Philadelphia, PA – Historic Olde City turned Greek this past weekend. Behind the iron gate at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, souvlaki and gyro sandwiches were being prepared. At the other end of the church parking lot, the sounds of traditional Greek music kept the crowd dancing.
Parishioners, scents and the sounds of simmering Greek food filled the air at this historic Greektown. Lines of everything from moussaka, pastichio and every sweet imaginable was available as you traveled under the big tent. “The sweets are the best, and we make them right here,” said one parishioner. I’ve been here from the beginning, since the festival’s inception”, added another.
The spring event is has been hosted since 1974 and continues to be the key fundraiser for the historic church. Greektown started here in this neighborhood more than a century ago, when Greeks arrived as immigrants. A few shops and business continue to maintain a presence.