Monday, May 28, 2012

Annunciation Greek Orthodox, Cleve., O.

The clever Greeks choose, perhaps, the best time to have a parish festival. On West 14th and Fairfield, kissing the innerbelt freeway bridge, is their parish church. They have a rainbow balloon masted to their social hall again. While driving by, one sees three gold domes and a balloon. The summer is just starting, we are having one of the few holidays America has. They start early on Friday, and continue to Monday. All the local television mention it repeatedly. The Greeks have some native dancing, and a reputation of enjoying dancing. The prime draw is food. How much do the Greeks like to cook? and selling food? And for a church festival, there is real variety at the bar. We can gather, the Greeks are neither Calvinists nor prohibitionists. OPA!
This supports the parish. The church is beautifully maintained. Earlier this year they were cheated by a fellow who was restoring some vessels and other items. Sometimes, churches are remodeled. Some fifteen years back, they removed carpet; beneath it was a mosaic of the imperial Byzantine double eagle. This double eagle travelled north through the Balkan Slavs and onto the Germans and Russians. The emperor claimed both religious and temporal power.
Above this is the central dome, with a mural of Jesus as Pantocrator (ruler of the universe). There is a great chandelier. The four evangelists, other saints, and cherubim are also on the apse.
The transept above the front doors is stained glass of the ship of faith sailing the world.

No comments:

Post a Comment