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Greek Food Festival in 45th year

Published June 23. 2026 11:36AM
by Tami Quigley Special to the Bethlehem press

Did someone say Opa?! That means it’s time for the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral 2026 Spring Greek Food Festival, which once again brought a delectable taste of Greece to West Bethlehem.

The biannual event is now 45 years strong, welcoming 10,000 visitors per weekend – the fall festival is slated for Sept. 17-20.

The event is a cherished tradition at St. Nicholas, providing the parish a chance to share its culture, food and faith with the community.

The skies were as blue as the Aegean Sea May 16 as visitors came to enjoy delicious food; tasty desserts; Greek coffee, soda, beer and wine; Greek folk dance performances by youth of the parish, age three to high school; church tours; Talvi – the traditional Greek version of backgammon – and dancing lessons. There is also a DJ in the evenings.

“The festival is the primary way we engage with the community,” Father Alexandros Petrides, Dean of the Cathedral, said. “We feed the community and open the doors of the church,” he said, noting weekend tours of the church are given during the event.

“Our goal is we want our neighbors to know who we are.”

The original church was built on the Southside in 1916, and the current church at 1607 W. Union Blvd. was constructed in 1960.

Father Petrides has been at St. Nicholas for 13 years – 10 as assistant and the past three as head priest.

“The parish is of Greek ancestry, but all ethnicities have found a spiritual home here,” he said.

“We’re a food heavy festival,” Father Petrides said, as the event does not have rides. A sampling of the delectable selections includes gyros, fries, Athenian stuffed chicken, moussaka, pastitsio, souvlaki and a tasty trove of desserts, such as baklava and flogeres (nut rolls).

All hot food is made on the premises, as well perishable selections and many desserts.

Father Petrides said there is a lot of prep work for the festival, such as baking cookies and preparing food in the parish kitchen weeks ahead of time. The fundraiser is “a substantial part of our budget.”

Peter Dectis, co-chair of the festival committee, was born and baptized at St. Nicholas. He recounted the festival started out with women of the parish selling goods at a pastry stand, and evolved into a few baked dishes. “We had a coat trailer and gyro machines, and it kept growing to outdoor tent seating.”

Food was available by take-out only during Covid. Now, everything is packaged to go, but the outdoor seating accommodates hundreds of people who can enjoy their selections on site. People may also order online at stnicholas.org/order.

“I was always involved with the church, but when I became a member of council 35 years ago I became more involved with the festival.”

Why does Dectis volunteer? “To help the church.”

Many parishioners of all ages share his sentiment, as many played a part in cooking up another successful festival that is steeped in tradition.

For more information, visit stnicholas.org/.

Press photos by Tami QuigleyFather Alexandros Petrides, Dean of the Cathedral, explains the iconography in the sanctuary, which includes scenes from Scripture; the life of St. Nicholas, patron saint of the parish; saints from the time of Christ through the modern era; and miracles of the Virgin Mary protecting Constantinople in the time of the Byzantine Empire.
Panayoti K. fills fry orders as dad Steve watches.
Soaking up the festive atmosphere are, from left, Steve Foreman, Evelyn Baxevane and Lee Daniels. Baxevane has strong ties to the parish, as she grew up at St. Nicholas, the family’s church since her grandparents began attending. Daniels, a native of West Bethlehem, said his late mother, Bonnie Miller, always looked forward to the festival, as it reminded her of when the church was built and “marked the seasons for her.”
Kosta Voyiazis shaves meat for gyros. Voyiazis likes volunteering at the festival, “For the sake of family and religion, to keep culture alive. Everyone feels like family here. It promotes ethnicity for younger generations.”
Enjoying the event are, from left, Madison Ondush, Holly Wagner and Heather Ondush. “We’re enjoying the food, weather and environment, and want to take a tour of the church,” Heather Ondush said. “I drive by here a lot, and am glad I finally came today.”
Anna Barbounis, parish council president, serves Loukoumades (Greek puffs) to a visitor.
Youth of the parish in grades seven through 12 perform traditional Greek dancing. Youth learn and practice Greek dancing throughout the year. Greek folk dancing plays an important cultural role. Dances and costumes vary throughout the different regions of Greece, but all share similar ideas: people dance to celebrate important events, express emotion, prepare for battle, and most importantly, build community.