In an atmosphere of emotion and excitement, it was held on October 21, 2025in ceremony hall CHIOTIS of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity at Manhattanthe award ceremony Greek language certificates for levels A1 and A2.

The event was organized by Consulate General of Greece in New Yorkhonoring the students’ effort and dedication to the Greek language, which remains a key pillar of culture and identity for Hellenism in the Diaspora.

The ceremony was attended by Archbishop of America Mr. Elpidophoroswho referred to the inestimable value of the Greek language, “in which the Gospels were written and the wisdom of ages was recorded”. His words underlined the deep spiritual dimension of linguistic heritage.

The Consul General of Greece in New York, Ifigenia Kanara, congratulated the students on their success and thanked the parents for their support. He also praised the role of teachers, who consistently and passionately keep alive the flame of Greek Education and contribute decisively to the preservation of language and culture.

The Education Coordinator, Dimitra Patronidou, presented the statistics of this year’s exams, highlighting the growing number of exam centers and students around the world. This fact reflects the constant desire of the young people of Omogenia to maintain close contact with their roots.

The importance of the Greek Language Certificate

The Certificate of Greek Proficiency of the Greek Language Center, instituted in 1998 and supervised by the Ministry of Education, is the official state certificate of proficiency in the Greek language internationally. The exams are held each year at 160 testing centers worldwide, of which 21 are located in the US.

In the United States, certification has been incorporated into the program Seal of Biliteracy in thirteen States, including New York. Thus, the position of the Greek language in the American education system is upgraded and the students of Omogenia are given the possibility of official recognition of their knowledge of Greek.

11,178 candidates worldwide took part in the May 2025 exams. The Examination Center of the Consulate General of Greece in New York (code 10004) registered 293 entries, which confirms the dynamic presence of Greek-Americans and their continuous effort to preserve and spread the Greek language.

Emphasis on the young generation

A special moment was the speech of the youngest winner, Dionysios Pei Chen, who spoke enthusiastically about the reasons he is learning Greek, honoring his roots and his grandmother from Kefalonia. Through his words, he highlighted the importance of the Greek language as a carrier of culture and continuity with the homeland.

The main message of the event was that the Greek language, with its centuries-old history and deep cultural and spiritual value, continues to inspire, unite and shape the national identity of the Greeks of the Diaspora.