Philadelphia, PA – Final preparations were discussed last night at St. George Cathedral for the 1st post-Pandemic Greek Independence day parade. The Hellenic Federation hosted the meeting assembled with representatives across the Delaware Valley. They discussed the lineup, dignitaries, and the Greek Presidential Guard (Evzones) that will all be present for the weekend-long celebrations.
Federation President Dimitris Rozanitis welcomed the organizations and church representatives. Rozanitis outlined a detailed schedule of events that would launch with the arrival of the Evzones directly from Greece to Philadelphia on March 16th, 2022. The Evzones will participate first at the ceremonial flag-raising in front of City Hall in Philadelphia on Friday, March 18th, 2022. That will be followed by a liturgy service later that evening at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Upper Darby.
The Federation banquet scheduled to take place at Adelphia Restaurant in Deptford, NJ., on Saturday, March 19th, will honor Grand Marshall Georgia Athanasopulos, Consul General of the Republic of Panama, and present George G. Horiatis with the Eleftheria Award. The evening will also recognize Centennial Marshals, His Eminence Archibishop Elpidophoros of America, Jimmy Kokotas, Supreme President of AHEPA, and Kathy Bizoukas, Daughters of Penelope Grand President.
The Doxology services will kick off the parade with dignitaries, the community, and the Evzones at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Olde City – St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Sunday, March 20th, 2022. The parade will follow along the parkway and conclude at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Upper Darby with dance performances from area churches and speeches.