Church hosts youth groups from across Pa.

» Hundreds of students from across Pennsylvania gathered in Berks County over Presidents Day weekend to participate in a youth basketball tournament hosted by the Greek Orthodox Youth Association at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

The tournament, held over the Feb. 16-18 week- end, included teams from across Pennsylvania com- peting in boys and girls di- visions.

A highlight of the week- end was a visit to Read- ing by Metropolitan Savas, the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, the diocese that serves more than 50 churches in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

Some 350 students took part in the tournament. In addition to playing basketball, the students attended church services and a dinner-dance held in their honor.

The visiting teams, some of which came from as far away as Pittsburgh, stayed at the Double-Tree Hotel in downtown Reading. The games were held at various school gyms throughout Berks County.

After playing basketball all day on Saturday, Feb. 17, the students attended evening vesper services Sts. Constantine & Helen Church, presided over by Metropolitan Savas.

Students and chaperones were among 400 people who attended a dinner in the church social hall after the services, followed by a dance. The food was prepared by members of the Berks County chapter of the Order of AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association), a service organization made up mostly of members of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church.

On Sunday, more than 500 people attended church services, again presided over by Metropolitan Savas, who also gave the sermon.

Graduating high school seniors from the various churches in attendance were recognized at the end of the services and were presented with icons by Metropolitan Savas.

After a brunch, again prepared by the AHEPA, the finalists in the tournament played the championship round of games in both the girls and boys divisions. Trophies were awarded to the winning teams and for sportsmanship.

The Sts. Constantine & Helen Church GOYA previously hosted a Metropolis basketball tournament in 2012.

PHOTO BY LEFTERIS PLEVRAKIS Metropolitan Savas with some of the Greek Orthodox Youth Association members who attended the basketball tournament in Berks County.

PHOTO BY LEFTERIS PLEVRAKIS AHEPA members John Ioannidi and Steve Lecatsas make pancakes for Sunday’s brunch.

PHOTO BY LEFTERIS PLEVRAKIS Metropolitan Savas with Rev. Thomas Pappalas, pastor of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, and Presbytera Anne Pappalas.

PHOTO BY LEFTERIS PLEVRAKIS Volunteer cooks from the Berks County chapter of the AHEPA take a break after preparing a meal for hundreds of guests.

PHOTO BY LEFTERIS PLEVRAKIS Members of the Berks County chapter of the AHEPA prepare dinner for the tournament participants.

PHOTO BY LEFTERIS PLEVRAKIS Members of the Reading chapter of the Greek Orthodox Youth Association at Saturday’s dinner-dance.

PHOTO BY LEFTERIS PLEVRAKIS The dance floor was packed with young people doing a popular Greek dance.