The Missions and Evangelism Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco will host the fourth and final presentation in its America as a Mission Field: What Is the Gospel? series on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific), featuring Fr. Theodore Dorrance and Fr. Paul Truebenbach.
The free online presentation will explore a fundamental question at the heart of Orthodox evangelism: What is the Gospel we are called to share? Fr. Theodore and Fr. Paul will discuss what the Orthodox Church has to offer America and how parishes and faithful can more intentionally reach those around them and share the Orthodox Christian faith.
This concluding presentation builds on three previous conversations featuring six Orthodox priests... show moreThe Missions and Evangelism Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco will host the fourth and final presentation in its America as a Mission Field: What Is the Gospel? series on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific), featuring Fr. Theodore Dorrance and Fr. Paul Truebenbach.
The free online presentation will explore a fundamental question at the heart of Orthodox evangelism: What is the Gospel we are called to share? Fr. Theodore and Fr. Paul will discuss what the Orthodox Church has to offer America and how parishes and faithful can more intentionally reach those around them and share the Orthodox Christian faith.
This concluding presentation builds on three previous conversations featuring six Orthodox priests and is intended for both clergy and faithful who want to think more deeply and act more intentionally about Orthodox evangelism in America.
The America as a Mission Field series is offered by the Missions and Evangelism Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco as part of its ongoing work to equip parishes for evangelism, mission planting, and outreach.
Event: America as a Mission Field: What Is the Gospel?
Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Time: 5:30 p.m. (Pacific)
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry invites all couples to participate in the upcoming Eight Dates marriage program. Presented for the fifth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
Date 4
The topic for Thursday, October 15, 2026 is THE COST OF LOVE Work and Money. Presenter: Joe Borgonia, M.F.T.
❦ Money issues aren’t about money. They’re about what money means to each partner in a relationship. Discovering what money means to both of you will go a long way in resolving the conflicts you may have around money.
More information on Eight Dates, visit the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry website.
https://familywellnessministry.org/eight-dates/... show moreThe Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry invites all couples to participate in the upcoming Eight Dates marriage program. Presented for the fifth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
Date 4
The topic for Thursday, October 15, 2026 is THE COST OF LOVE Work and Money. Presenter: Joe Borgonia, M.F.T.
❦ Money issues aren’t about money. They’re about what money means to each partner in a relationship. Discovering what money means to both of you will go a long way in resolving the conflicts you may have around money.
More information on Eight Dates, visit the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry website.
St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary on the 17th of October, 2026. It is both an exciting and humbling experience to look back over the years and imagine the future. In 1986, a small group of dedicated men and women envisioned establishing a Greek Orthodox Parish in southern Santa Clara County to better serve a community of the faithful who were moving to Morgan Hill and Gilroy. Commuting to St. Nicholas from these outlying small towns took hours as the 101 extension had not yet been built. Their fervent belief in the importance of a place of worship not only for themselves but especially for their young families motivated them to embark on the path of building a church.
Creating a new parish... show moreSt. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary on the 17th of October, 2026. It is both an exciting and humbling experience to look back over the years and imagine the future. In 1986, a small group of dedicated men and women envisioned establishing a Greek Orthodox Parish in southern Santa Clara County to better serve a community of the faithful who were moving to Morgan Hill and Gilroy. Commuting to St. Nicholas from these outlying small towns took hours as the 101 extension had not yet been built. Their fervent belief in the importance of a place of worship not only for themselves but especially for their young families motivated them to embark on the path of building a church.
Creating a new parish was a challenging endeavor with many hurdles. However, that early initiative and tenacity laid the foundation for today's St. Basil's, a vibrant and diverse Greek Orthodox parish. We are a community of many nationalities with different religious backgrounds. While many of our members were born into Orthodoxy, others have found a path to our doors through their own unique spiritual journeys. Each generation has faced its challenges, contributed to the parish's growth and evolution, and found fulfillment and joy. Our 40th Anniversary event will be an evening to commemorate that history and to envision and celebrate its future.
Leading us in the celebration of our 40th Jubilee will be our hierarch and spiritual leader, His Eminence Metropolitan Tarasios; former priests; parish members who have moved out of the area but have always been an integral part of our identity; and all of you, our invited guests. We are planning a festive evening with a wonderful Greek Dinner, music, and dancing. A host of speakers tied to our history will help us reflect on the past and challenge us to consider the future's potential. Please join us.
If you have questions about the event or how to book tickets, please reach out to Natasha Hyndman at 408.838.5240.
Registration is now open for the 2026 Metropolis Young Adult Fall Retreat, taking place October 22–25, 2026, at St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center in Dunlap, California. Orthodox young adults ages 18–35 from all Orthodox jurisdictions—including those who are new to Orthodoxy or simply exploring the Orthodox faith—are warmly invited to join us for a weekend of prayer, fellowship, hiking, meaningful discussion, service, and spiritual renewal in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains.
This Year’s Theme: Food as Medicine: What Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science Teach Us About Nourishing the Whole Person
Our featured speaker, Dr. Pericles Ioannides, will explore food as medicine through the lens of modern medical science and the wisdom... show moreRegistration is now open for the 2026 Metropolis Young Adult Fall Retreat, taking place October 22–25, 2026, at St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center in Dunlap, California. Orthodox young adults ages 18–35 from all Orthodox jurisdictions—including those who are new to Orthodoxy or simply exploring the Orthodox faith—are warmly invited to join us for a weekend of prayer, fellowship, hiking, meaningful discussion, service, and spiritual renewal in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains.
This Year’s Theme: Food as Medicine: What Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science Teach Us About Nourishing the Whole Person
Our featured speaker, Dr. Pericles Ioannides, will explore food as medicine through the lens of modern medical science and the wisdom of ancient traditions, examining how what we eat can influence health, longevity, and the prevention of chronic disease. Together, we’ll consider not only what nourishes the body, but how our relationship with food, moderation, and fasting can shape the whole person.
The retreat will explore the Orthodox understanding of food as a gift and fasting as a spiritual discipline, inviting us to consider how the way we eat can cultivate gratitude, self-control, and a deeper hunger for God.
Oct 24th, 2026
● 7:30am Registration at City Beach in Fremont, CA
● 8am Games begin promptly at City Beach and continue until finished
● 7pm Doors open for Awards Banquet / Dinner at St Nicholas Community Center
● 9pm Live Entertainment by SoTiri
Oct 25th, 2026
● 1pm Championship Games at St Nicholas Community Center
Individual Participant Registration Price: $140 per person
Any questions or concerns, please reach out to the St Nicholas Volleyball Chairman, George Spilios 408.806.1699 cell or email at georgespilios@gmail.com
Hosted by St. John the Evangelist Antiochian Orthodox Church & the IOCC Metropolitan Committee of Northern California
ST. JOHN'S FELLOWSHIP HALL - 501 Moraga Way | Orinda, CA 94563
Tickets:
$60, through Oct. 15, includes food and unlimited wine pours
$70, after Oct. 15, includes food and wine
$50, includes food only
$35, student ticket
$25, children 6-12 (free 5 and under)
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry invites all couples to participate in the upcoming Eight Dates marriage program. Presented for the fifth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
Date 5
The topic for Thursday, November 5, 2026 is ROOM TO GROW Family. Presenters: Fr. Daniel, M.Div., and Presvytera Michelle Triant
❦ Approximately two-thirds of couples have a sharp drop in relationship satisfaction shortly after a child is born, and this drop gets deeper with each subsequent child. To avoid this drop in relationship happiness, conflict needs to be low and you need to maintain your sexual relationship.
More information on Eight Dates,... show moreThe Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry invites all couples to participate in the upcoming Eight Dates marriage program. Presented for the fifth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
Date 5
The topic for Thursday, November 5, 2026 is ROOM TO GROW Family. Presenters: Fr. Daniel, M.Div., and Presvytera Michelle Triant
❦ Approximately two-thirds of couples have a sharp drop in relationship satisfaction shortly after a child is born, and this drop gets deeper with each subsequent child. To avoid this drop in relationship happiness, conflict needs to be low and you need to maintain your sexual relationship.
More information on Eight Dates, visit the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry website.
Gerontissa Markella and her Sisterhood joyfully, with hope and thanksgiving for your constant support and many years of commitment, invite you to join us again for a Benefit Dinner. The Monastery of the Theotokos of the Life Giving Spring Fund-raising Dinner will be on Sunday, November 8th at the St. Nicholas Community Center at 5:00pm.
Donation for tickets for adults $75, children 12 and under $35. All proceeds go to Monastery for essential support to the operation of the Monastery facility.
For details or to RSVP, please contact Evagelia at: (408) 499-3939, email eva.niktas@gmail.com.
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries will host a Youth Worker Workshop on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland, California.
Designed as a practical day of formation, the workshop will equip and encourage those who serve the youth of the Church through meaningful presentations, hands-on learning, practical resources, and opportunities to collaborate with fellow ministry leaders from throughout the Bay Area.
The workshop is open to all who are involved in parish youth ministry, including clergy, youth directors, GOYA advisors, Sunday Church School teachers, volunteers, athletic coaches, dance directors, and others who work closely with children... show moreThe Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries will host a Youth Worker Workshop on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland, California.
Designed as a practical day of formation, the workshop will equip and encourage those who serve the youth of the Church through meaningful presentations, hands-on learning, practical resources, and opportunities to collaborate with fellow ministry leaders from throughout the Bay Area.
The workshop is open to all who are involved in parish youth ministry, including clergy, youth directors, GOYA advisors, Sunday Church School teachers, volunteers, athletic coaches, dance directors, and others who work closely with children and young people in the life of the Church.
Throughout the day, participants will hear from experienced presenters on a variety of topics relevant to youth ministry, engage in interactive learning sessions, develop practical skills, and receive resources they can immediately implement in their home parishes. In addition to the educational sessions, the workshop will provide opportunities to build relationships with others who share a commitment to nurturing the faith of the next generation.
The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral, located at 4700 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland, California. Meals and refreshments will be provided throughout the day. The group will also join in prayer beginning with Orthros in the morning, and concluding with Great Vespers, followed by dinner on the Platea at the Ascension Cathedral.
Registration will open in September 2026.
For additional information, please contact Anna Teodosiadis, Metropolis Parish Youth Ministry Advisor, at ateodosiadis@sanfran.goarch.org.
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension
4700 Lincoln Ave
Oakland, CA 94602-2535
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry invites all couples to participate in the upcoming Eight Dates marriage program. Presented for the fifth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
Date 6
The topic for Thursday, November 19, 2026 is PLAY WITH ME ~ Fun and Adventure. Presenters: Fr. Tom, M.F.T., M.Div., and Presvytera Pat Tsagalakis
❦ Play and adventure are vital components to a successful and joyful relationship. It’s okay if you and your partner have different ideas about what constitutes play and adventure. The key is for you to respect each other’s sense of adventure and what it means to that partner.
More information on Eight... show moreThe Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry invites all couples to participate in the upcoming Eight Dates marriage program. Presented for the fifth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
Date 6
The topic for Thursday, November 19, 2026 is PLAY WITH ME ~ Fun and Adventure. Presenters: Fr. Tom, M.F.T., M.Div., and Presvytera Pat Tsagalakis
❦ Play and adventure are vital components to a successful and joyful relationship. It’s okay if you and your partner have different ideas about what constitutes play and adventure. The key is for you to respect each other’s sense of adventure and what it means to that partner.
More information on Eight Dates, visit the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry website.
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry invites all couples to participate in the upcoming Eight Dates marriage program. Presented for the fifth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
Date 7
The topic for Thursday, December 3, 2026 is SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN ~ Growth and Spirituality. Presenter: Fr. Vasili Hillhouse, M.Div.
❦ The only constant in a relationship is change. The key is how each person in the relationship accommodates the growth of the other partner. Relationships can be more than just two individuals coming together—they can be stories of transformation and great contribution and meaning to the world.
More information... show moreThe Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry invites all couples to participate in the upcoming Eight Dates marriage program. Presented for the fifth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
Date 7
The topic for Thursday, December 3, 2026 is SOMETHING TO BELIEVE IN ~ Growth and Spirituality. Presenter: Fr. Vasili Hillhouse, M.Div.
❦ The only constant in a relationship is change. The key is how each person in the relationship accommodates the growth of the other partner. Relationships can be more than just two individuals coming together—they can be stories of transformation and great contribution and meaning to the world.
More information on Eight Dates, visit the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry website.
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry invites all couples to participate in the upcoming Eight Dates marriage program. Presented for the fifth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
Date 8
The topic for Thursday, December 10, 2026 is FINAL SESSION – A LIFETIME OF LOVE ~ Dreams Presenter: Dr. Nikki Frousakis
❦ When dreams are honored, everything else in the relationship gets easier. Honoring each other’s dreams is the secret ingredient to creating love for a lifetime.
More information on Eight Dates, visit the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry website.
FDF 2027 is the 50th anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Folk Dance & Choral Festival! This milestone marks five decades of bringing generations together to celebrate our heritage, culture, and faith. We are committed to making this year memorable, while honoring this legacy and setting the stage for the next 50 years.
We are thrilled to announce that FDF 2027 will take place in Anaheim, CA, February 11-14, 2027, at the Anaheim Marriott!
Building on the record growth of recent years, we have further expanded our hotel footprint to include not only the Anaheim Marriott, where we will once again have the entire property, but also a consolidated block at the Hilton Anaheim, where we have significantly increased our overflow block compared to... show moreFDF 2027 is the 50th anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Folk Dance & Choral Festival! This milestone marks five decades of bringing generations together to celebrate our heritage, culture, and faith. We are committed to making this year memorable, while honoring this legacy and setting the stage for the next 50 years.
We are thrilled to announce that FDF 2027 will take place in Anaheim, CA, February 11-14, 2027, at the Anaheim Marriott!
Building on the record growth of recent years, we have further expanded our hotel footprint to include not only the Anaheim Marriott, where we will once again have the entire property, but also a consolidated block at the Hilton Anaheim, where we have significantly increased our overflow block compared to prior years. Together, there will be nearly 1,500 hotel rooms at our special FDF rates across both hotels. This represents our largest FDF room block to date and positions us to welcome even more participants and families to the festival during this significant milestone year.
Booking Note: Hotel reservations and participant registration details will be shared in late summer 2026.
Travel Note: Super Bowl LXI is scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027, in Inglewood near Los Angeles. For those flying in, we encourage booking travel as early as possible. Orange County (SNA), Ontario (ONT), and Long Beach (LGB) airports are in closer proximity to Anaheim compared to LAX.
Thank you to everyone who completed the FDF 2026 survey, with over 500 responses received. Your insights are invaluable as we shape FDF 2027 and the future of the festival. We look forward to sharing key takeaways in the months ahead.
FDF is elevated by the participants and volunteers who give themselves to this ministry year after year. We are grateful for your continued trust and support, and look forward to celebrating together!
• 
The Missions and Evangelism Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco will host the fourth and final presentation in its America as a Mission Field: What Is the Gospel? series on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. (Pacific), featuring Fr. Theodore Dorrance and Fr. Paul Truebenbach.
Copy Link
Share on Facebook
Share on X
Share via Email
Google Calendar
Yahoo Calendar
Outlook
iCal
Together in Faith, Serving with Love.
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry invites all couples to participate in the upcoming Eight Dates marriage program. Presented for the fifth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
.jpg)
St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary on the 17th of October, 2026. It is both an exciting and humbling experience to look back over the years and imagine the future. In 1986, a small group of dedicated men and women envisioned establishing a Greek Orthodox Parish in southern Santa Clara County to better serve a community of the faithful who were moving to Morgan Hill and Gilroy. Commuting to St. Nicholas from these outlying small towns took hours as the 101 extension had not yet been built. Their fervent belief in the importance of a place of worship not only for themselves but especially for their young families motivated them to embark on the path of building a church.
Registration is now open for the 2026 Metropolis Young Adult Fall Retreat, taking place October 22–25, 2026, at St. Nicholas Ranch & Retreat Center in Dunlap, California. Orthodox young adults ages 18–35 from all Orthodox jurisdictions—including those who are new to Orthodoxy or simply exploring the Orthodox faith—are warmly invited to join us for a weekend of prayer, fellowship, hiking, meaningful discussion, service, and spiritual renewal in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains.
October 23 - 25, 2026, San Jose 
7pm Dinner, 9pm Show.png)
Hosted by St. John the Evangelist Antiochian Orthodox Church & the IOCC Metropolitan Committee of Northern California
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry invites all couples to participate in the upcoming Eight Dates marriage program. Presented for the fifth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
Gerontissa Markella and her Sisterhood joyfully, with hope and thanksgiving for your constant support and many years of commitment, invite you to join us again for a Benefit Dinner. The Monastery of the Theotokos of the Life Giving Spring Fund-raising Dinner will be on Sunday, November 8th at the St. Nicholas Community Center at 5:00pm. 
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries will host a Youth Worker Workshop on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Oakland, California..png)
By Chian Society of California: Agia Markella
SMALL HALL DURING COFFEE HOUR
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry invites all couples to participate in the upcoming Eight Dates marriage program. Presented for the fifth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry invites all couples to participate in the upcoming Eight Dates marriage program. Presented for the fifth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco Family Wellness Ministry invites all couples to participate in the upcoming Eight Dates marriage program. Presented for the fifth time, this powerful relationship series is based on the book Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman.
FDF 2027 is the 50th anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Folk Dance & Choral Festival! This milestone marks five decades of bringing generations together to celebrate our heritage, culture, and faith. We are committed to making this year memorable, while honoring this legacy and setting the stage for the next 50 years.