Philadelphia, PA – Greek Independence Day weekend is approaching in the Delaware Valley. The annual parade is organized and sponsored by the Federation of Hellenic American Societies of Philadelphia & Greater Delaware Valley. Hellenes and Philhellenes and are invited to attend the weekend long events that will take place in the Philadelphia metropolitan area the first weekend in April.
Greek Independence Day honors and pays tribute to the fallen heroes that stood up against the Ottoman Empire in the war that liberated Greece. It started on March 25th, 1821.
The annual parade down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will take place on April 2nd, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The parade pays tribute to and is the highlight of the year-long efforts of the Federation of Hellenic American Societies of Philadelphia & Greater Delaware Valley. Organizations, Foundations, Societies, and churches will participate with floats, dancing, and speeches about the historic day.
The parade will bill led by the President of the Federation of Hellenic American Societies of Philadelphia & Greater Delaware Valley, Nikolaos Spiliotis. Various dignitaries and this year’s Grand Marshall, Demetrios Halakos, along with the Medal of Eleftheria recipient, who will also march in the parade.
A unit of the Greek Presidential Guard (Evzones) will again march in the parade for the second year in a row and be present for all the events throughout the weekend. The Evzones are an elite unit of the Greek Army having the privilege to guard the Monument of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Greek Parliament and the Presidential Mansion. That’s why they are considered to be a symbol of freedom, democracy, and leadership.
All events are open to the public, and all are encouraged to attend. For any questions, please feel free to contact the chairman of the Parade, George Maniatis at vicepresident@hellenicfed.org.
Schedule of Events
Friday, March 31, 2017
2:00 pm: Greek Flag Raising Ceremony at the North Apron, City Hall
7:00 pm: Akathyst Hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos, St. Thomas, Cherry Hill, NJ
Saturday, April 1, 2017
6:00: pm Federation Parade Dinner at Saint Demetrios, Upper Darby
Sunday, April 2, 2017
10:00 am: Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Official Great Doxology at Saint George, Philadelphia
2:00 pm: Greek Independence Day Parade (Formation 1:00 pm / Starting Time: 2:00 pm)
4:30 pm: Reception & Dance Performances at Saint Demetrios, Upper Darby