Welcome

Dear Visitor,

On behalf of the Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Birmingham, I would like to warmly welcome you to the Annual Birmingham Greek Festival.

The Greek (or Hellenic) Community of Birmingham is proud to share its Greek culture, heritage, faith tradition, and cuisine with you. Each year we offer this celebration to approximately 30,000 visitors, so that together we in Birmingham can experience a heritage that is not only historically important, but also a culture that celebrates life.

Greece, of course, has a rich pre-Christian history that includes the great epics of Homer and the philosophy of Plato, Socrates, and Aristotle. This was the birthplace of Christianity in Europe, when Paul planted some of the earliest Christian communities in Thessalonica and Corinth, which have existed uninterrupted for the last 2000 years. All of this history and heritage is given form—takes on “flesh and bones”—in the rich sights, sounds, and taste of this culture that you will experience in your visit today.

Of course, Greek or Hellenistic culture has never been reserved only for people of a certain DNA. Beginning especially with Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC, Hellenism was the ecumenical or universal culture for most of the known Western world, spreading as far as India in the east. The same is true today. Our community and church is home to Greeks and people from all nations. Everyone is welcome to join us!

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank the members of our Greek Orthodox Community who have worked tirelessly for many months to put together this year’s Greek Festival. Their hard work is inspired by their love for their Church and their desire to share their lives, culture, and faith with the Birmingham Community.

Please feel free to ask me or any of our members for help during your visit

We thank you and the entire city of Birmingham for your ongoing support. As a token of our appreciation, we annually donate a portion of the proceeds to local (as well as national) charities.

May God bless you and your families, and I pray that your time with us is enjoyable and edifying.

Sincerely,

Fr. Gregory Edwards

Dean of the Cathedral