Saint Spyridon Grecian Festival: Experience Greek Culture and Community

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Saint Spyridon Grecian Festival

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n 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 Chairmen
Michael Dionis
George Maniatis
Announcer: George Maniatis
Opening Ceremony Announcer: Nicholas Bazoukas
Finance & Couriers: George Fotiades,Harris Pitsillides
& Chris Fourkas
Agora: Erin Moudios
Cultural Display:Katerina Singas
Bakery Booth: Philoptochos,Kathy Ganias
Baking: Dimitra Kimbouris,Alexandra Economou,Peter
Gaba,Kathy Ganias & Philoptochos
Bookstore: Dr.Matthew Panagiotu
Church Tours: Michael Constantinou
Religious: Maria Skritakis
Music/Video: Nicholas Tzoumbas
Entertainment: Aris Felis,Dimitrios Vasiliadis
D.J.: Chris Tsigas
Art Exhibit: Antoinette Zographos
Admissions: Demostenes Kaloudelis
Kafenio: Zoe Paleologos,Eleni Giannakis
Beverages: Dimitrios Vasiliadis
Mini Bar: Gregory Panagiotou
Food Chair: George Panagiotopoulos
Soda: Dennis Dionis
Kitchen: Peter Gaba
Food Advisor: Gus Giannakis
Food Line: Janice Dionis,Tony Soukalopoulos
Shish Kebab Pit: Sam Georgiadis
Fast Food: Stavros Papalionakis,Sideris Angelou
Fruit Cups: Todd Stamoulis,Dean Stamoulis
Salads: Petros Athanasiou
Loukoumades: Jody Athanasiou,Vicky Helali & Jessica
Pitsillides
Raffle: Barbara Douka-Efstathiou
Raffle Advisor: Aris Felis
Program Book,Public Relations,& Publicity: Chris-
tina Andrianopoulos,George Maniatis,Katerina Kakou-
ros & Sarah Kyriazis
Advisor: Nicholas Bazoukas
Facilities: Chris Fourkas,John Rallis & Don Theoharides
Permits,Licensing: Chris Fourkas,Michael Dionis,Chris
Dionis & Dimitrios Vasiliadis
Living Museum: Anthony Vorres
Print Design: Sarah Kyriazis
Website: Panagiota Gertsios
T
he 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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T
his 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 Vorres
Anthony 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.Vo
rresProductions.com as well as OneCruelDayMovie.com.

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Greetings and
best wishes
for another
successful Grecian
Festival
Congressman
Jim 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 Faith
Orthodox 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 Cathedral
In 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 Spyridon
Our 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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Acme Pre-Pak Corp“Proud Providers of Grecian Festival Foods”
www.AcmePrePak.com
International Brotherhood
Of Police Officers Local #504
“Worcester’s Police Officials”
9-11 Lincoln Sq, Worcester, MA 01608
Sgt. Donald E. Cummings Lt. Michael L. Vacca Lt. William T. Quinn
President Vice President Secretary/Treasurer
Proud to Support
Grecian Festival 2008
Phone: 508-752-6466
FAX: 508-753-2971
Toll Free Phone: 800-922-8239
76 Webster Place
Worcester, MA , 01603-1920

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It’s all Greek to me...
Good Morning - Kali Mera
Good Evening - Kali Spera
Good Night - Kali Nehta
Hello/Goodbye - Yiasou
Cheers - Stin e Gia Mas
I would like to - Thelo
Please - Parakalo
Thank You - Efharesto
Table - Trabeze
Hot - Zesti
Cold - Kreo
Water - Nero

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Saint Spyridon Grecian Festival: Experience Greek Culture and Community

Saint Spyridon Grecian Festival: Experience Greek Culture and Community

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