READING, Pa.- Music, food, faith, and a celebration of culture is going on this weekend at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, but a man who was a huge part of the heart of the festival isn’t there this year.
“It’s been an honor to be here to help this continue, but it is bittersweet,” said Angel Cammarano, a parishioner and volunteer.
In its 56th year, the Greek Food Bazaar is being dedicated to longtime parishioner Chris Kraras, who passed away last year.
He was very devoted to his church community and this festival all his life.
“[He was] very involved with the community, one of the pillars of our community as well,” says Chris Dikos, a chairperson for the Greek Food Bazaar.
Cammarano is Chris Kraras’ sister. She says their father originally came up with the concept of the Greek Food Festival back in the 1970’s. Her brother was involved since his childhood.
“My father lived to be 97, and up until the year he passed, he was in the kitchen helping,” says Cammarano. “My brother, at only 79, ran the kitchen. Everything that happened went through his hands.”
Even in his absence, the Greek Food Fest is in good hands.
“It’s just a great atmosphere,” Dikos said. “We try to bring as much of Greece to Berks County.”
Thousands of pastries, traditional meals, and cultural treasures are still part of the special weekend, as well as guided tours of the church.
“It’s a Byzantine Orthodox iconography,” Dikos said, “a lot of people have never seen that.”
The Greek Food Bazaar runs through Sunday.