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Greek Festival

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Scenes from the 62nd annual Greek Festival, held Aug. 24-27 at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson. Photos by Aramis Khosronejad
Father Elias Lou Nicholas
By Aramis Khosronejad

The Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption on Sheep Pasture Road in Port Jefferson held its 62nd annual Greek Festival last week, Aug. 24-27.

This local tradition puts Greek food and cultural customs on display. Among the wide variety of festivities offered through the festival were carnival rides, store tents selling trinkets, authentic Greek food, traditional Greek folk dancing and live music. 

In addition, the raffle held each year has grown increasingly popular, now representing one of the largest raffles in the Suffolk County area. The first prize was a 2023 Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 4Matic, and there were four other cars among the many raffle prizes.

The church is home away from home for many Greek descendants throughout the area. The idea for the church was established in 1956 by a small band of Greek immigrants looking to construct something to resemble their home country and culture. After years of raising the money necessary to build a church, the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption opened its doors for the first time in 1959.

‘You can’t separate the culture from the faith or the faith from the culture in Greek history.’

– Father Elias Lou Nicholas

Now, the church community consists of a tight-knit network of Greek families, many of whom hold fond memories of the church in their childhoods. The church comprises roughly 700 families today, a far cry from its small numbers when it first opened its doors.

Father Elias Lou Nicholas is the priest, or “proistamenos” (one who presides in the Greek language), at the church. He was raised in the very same church in which he preaches now. 

In an interview, Nicholas highlighted the rich culture of Greece and the thoroughly interwoven faith of the Greeks, noting the profound history of this heritage. 

“You can’t separate the culture from the faith or the faith from the culture in Greek history,” he said. “The culture and the faith are intertwined.” 

Nicholas also noted the architecture and art of the church, explaining how the church is designed to evoke the feeling of “ascending into the heavens.”

For Nicholas, the Greek Festival holds significance for the community, church and local Greek culture. In Greek, the word “philotimo” carries symbolic meaning, especially in the context of these festivities. Nicholas explained that it is not the easiest word to translate. 

“‘Philo’ means friendship,” he explained. “What [“philotimo”] does mean is that the Greek people have a love for life and want to share that with people.”

George Voulgarakis, first vice president of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption and the principal organizer of the Greek Festival, has supervised the planning of these events since 2009. 

He noted how the festival’s popularity has steadily increased each year, with more and more people attending and cultivating interest in the spectacle.

Voulgarakis added how the festival “signifies the community getting together and unifying and making it a beautiful event.” 

He also pointed to the festival as a means to connect to the religious calendar. “It’s pretty much the festival of the assumption,” he said. “We’re celebrating the assumption.” Aug.15 is the feast of the Assumption. 

For him, Voulgarakis said, the festival mainly “symbolizes community.”

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Photo courtesy John Damaskos
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Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos
Photo courtesy John Damaskos

In keeping with over half a century of tradition, the Port Jefferson community celebrated the 61st annual Greek Festival from Aug. 25 to 28.

The event was held on the grounds of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption on Sheep Pasture Road. The local chapter of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, known as AHEPA 319, helped make the festivities possible. 

Powering the operation was a variety of local volunteers and benefactors who helped make the four-day festival a success. The event generated considerable attention from people both in and around the area, drawing families, community members and elected officials.

Hosted at the Church of the Assumption every year in its existence, the Port Jeff Greek Fest started as a mere picnic for the local churchgoers. Over time, however, it sprouted into a communitywide celebration of Greek culture and customs, and a gathering for people across Long Island and the region. 

AHEPA 319 member John Damaskos discussed the festival’s history and deeply rooted traditions. “They realized that they had the resources, that other people were liking it and bringing friends, so [decided], ‘Let’s expand it,’” Damaskos said. “It expanded into what it is today, which is probably the biggest and best Greek festival in New York and possibly the East Coast.”

The supervisory arm that oversees the Church of the Assumption’s year-round activities is its Parish Council. Emmanuel Lilimpakis, president of the council, has been involved with this festival for over three decades. He referred to the integral role that the festival performs in helping the church meet its fiscal aims.

“If the festival is successful, then the church is successful,” he said. “We are working hard and trying to bring the church into its prosperous goals. Everybody here is a volunteer, and we have a common goal to help the church flourish.” He added, “We are here and will be here for a long time. That is the consensus.”

Attendees were greeted with a wide assortment of foods, carnival rides, dance circles, music, raffles and games. Proceeds raised over the four days helped support the church and many other initiatives.

Ray Iasilli, another member of AHEPA 319, spoke at length about one of the signature programs that the local chapter is currently supporting, the AHEPA Service Dogs for Warriors program. This nationwide program raises money to train service dogs who can comfort veterans coping with post-traumatic stress disorder and other traumas caused by combat.

“It [is costly] to train a dog for a veteran,” Iasilli said. “We’re taking donations. We want to raise money, and all that profit will go to them for their war dog foundation.” To learn more or to donate, visit ahepa-servicedogs.org.

Representatives of several volunteer organizations and nonprofits also tabled during the event. One of them was Irene Michalos, founder and executive director of Agape Meals for Kids. Formed in the fall of 2021, the organization provides weekend meals for students who depend on school lunches during the week. 

“These are children who rely on the school meals — breakfast and lunch — during the weekdays, but on the weekends they don’t have consistent food,” she said. “We provide them with a backpack of meals, enough to fill in the gap of the seven meals that they’ll be missing, including snacks, milk and juice. That way, we know they have enough to sustain themselves during the weekend.”

In just its first round of donations, Agape provided 137 backpacks to students throughout the Brentwood school district. Recently, the organization has expanded its outreach to other school districts that have requested its assistance.

“In a few weeks, when schools reopen, we will be in Comsewogue school district, where we have been asked to provide 100 backpacks to their children,” Michalos said. 

She noted the name of her organization closely corresponds with her Greek roots and her stated mission. “‘Agape’ is a Greek word which roughly translates to the highest form of love,” she said, adding, “It’s unconditional love — love of God for man, man for God and love of your fellow man. So we thought it was apropos to name our organization Agape Meals.”

Father Elias (Lou) Nicholas, the presiding priest of the parish, was also on hand during the celebrations. He shared how the festival and the local AHEPA chapter promote Hellenism within the community.

“The greatest ideal of Hellenism is ‘philotimo,’ and it means the love of helping others,” Nicholas said. “That’s what AHEPA’s major role is: Helping in and out of the community, whether it’s with scholarships, with education, with feeding the poor … all those kinds of things.” He added, “Although they’re not connected to the church functionally, they do the same work.”

For Nicholas, the festival is the vehicle by which community members come together each year. He believes that it serves to remind people of their interconnectedness, instructing them on how to be better stewards of their community and people out in the world. 

“The whole point of being here is to help people, whether spiritually, materially or even mentally,” he said. “How can we help people in their lives? That’s what we’re here for.”

While AHEPA Chapter 319 is approximately 40 members strong, Iasilli and Damaskos emphasized that AHEPA actively welcomes new members. To learn more about the various programs this volunteer organization offers, visit www.ahepa319.org.

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Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr.
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr
Residents throughout the North Shore came to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson for its 58th annual Greek Festival. Photos by Kyle Barr

The bouncing Greek folk music coming from the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption invited hundreds of locals to join in the 58th annual Port Jefferson Greek Festival. 

From Aug. 22 to 25, local residents got to share in the history and culture of Greece. Along with many of the classic carnival rides and games, participants could shop for Greek memorabilia and stand on line for the chance to eat some classic Greek food including gyros, moussaka, pastitsio and tiropita.

The annual event fundraises for the Greek church’s activities. 

 

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Scenes from Port Jefferson's 57th Greek Festival Aug. 25. Photo by Alex Petroski
Scenes from Port Jefferson's 57th Greek Festival Aug. 25. Photo by Alex Petroski
Scenes from Port Jefferson's 57th Greek Festival Aug. 25. Photo by Alex Petroski
Scenes from Port Jefferson's 57th Greek Festival Aug. 25. Photo by Alex Petroski
Scenes from Port Jefferson's 57th Greek Festival Aug. 25. Photo by Alex Petroski
Scenes from Port Jefferson's 57th Greek Festival Aug. 25. Photo by Alex PetroskiScenes from Port Jefferson's 57th Greek Festival Aug. 25. Photo by Alex Petroski
Scenes from Port Jefferson's 57th Greek Festival Aug. 25. Photo by Alex Petroski
Scenes from Port Jefferson's 57th Greek Festival Aug. 25. Photo by Alex Petroski
Scenes from Port Jefferson's 57th Greek Festival Aug. 25. Photo by Alex Petroski
Scenes from Port Jefferson's 57th Greek Festival Aug. 25. Photo by Alex Petroski
Scenes from Port Jefferson's 57th Greek Festival Aug. 25. Photo by Alex Petroski

The Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson celebrated its 57th Port Jefferson Greek Festival from Aug. 23 to 26. This year’s event featured carnival rides, traditional dance performances, live music, games and culinary delights.

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Scenes from Port Jefferson's annual Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo by Kevin Redding
Scenes from Port Jefferson's annual Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo by Kevin Redding
Scenes from Port Jefferson's annual Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo by Kevin Redding
Scenes from Port Jefferson's annual Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo by Kevin Redding
Scenes from Port Jefferson's annual Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo by Kevin Redding
Scenes from Port Jefferson's annual Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo by Kevin Redding
Scenes from Port Jefferson's annual Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo by Kevin Redding
Scenes from Port Jefferson's annual Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo by Kevin Redding
Scenes from Port Jefferson's annual Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo by Kevin Redding
Scenes from Port Jefferson's annual Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo by Kevin Redding

By Kevin Redding

From Aug. 24 to 27, the grounds at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson were filled with residents shouting “Opa!”

Vendors were selling Greek art and jewelry, there were carnival rides, happy faces and a whole lot of food for the 56th annual Greek Festival.

Long Islanders chowed down on gyros, moussaka, souvlaki and spanakopita while kids took to the merry-go-round and giant slide. Guided tours of the church and grand raffle prizes were available throughout the weekend and Greek music from the festival could be heard for miles.

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Zoe Anaxagorou, 4, from Port Jeff screams with joy during the Greek Festival Sunday. Photo by Bob Savage
A young man gets sprayed at the cooling tent during the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Sunday. Photo by Bob Savage
Adreana Scaduto, 2, of Port Jeff Station waves from a ride during the Greek Festival Sunday. Photo by Bob Savage
A Greek Festival attendee tries her hand at darts during the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Sunday. Photo by Bob Savage
Eliana Presso, 3, from Wading River takes a ride during the Greek Festival Sunday. Photo by Bob Savage
Children enjoy the Fun Slide at the Greek Festival Sunday. Photo by Bob Savage
Food vendors play a large role during the annual Greek Festival in Port Jefferson. Photo by Bob Savage
Toddler Alexa Verderosa from Shoreham enjoying her ice during the Greek Festival Sunday in Port Jefferson. Photo by Bob Savage
Greek Festival goers shopping at a jewelry vendor Sunday. Photo by Bob Savage
One of the many carnival rides on site at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson. Photo by Bob Savage
Young boys on an amusement park style ride during the Greek Festival Sunday in Port Jefferson. Photo by Bob Savage
Family photos taken in one of the festival cut-outs during the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Sunday. Photo by Bob Savage
A view of the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson from atop the Ferris Wheel. Photo by Bob Savage
Thumbs up for the Greek food available at Port Jefferson's Greek Festival. Photo by Bob Savage
Cosmo Austine, 3, from Nesconset gets his face painted during the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Sunday. Photo by Bob Savage

Port Jefferson’s 2016 Greek Festival kicked off Aug. 18 and has three remaining dates from Aug. 26 to Aug. 28. The annual cultural celebration is hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption at Port Jefferson and features food, activities, music, fireworks and more.

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Long Islanders enjoyed food, rides and games at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station, an annual event hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption.

The festival ran from Aug. 20 to Aug. 23. Before finding their way to the food, rides and games, people who attended the four-day event could pick up raffle tickets for Sunday’s raffle drawing, buy toys and jewelry and other things from the vendors. Those who entered the drawing could win prizes like a car, various electronics and cash, among other prizes. Visitors could dance or watch a group of dancers perform several traditional Greek dances and many viewed the 30-minute fireworks display on two of the festival evenings before returning to their games and rides or going home for the night.

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Long Islanders could enjoy rides, games, popcorn and cotton candy at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Fireworks went off at 9:30 p.m. at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 21 and Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
James Amir, left, of J & E AirBrush Tattoos, airbrush tattoo a girl at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Community members at the festival could order grape leaves stuffed with seasoned rice and other types of Greek food at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Dancers perform some Greek dances at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug 21 and Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Small fish were placed in bowls for a festival game at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Fireworks went off at 9:30 p.m. at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 21 and Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Kids enjoy one of the kid-friendly rides at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
A little boy and girl pick out a toy at the Fish Til You Win game at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Dancers perform some Greek dances at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug 21 and Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Father John Phillips of East Setauket holds his son Hunter, right, as he goes down the slide alongside his other children Chase, center, and daughter Peyton at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Jewelry vendors sells their creations at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo by Giselle Barkley
Fireworks went off at 9:30 p.m. at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 21 and Aug. 22, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Candy and caramel covered apples were served at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Community members gather around various vendors near the entrance of the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Two women dressed as Elsa from Frozen and Ariel from the Little Mermaid, pose for a photo with a little girl at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo by Giselle Barkley
A little boy gets his face painted at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
DJ Tony Entertainment group, which specializes in Greek and American music, performs at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Two girls ride the Ferris wheel at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley
Community members and their kids could win prizes at the Greek Festival in Port Jefferson Station on Friday, Aug. 21, hosted by the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption. Photo By Giselle Barkley.
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