Flavors of Greece on display in Monessen

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

A Monessen Greek food festival has once again shown that food and music can unite the generations, benefit a house of worship and give the Mon Valley a chance to “savor the flavors of Greece.”

Ronalyn Apodiakos, a parishioner at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church and one of the “Savor the Flavors of Greece” festival planners, said the annual extravaganza has been a staple in Monessen since the early 1970s. 

A few downpours of rain didn’t stop large crowds of people from descending on the church’s  Hellenic Center and grounds to hear the musical stylings of Filarakia, have a cold adult beverage and chow down on favorites such as galatoboureko (custard squares), baklava, loukoumades (Greek donuts also known as “honey puffs” or “honey balls”), spanakopita, pastitchio (Greek lasagna), grape leaves and more.

And what Greek festival would be complete without lamb? 

Many of the teen and young adult members of the church held down the fort in the gyro kitchen, while men from the church like Perry George, Nick Lagos and Moe Galis, who wore an apron that read “Danger Greek Man Cooking” operated the grill, cooking lamb shish-kabobs, which were perfectly marinated in olive oil, lemon, oregano and garlic.

Apodiakos said St. Spyridon’s Savor the Flavors of Greece festival attracts Monessenites as well as people from across the Valley with Greek heritage and those who simply love Greek food and music.

The church couldn’t hold the festival in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, so Apodiakos said “we’re elated” when asked how her fellow members of the St. Spyridon congregation were feeling about this year’s return.

“We typically have a two-day event,” Apodiakos said, adding that the festival was cut back to one day this year for multiple reasons. 

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