Although not as old as its two equally acclaimed parish celebrations — the Holy Ghost Feast and Santo Christo Feast — the St. Elizabeth Church Holy Trinity Feast has become a true staple of the Portuguese community here in Bristol.

Since the 1980s, this particular celebration has blossomed into a reverent three-day religious event, complemented by lots of great Portuguese food, entertainment and fellowship.

Historically speaking, the Feast of the Holy Trinity (also called Trinity Sunday) is celebrated in the Christian churches on the Sunday following Pentecost (the 50th day after Easter). It is known that the feast was celebrated on this day from as early as the 10th century.

This past weekend, both St. Elizabeth Church parishioners and non-parishioners alike congregated on church grounds to celebrate the joyous event. Entertainment was provided by a variety of special performers, including the groups “Edge” and “Legacy” and DJ Duo Sound. The St. Elizabeth Band also performed.

As previously mentioned, Portuguese food took priority during the weekend fest, especially the homemade malassadas, which disappeared as fast as committee workers could make them.

“The malassadas are my favorite,” said Bristol’s Steve Annarummo, who has enjoyed these delights for a number of years. “I’ll have at least one each night of the feast. They are so good.”

Bristol Fourth of July 2016 Parade Chief Marshal Okie Falcoa and his wife, Donna, both St. Elizabeth Church parishioners, were also on the premises this past weekend.

“I’m going to go grab a sandwich now,” said Okie. “The people on these committees all work so hard. They’re tremendous.”

Saturday’s bolo de leite featured many participants, including Rancho Folclorico de Nossa Senhora De Fatima and the Holy Trinity Folia, among others. That was followed by traditional dancing and celebration in the church parking lot.

On Sunday, the annual Holy Trinity procession took place, starting at the top of Bay View Avenue and continuing to St. Elizabeth Church for the 10 a.m. Mass. Jose Carlos and Dolores Teixeira were this year’s Mordomos.

Holy Trinity Committee First Secretary Ginette Amaral said this year’s feast was among the best in church history.

“Everything went great,” she said. “The weather was perfect, and we had a lot of people help us out. We served soup and meat, sweetbread and rice pudding. Carlos Medeiros Jr. also helped us with the cooking. He is such a wonderful young man. Everybody did such a great job. And, so did our Mordomos, Jose and Dolores Teixeira. All in all, it was a wonderful celebration.”