The Egyptian Festival at St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Seven Hills offers a variety of food, pastries, gifts and more. Church tours and children’s activities are also available.
2023 DATE: August 25-27, 2023
Location: St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Cleveland
2100 E Pleasant Valley Rd
Seven Hills, OH 44131
Website: https://www.facebook.com/stmarkclev/
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This post documents my experience on August 25, 2012.
Around the year 42 AD, St. Mark the Evangelist came to Alexandria and talked to the people about Christianity..
This introduction was so impressive that, when St. Mark eventually left, the practice of Christianity would rapidly spread, making its way throughout all of Egypt in the next 50 years and eventually becoming the religion of the Egyptian majority for the next few centuries to follow.
Unfortunately for Christianity, this popularity only lasted until the Muslim faith was introduced in the 7th Century. Nowadays, Copts, or Egyptian Christians, make up only about 10% of Egypt’s population.
But Copts aren’t only in Egypt anymore. They have spread their wings over the years to other locations, including Europe, South America and Australia…
…you can even find them at St. Mark’s in Seven Hills…
…where they hold an annual Egyptian Festival.
Here at the festival, once I headed to the grounds from the parking lot…
…I was greeted by a kids’ fun area with inflatables…
…paddle boats…
…and a children’s activity area.
Just beyond this area was where the real fun began…
…the food!
Here, festival goers could indulge themselves with smoothies…
…and a cafeteria style food line…
…where they could get macaroni bechamel, grape leaves…
…a meatball platter…
…or other dishes via ala carte or platters…
…all while enjoying the nearby musical entertainment.
Behind the food court, the festival continued into a large lobby….
…where there were an auction table…
…religious items…
…photo ops…
…plenty of Egyptian gift ideas…
…and a fantastic pastry section…
…with many desserts to choose from.
It took a lot of effort, but I managed to hold off dessert long enough to explore down a nearby hallway…
…so that I could check out the bookstore…
…an Egyptian grocery store…
…and St. Mark’s at the end…
…which was having a church tour.
But I only stayed long enough to take a few shots of the beautiful artwork…
…before rushing back for that delicious flan and a cup of strong Egyptian coffee…
…made by the wonderful coffee staff.
Thanks so much!
I even nabbed a few items for Julia and I to later share.