When I moved to Pittsburgh in 1997-1999, I was living with some awesome roommates in a house in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, and a couple blocks away on the
corner of Forbes and Walnut (across the from the Starbucks) was an awesome little Greek restaurant that annually did a Valentine's Day deal for two.
Unfortunately it later closed and was replaced by grungy-looking bar. So in the early 2000s, we went to one of the Greek Orthodox churches a couple times for
their annual Greek food festival. It was OK, but the selection was limited and it was just food in a large gym-like hall. If they did other stuff I can't
recall. So last summer when we moved to our current locale I was busy getting adjusted and set up and the wife was busy job hunting, but this summer having
been settled in we noticed ads for a Greek festival up the interstate in Erie, so we decided to go last Saturday.
WOW.
There were tents all over with plenty of tables and benches, tents with food, tents with souvenirs and even tents with religious items from a Greek Orthodox monastery. The tents were arranged in a ring with a stage and in the middle was a large space next to lots of chairs where dancers in costume performed traditional steps. More food was available inside the church itself in a smaller area made for such events, and the public was also allowed to visit the vestibule and sanctuary as well. Pictures of the inside of an Orthodox church simply cannot do the sight justice. It was incredible. We went to the sanctuary at one of the times when they were supposed to be offering free tours, and there were may visitors there, but no tour. We spent about 10 minutes in the vestibule, where the faithful could donate cash for candles to light or kiss the image of Mary at her death (and presumably right before her ascension as Jesus can be seen appearing in the background). Then we went into the sanctuary itself and sat in a pew for another 15 or so minutes. Major events from the Gospels were depicted in a series of murals that wound left to back and then right back to front on the walls at one level, with other levels showing the apostles and various other saints. The front of course had plenty of icons. Every surface was glowing with bright images of Biblical and historical significance. Bright and vibrant. The wife thought it was gaudy, but I felt it was enthusiastic and inspiring.
Oh, and the food was amazing!
WOW.
There were tents all over with plenty of tables and benches, tents with food, tents with souvenirs and even tents with religious items from a Greek Orthodox monastery. The tents were arranged in a ring with a stage and in the middle was a large space next to lots of chairs where dancers in costume performed traditional steps. More food was available inside the church itself in a smaller area made for such events, and the public was also allowed to visit the vestibule and sanctuary as well. Pictures of the inside of an Orthodox church simply cannot do the sight justice. It was incredible. We went to the sanctuary at one of the times when they were supposed to be offering free tours, and there were may visitors there, but no tour. We spent about 10 minutes in the vestibule, where the faithful could donate cash for candles to light or kiss the image of Mary at her death (and presumably right before her ascension as Jesus can be seen appearing in the background). Then we went into the sanctuary itself and sat in a pew for another 15 or so minutes. Major events from the Gospels were depicted in a series of murals that wound left to back and then right back to front on the walls at one level, with other levels showing the apostles and various other saints. The front of course had plenty of icons. Every surface was glowing with bright images of Biblical and historical significance. Bright and vibrant. The wife thought it was gaudy, but I felt it was enthusiastic and inspiring.
Oh, and the food was amazing!
