Greek Festival at St. Barbara's

While I was in Texas on business earlier this week, my mother went to A Greek food truck she loves, and found out about a local Greek festival at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.  We'd loved going to them in Chicago, and I've been to ones in Dallas and when visiting my grandmother in Florida.

We decided to go early in the day and  it was a good plan and it's a hot weekend.  We arrived just in time to get through the long line into the church, most of whom were heading to the food area, and with a quick left turn found ourselves in the sanctuary in time for a tour.  It wasn't a walking tour, but a tour of the iconography which is the many-years work of a paritioner.

Their shrine to St. Barbara, patron saint of the
church, carefully brought from their previous location.

The communion table in the area where only
a consecrated priest has access.

The altar, which is behind the iconostasis.

The Bible accessible only to the priest.

This signals the burial and is used only on
Good Friday, but is available the rest of the year.

Saints ringed the sides, including Joachim and Anna with an
infant Mary, Mother of Jesus.

Saints here include Nicholas at left, Peter and Paul in the center.

The back wall, under which you enter, showing the Dormition.

Interior of the dome.

The iconostasis.  You can see through to the priest-only area.

The Resurrection, with Christ pulling up Adam and Eve.

The Transfiguration, with before and after images on the sides.

After the tour we joined the food line, having spanikopita and salad for lunch, taking home pastisio and a gyro sandwich and baklava and the walnut cakes I like and and cannot remember the name.  There was dancing and music, a jumble sale and a tent of artisans raising money for Ukraine.  I bought a few things (carefully avoiding the table of books) and picked up some fresh feta cheese before we headed home.