One of the most massive of the past decade was this year’s National Parade of Hellenism in the New York metropolitan area, on 5th Avenue in Manhattan.
Thousands of people of all ages paraded on Sunday, April 14, many wearing national costumes, while thousands watched the parade from the sidewalks, holding blue-white flags.
This year’s parade was dedicated to the sad 100th anniversary of the Genocide of the Greeks of Pontus and slogans about the recognition of the Genocide dominated in the event.
There were also many slogans for freedom to Cyprus, and others against the Prespa agreement and for the rights of the Greek minority in Albania.
On the front line, Archbishop Demetrios of America, who on Sunday morning officiated at the doxology, in the presence of the diplomatic authorities, the Evzones of the Hellenic Presidential Guard and other officials.
The Archbishop expressed his gratitude to the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York, which, every year, organizes the parade on 5th Avenue, and officially welcomed the Presidential Guard’s Evzones in New York and presented a Cross to each of the members of the mission.
“If the Evzones are absent, the image of the parade is significantly altered,” the Archbishop said.
Referring to the Greek Revolution of 1821, the Archbishop stressed that “this was an amazing venture that will remain in history as a unique event for which the word miracle is not enough to characterize it”, adding that it was “the epitome of heroism and intelligence.” “‘1821’ is an example of what we can do when we are united,” the Archbishop pointed out, referring to the contribution of the Church as well.
Source: hellasjournal
