April 15, 2024
Good afternoon,
In New York City, we have had a wonderful weekend of Greek Independence Day celebrations! On Friday, the Evzones came to Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine. The Presidential Guard of the Hellenic Republic proudly marched with faithful through the pouring rain to Bowling Green for the raising of the Greek and American flags. On Saturday, there was a pre-parade banquet, and on Sunday, the Greek Independence Day Parade took place, the day beginning with Divine Liturgy and Doxology at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day—after a sprinkling of rain. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America joined many special guests, Hellenes and Philhellenes, for a wonderful display of Greek pride.
Enjoy this special edition of the Orthodox Observer News online!
Ζήτω η Ελλάδα!
Raising the Blue and White Ensign of Greece and Cyprus reminds all of us that the struggle to defend freedom is never complete. We raise it with pride and exultation, for we know that it represents the blood and toil of our ancestors.
Archbishop Elpidophoros
Bowling Green Flag Raising 2024
Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America welcomed the Presidential Guard of the Hellenic Republic to a Doxology Service celebrating Greek Independence Day. The service, held on April 12, 2024 at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, is the first event of a weekend honoring the 203rd anniversary of freedom and independence of Greece from the Ottoman Empire. Following the Doxology, at Bowling Green, New York City Mayor Eric Adams offered his greeting to those who had braved the sudden torrential downpour to honor the raising of the flags of the United States and Greece. This year’s celebration also recognized the 50th Anniversary of the illegal Turkish occupation of Cyprus.
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Photos: GOARCH/Brittainy Newman
Pre-Parade Banquet
Photos: GOARCH/Brittainy Newman
Divine Liturgy and Doxology April 14, 2024
Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos
Photos: GOARCH/Brittainy Newman
Greek Independence Day Parade 2024
Photo: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos
New York, NY—Sunday, April 14, 2024, Greek Americans, Hellenes, and Philhellenes marched down Fifth Avenue for the New York City Greek Independence Day Parade. It was a beautiful day in New York City with the sun shining, a stark contrast from Friday’s Flag Raising at Bowling Green where participants, led by the Εὔζωνες, the elite Presidential Guard of the Hellenic Republic, proudly marched in a downpour of rain to honor the Greek Flag and to celebrate Greek Independence.
Hundreds of participants joined with Churches, Greek Schools, and other groups such as GOYA, AHEPA, marched in the parade. Children waved Greek flags with beaming smiles and shouts of “Ζήτω ἡ Ἑλλάδα!” were heard throughout the entirety of the day. The Greek Independence Day Parades across the country, and in New York City, are wonderful celebrations of Greek heritage, culture, and the resilience of the Heroes of 1821.
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Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos
Photos: GOARCH/Brittainy Newman
One last thing…
Did you know our video of the Presidential Guard marching in the rain to Bowling Green for the raising of the Greek and American flags has exceeded 400,000 views? Watch it here.
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