Historic visit of Archon Protomaistor of the Great Church of Christ Michael Kalaitzis to New York

NEW YORK – The visit of Mr. Michael Kalaitzis, Archon Protomaistor of the Great Church of Christ to New York during Bright Week 2026 was concluded with great splendor and ecclesiastical magnificence. The visit was made possible through the kind invitation and sponsorship of the Greek Orthodox Chanters’ Society of New York “Romanos the Melodist.”

On Bright Thursday, April 16, Mr. Kalaitzis participated in the Great Vespers for the feast of the Life-Giving Font at the Zoodochos Pigi parish in the Bronx, presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. The Archon Protomaistor also graced the chanter’s stand on the feast day, chanting during the Divine Liturgy.

Of particular historical significance was the presence of Mr. George Dovolos, Archon Maistor of the Great Church of Christ from Greece, who also attended and chanted during the Vespers service. Dr. Nicholas Rallis, an Archon of the Ecumenical Throne, speaking on behalf of the “Romanos the Melodist” Society, highlighted the significance of this gathering noting that “this is perhaps the first time that two Archons of the Ecumenical Throne have chanted together at a holy service in America, an event that is noteworthy in its own right.”

Mr. Kalaitzis led the choir of chanters on the right, assisted by the parish’s head chanter Mr. Efstratios Gatanas, the head chanter of the St. Nicholas National Shrine Mr. Demetrios Katsiklis, the head chanter of the Archangel Michael parish in Port Washtingon and Dr. Rallis. Mr. Dovolos led the choir of chanters on the left, assisted by the head chanter of the Mantamadou Shrine on the island of Lesvos Mr. Michail Dissos, the head chanter of the Kimisis tis Theotokou Parish in Brooklyn Dr. Demetrios Kehagias, and visiting chanter Mr. Nikolaos Chaldaiakis visiting from Greece.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros thanked both choirs, calling them “songbirds of the East and West,” while noting that just as the spring awakens the sweet song of the birds, so too during this blessed period of Bright Week did this group of exceptional and talented chanters gather to brighten the feast of the Lifegiving Font with their sweet hymns.

On St. Thomas Sunday, April 19, Mr. Kalaitzis visited the Church of the Resurrection in Brookville, where he chanted during the Sunday liturgical gathering, bringing the Byzantine musical tradition and the ethos of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the faithful of Long Island. Mr. Kalaitzis was assisted by the head chanter of the parish Mr. John Spanos, Dr. George Psevdos and Dr. Rallis, while the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, who was aided by local area clergy. Moreover, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios formerly of America was also on hand for the Divine Liturgy.

Furthermore, Dr. Rallis expressed his gratitude to the distinguished guests and praised the Association’s ongoing efforts to promote the Psaltic Art in the Greater New York area. He emphasized that such initiatives serve to showcase the rich tradition of the Ecumenical Throne and its God-protected Eparchy in America.