Came up NE 2nd Avenue last night, to the Greek
Orthodox Church of Annunciation in North Miami, the one that reminds me so much of the Old Country. It's about a 30 to 40-minute
bus ride, plus a 10-minute walk -- and it was a night-time foray, but on a very special
night. Orthros was being celebrated on the eve of the church's feast day. And,
of course, the night before Greek Independence day.
I was promised lots of priests and I got seven, including Father Spiro from Miami's St. Sophia mother church. It
was a beautiful service -- complete with chanting in several languages (including Romanian and Russian, Father Roman Galben was born in the Ukraine), a grand Panayia icon procession, the blessing of many loaves, a compelling sermon on the role of the Theotoko, and a nice group photo-op. (Should I mention the priest talking on his cellphone in the alter before the service started?)
But here is the best part: an 80-year-old alter
boy! I was flabbergasted and amazed to see my usual table-mate at Sunday coffee hours -- a sweet, quiet elderly gentleman -- emerge from the alter in his street clothes to process with the candlestick. No robes, just a stoic look of duty served. Guess the usual kids -- except the ever-present and dutiful Kosta -- were doing their
homework. So this loyal church member had jumped right in.
Mr. Dimitri later told me that he is from Kolinas near Trikala, coming to Chicago in 1952 at age 18 and to Miami in 1957 -- well before the first liturgy was celebrated at the North Miami spin-off church in 1965. He said, furthermore (and without prompting), that he is 80 and 1/2 years-old. And clearly very proud of that and of his heritage.
And that, my friends, is the meaning of Zito Hellas.
And that, my friends, is the meaning of Zito Hellas.
No comments:
Post a Comment