Houston Greek Festival
Encyclopedia
Houston Greek Festival was started in 1966 by the members of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral
as a "Greek Night". The three day festival is held annually on the first weekend in October (including Thursday) and features Greek food, live Greek music and Greek folk dances, as well as a gift shop and tours of the Cathedral. The Cathedral grounds on Yoakum Boulevard in the Neartown
area of Houston are overrun with people during this annual ethnic festival.
Through proceeds from the Greek Festival, donations are made to various charitable organizations, such as Children's Assessment Center, S.E.A.R.C.H., the Women's Home, Covenant House, Texas Emergency Aid Coalition (EAC), and the Star of Hope Mission.
In 1952, the church moved from its original location in downtown Houston (what is now Tranquility Park
) to its current location on Yoakum Boulevard. In 1967, Houston was designated as the see
of a new diocese in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South
America and Bishop John of Thermon was installed. In 1971, the parish opened a parochial school, The Annunciation School.
In the early 1990s a new parish, St. Basil the Great
was formed in west Houston.
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral (Houston)
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral is the spiritual home of the largest Eastern Orthodox parish in Houston, Texas. Built in 1950-52 by the Greek community of Houston. From 1967 to 1974, the church was the seat of the Bishop of the 8th Diocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of...
as a "Greek Night". The three day festival is held annually on the first weekend in October (including Thursday) and features Greek food, live Greek music and Greek folk dances, as well as a gift shop and tours of the Cathedral. The Cathedral grounds on Yoakum Boulevard in the Neartown
Neartown Houston
Neartown is an area located in west-central Houston, Texas, United States and is one of the city's major cultural areas. Neartown is roughly bounded by U.S. Highway 59 to the south, Allen Parkway to the north, Bagby Street on the east, and Shepherd Drive to the west...
area of Houston are overrun with people during this annual ethnic festival.
Through proceeds from the Greek Festival, donations are made to various charitable organizations, such as Children's Assessment Center, S.E.A.R.C.H., the Women's Home, Covenant House, Texas Emergency Aid Coalition (EAC), and the Star of Hope Mission.
History of Houston's Greek Community
In 1917, a handful of Greek immigrants formed what is today one of the largest Greek Orthodox communities in the United States. Greek entrepreneurs started restaurant businesses and opened gas stations.In 1952, the church moved from its original location in downtown Houston (what is now Tranquility Park
Tranquility Park
Tranquility Park is a park in Downtown Houston, Texas, between Walker and Rusk Streets, and west of Smith Street, with the United States federal courts building for the Southern District of Texas on one side and Houston City Hall on the other...
) to its current location on Yoakum Boulevard. In 1967, Houston was designated as the see
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
of a new diocese in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South
America and Bishop John of Thermon was installed. In 1971, the parish opened a parochial school, The Annunciation School.
In the early 1990s a new parish, St. Basil the Great
Basil of Caesarea
Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great, was the bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor . He was an influential 4th century Christian theologian...
was formed in west Houston.