Greek Traditions in synergy with American Traditions in Greenport, NY

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The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross has been intertwined with Greenport’s Maritime Festival held annually since the 1990s.

By R. Dorothy Poli

This is a nice example how Greek traditions can blend with American traditions without either losing its meaning and how traditions can actually act to enhance each other. The Maritime Festival, which currently draws approximately 25,000 people, was inspired by the annual procession by Ss. Anargyroi, Taxiarchis & Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church to the marina for the blessing of the waters. The town officials and particularly those of Greenport’s Maritime Museum in witnessing this event were inspired to build a town festival and parade, known as the Maritime Festival, in honor of the feast. The procession has been held since the 1980s after the church, previously Protestant, was purchased and converted into the current church by Metropolitan Paisios of Tyano and Bishop Vikentios of Apameia, Deputy Abbott, of St. Irene Chrysovalantou Monastery in Astoria, NY. The two hierarchs dedicated the feast’s celebration annually on the last weekend of September.

This year the feast was celebrated on Saturday, September 25 beginning with Divine Liturgy presided over by Bishop Vikentios and celebrated by its Dean, Fr. Jerasimos Ballas. After the service of the blessing of the waters, the Cross was thrown in the water. Twelve divers jumped in, mainly teenage boys and girls and including a 68 year old fit gentleman. Vasilis (Billy) Holevas, a high school senior and parishioner at St. Nicholas Church in Flushing, retrieved the Cross and was awarded the victory cup by Bishop Vikentios.

The parade included twenty groups who marched down Main Street stretching from the church to the marina. Drum corps of fire and police departments included those from New York City and as far away as Seekonk, MA. There was an impressive showing of approximately twenty vintage cars including a Rolls Royce dating from early 1900s. At the marina, a dozen boats docked and hundreds of onlookers lined the pier and all eagerly awaiting the throwing of the Cross. They came to witness this annual event. A variety of other activities took place during the course of the weekend. They included: kayak derbies, Dory races, snapper-fishing contests, pirate shows, a 106th Rescue Wing air/sea rescue simulation, shopping through the many vendors, music concerts and fireworks over the harbor.

Following the blessing of the waters, the pilgrims walked back to the church for a memorial service for the victims of 9/11 with a wreath placed at a tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Presvytera Kyriake Ballas and the Ladies Philotoptochos Society hosted a lunch for the pilgrims from New York City. In attendance for the services from St. Irene, included Archimandrite Eletherios, Fr. Iakovos, General Secretary Dr. Ioannis Kotsarides, Cantor George Mirides. Pilgrims were primarily from St. Irene in Astoria and St. Nectarios in Brooklyn.

Other events occurring at Ss. Anargyroi, Taxiarchis & Gerasimos church include the visit of Metropolitan Theoleptos of Ikonion of Constantinople, representing His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew. The church has a chapel dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel. For the feast of St. Michael, the Metropolitan will be celebrating evening vespers on November 7.

©2010 NEOCORP MEDIA









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