Only a small portion of the world’s population can claim Greek ancestry and legitimately embrace the boisterous, colorful culture that bounds from that Mediterranean country. No, watching this year’s Olympic Games does not make you an honorary Greek. But never fear, a bonus for us non-Grecian folk who simply can’t get enough is that Greeks love to share everything that is Greece with everyone they know and don’t know.

This weekend the D.C. area offers up the 44th Annual Greek Festival of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church with the catchy theme “It’s Chic to Be Greek.” (Rub it in why don’t you?) The three-day festival began in 1960 as the parish’s way of sharing the Greek culture with surrounding community.

DCist probably doesn’t need to tell you that food and music are the two largest components of a Greek festival, but in case you need some special urging, you really must try some of the food.

For 44 years, the Ladies’ Society of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, the Philoptochos, has prepared their authentic Greek fare in two small church kitchens using recipes passed down from generation to generation and producing a menu of Greek favorites like, Mousaka, Pastichio, Manestra, Spanakopita, Tyropita, Dolmades, as well as succulent Greek pastries such as, Baklava, Diples and Kataifi.

Did you read that bit about “Mousaka, Pastichio, Manestra, Spanakopita, Tyropita, Dolmades” and “Baklava, Diples and Kataifi?” Just double-checking.

After you sample these dishes this weekend you can then try your hand at making some at home. The church offers its cookbook, “Our Odyssey Into Cooking,” at the festival and online (plus some online sample recipes.)

And please note, the festival is open rain or shine (DCist is fairly confident a hall or tent is involved), which is great considering the soggy weather reports for this weekend.