Wayne Parr and Renee Milkie man the outside grill. Photo Contributed
See more bazaar preparation photos on Facebook.
Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church is holding its 33rd annual Middle Eastern Bazaar Sept. 23-25. Hours are Friday 4-9 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 12-7 p.m. Traditional music and dance will be performed Friday and Saturday night. There is free parking and admission.
On baking day, parishioner Mary Misleh supervised the assembly of the custard triangles which is a traditional celebratory dessert. The custard will be filled the day before the bazaar.
“The bazaar is the church’s biggest fundraiser and it will raise money for the church, families, children and charities,” she said. “I think it is awesome this is our 33rd year holding the bazaar. People look forward to the bazaar each year. We have many repeat orders.“
Rida Boulos added, “The recipes are handed down from generation to generation. We tweaked the custard triangle recipe today. It is a very popular dessert in the Middle East. We make it fresh here for the bazaar.”
Barbara Abraham said, “The bazaar is a service to the community. We are inviting the community to have a good time with us in our home.”
The bazaar will feature authentic, homemade cuisine and sweets such as grape leaves, kibbi, spinach pies, falafel, gyros, shawarma, leg of lamb, chicken kabobs, vegetarian dishes, ma’amoul cookies, and custard triangles with orange blossom glaze. Food demonstrations of favorite mezzo dishes will take place daily and booths will be selling international groceries, jewelry, clothes, art, local crafts and religious items. Guided tours of the church will be offered. For children there is a Kids Zone with moon bounce and other activities.
“We will have tours of our church during the festival,” Ann Marie Moses said. “All nationalities are represented at our church — almost every country. Our masses are in English. Our church used to be in downtown Washington, D.C. Now we are in Potomac.”
For more information go to www.peterpaulpotomac.org/bazaar or call 301-765-3400. Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church is located at 10620 River Road.