Greektown in Chicago was a wave of blue and white as Greek-Americans, Chicagoans, and spectators from near and far attended the Greek Heritage Parade to commemorate Greek Independence. Presented by The Federation of Hellenic-American Organizations (ENOSIS) and sponsored by Greektown Special Service Area #16, the Greek Heritage Parade has been established as one of the biggest annual events in the Chicago Greek community since its founding in the 1960s.
The day began at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral to celebrate a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, joining His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago. This service commemorated the Veneration of the Holy Cross, marked the beginning of the Greek Independence day festivities, and the Forty Day Memorial for the late Father Nicholas Nikokavouras, Proistamenos of the Annunciation Cathedral of the Metropolis of Chicago for decades.
Archbishop Elpidophoros honored the admirable and generous leadership of Fr. Nicholas in his Homily and reminded parishioners to follow his example of love as commanded by our Lord, “‘Τhis is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, to sacrifice your life for your friends.’ As Christians, as Orthodox Christians, we are bound to this commandment – an ἐντολή that rises above every canon, every dogma, every tradition that we hold so dear. For if we do not hold this commandment first and foremost, everything else in the Church is devoid of meaning.”
After Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Elpidophoros with Metropolitan Nathanael, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, Ambassador Evangelos Savva of Cyprus, Consul General of Greece in Chicago Emmanuel Koumbarakis, Leadership 100 President Jim Logothetis and L100 member Dimitris Bousis, President Costa Chaniotakis of Enosis, Illinois, President of the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) Endy Zemenides, Members of The Federation of Hellenic American Organizations of Illinois, Hellenes and Philhellenes gathered at the National Hellenic Museum before the parade officially began.
Archbishop Elpidophoros praised the Chicago Greek community for their love and pride for their Hellenic heritage. President of HALC Endy Zemenides thanked His Eminence for continuing to remind us about the unjust and illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the importance of supporting Cyprus in the nation’s struggle for freedom.
Though it was a rainy day, this did not deter anyone from marching. Umbrellas in one hand and Greek flags in the other, participants proudly marched to celebrate the resilience of the heroes of 1821 and the fight for Greek Independence.
Children and adults donned traditional Greek costumes, performed dances to the songs of our homeland, and waved Greek flags and Church banners with smiles emanating great joy. Clergy and faithful from many local Greek Orthodox Churches participated in the parade procession, proudly highlighting their Greek Orthodox faith.
Read below the speech of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
Your Grace, Bishop Timotheos and Reverend Clergy,
Dear Family of the ever-memorable Father Nicholas Nikokavouras,
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The confluence of commemorations today: the Veneration of the Holy Cross, the Greek Independence Parade, and the Forty Day Memorial for the late and beloved Father Nicholas, the servant of this Cathedral for decades, is truly inspiring.
Father Nicholas, whose memorial we observe today, was a perfect admixture of the best of the Orthodox Church, and the best of Hellenic heritage. His ministry – a long and fruitful one in this Cathedral and in our Sacred Archdiocese of America – combined the finest elements of both traditions, and gifted to all, who had the honor and pleasure to know him, a superb ministry. We remember him most worthily on this Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross, because his entire priestly life was one of following the Lord, and willingly carrying the Cross of service to his parish and community, of support for the causes of the Faith and the Homeland, and of assistance to those in need.
How many times did Father Nicholas bow low before the Cross of the Lord here in this Church! And not only on this very special Third Sunday of Lent. His pious soul was always humble before the Lord of Glory.
How many times did Father Nicholas make the sign of the Cross upon his noble person here in this Church, as he entered and prayed with you and for you.
And how many times did Father Nicholas make the sign of the Cross over all of you, the faithful parishioners of this historic Cathedral. And not only here, but in your homes, in hospitals, in nursing homes, and wherever his ministry was needed.
He led you like Moses led the children of Israel in the wilderness for forty years. He taught you and organized you. He prayed with you, wept and laughed with you, and was a shining example of God’s love for you throughout his diakonia here at Annunciation.
Moreover, as we prepare to mark our Greek Independence Celebration by the Annual Parade, I know he will be with us in spirit as we march down Halstead Street. He marched so many times, and encouraged all of you to be proud of your heritage and not to be afraid to share it with others. He was the best of the best, and acknowledging him so on this, the Forty Day Memorial of his passing over from this life to eternal life in God, is a privilege for me as your Archbishop, and a moment for this Cathedral community to come together in respect and in deep appreciation for the decades of his continuous ministry of love.
Indeed, He bowed before the Cross of our Lord many times here in this glorious sanctuary, because he understood what the Cross truly means. What our Lord said on the night in which He gave Himself up for the life of the world:
“Τhis is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, to sacrifice your life for your friends.” *
As Christians, as Orthodox Christians, we are bound to this commandment – an ἐντολή that rises above every canon, every dogma, every tradition that we hold so dear. For if we do not hold this commandment first and foremost, everything else in the Church is devoid of meaning.
Father Nicholas knew this in his very bones. And so, we honor his memory today, and take whatever goodness he imparted to us out into the Street today, to march with pride for our Faith and for our Γένος. Ὑπέρ Πίστεως και Πατρίδας.
May the servant and priest of God, Nicholas, abide forever in the mansions of the Saints, in the bosom of Abraham, and in the tabernacles of the Righteous. Γένοιτο. So be it. Amen.
* John 15:12-13.
Photo: GOARCH/Brittainy Newman
