Grecian Festival Program Book 2008

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Saint Spyridon Grecian Festival Saint Spyridon Grecian Festival

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In October 2007 Saint Spyridon Cathedral lost one of the great volunteers to the Grecian Festival, Alex Gazonas.We are dedicating Grecian Festival 2008 in Alex’s memory with the theme “Faith and Culture” chosen as a fitting description of his life’s work.

Alex was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania on June 18, 1926. At the age of 12 he realized that he had artistic talent and knew that it would be his profession. His mother at first was not as enthusiastic “she figured I’d starve, she didn’t know about the modern aspects of art, like advertising, where you could make a good living. I always felt very confident that I was going to survive by my art.” He went on to study at The Philadelphia Museum College of Art and after serving in WW II worked as a com-mercial artist in the Philadelphia area. He came to Worcester in the early 70’s with his wife Helen (Kaplanes) and their children Thomas and Christine, accepting a teaching position at the David Hale Fanning Trade and Health School, later renamed Worcester Technical Institute WTI. “It was nice to be able to teach because you receive an income every week and at the same time accomplish the goal of painting.” He taught for 22 years reluctantly retiring in 1997 when WTI closed. In his retirement Alex said “I try to paint every day to produce and keep up my craft. I love painting Worcester because it is really diverse in subject matter. Everywhere you look there’s a picture. I look for contrast, light and dark and sometimes a feeling of loneliness, I don’t know why but Worcester has it.”

Alex was a master watercolorist and was designated a “Copley Master” by the prestigious Copley Society of Boston in 1981, a title given to only 50 artists. He preferred watercolor “because it is more challenging. You have to commit yourself to a color and a wash and go with it. With oils, if you don’t like the way it looks, you can just scrape it off and start over.” He rarely painted from photographs in-stead choosing to paint smaller “quarter-pages” on location or for larger paintings sketch his subject

Alexander G. Gazonas“Faith and Culture”

Telegram & Gazette Photo of Alex at Elm Park

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in pencil, he would then return home to his studio completing the watercolor from memory in a few days.

Alex painted all the artwork and signs from the first Grecian Festival in 1976 to his last 30 years later. By Alex’s count he made 235 signs for each Festival. Alex took great pride in his service to the Festival and was especially proud of the logo he designed.

For each Festival Alex would usually present 2 or 3 different paintings for the Festival Committee to vote on for the main poster. The art work for this year’s poster and Program Book cover, “Charioteer of Delphi” was one that wasn’t selected by the committee the year it was presented but remained one of Alex’s personal favorites. Before one of the Festival Committee meetings in 2006 Alex was asked how long the painting for the 30th anniversary poster took to complete; his answer “30 minutes…..and 60 years experience”. On behalf of my Co-Chairman George Maniatis, the Grecian Festival Committee, and all our Volunteers I thank you for helping us celebrate the 32nd year of the Festival and the life of Alexander G. Gazo-nas.

-Michael Dionis, Grecian Festival Co-Chairman

30 Years of Grecian Festival Posters

Original Watercolor for 2006 Festival Poster

Family Center Logo

Grecian Festival Logo

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We are truly grateful to have you join us for the 2008 Grecian Festival. Experience a bit of Greece as we take you through some of the wonderful features that make our Festival unique…

...View the Art of Copley Master Alexander G. Gazonas in the Tonna Room Gallery.

...In our Main Food Line choose from 15 homemade Greek specialty foods and pastries including Lamb & Chicken Shish-Kebab, Moussaka, Pastichio, Spinach or Cheese Pita, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Baklava, and many more.

...For a quick sandwich try the Fast Food Line and order a Gyro, Loukaniko (Greek Sausage), or Pork Souv-laki Wrap.

...Relax in the outdoor Kafenio and enjoy a Greek Coffee, Iced Frappe, glass of Wine, Beer, or sip on an Ouzo. Sample one of the Meze, (Greek appetizers) or better yet order the Assortment Plate.

...Take a stroll through the Agora, a replica of an authentic shopping experience in the traditional Greek style of many street vendors nestled together each selling their homemade & handmade goods. Purchase Handmade Linens to treasure, Icons, Plants & Herbs, Jewelry, Music, Paintings, Clothing, Books, and Bakery Sweets. Enjoy the music, purchase a Greek Magazine or a chocolate bar from our Periptero...sit alongside and watch the beauty of it all.

...Take a chance on the Raffle and drive home in a new Volvo, Mazda or Saturn.

...Learn a few steps from our Dance Troupes.

…Join your children for games and treats at the Kids’ Fest.

…Step back in time to ancient Greece through the Living Museum.

…And most importantly take a Cathedral Tour. It is an experience for the senses and the soul.

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Honorary Chairs Rev. Father Dean Paleologos

Rev. Father Gregory Christakos

Festival ChairmenMichael Dionis

George ManiatisAnnouncer: George ManiatisOpening Ceremony Announcer: Nicholas BazoukasFinance & Couriers: George Fotiades, Harris Pitsillides & Chris FourkasAgora: Erin MoudiosCultural Display: Katerina SingasBakery Booth: Philoptochos, Kathy GaniasBaking: Dimitra Kimbouris, Alexandra Economou, Peter Gaba, Kathy Ganias & PhiloptochosBookstore: Dr. Matthew PanagiotuChurch Tours: Michael ConstantinouReligious: Maria SkritakisMusic/Video: Nicholas TzoumbasEntertainment: Aris Felis, Dimitrios VasiliadisD.J.: Chris TsigasArt Exhibit: Antoinette ZographosAdmissions: Demostenes KaloudelisKafenio: Zoe Paleologos, Eleni GiannakisBeverages: Dimitrios VasiliadisMini Bar: Gregory Panagiotou Food Chair: George PanagiotopoulosSoda: Dennis Dionis

Kitchen: Peter GabaFood Advisor: Gus GiannakisFood Line: Janice Dionis, Tony SoukalopoulosShish Kebab Pit: Sam GeorgiadisFast Food: Stavros Papalionakis, Sideris AngelouFruit Cups: Todd Stamoulis, Dean StamoulisSalads: Petros AthanasiouLoukoumades: Jody Athanasiou, Vicky Helali & Jessica PitsillidesRaffle: Barbara Douka-EfstathiouRaffle Advisor: Aris FelisProgram Book, Public Relations, & Publicity: Chris-tina Andrianopoulos, George Maniatis, Katerina Kakou-ros & Sarah KyriazisAdvisor: Nicholas BazoukasFacilities: Chris Fourkas, John Rallis & Don TheoharidesPermits, Licensing: Chris Fourkas, Michael Dionis, Chris Dionis & Dimitrios VasiliadisLiving Museum: Anthony VorresPrint Design: Sarah KyriazisWebsite: Panagiota Gertsios

The Charioteer of Delphi also known as Iniohos, “he who holds the reins” is one of the best-known statues surviving from Ancient Greece and is considered one of the finest examples of ancient bronze statues. The

statue was erected at the Sanctuary of Delphi in 474 BC to commemorate the victory of a chariot team in the Pythian Games which were held like the Olympics every four years. The Charioteer was originally part of a larger group which included four horses and the chariot he stood on. The life-size 5’ 11’ statue was found in 1896 buried in three sections at Delphi. Greek bronzes were cast in sections and then assembled; the Charioteer’s upper body, lower body and arms were cast separately. It is one of the few Greek statues where inlaid details such as the silver headband, onyx eyes, copper eyelashes and copper lips survived. It is also one of the most important sculptures of Ancient Greece as it embodies the point in time when stylized geometric represen-tation transitioned to the ideals and realism of the Classical era which influ-ences art and thought to this day.

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This is the second festival that Anthony Vorres has taken over the Living Museum. He writes and di-rects the production whereby he reenacts a part of Ancient Greek History with professional and non professional actors who come alive during the production…the audience will get to experience

being part of the production, since it is interactive they will feel as if they have been transported to Ancient Greece. What can our Grecian Festival guests expect at this Festival’s Living Museum Production? “The Living Museum” is reenactment of an ancient Greek museum. The museum is in two parts. As guests enter the Corridor to the museum they will be walking through the halls of an Ancient Greek museum that is showcasing artwork from the Historic Greek era that is represented in this production. The second part of the performance is when guests enter the performance hall and feel as if they have been transported to an authentic amphitheater also representing the historic period reenacted in the performance. The perfor-mance is a live full scale theatre production that tells the story of a popular character from a classic Greek literary work. What period of Ancient Greece will be reenacted? Which characters are involved? Again there are two parts to the production. In the first half of the museum, the exhibit hall, there is a host of characters posing as if they are statues...don’t be surprised if suddenly one of the statues starts interacting with the guests as they slowly all come to life. One of the characters is the tour guide Eleni, who will escort the guests to the ampitheater as she introduces the other statues of classic Greek figures in the museum. Some of the characters are Saphho, a popular Greek female poet, Archimedes, the classic Greek philosopher, and Alexander the Great, the popular Greek warrior that ruled the majority of the ancient world as they knew it then. In the theatre portion of the show, which actually makes up the bulk of the production, the story revolves around one central character, Achilles the Ancient Greek warrior from the classic book “The Iliad”. The play touches on Achilles’ journeys during the Trojan War and how those journeys mold him not only as a warrior but more importantly, as a man. Achilles is widely known to be the hero in the Iliad, but what exactly makes a hero? Is it strength, courage, WRATH or is it something else? That is the main question that is posed to the audience during the performance, and it is the same question in which the entire museum’s existence revolves around.

“The Wrath”by Anthony Vorres

Living Museum Executive Director & Producer

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About Anthony VorresAnthony owns Vorres Productions and has worked on many produc-tions in many roles in his young life including acting, directing, writing and producing. He has also starred in numerous independent films and TV shows, and wrote and directed and produced many plays, including the Grecian Festival Living Museum productions. Many of the creative work in which Anthony has been involved have met with great accolades and success. He is currently working on a film that he wrote, directed and produced called One Cruel Day. Recently Anthony has been hired as a House Manager and the Development Coordina-tor at the new Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts. His greatest desire is that the 2008 Grecian Festival Living Museum production is well received and a great success. He hopes to see all guests at the end of the production back stage. He also notes, that the success of the production is only as good as his GREAT cast. He thanks them for their hard work and performing from their heart and soul. For more information on Anthony and Vorres Productions you can visit www.VorresProductions.com as well as OneCruelDayMovie.com.

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Greetings and best wishes for another

successful GrecianFestival

CongressmanJim McGovern

PAID FOR BY THE RE-ELECT MCGOVERN COMMITTEE

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...Saint Spyridon Cathedral was designated as a Cathedral in 1984.

...the first Saint Spyridon location was Orange Street until it moved to Russell Street in 1952.

...the festival averages approximately 25,000 guests who pass our entrance in the three days of the festival.

...we have over 300 volunteers, that’s 5,000 over the 32 year history of the Festival.

...that we were the first large scale Festival in New England.

...this Festival was the template for festivals in Worcester and throughout the Northeast.

...that our tent is over 100 feet long and 50 feet wide.

...that over 10,000 pieces of pastry will be baked for the Festival, using more than 1,000 lbs of flour, hundreds of pounds of sugar, and 300 dozen eggs.

...over 7,000 skewers of shish ke bab will be grilled.

...over 7,000 pieces of spinach and cheese pita will be baked, using 300 lbs of filo and 500 lbs of cheese.

...over 270 lbs of feta cheese, 450 heads of lettuce, and 34 lbs of olives will be used in making the salads.

...42 bricks of yeast and 15 buckets of syrup will be used in the making of the loukoumades (fried honey puffs).

...40 cases of Green Beans will be used in the making of the “Greek Style” green beans.

...300 lbs of rice will be used in the making of the Rice Pilaf.

...that our parishioners are ethnic Greek, Albanian, Romanian, Russian, Irish, Assyrian, to name a few.

...80% of the Saint Spyridon parishioners are self employed.

...in his lifetime Alex Gazonas painted over 300 views of Elm Park. View and purchase some of his greatest works in the Tonna Room Art Gallery.

...Greek music is as diverse as music in the U.S., everything from folk (demotika), blues (rebetika), to pop (laike). Enjoy the greatest hits of Greek music compiled by DJ Christos Tsigas and the Live music of Orchestra Asteria and Arion each night. Go to the Agora and let them suggest a Greek CD to match your musical taste.

...for the first time in the Festival’s history the Raffle winner will have a choice of three vehicles, a Volvo S-60 Se-dan, Mazda CX-9, Saturn Aura or $25,000.

...the Agora was the central market and meeting place of Ancient Greece and still is today. Go inside our auditori-um to the Agora and purchase hand made goods, imported foods, jewelry, art, religious icons, and much more.

...you may think that the drink of choice in Greece is Ouzo but the most popular drink in Greece is the iced coffee “frappe”. Try one in the Kafenio, you’ll be hooked..better than any latte around.

...that the paintings and mosaics of our Cathedral rival anything you will see in Europe. Take a Cathedral tour to enlighten your eyes and soul.

...that “philoxenia”, hospitality towards visitors has been a fundamental element of Greek society and culture since ancient times. We consider it an honor and privilege to have you join us. Thank You!

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The Orthodox Christian FaithOrthodox Christians hold true to a tradition which has been handed down unchanged from the time of the Apostles. For over one thousand years from the Day of Pentecost, Orthodoxy was the only Christian tradition. Orthodoxy is practiced the same way today as it was in the Church of the catacombs, the Church of the Apostles, the Fathers, and martyrs. While some may find the services, traditions, or practices of Orthodoxy to be “old fashioned”, or “not in keeping with today’s society in America”, it is this very factor that gives Orthodoxy its inherent strength. Orthodoxy has always held true to those values and principles given to mankind by God, and through his Son our savior JESUS CHRIST, rather than mold and change its beliefs and principles to accommodate an ever changing society. While it may be practiced in many languages throughout the world, the principals, traditions, and liturgies are the same. In closely watching the Divine Liturgy, visitors can readily see the origins and elements of our worship service, such as the Nicene Creed, the Epistle, Gospel readings and the Lord’s Prayer. Orthodoxy is an inheritance: the Bible, the Creed, the decrees of the Ecumenical Councils, the service books, the worship, and the art have formed the “Tradition” of the Church.

History of Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox CathedralIn 1924 construction began on Orange Street in Worcester for the first Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church. On May 3, 1925 the new church was consecrated. As the community grew, the need for a new church was realized. In November 1950, construction began on a new church, on our present site at the corner of Elm and Russell St. On Palm Sunday, April 13, 1952, the doors of the new St. Spyridon Church were officially opened. In 1985, Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church was elevated to a Cathedral. Today our Cathedral has approximately 1,500 families whose Stewardship supports such ministries as The Orthodox Food Pantry, Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and Youth Activites.

In architecture, Saint Spyridon Cathedral is in the Byzantine style, with one or more domed roofs. The domes and their surmounting crosses remind us that Christ is the head of the Church and are symbolic of heaven above. The Church was designed in the shape of a crucifix, which reminds us that we are saved by the Cross of Christ.

Saint SpyridonOur Cathedral is named after Saint Spyridon, who died in the 4th century. He was born in Cyprus and is honored in both the Eastern and Western Churches. He was compassionate and loving; a humble shepherd, Bishop of Trimythus, confessor of the faith during times of persecution, and an outstanding teacher of Orthodoxy at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325. Saint Spyridon is noted for the miracles he performed during his life and is known for his great piety, honesty, and gentleness. When you walk into the Cathedral you will enter the Narthex and see a glass display case with the slippers of Saint Spyridon, given to us by the Bishop of Corfu. The body of Saint Spyridon has remained completely intact. The Holy Relics are found in the church in Kerkyra on the island of Corfu, Greece. Each year, on the day of his commemoration, December 12, the slippers are found completely worn out. The serving priests change the saint’s shoes every year, only to find them worn out again the next year. It is the belief of Orthodox Christians that Saint Spyridon continues walking today performing miracles.

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It’s all Greek to me...Good Morning - Kali MeraGood Evening - Kali SperaGood Night - Kali NehtaHello/Goodbye - YiasouCheers - Stin e Gia MasI would like to - TheloPlease - ParakaloThank You - EfharestoTable - TrabezeHot - ZestiCold - KreoWater - Nero

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Grecian Festival Program Book 2008

Entertainment & Humor