Thousands attended the Saint Nicholas Shrine Church Festival

By Catherine Tsounis

Summer weather contributed to the overwhelming success of the St. Nicholas Shrine Church’s 54th Annual Greek Festival, held from May 14 through May 17 at 196-10 Northern Boulevard in Flushing, New York.Many New Yorkers felt there was no need to travel to New York City during the Long Island Railroad strike when Queens offered outstanding community festivals such as the Saint Nicholas 54th Annual Greek Festival.Guests enjoyed Greek cuisine, loucoumades, Greek pastries, vendors, a flea market, children’s rides and games, and entertainment for all ages. The church also hosted a fabulous raffle. Church tours were conducted.

Prominent politicians, business leaders, and members of the educational community attended the event. Police maintained a strong presence along 196th Street, with supervision provided by the NYPD 111th Precinct. Captain Ramnauth Ramlochan’ s leadership with his outstanding supervisory Staff made a major difference in the community’s quality of life. Demetrios Athanasopoulos and Michael Haralambous served as festival chairpersons. The parish clergy is Protopresbyter Rev. Aristidis Garinis, Economos, and Rev. Alexandros Douvres and volunteers. St. Nicholas is home to four vibrant educational institutions: The St. Nicholas Stephen and Areti Cherpelis Hellenic School; William Spyropoulos Day School; and the Saint Nicholas George & Evlavia Doulaveris Preschool. For more information on all who volunteered and donated, contact i [email protected] and 718.357.4200.

“We are blessed by God to have another beautiful festival weekend here at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Shrine Church in Flushing, New York,” said Rev. Aristidis Garinis. “The festival is very meaningful to us because it gives us the opportunity to practice what we call in Greek, philoxenia — welcoming the stranger. We welcome our neighbors to our parish and are able to offer them a taste of what it means to be Greek Orthodox, sharing our Hellenic heritage through food, traditions, and heartfelt hospitality.”

Rev. Garinis continued “We are deeply thankful and already look forward to next year’s festival. We also thank our more than 200 volunteers who helped set up and work throughout the festival. All proceeds support the ministries of our very dynamic parish.” Andy Tsiolas, Christopher Fillos, Sotiris Georgiou, Nick Karakostas, Peter Valasiadis and networks, with Chrissy Douroudakis, Kiki Preponis, Vasso Dinas, Maria Zolotas, Matina Botoulas and their families with friends, work with enthusiasm every year.

“The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese is our center,” said Mrs. Athena Tsokou Kromidas. “Hellenism began from churches in the United States. Greek must be preserved in the Greek Orthodox Church: a language perpetuated in Western civilization through the scientific, technical, education and all fields of life.” Former principal of the William Spyropoulos Day School, president of the High Council for Greek Education in the U.S. and Stephen and Areti Cherpelis Greek Afternoon School. She has dedicated over 30 years of service to the education system.

Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, of the Assembly District 26 that encompasses St. Nicholas Shrine Church, attended with his wife and three children. “It’s always a pleasure to come to visit the St. Nicholas Greek Festival. I bring my kids and my wife every year. The kids love the games. We all love to eat. And it’s great to see the church thriving and successful. And, you know, I hope this festival continues for years.” Irene Chung, Community Liaison with the Office of Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, aided in the church visit.

Tony Barsamian, former PTA president of William Spyropoulos School and parish council member, spent Saturday evening selling raffles with success. ”Every year this is a tradition that I honor and enjoy. I am happy to be here,” he said. Nicholas Karacostas, an AHEPA and Parish Council member, said, “The festival is our annual traditional community and family event. We have wonderful volunteers, outstanding weather, and a tremendous turnout. We want everyone to have a wonderful time as we celebrate Saint Nicholas and continue to strengthen our parish here in New York.”

Sotiri Georgiou attended the William Spyropoulos School while growing up in the parish. “I have always helped out in our parish,” he said. “I served as festival chairman for 14 years, and now I guide the next generation. Saint Nicholas Church is a wonderful and growing community that offers services for all Greek Americans in the Queens area.”

Michael Giannakos believes “our festival brings neighbors together and promotes pride in our Queens community. We laugh, eat together, and enjoy music. Our festival makes New York City a better place to live.” Michael Giannakos, whose family originates from Parakalamos, a village in Pogoni, Ioannina, Epirus, captures outstanding videos and photographs at church events.

Amalia Bollanos has been a vendor at the festival community for over 12 years. She showcases her unique creations. Her jewelry gives pleasure to young and old. Panagiotis, her husband, supports her every year in creating her exceptional stand. ”This is my dream: to make people happy with my unique designs, “ said Amalia. “I am grateful for the opportunity to come.” We all enjoyed a great escape at this exceptional festival.