Recreating a pilgrimage ...upstate New York!

By Georgia Vavas

A great host of 2nd and 3rd generation Greek-Americans, many of them coming from New York, Bethlehem and Philadelphia, PA, New England, Ohio, and Baltimore, MD areas, have embraced the annual feast and pilgrimage to the Shrine of Agia Markella, located in the Town of Delaware, Sullivan County, New York. The event recreates the traditional pilgrimage of many Christians that travel to the site in Chios Island, Greece, where Agia Markella was martyred by her father. This past July, the Northern Chios Society “Pelineon” of Greater New York hosted the two days festivities with his Grace Bishop Philotheos of Meloa and Rev. Fr. Constantine Combitsis officiating over the Vesper services and Divine Liturgy, followed by the traditional luncheon outdoors under the new picnic pavilion on the grounds of the Agia Markella property that is owned and maintained by the Pelineon Society for over 25 years.

President Mihalis Bournias and Vice-President Dimitrios Moutafis welcomed and thanked the guests for their support and donations to the Pelineon Society. The proceeds from the weekend sustain the organization’s activities and upkeep of the Agia Markella property for the whole year.

The Northern Chios Society “Pelineon” was founded in 1950. The entire membership encompasses the immigrants of the northern villages of Chios, Greece and their descendants. Later on, many of their extended families and friends have joined the society especially because of their strong faith in Agia Markella.

In 1976, the ambitious project was approved to purchase a property and construct the Shrine of Agia Markella on it with enough space to accommodate the membership and their families for a weekend of religious observance, picnicking, and entertainment. In 1978, the property was purchased and the church was constructed immediately after only two years of fundraising for the endeavor. In 1979, the first pilgrimage and church services were held on the property and have, since then, been an annual event and tradition of the society.

The Shrine of Agia Markella in Upstate NY has full picnic facilities including outdoor grilling area, indoor kitchen, restrooms, and a new pavilion for over 500 guests. It is available to any society or organization interested in hosting their event there. Anyone who wishes to visit and make an offering to Agia Markella is welcome year round. For directions and further information, please contact: Mihalis Bournias, 718-956-7304, Dimitrios Moutafis, 201-833-4744; Northern Chios Society’s “Pelineon” address is: PO BOX 3138, Steinway Station, 43-04 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11103.

Dimitri Kontolios and Mihali Bournias contributed to this article.