The Early Years: From formation to growth
For a successful formation, every group requires an enthusiastic catalyst. For the Byzantine Choir, that catalyst was Angelo Tsourekis of late blessed memory. By 1997, Angelo was the longest-serving chantor at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Pittsburgh (by the time of his passing, he had completed 25 consecutive years). Upon the arrival of Dr. Giannoukakis in September of 1997, impressed by his passion, deep knowledge, and musical virtuosity, Angelo immediately actively engaged all the regional chantors to come together in a weekly “school” setting to formally learn Byzantine chant in the strict traditional manner of the Mother Church. Almost all regional chantors responded enthusiastically in the affirmative and by late November, the initial group came together. This "seed" group consisted of (in no particular order):
Louie Vlahos, George Pappas, Tom Boudros, John Avdellas, Bill Papazekos, Pantelis Papazekos, Christos Papazekos, George Pantelakis, Dr. Nicholas Loutsion, Jim Gregorakis, Christos Balouris, Phillip Yamalis, Jim Manolakas, Tom Skias, Chrysanthi Andromalos, Chryssoula Barbas, Presvytera Catherine Patitsas, Angelo Tsourekis, John Fekos, Steve Andrews, Frank Dickos (currently Deacon) & Deacon Evripides Christullides.
On December 5th, led by Dr. Giannoukakis, the budding choir of chantors (as the group was known, informally) assisted at the vespers of the feast of St. Nicholas, at the Cathedral. Impressed by the cohesion and the traditional yphos, reminiscent of his experiences in Constantinople as a student and then graduate of the Patriarchal Seminary of Halki,, His (then) Grace, Bishop Maximos (Aghiorgousis) of the (then) Pittsburgh Diocese, asked the group to formally come together and, under his order and blessing, to form the Byzantine Choir of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Pittsburgh. His Grace tasked Dr. Giannoukakis to nurture it and also to continue with the “school” to formally fill the gaps in knowledge of the Diocesan chantors and to raise their standard. Thus began the journey of the Choir. The Diocese would soon be elevated to a Metropolis and Bishop Maximos would serve as its first Metropolitan.
On the 8th of January 1998, the group formally met for the first time at the “School” of the Metropolis, at St. Nicholas Cathedral. At this time, the following individuals joined the initial "seed" group (in no particular order):
Steve Lemonakis, Bill Economou, George Morris, Ted Kyriazi, Dr. Lazaros Nikolaidis, Despina Hages, Stephen Esper, and Andrew Cross (Currently Deacon).
Together, these wonderful servants comprised the first complete embodiment of the Choir.
In November 1999, Professor Constantinos Lagouros, Archon Protopsaltis of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) visited Pittsburgh and led the celebrations of St. Nektarios vespers, orthros and liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral. The choir assisted in this first-in-kind visit of one of the most respected and renowned Protopsaltae of "old time". Prof. Lagouros would soon be invested with the offikion of Archon Protonotarios of the Great Church of Christ and would visit twice more in the 2000s.
For a successful formation, every group requires an enthusiastic catalyst. For the Byzantine Choir, that catalyst was Angelo Tsourekis of late blessed memory. By 1997, Angelo was the longest-serving chantor at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Pittsburgh (by the time of his passing, he had completed 25 consecutive years). Upon the arrival of Dr. Giannoukakis in September of 1997, impressed by his passion, deep knowledge, and musical virtuosity, Angelo immediately actively engaged all the regional chantors to come together in a weekly “school” setting to formally learn Byzantine chant in the strict traditional manner of the Mother Church. Almost all regional chantors responded enthusiastically in the affirmative and by late November, the initial group came together. This "seed" group consisted of (in no particular order):
Louie Vlahos, George Pappas, Tom Boudros, John Avdellas, Bill Papazekos, Pantelis Papazekos, Christos Papazekos, George Pantelakis, Dr. Nicholas Loutsion, Jim Gregorakis, Christos Balouris, Phillip Yamalis, Jim Manolakas, Tom Skias, Chrysanthi Andromalos, Chryssoula Barbas, Presvytera Catherine Patitsas, Angelo Tsourekis, John Fekos, Steve Andrews, Frank Dickos (currently Deacon) & Deacon Evripides Christullides.
On December 5th, led by Dr. Giannoukakis, the budding choir of chantors (as the group was known, informally) assisted at the vespers of the feast of St. Nicholas, at the Cathedral. Impressed by the cohesion and the traditional yphos, reminiscent of his experiences in Constantinople as a student and then graduate of the Patriarchal Seminary of Halki,, His (then) Grace, Bishop Maximos (Aghiorgousis) of the (then) Pittsburgh Diocese, asked the group to formally come together and, under his order and blessing, to form the Byzantine Choir of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Pittsburgh. His Grace tasked Dr. Giannoukakis to nurture it and also to continue with the “school” to formally fill the gaps in knowledge of the Diocesan chantors and to raise their standard. Thus began the journey of the Choir. The Diocese would soon be elevated to a Metropolis and Bishop Maximos would serve as its first Metropolitan.
On the 8th of January 1998, the group formally met for the first time at the “School” of the Metropolis, at St. Nicholas Cathedral. At this time, the following individuals joined the initial "seed" group (in no particular order):
Steve Lemonakis, Bill Economou, George Morris, Ted Kyriazi, Dr. Lazaros Nikolaidis, Despina Hages, Stephen Esper, and Andrew Cross (Currently Deacon).
Together, these wonderful servants comprised the first complete embodiment of the Choir.
In November 1999, Professor Constantinos Lagouros, Archon Protopsaltis of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) visited Pittsburgh and led the celebrations of St. Nektarios vespers, orthros and liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral. The choir assisted in this first-in-kind visit of one of the most respected and renowned Protopsaltae of "old time". Prof. Lagouros would soon be invested with the offikion of Archon Protonotarios of the Great Church of Christ and would visit twice more in the 2000s.
The original members (December 1997). Back Row (L to R): Louie Vlahos, George Pappas, John Avdellas, Bill Papazekos, Mavroudis, Pantelis Papazekos, Christos Papazekos, Dr. Nicholas Loutsion, Jim Gregorakis, Christos Balouris, Phillip Yamalis, Jim Manolakas, Tom Skias, Nick Giannoukakis (Director); Front Row (L to R): Chrysanthi Andromalos, Chryssoula Barbas, Presvytera Catherine Patitsas, Angelo Tsourekis, Rev. Paul Patitsas, John Fekos, Steve Andrews, Deacon Evripides Christullides
January 1998
Back Row (L to R): Despina Hages, (unknown), Deacon Evripides Christullides, Ted Kyriazi, Christos Papazekos, George Pappas, Tom Boudros, George Morris.
Front Row (L to R): Angelo Tsourekis, John Fekos, Bill Papazekos, Dr. Lazaros Nikolaidis, Steve Andrews, Nick Giannoukakis
Back Row (L to R): Despina Hages, (unknown), Deacon Evripides Christullides, Ted Kyriazi, Christos Papazekos, George Pappas, Tom Boudros, George Morris.
Front Row (L to R): Angelo Tsourekis, John Fekos, Bill Papazekos, Dr. Lazaros Nikolaidis, Steve Andrews, Nick Giannoukakis
November 1999:
Back Row (L to R): Nick Giannoukakis, Jim Gregorakis, Bill Papazekos, Steve Andrews, Tom Boudros, Despina Hages, Ted Kyriazi, Frank Dickos, George Pappas, George Morris, Dr. Nick Loutsion
Middle Row (L to R): Deacon Evripides Christullides, Christos Papazekos, Prof. Constantinos Lagouros, Chrysanthi Andromalos, Steve Lemonakis, Jim Manolakas, John Avdellas, the Very Rev. Sarantos Serviou (formerly Dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral)
Front: Angelo Tsourekis
Back Row (L to R): Nick Giannoukakis, Jim Gregorakis, Bill Papazekos, Steve Andrews, Tom Boudros, Despina Hages, Ted Kyriazi, Frank Dickos, George Pappas, George Morris, Dr. Nick Loutsion
Middle Row (L to R): Deacon Evripides Christullides, Christos Papazekos, Prof. Constantinos Lagouros, Chrysanthi Andromalos, Steve Lemonakis, Jim Manolakas, John Avdellas, the Very Rev. Sarantos Serviou (formerly Dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral)
Front: Angelo Tsourekis
LECTURES-CONCERTS:
The first lecture-concert of the full choir was offered in December 1998. The theme was the "Hymnology of Christmas" and was held at St. Nicholas Cathedral.
The first lecture-concert of the full choir was offered in December 1998. The theme was the "Hymnology of Christmas" and was held at St. Nicholas Cathedral.