The Indianapolis Middle Eastern Festival
Hosted Annually by St. George Church

Dear friends and fellow Hoosiers:

Our church sponsors the Middle Eastern Festival each year as part of our work to promote understanding, to be peacemakers and to celebrate our common heritage. We invite you to enjoy the food and festivities of the Middle Eastern Festival.

After all, the Middle East is the cradle of human civilization, including our own western civilization, and has provided us all a rich heritage of literature, science and religion. The biblical events of our salvation history all took place in the Middle East—everything from the Garden of Eden, the sojourns of Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, through the Exodus and Moses' receiving the Law, down to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ and His sending the Apostles from Jerusalem to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins in His Name to all nations. (Luke 24.47). All these events stem from our common Middle Eastern heritage.

Like the pilgrims who first set foot on Plymouth Rock, the founders of our parish came to this nation in order to to practice their Christian faith freely. These immigrants who came from Syria and Lebanon founded St. George Orthodox Christian Church in Indianapolis in 1926. Though our parish today includes people of all backgrounds—literally people whose ancestors came from every continent, save Antarctica. We remember the heritage and sacrifices of our founders, and we desire to share this heritage with our neighbors.

As you join with us in food, music, dancing and fun, please also join with us in prayer for peace and for an end to all hostility in the Middle East and throughout the world. We believe that ALL people—American, Iraqi, Palestinian, Israeli-Jew, Christian, Muslim, whatever—soldier and civilian—have the right to life, peace and security. Peace and love are at the heart of Christ's message. In the interest of promoting peace and cooperation, we extend this invitation to Jews, Muslims, Christians and peace-loving people of all faiths to join together in the festivities. As we break bread together, hold hands in a dance circle and spend time with one another, we can show the world what is possible.

Our entire community and I look forward to welcoming you.

Yours sincerely,

+Fr. Nabil

Very Rev. Nabil Hanna, Pastor