Aim is to ‘widen our horizons’

FESTIVALS: GREEK CHURCH EXPANDING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

BY LIANA BAYNE

THE FREE LANCE-STAR

The Nativity of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church is sponsoring two festivals in the next two months with hopes of increasing their presence in the community and raising money for the church and for charity.

The church, best known for its large Greek Festival every spring, hopes to attract more people to its two relatively new late-summer/early-fall community events.

The Crab Feast, now in its third year, will take place on Aug. 18, and the Dionysus Wine Festival, in its second year, happens on Sept. 22.

The Crab Feast features all-you-can-eat crabs, hot dogs, soft drinks and beer for $30, while the wine festival includes a glass and tastings for $15.

“We wanted to widen our horizons and make sure the community knows the Greek church is not just the [spring] festival,” said Judy Marrs, the administrative assistant for the chair of the church’s fundraising committee.

Father John Katsoulis, the priest at Nativity of the Theotokos, said profits from the two events go to help not just the church, but the many philanthropic organizations it supports.

Katsoulis said that, locally, the church supports Hope House—a shelter for women and children in Fredericksburg—and School Dressing Days, which provide school clothes for local students.

Nationally, the church supports secular organizations like the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association, as well as Greek Orthodox organizations such as orphanages and colleges.

This year, the church hopes to have 350 people attend the crab feast (up from 250 last year).

Though the wine festival is only in its second year, about 300 people attended last year and the church hopes to see about 500 attend this year.

Marrs said the events are designed not only as fundraisers, but as chances for the wider area community to interact with the Greek community.

The events have also brought a few newcomers into the parish, Marrs said.

Katsoulis offers church tours during the events, especially the spring festival, that explain more about the Eastern Orthodox Faith.

Katsoulis said he hopes local people will recognize that his church is involved in more than a once-per-spring festival.

“They know us in the spring, but they don’t know us in any other part of the year,” he said.

Katsoulis said the parish has been part of the Fredericksburg area for about 20 years. It currently has about 125 families.

When Katsoulis arrived at the parish about four years ago, the church tried a miniature version of the Greek festival in the fall. That wasn’t as effective, Katsoulis said. So they decided to try something different.

Even though crabs and Virginia wine aren’t quite traditional Greek foods, “good food and good wine is a Greek staple,” Katsoulis said.

Marrs said the crabs come from a local crabber in Urbanna, and Katsoulis said all the wineries that participate in the wine festival are from the area. Other vendors who will be at the events are also all from the local area.

“We wanted to do something that would appeal to the community,” Katsoulis said.

Both events will be “a great way to spend an afternoon,” he said.

WANT TO GO?

THIRD ANNUAL CRAB FEAST

Where: Nativity of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church, 12326 Spotswood Furnace Road

When: Saturday, Aug. 18, noon–5 p.m. (gate opens at 11 a.m.)

Tickets: Cost is $30. Tickets will not be sold at the door. You can buy them now through Aug. 16 at Todds Tavern, 2400 Diner, Hair Mosaics, Napoleta or at the church on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

More info: nativity.va .goarch.org or 540/548-2665

DIONYSUS WINE FESTIVAL

Where: Nativity of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church, 12326 Spotswood Furnace Road

When: Saturday, Sept. 22, noon–5 p.m.

How much: $15 in advance, $20 at the gate, free for people younger than 21. Tickets will be sold at the door. Or you can buy them in advance beginning Aug. 21 at 2400 Diner, Napoleta Restaurant, Todds Tavern, Hair Mosaic, B101.5 radio or by calling 540/548-2665 or emailing jtreker11@comcast.net.

More info: nativity.va .goarch.org or 540/548-2665

Liana Bayne: 540/374-5444

lbayne@freelancestar.com

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