OPA! Greek Festival Returns to Holmdel

Father Panagiotis Lekkas of the Greek Orthodox Church of Kimisis Tis Theotokou in Holmdel would like to welcome (Kalosorisate) the community to the “Taste of Greece” 2019 to be held on June 6, 7, 8, and 9. The Church has been working for months to prepare the largest party, “Yiorti”, given by a Greek host in the area. From banners and flags to billboard ads, the entire town will be turned into a festival of Greek culture and heritage during these four days! According to Father Panagiotis Lekkas, in Ancient Greece “Festival” meant “Yiorti,” a celebration in which Greeks would gather to celebrate either a feast day of the Gods or a remarkable event for their town or state-nation.  Whether festivals occurred in the different suburban areas of Athens or on a remote Greek Island, the Greeks gathered to socialize, celebrate and enjoy themselves, not at home but in their favorite cafes, restaurants or tavernas where the festival would be held.  Family and friends would be seen during the festival enjoying the variety of food, wine, coffee and different kinds of honey-soaked desserts.  He noted that food and entertainment hold a very significant role in the Greek culture, so it is no surprise that the ancient Greeks discovered “gastronomy” or the art of elite eating. “For one weekend each year, Holmdel is transformed into a traditional Greek Festival. Our community becomes the center of the authentic Greek Spirit and offers the epicurean pleasure to all its neighbors and guests. We offer an authentic variety of Greek wine, food, and desserts prepared by our parishioners; who inherited the high standard of cooking from past generations of family and the extended family of Kimisis Tis Theotokou parishioners.  Whatever your dining pleasure may be, we hope you will agree that the Ancient Greeks made cooking an art, but the modern Greeks perfected it!  Greeks are zealous about good food and the desire to share it with all,” explained Father Panagiotis Lekkas. This year, the Greek Orthodox Church of Kimisis Tis Theotokou in Holmdel will be proudly celebrating their 43rd anniversary of providing a real Greek cultural experience.  Father Panagiotis Lekkas shared, “We invite you to Feast with us at our ‘family table’, celebrating our Greek culture, traditions, history and faith.  The delightful atmosphere of the Bayshore Greek Fest will be filled by the unique sounds of ‘bouzouki’ music and the sight of our talented dance groups entertaining you with their traditional award-winning performances that will take you back in time. It will not be necessary to travel thousands of miles to experience the Greek culture. It will be offered to you right here in Holmdel! Take the time to enjoy the unique cuisine, visit the shops, listen to the music, join in the dancing, enjoy the various carnival rides/games and explore the religious and cultural exhibits. We promise that we will offer you and your family the opportunity to experience the true Greek spirit here in Holmdel at our festival.” Free parking will be available on the church grounds, at Growing Tree Academy and St. Benedict’s Church, with free shuttle service. “We welcome you and send thanks to all our friends – new and old! The success of our festival is due in part to the most generous donations from parishioners and local businesses of food, paper goods and monetary donations, whom we extend our sincerest gratitude. We also thank our festival committee and the hundreds of volunteers, who are not just working this weekend, but have been helping continuously during the past few months to prepare for this great event!” noted Father Panagiotis Lekkas. He added, “It’s all Greek to us”…and the festival will be Greek to you as well!  OPA! OPA! OPA!