By Stephen Smoot
Almost everyone agrees that one of the high points of life in Harrison County lies in the incredible mixture of cultures and influences brought to the area.
Among the different ethnic groups that proudly feature their culture stand the Greek community of the region, at the heart of which lies Saint Spyridon Church and the Greek Food Festival they have diligently maintained for 23 years in Summit Park.
Kostaki Alex serves as Saint Spyridon parish president and also chairman of the festival. As he explains, the goal of the festival is to “highlight our culture and Greek street food” while also sharing the beauty of their Greek Orthodox faith.
Each year the festival chooses traditional Greek foods to highlight. This year they will focus on street style treats, gyros and souvlaki. Gyros are usually made with slow roasted lamb meat thinly carved and served on pita bread with onions, tomatoes, feta, and a tzatziki sauce made of cucumber, Greek yogurt, dill, lemon juice, and garlic.
Souvlaki is grilled chicken or pork, served with onions and other traditional vegetables, including the Greek favorite, olives.
Alex emphasized that the core of the spirit of the festival lies in sharing their faith, in providing others with a glimpse at their beliefs and traditions through the church. “We want people to come to our church, walk around, and learn more about our faith,” Alex stated. They offer time to talk to “anybody interested in learning more about the Greek Orthodox faith.
By the 300s A.D., the Roman Empire had split into halves both politically and culturally. Its west centered around the ancient city of Rome. From the time of the Emperor Constantine, who legalized Christianity in the Empire, the eastern half focused on the city he built for a new Christian era, Constantinople.
As the centuries passed, the Eastern Roman Empire turned from Latin to Greek. The Christian faith in the west looked to the Pope in Rome for leadership while eastern churches were led by the Patriarch. Differences developed between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox faiths that persist to this day.
Eventually the Orthodox Church in Russia started to choose its own patriarch, which separated it in terms of leadership from the rest of the Eastern Church. The faith spread to America in the decades between the Civil War and the 1920s as immigrants from Greece, Italy, Russia, and the rest of southern and eastern Europe sought opportunity and freedom in America. They then established tight knit communities and endeavored to preserve their traditions, such as faith, family values, and their traditional foods.
Alex shared that last year represented their biggest yet, serving 900 authentic Greek meals in a single day
Additionally, proceeds from the festival go to support the church’s ministry in the community as it serves others. This plus the support from parishioners and the community “help the church to continue to thrive and grow.”
Saint Spyrdion will welcome festival goers between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday Sept 12 at their church located at 1010 Factory St. Clarksburg. They are taking preorders for food now and urge all
