PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Philadelphia and Greater Delaware Valley announced that the Evzones, the Presidential Guard of Greece, will be participating in the Philadelphia Greek Independence Day Parade honoring the 201st Anniversary of Greek Independence Day on March 20.
After a two year hiatus, Philadelphia will once again be marching to celebrate Greek Independence Day in March.
The Parade will honor the Centennial of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America as well as the Centennial of the Order of AHEPA and will also pay a tribute to Greece’s Bicentennial since it will be the first since the pandemic onset in 2020.
The festivities will begin with the Greek Flag Raising Ceremony at the Philadelphia City Hall on March 18 and the “Eleftheria Award and Dignitaries Banquet” at Adelphia’s on March 19. Georgia Athanasopulos, Honorary Consul to Panama in Philadelphia will be the Grand Marshal of this year’s Parade along with Honorary Marshals, AHEPA President Jimmy Kokotas and Daughters of Penelope Grand Kathy Bizoukas. George G. Horiates, Esq., Former Supreme President of AHEPA, will be the 2022 recipient of the Eleftheria Award, the Federation’s highest honor.
Sunday’s events will commence with the Divine Liturgy and Official Great Doxology concelebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia. A Dignitaries’ Luncheon will follow at the Cathedral Hall in honor of its Centennial.
The Parade will start at 2pm. A reception and dance exhibition will follow at 4:30pm at the Saint Demetrios community hall in Upper Darby.
As the organizers note, this year will be the first Greek Parade during the tenure of Archbishop Elpidophoros.
More information is available online: https://hellenicfed.org/.
