10th annual chili cook-off at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church

The Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in East Meadow recently held its 10th annual Chili Cook-Off on March 10, a fun-filled event that centers around one thing: eating and voting on the best chili.

Tickets were $10 per person, which got participants access to all-you-can-eat chili, as well as the right the vote for the best one. Luke Kraus of East Meadow won the competition; in second place was George Zabierowski of Valley Stream; and in third, Alexander Eagan of Hempstead and Paula Schumacher of North Massapequa.

The cook-off serves as an opportunity for members of the church to eat meat before the Great Lent begins. The Great Lent is an important fasting season in the church year within many denominations of Eastern Christianity. It prepares Christians in the Orthodox Church for the greatest feast of the year, which is Easter. Orthodox Easter will take place on May 5.

Lent is observed as a time of prayer, penance food will and fasting, which is intensified during the Holy Week — the period immediately before Easter.

Holy Trinity Orthodoc Church was founded in 1924, and was the first Orthodox Christian parish established in the Long Island region. It was made up of Easter European immigrants. Following the period after World War II, the parish grew drastically in size, allowing it blossom over the next several decades into what it is today.

The church offers opportunity for its parishioners to get involved and learn about their faith. There’s educational opportunities for people of all ages.

Holy Trinity is located at 369 Green Ave., East Meadow. For more information on the church and upcoming events, visit HTOCEM.org, email info@htocem.org or call (516) 483-3649.