BAY RIDGE — There was an undeniable feeling of jubilation in the air, as the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Brooklyn hosted its annual three-day Greek Festival, a decades’ old neighborhood tradition, from Sept. 20-22, along Ridge Boulevard between 84th and 86th Streets. 

The event drew thousands and offered an abundance of Greek food and pastries, rides, games and entertainment but most importantly, it paid homage to Greek culture in Bay Ridge which has the second largest population of Greeks outside of Astoria, Queens, and Greece. 

George Christodoulou, the festival’s co-chair, told the Brooklyn Eagle that he takes great joy in seeing people attend the yearly “panigiri.”    

“I grew up here in this community; I went to school here,” Christodoulou said. “And I do this simply because I love it. This weekend, we are celebrating the feast of our church, Holy Cross. The objective is simply for people to come out, have good memories and have a really great time.”  

For the greater community

Festival co-chair Demetrius Kalamaras pointed out that this is not only a great thing for the immediate community but also for the greater community.

“It’s not just for Greeks,” Kalamaras said. “It’s the Arabic community, the Irish community and they are coming from Bensonhurst, Astoria and from Staten Island, as well. 

“There are so many people working to put these three great days together,” he continued. “So many are donating their time and efforts — all the ministries, scouts, the youth committee, the ladies auxiliary and more.” 

According to Kalamaras, the festival is expected to draw approximately 10,000 spectators and raise in the ballpark of $100,000 on par with what typically happens year-over-year, he said. “But it really requires a lot of hustling.” 

Some history

The Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church of Bay Ridge had its origin in early 1956 when a group of men convened in the “Little Fur Shop” on 85th Street and Fourth Avenue. 

They strongly believed that there was a definite need for a Greek Orthodox Church in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, as the area was rich in the number of Greek Orthodox Christians, and hundreds of families were living in a near-spiritual and communal vacuum. 

They were also fully aware that the Greek Orthodox Church not only serves the spiritual needs of its communicants but is also the center of Hellenic culture and the instrument by which Greek heritage is transferred to each succeeding generation.

These men, John Apostolakis, Contstantine Butsikares, Alex Coufos, Costis Generalis, Angelo Kappakas, Emile Murat and Gus Nicholas, by their decisive action, became the founding fathers of the church.

The first general meeting was convened on Dec. 11, 1956, with approximately 40 Bay Ridge residents. With regard to the church’s naming, it was decided that the parishioners should name it and not let any one individual have that honor — hence, the name Holy Cross was chosen.