By Catherine Tsounis
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Shrine Church at 196-10 Northern Blvd., Flushing created a new social event: Oktoberfest. The event with a Greek flare was held Saturday, September 4, noon to 9 pm. The Men’s League was hosted beer, wine, ouzo, soda, souvlaki, sausage, kielbasa, German potato salad, giant pretzel, and other foods were offered. The 111th NYPD Police Precinct under the command of Captain Ramnauth Ramlochan provided safety and a sense of self community. The clergy is Proistamenos Rev. Economos Aristidis Garinis and Rev. Presbyter Alexandros Douvres. George Kakivelis is Men’s League president. For more information, contact church office at (718) 357-4200,info@stnicholasflushing.org
. “This is our 1st Oktoberfest,” said Rev. Garinis. “It is a mini festival. As we are trying to raise funds for the renovation of our aging facilities, including the domes of our church, and addressing maintenance issues on the flat sections of the building. Parishioners and members of the broader Flushing community came together in strong support of the effort. Church representatives expressed gratitude for the turnout and enthusiasm surrounding the new event. Organizers hope to make Oktoberfest an annual tradition: not only to help sustain the church’s financial needs, but also to strengthen community ties. It is an opportunity for fellowship and growth as a community of faith and a chance to share what we have to offer with the greater Flushing family.”
“St. Nicholas Church is a Lantern of Light to all church parishes,” said Mrs. Athena Kromidas, former principal of William Spyropoulos School and former President of the High Council of Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. “The organizations for parishioners of all ages work hard with a dedication for the community. The education program has produced Greek Americans who are well prepared to face the next stages of their lives. St. Nicholas Church is a community with strength and determination to accomplish higher goals. I am blessed to be a member of this dynamic community.”
“I want to thank the church for believing in me,” said Men’s League President George Kakivelis. St. Nicholas Church gave me the opportunity to host this event. We had a perfect day. We have a lot of people that came to this great event. We hope to continue this next year.”
“The Men’s League has been around since 1955,” said Andrew Tsiolas, an Edward Jones Financial Advisor serving Bayside, NY, and parish council president four times. “We organized the Church of St. Nicholas. The Men’s League has always been the major fundraising arm of our church. We helped organize and sell all of the raffle tickets from 1955 until 1985. We used to sell 2,000 raffle tickets a year to raise money for St. Nicholas Church. The Men’s League is the primary church organization for men to raise money and bring families, children together to St. Nicholas Church.”
“This is a new event in our parish,” explained Sotirios Georgiou, who served as festival chairman for over 13 years and as a parish council president. “It is a wonderful idea, for October. We see our parishioners coming out to enjoy. the beautiful day and delicious food.”
The extensive investigation into the existence of St. Nicholas of Myra by international scientist Andreas George stands as the final word on the subject. In his work “In the Footsteps of Saint Nicholas,” he meticulously outlines the historical presence of St. Nicholas. It can be purchased on Amazon.
“In 1995, the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Church of St. Nicholas, the president of the parish council, Steve Cherpelis, said it best, “Our church today is a remarkable achievement and , as testimony to the vision of its founders. St. Nicholas Church has become the internationally recognized Shrine Church of St. Nicholas.”1
Reference:
1. “In the Footsteps of Saint Nicholas,” by Andreas C. George, p. 148. The book can be purchased work https://www.amazon.com/Footsteps-Saint-Nicholas-Andreas-George/dp/1592320872.
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