ROSELAND, NJ – Saints Nicholas, Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Roseland hosted their 12th annual Greek Festival September 27-29.

Visitors, from the wider area and beyond, enjoy traditional Greek food and sweets made by parishioners, live music and shopping for souvenirs from the bazaar.

Presiding priest of the community Fr. George Khitiri spoke to The National Herald, thanking the Parish Council, the Philoptochos Society and all the volunteers and sponsors who take the lead in this great celebration.

He said, “This year we are celebrating our 12th annual festival and this makes us very happy. Although it is a relatively new festival, people support it, support it and strengthen it, either by offering food, by volunteering and donating or by attending. Through this we are given the opportunity to highlight Greek culture, history, religion, civilization, traditions and, of course, our excellent cuisine.”

“All volunteers should feel proud of their contribution to our beloved parish,” Fr. Khitiri told TNH. This year, the iconography of the church was finished and we invite all to come and admire it.”

“As a parish, we are proud of our Greek School, which already has 80 students, a number that will increase as enrollment continues, while our Sunday School operates from Kindergarten to 12th grade every Sunday, following the Archdiocese’s educational program, reading of the Holy Scripture, explanation of the Gospels and much more,” he said. “For us, the main goal is to bring young children closer to the church, so that they can get to know the ideals and values ​​of Hellenism and Orthodoxy.”

Parish Council President Doug Rosa thanked the volunteers for their many months of work, all the donors for the financial support, the neighboring and not only parishes for their support and the visitors of all nationalities who come to meet, to taste Greek cuisine, and have fun.

“In order to cope with the needs and to make the festival as successful as possible, we are using all 50,000 square feet of space that we have, with food, taverna, music and dance, and even a bookstore,” he said.

The person in charge of the festival, Agapios Kyritsis, emphasized that more than 100 volunteers give their best for the successful organization of the event. “We have the best cooks, the tastiest and freshest food, some donated, some made here, the best hospitality and we all have a great time together,” he said.

Philoptochos Society Vice President Cassandra Porter pointed out that the members of the Society make many of the sweets, serve, clean up, each depending on their talent and abilities, offering their services in various positions.