The Federation of Hellenic American Societies of Philadelphia and Greater Delaware Valley announces the Greek Independence Day Parade to be hosted on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Sunday, April 7, 2019. The formation will start at 1:00 pm at 16th Street and Eakins Oval, and the official start of the parade will be 2:00 pm. It will end at the reviewing stand at Logan Circle.

Participation of this historic event will include local, national, and international organizations. Representatives from the Hellenic Republic’s government and military, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, folk dance troupes, local Greek Orthodox churches, cultural and educational organizations, will all take part at this historic event.

The elite military unit from Greece, the Presidential Guard, also known as the Evzones, will be participating. In addition to celebrating the 198th Anniversary of Greek Independence, this year’s parade theme holds special significance. The Federation will commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the genocide of the Pontic Greeks. 100 woman, dressed in black, representing various cultures from around the world, will line the Parkway in memory of the lost homeland and people of Pontos.

The prestigious Eleftheria Medal (Freedom medal) recipient and Grand Marshal, Consul General of Greece, Dr. Konstantinos Koutras, Honorary Parade Marshal, Kyriakos Mossaides, and local Pontian Society Chapter “Akritai,” will lead the parade following the ceremony under the flag of Greece which stands along the Parkway.

The parade procession will conclude near the Art Museum, where a theatrical and musical dance will close the parade commemorating the historic day. All guests, community organizations and friends of the Federation are then invited to St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox church for the Reception and Dance performance.

Parade Details
Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
Sunday, April 7th, 2019
Formation: 1:00 pm (From 16th Street to Eakins Oval)
Parade start: 2:00 pm
Contact: Federation Vice President: Georgia Chletcos (610) 547-0072
Parade Hotline: (484) 452-6106

Program of Events

SATURDAY – March 30, 2019

4:30 PM – Eleftheria Awards Dinner
Honorees
Eleftheria Award Recipient & Grand Marshal: Dr. Konstantinos Koutras, Consul General of Greece
Honorary Marshals: Mr. Kyriakos Mossaides & the Pontian Society Akritai
The Merion
1301 Route 130 South, Cinnaminson NJ 08077, (*GPS Address: 1700 Wynwood Drive Cinnaminson, NJ)
$75

MONDAY – April 1, 2019

Pontian Genocide Lecture
History of the Pontian Genocide by Dr. Thomas Savvidis, University of Thessaloniki
Co-sponsored by the Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia and the Pontian Society Akritai
TBD
Free

WEDNESDAY – April 3, 2019

Greek Film Night
Pontian Genocide by Vassiliki Tsanaktsidou Co-sponsored by the Hellenic University Club of Philadelphia
Greek Film supplied by NY Greek Film Organization
Landmark Ritz V
214 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
$20

THURSDAY – April 4, 2019

5th Annual Greek Heritage Night at the Sixers
76’ers vs. Bucks
Sponsored by the Philadelphia Greek Basketball League
Wells Fargo Center
3601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia PA
Tickets from $54

FRIDAY – April 5, 2019

Opening Ceremonies and Raising of the Greek Flag
1:00 PM – Philadelphia City Hall 3:30 PM – Mayor’s Reception Room
7:00 PM – 4th Salutations Service
Presided by His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
229 Powell Lane, Upper Darby, PA 19082

SATURDAY – April 6, 2019

6:00 PM – Federation Parade Dignitaries Dinner
TBD

SUNDAY – April 7, 2019

9:30 AM – Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Official Great Doxology
Presided by His Eminence, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey
St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral
256 South 8th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

12:00 PM – Dignitaries Luncheon Coffee Hour Reception

1:00 PM Greek Independence Parade – Formation
Inclement Weather Number: 856-665-2085
17th and Parkway, Philadelphia

2:00 PM – Greek Independence Parade – Start
Reviewing Stand: On Parkway prior to Art Museum Drive, Philadelphia

4:30 PM – After Parade Reception & Dance Performances
Hosted by St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
229 Powell Lane, Upper Darby, PA 19082

Additional Events

A 15-minute presentation, co-sponsored by the Federation and the Pontian Society, will be available to present to local Greek Schools throughout March on the history of the Pontian Genocide and its importance. All area Greek Schools will be offered this free presentation to their students.