Today, we honor the bravery and sacrifice of our fathers and mothers who stood valiantly against the armies of the fascist powers. They proclaimed a resolute “NO” to occupation.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for OXI Day - October 28, 2018 »

Today as we commemorate OXI Day and the significance of the stand against fascism demonstrated by the people of Greece on October 28, 1940, we are aware that we live in a world where forces of hatred and violence still threaten life and liberty. Just as the leaders of the Axis armies had no respect for freedom, were consumed with a quest for power, and demanded the surrender of Greece, we see movements and ideologies today that have no regard for human dignity and no compassion for the life and well-being of others.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for OXI Day - October 28, 2017 »

Ελληνικά English Protocol Number 210/16 October 28, 2016 OXI Day As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 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 in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On October 28 we commemorate the courage of the people of Greece in 1940 when they stood firmly against the forces of Fascism, facing threats of occupation, loss of freedom, and even life itself. Boldly, the cry of “OXI,” of “NO!” was exclaimed, as they refused to concede their sovereignty and submit themselves to the tyrannical leaders of the Axis forces. Instead our forbearers rallied to defend their ideals and to protect their liberty. In confronting a power that was destructive of freedom and driven by evil machinations, the people of Greece chose to serve freely what is just and true. In the Holy Scriptures we find a comparably similar choice that was made when Joshua called the leaders of the tribes of Israel together to warn them of the dangers of following the gods of other peoples and forsaking the Lord. He reminded them of their blessed heritage, of their calling as the chosen people of God, and of how they had been led from captivity to the land of promise. Joshua asked them to make a choice between the true God of their fathers or the idols of the idolatrous Amorites (Joshua 24:15). On that day and in answer to that call, the people proclaimed, We will serve the Lord! (24:21) On October 28, 1940, and in the hard days, months, and years that followed, the cry of “OXI” resonated in the hearts and minds of the people of Greece. They made a choice. They remembered their blessed heritage of freedom and the centuries of hardship when liberty was lost. They chose timeless ideals over temporal threats. They chose courage over fear, faith when the immediate future was unknown, and resolve when asked to willingly acquiesce to a stronger, ruthless power. When many others were submitting to false ideologies and regimes of tyranny, the leaders and people of Greece chose to stand and show to the world the true nature of heroism. As we commemorate OXI Day in our parishes and communities, may we affirm the value of this witness in our contemporary world. May our honoring of this mighty stand engender inspiration from our heritage and a love of the ideals of liberty, courage, valor, and all that is noble and true. In the face of false ideologies and forces that profane and destroy life, may we guide others to see the precedent of OXI Day, and may we choose this and every day to serve the Lord of freedom, justice and love. With paternal love in Christ, †Demetrios Archbishop of America
Read MoreAboutEncyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for OXI Day - October 28, 2016 »

Our annual commemoration of OXI Day this year marks the 75th anniversary of a heroic stand against the forces of Fascism and an affirmation of the values that are essential for human life and well-being. On October 28, 1940, faced with an ultimatum from Benito Mussolini to allow the Italian army to occupy Greece, the Prime Minister of Greece Ioannis Metaxas and the people of Greece responded with a resounding “NO.” Even before the time to respond to the ultimatum had expired, Italian forces began entering Greece over the border from Albania. However, in the spirit of the reply of “NO,” Greek forces resisted fiercely, keeping the Axis forces out of Greece for almost six months.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2015) »

As we commemorate OXI Day on October 28 and remember the valiant stand of the people of Greece in 1940 against the advancement of the forces of Fascism, we are aware that struggles for freedom and peace and against tyranny are very much a part of our modern world. Just as some of us and most certainly our fathers and mothers saw and experienced the brutality and inhumane actions of an occupying force, so too we are witnesses today of persecution, violence, and death.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2014) »

As Orthodox Christians, we are called to live and do justly, to confront the machinations of evil, and to do so in the grace of God with a love for life and for others who are created in His image and likeness. Our just and holy ways should also be characterized by dignity and humility. True, decent humility is not a sign of weakness, but of great strength and faith, revealing a deep and abiding trust in the sacredness of the human person and in the power and promises of God.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2013) »

The witness of OXI Day and of the valiant stand of the people of Greece reminds us that we share in this heritage and faith, and that this relationship offers us guidance in the midst of great struggles. While the threats are not always the spread of fascism or of occupation, we often face tremendous adversities that threaten us or the well-being, freedom, and security of others. It is in this time that we must be resilient through the power of our faith.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2012) »

The remembrance of October 28, 1940 through our annual observance of OXI Day is our excellent opportunity to honor the courage of those who stood firm in the face of tyranny and to cherish the freedom that we have inherited due to their great sacrifice. This is a day of memorial for the people of Greece who were unwilling to defile the liberty gained by earlier generations by cowering under the threats of totalitarian regimes. The response of “NO” to the demands of tyrants and their destructive agendas was a true and exemplary act of courage for all humanity.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2011) »

On this annual observance of OXI Day we join with our brothers and sisters of Greek descent around the world, with philhellenes and with all who cherish freedom and self-determination in a commemoration that stands as a witness to the necessity of unyielding adherence to universal values and perseverance in faith. On the morning of October 28, 1940, the resounding “NO” given by Greece to the fascist leader of Italy in response to the demand to surrender without a fight and allow the occupation of Greece by a foreign power, was a reply echoed in the streets by the people as they recognized immediately a very real threat.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2010) »

With gracious hearts for our blessed faith and heritage, we observe the annual commemoration of OXI Day once again. The significance of our remembrance of this special day originated in a firm stand against the forces of tyranny and oppression that threatened Greece and the world in 1940. It is also inextricably linked to our identity as Hellenes and Orthodox Christians.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2009) »

Our commemoration of OXI Day, October 28, provides our Greek Orthodox community with a special day to remember and affirm the unique relationship between our heritage and our faith. This day marks a brilliant moment in history when the nation of Greece responded through word and action to the forces of fascism and occupation during World War II. The response of “NO” (“OXI”) delivered by the Greek People to the demands of the Axis forces on October 28, 1940, echoed in the bravery and sacrifice of many, and it exemplified the deep Hellenic love of freedom and independence. It also demonstrated the stalwart commitment of our Hellenic forebears to their faith and their country.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2008) »

Each year on the Twenty-Eighth of October we give honor to our Hellenic forefathers and mothers by commemorating their valiant stand against the forces of tyranny and fascism that were sweeping across Europe during World War II. For on that date in the year 1940, the nation of Greece took a brave position by issuing a resounding “NO” -- “OXI” -- to the desire of fascism to subjugate and occupy Greece.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical for "OXI Day" (20/10/2007) »

Once again we greet with joy the arrival of the Twenty-Eighth of October. As Greek Orthodox Christians, we know this day as "OXI Day," a reference to the defiant "NO" (or "OXI") that the Hellenic nation boldly proclaimed in 1940 to the demands of Mussolini to surrender to the dark forces of Fascism that were sweeping across Europe at that time. This day is important because of the example that the nation of Greece set for the rest of the world. Greece's defiance to the demands of a hostile fascist aggressor stood for the undeniable, moral claim that there are certain values in this world that are so precious and so sacred, that they cannot be compromised at any cost.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical on the Occasion of OXI Day (10/28/2006) »

It is with thanks to God that we greet the arrival of the Twenty-Eighth of October, "OXI Day." Each year on this day, we commemorate the resounding "No" of the Hellenic nation in 1940 against the dark forces of Fascism that were sweeping Europe at that critical time in the history of our world. We commemorate on this day a lasting and universal demonstration of Christian courage and faith over the brutish ideologies of hatred, racism, bigotry, and violence.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2005) »

Each year on the twenty-eighth day of October we honor our Hellenic heritage by commemorating a valiant stand that was made against the tyrannical forces of fascist rulers and governments.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2004) »

It is with gratitude to God that we greet the arrival of the Twenty-Eighth of October, “OXI Day.” This annual occasion commemorates a significant event in the history and life of the Hellenic people; for on this day in 1940, the nation of Greece issued a resounding “No” - “OXI” - to the dark forces of Fascism, revealing to a world at war the courageous character and virtuous spirit of Orthodox Christian Hellenism.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical for October 28 - Oxi Day (10/28/2003) »

By the grace of God, we commemorate once again the anniversary of the twenty-eighth of October, “OXI Day”. On this day in the year 1940, the world witnessed the valor of the Greek nation, which stood in defiance against the forces of Fascism. Today, citizens of Greece and peoples of Hellenic heritage all over the world celebrate in thanksgiving, doxology, and prayer the enduring legacy of “OXI Day” bequeathed to them by their forebears. This legacy however, far from being exclusive to a particular nation or people is relevant to peoples of all nations who cherish freedom, peace, and justice.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for October 28/OXI Day (10/28/2002) »

With celebration and song we greet once again the return of the Twenty-Eighth of October, the anniversary of OXI Day. This is a day of rich significance, not only for the people of Greece, but for Hellenes and Philhellenes throughout the world. Surely it is a day for offering up in our parishes the consummate act of thanksgiving, the Eucharist, along with services of doxology and prayers for those who have fallen asleep on behalf of the Faith and their native land.
Read MoreAboutMessage of Archbishop Demetrios Commemorating OHI DAY (10/28/2000) »

Every year the spirit of Hellenism takes pride in the commemoration of October 28, which we know as "OXI Day." As a people joined by belief and by blood with those brave Greek patriots, we celebrate the steadfastness and courage of a nation that said "NO" to fascism, "NO" to injustice, and "NO" to slavery.
Read MoreAboutEncyclical Commemorating 'OXI Day'(10/28/1999) »