His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros

Remarks at the Doxology for the Greek Revolution

In the Presence of the Presidential Guard

April 28, 2023

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine

New York, New York

 

Distinguished Officers and Soldiers of the Τάγμα Εὐζώνων,

Fellow Patriots,

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Risen Christ,

Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη!        [and in response: Ἀληθῶς Ἀνέστη!]

Christ is Risen!           [and in response: Truly He is Risen!]

Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη!        [and in response: Ἀληθῶς Ἀνέστη!]

 

We have the tremendous honor this morning of receiving the Presidential Φρουρά here at the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine. This elite guard of the Hellenic Republic, who represent all the champions of Greece through the ages, are here as part of the solemnities we are celebrating to observe Greek Independence Day here in New York City. This Doxology today – a first for the Shrine – in this sacred space constructed of the same marble that comprises the Parthenon, is a profound symbol of our ties to the Motherland of Ellada.

This coming Sunday, the noble Εὔζωνες will lead the Annual Greek Independence Day Parade. Once again, Fifth Avenue will become a sea of blue and white, with tens of thousands of Faithful converging on this most famous of New York Avenues, to celebrate the independence of the Birthplace of Democracy.

On behalf of all, I thank the President of the Republic for giving permission to the Φρουρά to share in our festivities. In the next seventy-two hours, we will enjoy their “well-girded” presence, as we give glory to March 25th.

Our connection to this day, both the Annunciation of the Theotokos and the Annunciation of Greek Independence, is not merely a yearly tribute. The freedom that we have as persons of Greek descent – whether through blood or spirit – is a precious legacy that we enjoy every day. And as much as we enjoy it, we must, all the more, safeguard and secure it. We hold in the highest honor the Heroes of 1821, just as we hold in the deepest devotion the Panagia and Saints of our Church. They each represent to us the gift of the liberation: the liberation of our souls and the liberation of Greece.

Therefore, on this happy day when the National Shrine of Saint Nicholas – whose name means “the Victory of the People” – welcomes for the very first time the Presidential Φρουρά (and we pray it will not be the last), let us pray with more urgency and more devotion:

That Greece and Cyprus are always free and secure;

That America and the free Nations of the earth always remember Greece, the Mother of Democracy.

That we, as free peoples, always hold true to the principles of our Democracies, and defend them against all who would subvert our liberty.

We welcome you to New York once again, most honored Warriors of Greece.

And we thank you for your devotion to duty, your presence among us, and your exemplary service to the Hellenic Republic.

Ζήτω ἡ Ἑλλάς!

Ζήτω τὸ Ἑλληνικὸ Ἔθνος!

Ζήτω τὸ Εἰκοσιένα!

 

Photo: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos