Upper Darby, PA. St. Demetrios welcomed parade attendees on Sunday evening after their march down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Inside the church gymnasium, the celebration continued with dance performances and an official proclamation.
The Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox School opened the evening ceremony by singing the national anthems of Greece and the United States. Introduced by Mela Akranis, the students also performed “Pote Tha Kanei Ksasteria.”
Federation President Stathis Karadonis and Vice President George Horiatis greeted the crowd and introduced several dignitaries who spoke about Hellenism and the day’s significance. The Honorable Thomas N. Micozzie, Mayor of Upper Darby, read the proclamation officially declaring March 23, 2014, as Greek Independence Day. Mayor Micozzie also participated in the parade earlier in the day.
Dance groups from Federation churches and societies across the Delaware Valley filled the evening with traditional Greek dances. Performers included the Akritai of Philadelphia Dance Group and the Asteria of St. Sophia from Valley Forge, among others, bringing the spirit of Greece to the celebration.