Awards of Merit

Athenagoras Award

2026 Award Info & Application
Nomination Form Deadline: TBD Summer

This award was developed by the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians and established in 1996 as a means to give national recognition to meritorious individuals whose contributions to the Music Ministry of the Church are worthy of this distinction. The award is to be presented by the Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians of the Chicago Metropolis. The recipient shall have significantly contributed talents and/or service to the development and perpetuation of the Greek Orthodox Church Musicians to the Chicago Metropolis. By so doing, these individuals shall have fostered the aims and goals of the Federation of Church Musicians and the National Forum.

• All nominations must be postmarked NO LATER THAN 90 DAYS prior to the Annual Conference of the Choir Federation Metropolis of Chicago.
• The official form MUST be signed by the DIRECTOR of the local choir.
• Three (3) categories of qualification are available: Professional Musician, Priest, and Non-Professional Musician.

Congratulations 2024 Awardees!

Thespina Macres, St. Mary’s, Minneapolis, MN
Alex Magdalinos, Holy Apostles, Westchester, IL

Scholarships

Greek Women's University Club
Application Deadline: March 21, 2026.

The Greek Women’s University Club envisions a vibrant and inclusive community that celebrates Greek heritage while inspiring future generations to excel academically, embrace creativity, and contribute meaningfully to society.

We are dedicated to advancing education, promoting the arts, literature, and sciences, and preserving Hellenic history and culture. We supports academic achievement and fosters a sense of community through scholarships and programs that empower young women of Greek descent to pursue their educational and professional goals.

We hold a National Music Competition annually in Chicago:

• Applicants must be young-men or women of Greek descent from 20 to 29 years of age.
• Eight-to ten minute performance. Selection requirements are specified in the application.
• Application & Audition Recording must-be received or postmarked no-later than March 21, 2026.
• Award(s) of $1000 will be paid to the winner(s).
• Competition Location/Date: Northwestem University Evanston Campus, Saturday, April 25, 2026.

Michael B. Petrovich Memorial Scholarship
Application Deadline: Watch here for 2026 Deadline

FOR: High school seniors or college students from the Chicago Metropolis who plan to study Music Theory, Music Composition, Voice, Choral Music, Byzantine Chant, Choral Conducting, Piano, Organ, Music Education, or another related field!

The Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, Chicago Metropolis, is pleased to offer the Michael B. Petrovich Memorial Scholarship again this year. The deadline for submitting the Application is Summer, 2026.

The Scholarship recipient will receive a one-time award in the amount of $1,000.

The Scholarship is made possible through the Michael B. Petrovich Memorial Scholarship Fund, which is administered by the Federation and recognizes the importance of educating and training its church musicians. It is expected that the Scholarship recipient will use this training, in part, in service to the Greek Orthodox Church and its ministries.

Contact TBD for additional information.

2026 Application will be available. 

Petrovich Scholarship Flyer 2026 will be available.

Congratulations Past Awardees!

2024 – No Applications. Inconceivable!
2023 – Eleni Ciuta, St Mary’s Minneapolis, MN
2022 – Miruna Eynon, Annunciation, Decatur, IL
2021 – Eleni Ciuta, St Mary’s, Minneapolis, MN

PanHellenic Scholarship Awards 2025/2026

Application DEADLINE: Closed on January 31, 2026

The Georgia Sfondouris Mitchell Endowment Fund Music & Arts Scholarships

Attend the 2026 Awards Ceremony and Gala, June 20, 2026, Hilton Chicago. Info HERE.

Given by the Late George & Angela Paterakis

Thanks to the generosity of the late George & Angela Paterakis, the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation is able to offer two (2) of our twenty (20) needs based scholarships to students pursuing their studies in the music and arts. Each year the Foundation awards two (2) outstanding students the Georgia Sfondouris Mitchell Music and Arts Scholarship.

The 2026-2027 application cycle will open on October 1, 2026

Chicago Metropolis Years of Service

2025 Years of Service Awards

Gold Honor Stole for 70 Years of Service
♦ Nick Kouvoukliotis SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI

Federation Logo Pin for 60 Years of Service
♦ Rosemary DeSanto St. Nicholas – Oak Lawn, IL
♦ Thespina Macres St. Mary – Minneapolis, MN
♦ Vicky Modlinger St. Athanasios – Aurora, IL
♦ Sophia Parker SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ John Revezoulis SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI

Mother of Pearl Cross for 50 Years of Service
♦ Tessie Bourdamis St. Mary – Minneapolis, MN
♦ Kiki Georgacopoulos SS Constantine & Helen – Palos Hills, IL
♦ Dr. John Mamalakis SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ Bess Nicholas St. Nectarios – Palatine, IL
♦ Pres. Barbara Sahady All Saints – Joliet, IL
♦ Dolly Sell St. Demetrios – Hammond, IN
♦ Patty Tsouhlos St. Demetrios – Chicago, IL

Icon of Kassiani for 35 Years of Service
♦ Joanna Bejarano St. Mary – Minneapolis, MN
♦ Alexandra Korbakes St.Spyridon – Palos Heights, IL
♦ Nick Kumis Holy Apostles – Westchester, IL

Certificate of St. Romanos for 25 Years of Service
♦ Sultana Bamidis St. Nicholas – Oak Lawn, IL
♦ Stacy Kafkes Holy Apostles – Westchester, IL
♦ Dean Kalomas St. Nicholas – St. Louis, MO
♦ Denise Yannakopoulos St. Demetrios – Hammond, IN

Certificate of Recognition for 10 to 24 Years of Service
♦ Valerie Coorlas St. Nectarios – Palatine, IL
♦ Andreas Georgas Assumption – Chicago, IL
♦ Paul Glikis St. Nicholas – Oak Lawn, IL
♦ Stella Kapetan St. Basil – Chicago, IL
♦ Christine Kidonakis All Saints – Joliet, IL
♦ Zoe Kulidas Holy Apostles – Westchester, IL
♦ Paul Noel St. Athanasios – Aurora, IL
♦ Nancie Poulos SS Peter & Paul – Glenview, IL

2024 Years of Service Awards

Gold Honor Stole for 70 years of Service
♦ Dorothy Miller St. Nicholas – Oak Lawn, IL

Federation Logo Pin for 60 years of Service
♦ John Krenitsky, Annunciation – Milwaukee, WI
♦ Elaine Pagedas, Annunciation – Milwaukee, WI
♦ Rosemary Petroll, Annunciation – Milwaukee, WI
♦ John Salonika, Assumption – Madison, WI
♦ Angela Anagnostopoulos, SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ Nick Kouvoukliotis, SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ Nancy Kucharski, SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ Christine Chimitris, St. Demetrios – Hammond, IN

Mother of Pearl Cross for 50 years of Service
♦ John Krenitsky, Annunciation – Milwaukee, WI
♦ Elaine Pagedas, Annunciation – Milwaukee, WI
♦ Lenny Fafalios (chanter), Assumption – Madison, WI
♦ Tessie Kouvoukliotis, SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ Elaine Lodwick, SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ Niko Yelik, SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ Helen Halkias, St. Athanasios – Aurora, IL
♦ Lou Halkias, St. Athanasios – Aurora, IL
♦ Georgia Lucas, St. George – St. Paul, MN
♦ Elena Gabor, St. Mary – Minneapolis, MN

Icon of Kassiani for 35 Years of Service
♦ Tom Cameron, Assumption – Madison, WI
♦ Conn Choles, Assumption – Madison, WI
♦ D. Corey Helser, Assumption – Madison, WI
♦ Chrisie Alex, Holy Apostles – Westchester, IL
♦ Georgia Fountoulakis, Holy Apostles – Westchester, IL
♦ Helen Geanon (chanter), Holy Apostles – Westchester, IL
♦ Katherine Clausell, SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ Athene Kralik, SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ Mimika Kambouris, SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ Hara Kinis, SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ John Lehman, St. Mary – Minneapolis, MN
♦ Mary Kay Twito, St. Mary – Minneapolis, MN

Certificate of St. Romanos for 25 Years of Service
♦ Patti Cameron, Assumption – Madison, WI
♦ Zoe Karampelas, SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ Janet Christopulos, SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ Aleka Jiffas SS Constantine & Helen – Wauwatosa, WI
♦ John Colis, SS Peter & Paul – Glenview, IL
♦ Michael Rakes, St. Mary – Minneapolis, MN
♦ Michael Brown, St. Nectarios – Palatine, IL
♦ Christina Nikolopoulos, St. Spyridon – Palos Heights, IL

Certificate of Recognition for 10 to 24 Years of Service
♦ Tony Kidonakis (chanter), All Saints – Joliet, IL
♦ Saed Akkawi, Assumption – Madison, WI
♦ Marina Awes, Assumption – Madison, WI
♦ Margarita Altidis, St. Athanasios – Aurora, IL
♦ Peter Feradouros, SS Constantine & Helen – Palos Hills, IL
♦ Melita Green, St. Basil – Chicago, IL
♦ Rebecca Karnezis, St. Demetrios – Hammond, IN
♦ Joanna Kikalos, St. Demetrios – Hammond, IN
♦ Johana Manous, St. Demetrios – Hammond, IN
♦ Andrea Sellis, St. Demetrios – Hammond, IN
♦ Sia Tortorelis, St. Mary – Minneapolis, MN
♦ Ellen Andeen, St. Nectarios – Palatine, IL
♦ Valerie Coorlas, St. Nectarios – Palatine, IL
♦ Athena Pitsoulakis, St. Nicholas – Oak Lawn, IL