BROOKLYN – The Church of St. Nicholas and St. Marina in Brooklyn hosted the miraculous icon of the St. Irene Chrysovalantou from the Sacred Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery on June 8-10 along with a festival.

On Friday, for the reception of the icon on the feast of the Holy Trinity, the V. Rev. Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne, Meletios Bougas, presided over the service and was assisted by Fr. Gerasimos Ballas- Protopresbyter, Rev. Protopresbyter Apostolos Manoloudis, and Fr. Konstantinos Koumpoulis.

The festival was celebrated immediately following the blessing with the participation of a crowd of people who enjoyed the traditional Greek dishes and pastries.

Archimandrite Meletios Bougas spoke to The National Herald and warmly thanked the volunteers for their service and all those in attendance for their presence. “At the festival,” he said, “we are given the opportunity to promote Orthodoxy, culture, tradition, Greek cuisine and hospitality. I wish everyone health and joy and to get together again next year to celebrate the festival again.”

The Parish Council President, Panagiotis Giannopoulos, expressed the joy and pride that he felt seeing all the members working together harmoniously and lovingly for the good of the church.

Anna Bilarikis, a member of the Philoptochos Society, said that all the food, sweets and loukoumades were made with a lot of love and skill by the society.

Nicholas Kallinikos, a member of the church, referred to the quiet but priceless work that the volunteers perform during the festivals in the communities.

Please note that on Saturday the Paraclesis was celebrated and on Sunday the Panegyric Divine Liturgy and procession with the Holy Icon in the Church.

Members of the Philoptochos Society, left to right, Lambrini Iordanou, Mary Kafantaris, Anna Bilariki, and Fotini Svingos. Photo by Michalis Kakias