{"id":284645,"date":"2026-07-02T09:21:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T09:21:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/284645\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T09:21:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T09:21:36","slug":"celebrating-hellenic-heritage-queens-gazette","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/284645\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating Hellenic Heritage – Queens Gazette"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

BY CATHERINE TSOUNIS<\/p>\n

Celebrating Faith, Culture and Community Together was the theme of the 2026 Festival of the Transfiguration Church of Mattituck, N.Y. The Festival was located on Church grounds at 1950 Breakwater Road, on Friday and Saturday June 26 and 27th. Souvlaki, gyro, lamb, Greek food, Loukoumades, Greek pasties were offered.
Power Station\u2019s Live music with bouzouki, clarinet, violin players, a DJ, and several singers made the evenings exceptional . Their music was like being at live concerts for FREE. A raffle was held each evening. The flea market is a popular attraction everyone looks forward to every year. The entire festival was free. Saturday evening a traditional dance group, the Greek American Folklore Society from New York City, had performances that inspired everyone to dance. The Festival volunteers believe \u201cyour support makes a difference. Every gyro, souvlaki, pastry, raffle ticket donation helps us give back to our community. Because of your support, we are able to assist organizations,\u201d is their mission.
Reverend Economos Father Andrew D. Cadieux is the church priest. Co-Chairwomen were Anna Kalogeras Flosos, President of the Parish Council and Barbara Kavourias Thermos, Vice-President of the Parish Council. Many vendors included Amalia Bollanos, Valerie DeFio, Mixology Clothing company, children\u2019s game booths with Catherine and Brian Vezeris and many others. This year many donors helped to make the event a success.
Here\u2019s a polished version that preserves the reverend\u2019s message and speaking style while improving grammar, clarity, and flow. I\u2019ve kept it in a quote format suitable for a news article.
\u201cThis is approximately the 56th year of the festival, which started with one of our parishioners selling souvlaki,\u201d said Reverend Economos Father Andrew D. Cadieux. \u201cIt has morphed into not only a festival of wonderful meals and desserts, but also one that features vendors and music. More importantly, it has become a true community event where we put our best foot forward for the North Fork of Long Island.\u201d
\u201cOur dedicated parishioners have given their time, energy, and resources to make this wonderful festival possible,\u201d Father Andrew explained. \u201cWe\u2019ve welcomed local politicians, as well as residents from Mattituck, East Marion, Greenport, and even as far away as Massapequa. Everyone helps out, from our youngest volunteers, who are about 10 or 11 years old, to our eldest, who are well into their 80s. It is truly a community event where everyone contributes because they love the fact that we have a voice and a place on the North Fork.\u201d
Father Andrew described, \u201cWe\u2019ve worked so hard, not only as the Greek community but as the Orthodox faithful, to show who we are\u2014not just a cultural church, but a church that offers its ministries and keeps its doors open to everyone. We would not be where we are today without our wonderful festival chairladies, along with several influential families whose many members volunteer their time and effort. We thank God for everyone\u2019s continued love, support, and assistance. Amen.\u201d
\u201cI have been a vendor at the Transfiguration Church for about four years,\u201d said Amalia Bollanos. She has a natural talent. Her displays excite the imagination of festival participants. Her husband Panagiotis and daughter Athalia assisted in her booth. \u201cWe are coming to the Festival since 1991,\u201d said Leo and Larissa, neighbors of the church. Many who attended have been coming for years.
Rena Tsapelas Singer is a famous singer of Power Station musical group. She is the third generation of her family in the music field. Her grandfather is Mike Daniels and mother is Aphrodite Daniels, famous in the Greek entertainment field. Rena, the daughter of two prominent Greek American families, has been gifted with a musical talent that spreads joy to all. The Transfiguration of Christ Greek Orthodox Church of Mattituck Long Island spread joy to everyone in the beginning of the summer season.<\/p>\n

Photos:<\/p>\n

Photo1- (L. to r.): Festival Co-Chairwomen Barbara Kavourias Thermos, Father Andrew D. Cadieux, and Anna Kalogeras Flossos.<\/p>\n

Photo2- Volunteers with Father Andrew.<\/p>\n

Photo3- The Transfiguration of Christ Greek Orthodox Church of Mattituck Long Island.<\/p>\n

Photo4- Volunteers with Father Andrew
Photo5- Volunteers with Father Andrew.<\/p>\n

Photo6- Power Station Musical group.<\/p>\n

Photo7- Volunteers with Father Andrew.<\/p>\n

Photo8- Greek American Folklore Society.<\/p>\n

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