On a recent trip to Baltimore, we saw a sign for the annual Greek Festival
at the Cathedral of the Annunciation in Greek Town………….
………..well we had to go, you really have no choice………………….. right?!!?
Little did we know what adventures lied in store for us….
But first, in usual Tin Man fashion, I must give you a bit of history about the Cathedral of the Annunciation…..
”The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation is a church of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
It is the oldest of all the 18 Greek Orthodox parishes in Maryland.
The Cathedral is an important center of History of the Greeks and the survival of Greek culture in Baltimore, and hosts an annual Greek Food Festival.
The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation building was constructed in 1888 (the building originally housed a Protestant congregation), however the current congregation was established in 1906 and only moved to the building in 1937.
In 1975, the Neo-Byzantine style Cathedral was designated as the state of Maryland’s first Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
In 1992 the Cathedral received a historic designation from the Maryland Commission on Historic and Architectural Preservation.
If you have never been to a Greek Festival, please know that you will be able to find the location from about one mile away, due to the enormous racket that ensures!
This was our first Greek Festival and we were almost afraid to venture up the steps of the Cathedral to enter……………………………but enter we did.
Immediately people were shouting at us to go into the basement………okay, perhaps we were part of some ancient legend and they have awaited our arrival to complete the sacrifice….
Off we went to the basement, being slapped on the back and given clamorous and insistent encouragement….
Who awaited our arrival ……………Thelma & Louise!!!
You see they were wearing parachutes and when the car went over the abyss they jumped out and moved to Baltimore and joined the congregation of the Cathedral of the Annunciation to atone for their sins…
Thelma insisted that we sit with them (NO,……..I really mean it, she had a fierce hold of me and I do believe any attempt to break it would have resulted in bodily harm………mine!)
They were quite charming and so very gracious! The Tin Man got misty eyed as he enjoyed the pride in their voices as they told stories of Greek Festivals past and their childhood in Greek Town.
The food was marvelous and the company so very divine!
It is a shame that these small festivals, celebrating our heritage are dying around the country.
We had the most amazing traditional Greek wine (who knew!) Restina,
made with the resin of Pine Trees added to it…….wonderful!
If you are ever traveling and see one of these festivals in progress, I encourage you to stop and enjoy a bit of fun……..perhaps you will be lucky enough to meet some interesting people, like Thelma and Louise…
……perhaps the Greek Philosopher, Epicurus (BC 341-270) said it best:
“Not what we have But what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.”
Tales and Travels of the Tinman 
Bummer, I missed this and I live in the area! boo..
You MUST go next year and look for Thelma and Louise! They are such GRAND fun!!!
Wonderful. Hope to see you soon.
Yes, missing you. Glad you enjoyed the post.
When my family was stationed at Fort Meade, MD (I was a teenager at the time years ago) we had the opportunity to visit several of the cultural festivals that took place throughout the state (including the Greek festival in B’more). I can’t tell you how much fun it was, not to mention the food was always great! Only thing is….I wished I’d have met Thelma & Louise!! 🙂
Bree
You would have LOVED Thelma and Louise!!! What a hoot they were! Thelma was over the top wonderful!!! I want to go every year!
Enjoyed the post! Just an FYI for you – Charlotte NC has a Greek Festival every year and you have inspired me to put it on my to do list. I have heard great things about it!
You MUST go to the festival…………look for a Thelma and Louise……they will make it so much more enjoyable!
Oh, my goodness. I’m jolly green with jealousy. This is a fabulous festival. As you know, I used to live in nearby Canton and Fells Point. I’ve been looking forward to your Baltimore posts. I love, love the Thelma and Louise shot. They ARE divine !! Yes, your shots are gorgeous. Say, did anyone call you “Hon” ?! T.
…………call me Hon……………Hon, I thought it was my new name! Thank you Theadora! I am going to do a post on Fells Point……..just for you, next week. I thought of you the ENTIRE time we were in Baltimore and wished you were there in person with us…….because, in spirit, you were in my heart the whole time.
Fells Point? Really? Yes. Yes. YES, Hon! I’m looking forward to it!! T. (There’s even a Café Hon on 36th Street.)
A Greek Orthodox church near us hosts a festival each year, and I can’t wait. Sampling all their homemade goodies is a gourmet’s delight.
…..sampling……Sampling…….SAMPLING!!!!!!!!! No my dear, you have it all wrong GORGE on EVERYTHING and dance into the night!
Greek Festivals are fabulous events. Tin Man you will be happy to know that the Greek Festival in Vancouver is a huge event. Crowds of people – thousands and thousands. Consuming enormous quantities of food – enjoying the entertainment – and being Greek for a Day. What fun. V.
Perhaps we shall take the mighty flying chariot and venture to Vancouver for a bit of oompa!
Any food festival and a Greek one for that matter is welcomed by me! Hope you had a wonderful turkey day!
Thanks Jed! Yes a quiet and peaceful Turkey (chicken for me) day.
I’m convinced. Your narrative and photos did it. Next time I hear of a Greek festival (they have one in the Berkshires at some point) I WILL BE THERE.
Great post.
We had such a lovely time……….hope you get to meet a Thelma and Louise at your festival, they made it over the top wonderful.
Locally Corpus Christi has an annual Greek festival which we have attended but I don’t think we have seen Thelma and Louise. Maybe next year!
One can only hope that they will venture to your festival………..they are a hoot and made the day so much more fun! Especially Thelma……a true wild woman, I fell in love.
I have Greek neighbors who have taken me to the Greek festival that their church puts on every year. Not only is the food delicious but the fun to be had is memorable.
Lucky YOU!!! I had such a delightful time and most of it was because of Thelma and Louise. The food is just amazing, isn’t it!
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Heehee! The food looks soooo delicious, I’ve missed Greece’s wonderful olive oil since moving to Bulgaria, that’s for sure 🙂
Eleenie, thanks for the giggle! The food was wonderful, but Thelma and Louise were the hit of the party for me.
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