Holy Cross Dance Program - Winter Update – January 2026
Through the months of December and January the Holy Cross dance groups were busy working on their "Diakonia" projects.
What is Diakonia?
Diakonia encompasses various forms of community involvement and sacrificial service vital to the church's mission. It signifies an active ministry, rooted in addressing human needs and supporting community development. The term reflects the organizational aspects of serving the poor and highlights the importance outreach to those in need.
Being involved with community outreach projects was a very rewarding experience for all dancers and directors involved!!
TA MIKRA (Pre-K – 1st Grades)
Directors - Antonia Fanourgiakis, Giana Papavasiliou
- Ta Mikra, Church of Holy Cross Belmont’s youngest dance group of five and six year olds, completed a beautiful Diakonia project. The dance group learned about St. Innocent Orphanage, which is an Orthodox orphanage for boys in Mexico. The dancers wrote and drew personalized holiday letters to the ten elementary school boys at the orphanage. The Ta Mikra dancers are very excited to spread joy to others. The parents also made donations to the orphanage and Project Mexico. If you feel so inclined, please also help the Orthodox faithful in Mexico by donating to www.projectmexico.org. We are very proud of our Ta Mikra dancers!
TA FILARAKIA (2nd – 4th Grades)
Directors - Toni Taptelis, Effie Zaharioudakis, Giana Papavasiliou
- Ta Filarakia today made over 400 sandwiches for those less fortune in the efforts to help feed those families at the Good Samaritan house. They learned about the importance of giving back to their communities and understanding the importance of what "Diakonia" means. The kids also worked alongside Hope/Joy today to decorate their own mini vasilopita and learned the significance of St. Basil. It was a wonderful day of Orthodox faith immersion, and the kids had the best time working together to give back to those in need.
REVMA ! (5th – 6th Grades) & REVMA !! (7th – 8th Grades)
Directors - Nick Paras, Andriana Antoniou, Dena Farantos
- Revma dancers partnered with LifeMoves to provide clean socks to families of San Mateo County. LifeMoves is dedicated to helping individuals and families experiencing homelessness to return to stable housing and self-sufficiency.
- Why socks? Donating new socks to unhoused adults is crucial because they are the most requested, yet least donated item, providing essential warmth, hygiene, and protection against infections (like athlete's foot, blisters, frostbite) that thrive in damp conditions, significantly boosting health, dignity, and mobility for people often on their feet all day. Clean, dry socks prevent serious foot issues, which is vital for overall well-being and self-esteem, and allow shelters to use funds for other critical needs. Thanks to the generosity of the Revma families, women, men’s, and children socks were wrapped for the holidays and handed out to families
LEVENDIA (High School) & ANASTASI (College/Adult)
Directors - Sophia Daskalakis, Evan Lampros / Evangelia Daskalakis, Toni Taptelis
- Levendia and Anastasi dancers also partnered with LifeMoves to provide an assortment of Christmas Gifts to underprivileged families of San Mateo County.
On Sunday, December 21st the dancers and directors of both Levendia and Anastasi donated and wrapped new toys, books, and games as well as 12 backpacks filled with gloves, scarves, umbrellas and other hygiene products for the moms and children that reside at the / First Step Homeless Shelter in San Mateo.
- Levendia and Anastasi were able to Christmas wrap over 100 items for the children of LifeMoves and delivered them to the shelter in time for Christmas Day.
Upcoming Events
- Cretan Glendi - Saturday January 24th
- FDF Preview 2026 – Saturday, February 7th.
The excitement for FDF 2026 is building, and we’re starting the celebration with an exclusive Apokries themed preview night you won’t want to miss!
Join us at the Church of the Holy Cross on Saturday, February 7th for a festive evening featuring special musical guests from Greece performing live with our dancers—just as they will at FDF this February. Enjoy a night of delicious food, drinks, music, dancing, and a first look at the incredible performances our groups have been preparing. This is your chance to experience the energy, skill, and tradition of FDF before the main event.
Reserve Your Tickets Today:
https://giving.myparishsoft.io/App/Form/63bb7944-a696-4c57-873a-51dfc4cdfbf7
We can’t wait to celebrate with you and share this special night!
**All dancers and children 13 and under are only $40
