GREEK JERSEY NIGHT AT YANKEE STADIUM RAISES MORE THAN $37,500 FOR CAMP SAINT PAUL
Posted by estiator at 22 June, at 06 : 52 AM Print
Over 2,500 Members of the Greek-American Community Gather for a Night of Heritage, Fellowship & Giving
NEW YORK, NY (June 21, 2026) – Over 2,500 Greek Americans, Philhellenes, clergy, parishioners, families and supporters from across the Tri-State area gathered at Yankee Stadium on June 18th for Greek Jersey Night, a special fundraising event benefiting Camp Saint Paul, the camping ministry of the Archdiocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Held during the New York Yankees’ game against the Chicago White Sox, the event transformed one of the world’s most iconic sports venues into a vibrant celebration of Greek heritage, faith, and community spirit. Supporters proudly filled sections throughout the stadium wearing exclusive limited-edition Greek Yankees jerseys created specifically for the occasion, creating a visible and unified display of Greek Orthodox pride.
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came before the first pitch, when His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America was welcomed onto the field to deliver the ceremonial first pitch. Accompanied by Archdiocesan District Chancellor and Camp Saint Paul Director Fr. Elias Villis, along with Archons Michael Neamonitakis and Bill Grous, the Archbishop was greeted with enthusiastic applause from the thousands of attendees gathered throughout Yankee Stadium.
The Archbishop’s appearance on the field served as a powerful symbol of the enduring presence and contributions of the Greek Orthodox community in New York and across the United States. The event demonstrated the strength of that community while advancing a meaningful cause, raising more than $37,500 to support Camp Saint Paul’s mission of fostering spiritual growth, fellowship, leadership development, and lifelong friendships for Orthodox youth.
Designed as both a cultural celebration and charitable initiative, Greek Jersey Night reflected a collective effort years in the making, supported by parishes, organizations, community leaders, and volunteers throughout the region. Special appreciation is extended to the Director of Special Events for the Office of the Archbishop Fr. Evagoras Constantinides, Executive Director of Leadership 100 Fr. Panagiotis Papazafiropoulos, former Vicar General of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Fr. Alex Karloutsos, and New York Yankees Account Executive Matthew Kerwin. Their commitment resulted in one of the largest Greek community gatherings at Yankee Stadium in recent years.
Now celebrating its 21st season, Camp Saint Paul is expected to welcome more than 800 campers this summer. Proceeds from Greek Jersey Night will directly support the camp’s ongoing programs and ministry, helping ensure future generations continue to experience faith-centered fellowship and Orthodox Christian formation.
“Camp Saint Paul exists to create transformative experiences that help young people grow closer to Christ and one another,” said Archdiocesan District Chancellor and Camp Saint Paul Director Fr. Elias Villis. “The extraordinary support shown at Greek Jersey Night demonstrates how deeply our community believes in that mission. We are humbled by the generosity and enthusiasm of everyone who came together to invest in the future of our Church through Camp Saint Paul.”
“Greek Jersey Night at Yankee Stadium was a remarkable celebration of our heritage, our faith, and the strength of our community,” said Greek Jersey Night Chairman Michael Neamonitakis. “Seeing thousands of Greek Americans come together in support of Camp Saint Paul while proudly showcasing our culture on one of the world’s most iconic stages was truly inspiring. The energy throughout the evening demonstrated the enduring pride of our community and our collective commitment to investing in the next generation of leaders.”
“Our vision extends far beyond a single evening at Yankee Stadium,” said Greek Jersey Night Co-Chair Costa Sideridis, one of the event organizers. “After witnessing nearly a decade of success with Greek Heritage Night in Boston, we recognized the opportunity to bring this model to other major cities with strong Greek-American communities. Greek Jersey Night in New York is an exciting step forward, and we hope to continue expanding MLB Goes Greek to additional markets in the years ahead, including Washington, D.C., creating opportunities for Greek Americans across the country to celebrate their heritage, support meaningful causes, and come together as one community.”
Throughout the evening, attendees celebrated their shared faith and heritage while enjoying America’s pastime alongside family and friends. More than a night at the ballpark, Greek Jersey Night served as a visible testament to the unity, generosity, and enduring spirit of the Greek Orthodox community.
For more information on Camp Saint Paul, please visit https://www.campsaintpaul.org/. For more information on The Archdiocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, please visit https://www.ny.goarch.org/.
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