Greek Independence Day Parade

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland

Prosfileis Omogeneis,

As brothers and sisters in Christ we joyfully anticipate once again the celebration of the Day of Greek Independence through our participation in the annual parade on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, to which all members of our communities are called. This year's parade will be held on Sunday, April 15 at 1:00 pm. On this day, we will gather in our parishes in the joy of our Lord's Resurrection. On this day, let us also gather and proudly march in celebration of our inheritance of freedom and faith. Let us fill Fifth Avenue with our enthusiasm, and let our Orthodox patriotic voice reverberate along the imposing buildings of the Avenue.

Our annual Greek Independence Day Parade continues to be a witness to the universal influence of Hellenism and Orthodoxy and to the value of our heritage in our contemporary world. It is a visible manifestation of the power of a brilliant legacy and a living faith that not only enabled the preservation of religious expression, language, and a national distinctiveness through centuries of oppression, but also enabled our forebears to embrace the struggle for freedom and to accept the challenges of independence. These struggles and challenges continue to this day throughout our world, and our annual parade affirms our support for these ideals and for their realization by all peoples.

As we celebrate Greek Independence Day, may we offer our thanks to God for His abundant blessings. May we also pray that the ideals we cherish will continue to be known and shared with all humanity through our celebration, our remembrance of the sacrifice and offering of others, and through our faith in the Risen Lord.

With paternal love in Christ,

+DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America