ROSELAND, NJ – The annual festival of the community of St. Nicholas/Sts. Constantine and Helen is being held in Roseland, NJ from Friday, September 19 to Sunday, September 21.
Visitors from the wider area and beyond enjoy traditional Greek foods and pastries prepared by parish members, delight in traditional music, and shop for keepsakes at the bazaar.
The parish priest, Fr. George Khitiri, in statements to The National Herald, thanked the Parish Council, the Philoptochos Society, and all the volunteers and sponsors who lead this great celebration.
As he noted: “We are once again celebrating the annual festival, and this gives us great joy. Although it is relatively new, the people support it, back it, and strengthen it – whether by offering food, volunteering, donating, or simply attending.”
Fr. Khitiri explained that “through this event, we have the opportunity to highlight Greek culture, history, faith, traditions, and, of course, our outstanding cuisine. All the volunteers should feel proud of their contribution to our beloved parish.”
(Photo: TNH/Michael Kakias)
He then declared: “We are proud of our Greek School, while our Sunday School operates from kindergarten through 12th grade every Sunday, following the Archdiocese’s curriculum – reading the Holy Scriptures, explaining the Gospels, and much more. For us, the main goal is to bring the young people closer to the Church so that they may learn the ideals and values of Hellenism and Orthodoxy.”
Festival coordinator Pantelis Athanasiou thanked the volunteers for their months of work, all the donors for their financial support, the neighboring and other parishes for their encouragement, and the visitors of all nationalities who, as he said, “come to discover, taste Greek cuisine, and have fun.”
Athanasiou pointed out that “to meet the needs and make the festival as successful as possible, we make use of all 50,000 square feet of space we have – food, taverna, music and dancing, even a bookstore. More than 100 volunteers give their very best for the success of the event. We have the best cooks, the tastiest and freshest foods – some from donations, some prepared here – the best hospitality, and together we all have a wonderful time.”
The president of the Philoptochos Society, Annette Tsilionis, emphasized that the members prepare many of the sweets – baklava, finikia, kourabiedes, galaktoboureko, loukoumades – as well as coffee, while also serving, cleaning, and helping in various roles according to each one’s talents and abilities.
The principal of the Greek School, Sophia Logothetis, noted that classes, from preschool through 6th grade, are held every Monday and Wednesday from 4:15 to 6:15 PM.
“This year we have many registrations, and that is very encouraging. All the teachers and many parents help at the festival, and we thank them warmly for their volunteer spirit.”
Evangelia Katramados, co-head of the knitting group, mentioned that its 12 members make sweaters, hats, and scarves, which are donated to parish children and hospitals, while at the festival they run a sales booth with all proceeds going to the church.
(Some names have been transliterated from Greek to English.)
