His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros
Flag Raising Ceremony - Chicago City Hall
March 25, 2022
Chicago, Illinois
Your Honor, Mayor Lightfoot,
Your Eminence Metropolitan Nathaniel of Chicago
Honorable Consul General of Greece Koumbarakis,
President Chaniotakis of Enosis, Illinois,
Honorable Judges of the Courts of Illinois,
Esteemed Officials of Chicago and Cook County,
Members of The Federation of Hellenic American Organizations of Illinois
Sisters and Brothers – Hellenes and Philhellenes alike,
Today we come together, as Hellenes and Philhellenes, to raise the Greek Flag – which is also the Flag of Cyprus – a flag that symbolizes our aspiration for, and our commitment to, liberty. The Immortal Heroes of 1821 raised it on the Feast of the Annunciation, as the Colonies did on July 4, 1776. They made their declaration for Independence, and went forth to defend themselves against oppression, much as our Ukrainian Brethren are doing at this very moment. Our symbolic act today is not an empty gesture. It is the affirmation that all people are created by God to be equal, and should have an equal say in the way they are governed. It is the affirmation life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Each generation must act for itself, and not stand on the glories and victories of its ancestors. We look around the world today, and we see autocracy on the rise, and tyranny on the march. We not only stand against them. We stand for all peoples’ right and responsibility to choose for themselves, in freedom of conscience, and without coercion of any kind.
Today, on behalf of Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Greek-American Community, I express our gratitude and appreciation to the great City of Chicago for its recognition of the eternal values of Independence, and our celebration of 1821.
I thank the Mayor and all City officials, and the representatives of the Judicial Branch for their presence and their support.
I thank the members of the Federation of Hellenic American Organizations of Illinois for their enthusiasm and commitment to commemorating our history and our heritage.
I thank the Greek Orthodox People of the Metropolis of Chicago, and their ruling Hierarch, His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael, for their warm welcome and Abrahamic hospitality.
Finally, I give thanks for our own Nation of the United States, which lives with the values of Democracy, and which honors Greece and Cyprus by its commitment to freedom for all. May we ever be worthy of the blessings of our democracies, and always be happy to share them with those who yearn for them as well. May God bless us all!
Ζήτω τὸ Ἑλληνικὸ Ἔθνος! Ζήτω τὸ Εἰκοσιένα!