WINGCOM WATCHDOG (WW): Greek Festival culminates another successful cultural event

Monday, May 21, 2012

Greek Festival culminates another successful cultural event

While Greece is in the news for its financial troubles, a Greek Orthodox Church in Marietta, Ga., U.S. celebrated culture and tradition May 18-20 to raise funds for ongoing ministries.


Dancing in Church's Greek amphitheater (Photo by Ilea Johnson)

Traditional jewelry, clothing, handicrafts, and foods were available at the festival. Dancers took part accompanied by a band featuring a violin and mandolins whose players weaved through the crowd within the authentic outdoor Greek amphitheater.

The last day of the festival marked the feast day of Saint Lydia of Philippi and the 71st anniversary of the Battle of Crete when Greece was invaded by the Nazis in 1941.

"This time of the Greek Festival is always a very stressful time for all of us as we intensify our efforts...the time when the 'tempter', the evil one who desires to destroy love and peace, unleashes his full forces to bring about spiritual damage to our souls," said Fr. Panayiotis Papageorgiou, Ph.D., protopresbyter of Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church which sponsored the festival.

Church program

"I kindly request that we all remain vigilant and begin every day and every task with this short prayer: 'Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us sinners and protect us from temptation,' " said Papageorgiou in his Sunday bulletin message.

Dome inside sanctuary (Photo - Ayron Johnson)

Guided tours were given of the Byzantine sanctuary and chapel featuring explanations of the vividly colored, gold leaf paintings, icons, carved arches and doors. Tour guides explained that icons were used during the early Christian era to communicate religious teachings to those who were illiterate but could interpret visual symbols although they could not read Greek.

"From everything I've seen here, Jesus Christ is the center of this church," said Gary Brown from Versailles, Ky. " I learned a lot on my visit."

Inside the sanctuary (Photo by Ayron Johnson)

The wooden archways and doors inside the sanctuary came from Germany but were carved in Greece. The murals were completed by an artist from Birmingham, Ala. The Church was opened in 2004.

Outside view of Holy Transfiguration (Photo by Ilea Johnson)

"Our Church looks and sounds a bit different...our services, and indeed the structure of the building, mirror what ancient Christians have experienced since the 4th century after the Resurrection," said Fr. Papageorgiou in promotional materials. "We invite you to follow along and experience the richness of our ancient and vitally alive Faith."