Greek Orthodox Community Celebrates Inaugural Charlotte-to-Athens Flight
Airport gate transformed with blessing, music, and Greek hospitality as Charlotte Douglas International Airport launched its longest nonstop flight.
CHARLOTTE, NC — On Thursday, June 5, Gate A12 at Charlotte Douglas International Airport became the site of a joyful celebration as the Hellenic community gathered to mark the inaugural direct flight from Charlotte to Athens.
Fr. Jonathan Resmini, Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral, and Fr. Andreas Houpos, Protopresbyter at St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, joined parishioners and travelers in blessing the aircraft, its crew, and passengers with a traditional Orthodox prayer. The festive atmosphere included live Greek music, folk dances performed by the Cathedral’s troupe, and complimentary Greek cuisine for passengers awaiting departure.
The surprise celebration was met with delight by travelers and brought a distinct cultural flavor to the terminal. Special thanks were given to parishioner Michaelina Franks for her exceptional coordination of the event.
The blessing, invoking divine protection and the intercessions of the Theotokos and all the saints, offered a spiritually rich start to the journey, underscoring the unity of faith and heritage shared by the community.
Lord, God of our Fathers, whose Spirit hovered over the face of the waters – you, who ride upon the wings of the winds, and surround your throne with myriad flying angels: preserve this aircraft, and grant to it a good and peaceful angel. Be yourself a pilot to those who pilot it, and travel with those who shall travel in it. Protect them, and grant that they may reach their destination in good health, at the intercessions of our most pure Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; by the protection of the honorable, heavenly, noetic, bodiless Powers; of the holy, glorious Prophet and Forerunner, John the Baptist; of the holy, glorious, all-lauded Apostles; of the holy, glorious, and triumphant Martyrs; of our venerable God-bearing Fathers; of St. Nicholas of Myra, and all your saints.
A Facebook post from St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church regarding the occasion can be found here, and a video from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport can be found here.
