MANSFIELD – Nothing brings the Mansfield community together quite like the annual Greek Festival.
Even despite the questionable May weather, Fr. Michael Ellis of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church expects upwards of 3,000 people to attend the church’s annual fundraiser over three days. Lunch lines stretch out the door at 265 West 3rd St. in Mansfield.
The traditional Mediterranean and Greek cuisine is arguably the most popular part of the festival, including gyros, lamb, Greek-style chicken and meatballs. And of course, the bake sale with Greek pastries and desserts.
But for Fr. Ellis, the meaning of the Greek Festival extends beyond the baklava – even beyond the church itself. It’s about fostering a sense of connection between people.
“Churches do a lot of good for the community, and you don’t have to be a believer to buy into that,” Ellis said. “Churches foster community, and when people have a sense of belonging to a community that exceeds just a property, that’s really good for a community. Those things foster a desire to call a place home.”
The festival also serves as an opportunity for people to experience something new, Ellis said. He still introduces the religion of Orthodox Christianity to visitors, even though it’s the second-largest organized body of Christians in the world and has been around for 17 centuries.
The church continues to worship as it always has, but still adapts as it needs to as the community dynamics change, Ellis said. There’s a unity in diversity, the idea that we all come from different places and experiences but we’re very much unified.
“I don’t expect everybody to have the same thoughts, ideas or perceptions about things,” Ellis said. “We just want to welcome people, and if the only thing we can do for some people in this community is provide them a wonderful opportunity to have fellowship with other people, I’m satisfied with that.”
