John Gretes, who is acknowledged as Norfolk’s first Greek immigrant, settled here in 1898. Shortly thereafter, George Christopoulos and his wife Paraskevi arrived. The names of Christopoulos and Gretes appear frequently as the founding fathers of the Greek Orthodox community, here, in Norfolk Virginia.
It was not until, March 3, 1911, Sunday of Orthodoxy, (see Greek Orthodox Holy Days) when the Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the newly appointed, Rev. Fr. George Smyrnakis, our community’s first Holy Father. At that time services moved to Christ and St Luke’s Church which stood at Freemason and Cumberland Streets, serving celebration to our 25 member congregation.
In 1919, following an intensive fundraising drive, the church at Freemason and Cumberland Streets was purchased. While the church on Freemason Street served us well, the ever-growing Greek Orthodox population facilitated the need for a larger complex, in 1943, a new church building fund drive was initiated. The General Assembly in 1947 authorized the purchase of a parcel of land located at Granby and Fife Streets, our present location. A comer-stone was laid in 1954, and on March 27, 1955, the first services were held in our new and beautiful Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Date | Times |
---|---|
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 | 1:30pm, 3:30pm and 7:00pm |
Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 | 1:30pm, 3:30pm, and 7:00pm |
Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020 | 1:30pm, 3:30pm, and 7:00pm |
Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 | 1:30pm and 3:30pm |
Date | Presentation | Times |
---|---|---|
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020 | TBD | 7:00pm |
Friday, Sept. 18, 2020 | TBD | 7:00pm |
Food and music highlight the festival. Outdoor stands will sell everything from Souvlaki to Loukoumades — all homemade in the flavorful tradition of Greek cuisine. The food is available at the festival under the tents while listening to live music or indoors at the Hellenic Center. Take-out is also available.
Thursday 11am - 9:30pm
Friday/Saturday 11am-10pm
Sunday 12pm - 7pm
Enter the circular drive in front of Cathedral from Granby Street, hand your order (no substitutions allowed) to a waiting attendant, then drive forward to pick up your food.
Annunciation's Greek Festival - May 13-16, 2021 Copyright © 2020 Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral
7220 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23505 norfolkgreekfestival@gmail.com