PROVIDENCE, R.I. – [Photos: RI State Senate]
Once again this year, a Greek Independence Day celebration was held at the Rhode Island State House on March 31, 2026, hosted by State Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis (D-33, Coventry, West Greenwich), along with Rhode Island’s Hellenic communities, marking the 205th anniversary of Greece’s independence and the Feast of the Annunciation.
Throughout the week leading to the Statehouse celebration, Greece’s national flag was flown at the city halls of Cranston, Newport and Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where the Mayors Kenneth Hopkins, Charles Holder and Donald Grebien respectively presented their traditional proclamations honoring the Greek communities.
During the celebration, Greece’s national flag was flown in four different areas of the Rhode Island State House – the Governor’s Stateroom, the Senate chamber, the House chamber and atop the State House building.
The State House dome was lit in blue and white in honor of Greek Independence Day, a tradition that started in 1993 by State Senator Lou Raptakis.
Senate President Valerie Lawson (D-Dist. 14, East Providence), along with Majority Leader Frank A. Ciccone (D-Dist. 7, Providence, Johnston) and Majority Whip Senator David P. Tikoian (D-Dist. 22, Smithfield, North Providence, Lincoln), met with the Greek delegation to discuss many related issues before the celebration. Consul General of Greece Boston Symeon Tegos, State Senator Leonidas Raptakis and Keynote Speaker Dr. Yanna Darilis participated in the meeting. Also, in attendance was Hellenic Navy Commander George Kapnisis, who is attending the United States Naval War College in Newport R.I., to discuss many related issues before the Senate session.
In the Rhode Island Senate Chamber, the invocation was given by Rev. Dr. Philip Zymaris of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Pawtucket, this year’s host parish, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by State Senator Leonidas Raptakis and a reading of Senate Resolution (S3175.pdf ) took place. Consul General of Greece to New England Symeon Tegos was recognized for his service to the Hellenic Republic while in the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Father Aaron Walker of the St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church Newport gave the invocation. This year’s House resolution (H8376.pdf) was sponsored by the Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), and cosponsored by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara (D-Dist. 19, Warwick, Cranston), a long-time support of Rhode Island’s Greek American community.
Both House and Senate resolutions commemorated the Feast of the Annunciation and the 205th Anniversary of Greece’s declaration of independence, emphasizing the continuing bonds between both the United States and Greece. Both State Senate and House resolutions recognized the continuing support by the United States to the people of Greece, especially the historic ties between both nations, as well as, expanding economic, energy and defense cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Additional resolutions (S3055.pdf) were introduced in the Senate by State Senator Leonidas Raptakis celebrating “World Greek Language Day in the State of Rhode Island” as proclaimed by UNESCO, in the House of Representatives (H8374.pdf) by State Representatives Christopher Paplauskas (R-Dist. 15, Cranston), and celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Ahepa Chapter 106 Sophocles Providence (S3054.pdf) and (H8375.pdf) respectively by State Senator Leonidas Raptakis and State Representative Joseph Solomon (D-22, Warwick).
Following the ceremonies in the Senate and House chambers, as part of the main program in the Governor’s State Room, the invocation and benediction was delivered Fathers Philip Zymaris from the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Pawtucket, Nicholas Lanzourakis from the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Cranston and Aaron Walker from the St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church Newport, with the audience joined together to sing the national anthems of the United States and the Hellenic Republic.
Rhode Island Congress members Seth Magaziner (D-District 2) and Gabe Amo (D-District 1) gave brief remarks sharing the importance of the RI Greek community and the strong historical relationships between Greece and the United States, and proclamations were offered by United States Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) who were unable to attend. Raptakis praised Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation, “I want to thank our entire Rhode Island Congressional delegation who not only have the best voting record in the nation when it comes to supporting the many Hellenic issues and voicing their support for Greece and Cyprus, especially in the volatile region of the Eastern Mediterranean.”
Rhode Island’s Governor Daniel McKee participated later in the evening at the official reception hosted by the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Pawtucket where he addressed the entire Rhode Island Greek-American community and presented a State of Rhode Island proclamation recognizing the important contributions of the Hellenic community.
In the Governor’s Stateroom following the Senate and House of Representatives ceremonies, greetings were given by Lt. Governor Sabina Matos and General Treasurer James Diossa. Attorney General Peter Neronha and Secretary of State Gregory Amore sent proclamations honoring the Greek American community of Rhode Island. Senate Majority Whip David Tikoian, representing Senate President Val Lawson, emphasized the RI State Senate’s support of many resolutions supporting Greece’s independence, the Greek Genocide and protecting the religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Speaker of the House of Representatives K. Joseph Shekarchi also emphasized the Greek American community’s diversity and contributions to the State of Rhode Island. Mayor of Providence Brett Smiley and Mayor of Cranston Kenneth Hopkins also offered their greetings and proclamations. Mayor Don Grebien of Pawtucket, who could not attend, sent a letter of greetings.
Rhode Island’s Greek American community and state officials honored and gave a standing ovation to the law enforcement officials of Hellenic decent in attendance – Town of Johnston Police Officer Charles Psilopoulos, Brown University and former Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements and Providence Police Department Officer Trent Hastings – for their service in protecting Rhode Islanders. Also giving remarks from the Hellenic Navy was Commander George Kapnisis from the United States Naval War College in Newport, RI.
Symeon Tegos, Consul General of Greece Boston, highlighted his yearly participation throughout his tenure and the important role Rhode Island’s Greek American community and State Senator Lou Raptakis have played in supporting many issues for Greece.
TV host – producer Dr. Yanna Darilis was honored as keynote speaker and praised the young children who recited many poems and songs and who are the future of Rhode Island’s Hellenic community. “I am deeply honored to have been invited to address the Rhode Island State Senate and the official program in the Governor’s Stateroom. I am grateful for the opportunity to speak before such distinguished elected officials, community leaders, and members of the Greek American community. The bonds between Greece and the United States are rooted in shared values, democracy, freedom, faith, and family, and strengthened by our strategic partnership in the Eastern Mediterranean. It was also a privilege to speak at the People’s House and address the Greek American community about the responsibility we all share as Greeks, especially the younger generation, to preserve our heritage and carry these values forward”, said Dr. Darilis.
This year’s host community and emcee from the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of Pawtucket, Parish Council President Andrea Vastis and State Senator Lou Raptakis emphasized that “for over 34 years, this event has been held in the General Assembly chambers and the State Room, and it is always a wonderful expression of our strong Hellenic community in Rhode Island, and the strong connection between this state, known for its commitment to independence, and the nation which was the birthplace of democracy”.
Demitrios Kosivas, Joseph Clapsis, Sofia Svitlitsas and George Apostolidis students from the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Pawtucket recited a poem “To the Greek Flag” and Konstantinos Pagonis and Haralambos Stathakis recited “Ode to Athanasios Diakos”.
Eleni Siachou, Evangelos Tsimikas and Kay Rougas from the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Cranston recited the poem “Dual Celebration,” and George Gatos and Nicholaos Rougas recited the poem “25th of March,1821”.
Nicholas Diamandes from the St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church recited the poem “Glory and Honor” and George Daskas recited another version of poem “25th of March 1821”.
All three Greek churches joined together and sang the song “Today Greece Celebrates Freedom and Annunciation”.
The event concluded with a group photo inside the State library and Capitol Rotunda with many of the dignitaries, participants, family and friends.
Parish council presidents of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Paul Kallis and Brett Fox of St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, along with American Hellenic Education Progressive Association Presidents Sophocles Chapter 106, George Coclin, and Olympia Chapter 121, Ioannis Apostolakis, were all in attendance. A reception hosted by the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church was held in Pawtucket, Rhode Island following the program at the Rhode Island State House.
The Senate chamber celebration can be viewed here: https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/show/11946
The Governor’s State Room event can be viewed here: https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/show/11955
