Greek Independence Marked in New York With Liturgy and Parade
Greek Independence Day in New York combined solemn liturgy, civic leadership, and a Fifth Avenue parade honoring 205 years of freedom.
NEW YORK — The Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity on East 74th Street opened Sunday’s Greek Independence Day observances with prayer, as clergy and faithful gathered for the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Doxology marking 205 years since Greece’s 1821 uprising against Ottoman rule, traditionally commemorated on March 25 but celebrated in New York weeks later to allow for broader community participation and the annual parade.
His Eminence Metr. Ieronymos of Kalavryta and Aigialeia presided, with Abp. Elpidophoros of America officiating. As reported by the Orthodox Observer, "Hellenic Parliament President Nikitas Kaklamanis marched in the parade, the first president of Parliament to do so since Dimitris Sioufas in 2008, while Abp. Elpidophoros welcomed Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the first sitting New York City mayor known to attend the Greek Independence Day Doxology."
“Today, bearing witness to this beautiful service, I am reminded of the origins of the word liturgy," Mamdani said. "It translates from Greek, roughly, to people’s work. And Reverend Thomas Fitzgerald writes that when a member of the Orthodox Church comes to attend the Divine Liturgy, it is not as an isolated person who comes simply to hear a sermon. Rather, they come as a member of the community of faith who participates in the very purpose of the Church.”
The celebration culminated on Fifth Avenue, where the Presidential Guard of the Hellenic Republic—the Evzones—marched alongside 102 organizations and 46 floats, joined by the Philharmonic of Korakiana, closing the anniversary festivities with a display of faith, heritage, and pride. Thousands lined the route in one of the largest Greek-American gatherings of the year.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Elpidophoros led a funeral for Elder Joseph in New York.
