The re-established Archbishop’s Nameday Gala, honoring His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, will take place on November 17th at Terrace on the Park in Queens, New York. Now in its second year, the gala will once again raise critical funds for the "Archdiocesan Youth Summer Camp Scholarship Fund," which provides financial assistance to children from across the Archdiocese, enabling them to attend Greek Orthodox summer camps regardless of their financial circumstances.

In 2023, through the generosity of donors, the Archbishop Elpidophoros of America Nameday Gala netted $430,000 for the Archdiocesan Youth Summer Camp Scholarship Fund. Those funds, allocated by a Grants Committee, were distributed as follows:  

• $100,000 for Ionian Village scholarships  

• $20,000 to each Metropolis to provide scholarships for their summer camping ministry  

• $150,000 to launch an endowment scholarship fund for future campers.  

In total, 275 youth campers were able to attend one of our camps in 2024 through the financial assistance of $213,000 provided by the Fund.

Last year’s success helped children from every corner of the Archdiocese experience the transformative power of faith, fellowship, and nature at camp. This year, Archbishop Elpidophoros calls on the faithful to help expand this effort:

He stated: “There are people in need, and families who can’t afford the transformative impact of a Greek Orthodox summer camp. We must make these lasting and life changing experiences at our camps financially accessible to every child who wishes to attend.”

Proceeds from the gala will directly support the scholarship fund, ensuring that even more children can benefit from the spiritual growth and lifelong friendships fostered in the camp environment. Attendees will celebrate His Eminence’s Nameday while contributing to a cause that enriches the lives of the youth in the Archdiocese.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available in the coming weeks. For more information, or to donate, please visit www.goarch.org/nameday.