos, in his book “Akritika Dimotika Tragoudthia” (Akritic Folk Songs) describes an example of folk song and dance at the Patriarchate in the year 1784 following services on Easter Sunday, as follows:

“Here it is worth describing a performance at the end of the Easter service at the Patriarchate in Constantinople where the the Patriarch blessed the traditional celebrations on the great holiday of Easter. This description, to which we are indebted to the Monk Kaisarios Dapontes, proves that even then the ancient customs of Byzantium survived in the official celebrations of the Church in a combination of ways, particularly with song and dance. He wrote as follows:

On the holy day of Easter, when the Patriarchal service had concluded, the participants come up to the Patriarch, kissed his hand and each received two eggs, one in each hand. They then went into the courtyard where they began to dance around the Patriarchate and out into the narrow streets. Then the guards came and received from the Patriarch eggs after which they immediately joined in the dancing, which continued for three days. People crowded about watching the festivities, including Turks and other races, having come from Galata and elsewhere. It’s been said that occasionally the Grand Vizier and even the Sultan would come secretly to enjoy the festivities. In this manner other peoples in the city would join the Romaioi, (Greeks) in a common joy and celebration for three days.

The celebrations as described above included various types of musical instruments, which together with the songs and dance praised God in a lively and festive manner.”

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This tradition continues and lives through the Greek folk dance programs at parishes within the San Francisco Metropolis. In addition, parish dance troupes compete in fellowship at Folk Dance Festival (FDF) which is held yearly.

The Cathedral has a very active Greek folk dance program comprised of three groups. Each group has two/three directors and a parental advisor.

Ta Angelakia

Ages: 4-7 years
Directors: Michael Garibaldi, Leah Stavrakaras

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Filadelphakia

Ages: 8-12 years
Directors: Michael Garibaldi, Leah Stavrakaras, Elpida Stavrakaras

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Kymata

Ages: 13-18 years
Directors: Irene Kyriacou, Lea Lyberopoulos, Athena Stavrakaras

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If you have any questions regarding our dance groups, please contact the Cathedral office at 415-864-8000 or send us an email.