In an atmosphere of national pride, the Hellenic diaspora in Philadelphia, USA, commemorated the 202nd National Anniversary of the Greek Independence Day with a great parade! Special thanks to the Evzones who made all Greeks proud and happy with their presence.
Photo Credit: Consulate General of Greece in New York
The city was dressed in blue and white and the Euzones of the Presidential Guard gave the national pulse to our expatriates who applauded them as they passed by the parade that culminated the festivities.
The festivities began on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, April 2, 2023, with the celebration of the Eucharistic Liturgy at the Cathedral of St. George of Philadelphia, presided over by Archbishop Elpidophore of America, assisted by Bishop Apostolos of Medea.
A Doxology was then held in the presence of the Presidential Guard Euzons who were in Philadelphia for the parade.
In his speech, His Eminence Archbishop of America Elpidophoros spoke of the importance of both the day of March 25 and yesterday which was the last Sunday of the Holy and Great Lent with the Church honoring St. Mary of Egypt.
"It is the last Sunday of Holy Lent, on which we celebrate the redemption of the flesh from the spirit in the person of St. Mary of Egypt. The coincidence of our celebrations of March 25 with this Sunday demonstrates that for us, the Greek Orthodox People, we do not separate our spiritual principles from our daily life. We live in this world, and at the same time, we are not of this world. On the contrary, we seek to transform the world in order to bring it a little closer each day to the Kingdom of Heaven."
The Archbishop of America pointed out that the Heroes of 1821 were fighting for more than political freedom. "They were fighting for the soul of Greece, the heritage of Greece, and even for their Greek Orthodox identity," he stressed, adding that these values for which our ancestors fought will be paraded by the Ezonians and the expatriates in the streets of the city that is identified with the struggle for Greek Independence.
US Ambassador to Athens, George Tsounis paraded as Grand Master with the Ambassador of Greece to Washington, Alexandra Papadopoulou, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus, Marios Lysiotis, the Consul General of Greece in New York, Dinos Konstantinou, the Consul General of Greece, Dimitrios Papageorgiou along with New York Congresswoman Nicole Malliotaki, Maryland Congressman John Sarbanes, New Jersey Congressman Donald Norcross and the US Ambassador to Panama, Georgia Athanasopoulou, the Supreme President of AHEPA, Dimitris Kokotas and the officers of the Federation of Greek Associations of Philadelphia and Greater Delaware.
The parade continued with massive participation from the communities, schools and local clubs.
Particularly moving was the passing of the procession of the Euzones that paraded, with the striking of the czaroujis reminding the expatriates who often visit Greece of moments from the parades at home and moments from the Constitution where the Euzones, unguarded guards, guard the monument of the Unknown Soldier.
On Saturday evening, April 1, 2023 at the Adelphia Homogeneous Events Center in Deptford, New Jersey, the Federation's official dinner was held at which the Medal of Freedom was awarded to the Ambassador of Greece in Washington, D.C., Alexandra Papadopoulou.
The dinner was attended by the Archbishop of America Elpidophoros as Honorary Guest and the Master of Ceremonies of the parade, Ambassador George Tsounis.
In his greeting, the US Ambassador to Athens, George Tsounis, repeatedly and warmly used the Greek language, calling on everyone to never forget their Greek roots.
The Commander of the Presidential Guard's Command Company, Captain Athanasios Asiminas, gave an interesting presentation on the history of the Corps, while Major Vassilios Sakellaropoulos, head of the mission, thanked everyone for the welcome they gave to the Troop.
The Archbishop of America, Mr. Elpidophoros, referred to the double meaning of the anniversary of March 25, recalling the fact that, just a few days earlier, US President Joe Biden welcomed the Greek-American community for the traditional celebration of Greek Independence at the White House.
On April 30 the parade in New York
The Holy Archdiocese of America confirmed a few days ago through an announcement the participation of the Presidential Guard in this year's parade for the 202nd anniversary of the Greek Revolution, which will take place on April 30, 2023 in New York City.
