In the year 1821, on March 25th, the Greek Revolutionary Forces made a significant declaration that Greece would finally be free from the oppressive rule of the Ottoman Empire. For over 400 years, the Greek people had suffered immensely under the brutal conquerors, enduring pain and agony. However, the gallant patriots of 1821 raised their flag with the cross and took inspiration from the classical Hellenic standards of Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis, proving to the world that courage was indeed a Greek invention. Their motto was “VICTORY or DEATH,” and they lived it to the fullest.
Greece’s significance as the mother country of freedom, knowledge, and Western culture, and democracy cannot be overstated. Every person in the Western world is her child, regardless of their national origin. The Greek War of Independence was a defining moment in history, as it restored freedom and eventual democracy to the place that gave birth to these concepts. The occasion was momentous and inspired many Americans to contribute their actions and voices to the Greek cause.
The Greek-Americans will never forget the names of those who so gallantly championed the cause of Greek freedom in the halls of Congress. Among them were President James Monroe, President John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, and Edward Everett, who played a significant role in supporting the Greek War of Independence. These individuals, along with countless others, recognized the importance of the Greek struggle for freedom and democracy and lent their voices to the cause.
Support the Greek Independence Day Parade
The Greek Independence Day Parade is an annual celebration that commemorates the Greek revolution against the Ottoman Empire in 1821. It’s a fantastic opportunity for the Greek community in various cities to unite and revel in their rich history, culture, and traditions while sharing them with others.
Your support for the Greek Independence Day Parade significantly impacts the promotion of cultural diversity, understanding, and appreciation while fostering a sense of community among the Greeks in your area.
Program of Events
FRIDAY, April 4, 2025
12:30 PM – Greek Flag Raising Ceremony
North Apron, Philadelphia City Hall
SATURDAY, April 5, 2025
5:00 PM – Eleftheria Gala
Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown Hotel – Liberty Ballroom
201 N. 17th Street
SUNDAY, April 6, 2025
10:00 AM – The Official Great Doxology
St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral
156 South 8th Street
1:00 PM – Formation Time of the Greek Independence Day Parade
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
2:00 PM – Step-off Time of the Greek Independence Day Parade
The parade officially begins at 22nd Street, moving toward 18th Street
5:00 PM – Post-parade event
Uptown Beer Garden
1500 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia
Parade Instructions
FORMATION
- Formation begins at 22nd Street and Ben Franklin Parkway heading east on Ben Franklin Parkway.
- First groups will form at 22nd Street and Ben Franklin Parkway and all other groups will continue forming behind on the Parkway.
- Group/marchers will begin forming at 1:00 PM
- Parade step-off shall begin at 2:00 PM sharp. Parade will head EAST on Ben Franklin Parkway.
- Any group arriving late MUST form at the end of the line. The City of Philadelphia’s Parade Permit is for a limited time, and the parade must commence on time.
BUSES (If arriving by bus)
- Instruct bus driver to drop off at 22nd & Ben Franklin Parkway. (SEE MAP BELOW)
- Bus drivers must drive NORTH on 22nd Street. Once they get to intersection of 22nd & Parkway
they will turn RIGHT onto the CENTER lanes of the Parkway and immediately drop off passengers. - Once passengers are dropped off, buses will drive to the CENTER lanes of the Ben Franklin
Parkway between 17th & 18th streets to park. This is the designated bus parking zone until the end of the post-parade reception.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
- In case of inclement weather, a decision whether to march will be made by 9:00 A.M. on the day of
the parade. You may call 609-741-7275 or go on FHAS social media to hear the decision.
PLEASE OBEY ALL PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICERS AND FEDERATION PARADE COORDINATORS
Parade Formation
All churches are grouped together. All societies and organizations are grouped together. Each year they move up one position within the group. Formation of the parade begins at 1:00 pm, and the parade shall commence at 2:00 pm. Any church or society that arrives late shall be placed at the parade’s end.
SECTION A – GENERAL
- Veterans of Foreign Wars, Eleftheria Post #6633 – FLOAT
- Icon of Annunciation (Annunciation of Elkins Park)
- Icon of Annunciation (Evangelismos of Theotokos)
- Banner of Agia Lavra / Palaion Patron Germanos (Peloponnesian Society)
- Federation Banner
- Dignitaries (Marching as one group)
- Hellenic Republic Presidential Guard (Evzones)
National Anthems / Invocation / Parade Start:
- American National Anthem – Elena Iliades
- Hellenic National Anthem – Yiannis Kaitidis
- His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey
- Grand Marshals – Drake and Maria Behrakis (Announcement for start of parade)
SECTION B – GREEK DAY SCHOOLS
- Odyssey Charter School of Wilmington, DE
SECTION C – CHURCHES
- Metropolis of New Jersey Banner
- St. Nicholas, Atlantic City, NJ
- St. Thomas, Cherry Hill, NJ – FLOAT
- Holy Trinity, Egg Harbor, NJ
- Evangelismos of Theotokos, Philadelphia, PA
- St. George, Media, PA – FLOAT
- Academy of Aristoteli School
- St. Anthony, Vineland, NJ
- St. Lukes, Broomall, PA – FLOAT
- Annunciation, Lancaster, PA
- Annunciation/Evangelismos, Elkins Park, PA – FLOAT
- St. Barbara, Toms River, NJ
- Holy Trinity, Wilmington, DE – FLOAT
- St. Nicholas, Bethlehem, PA
- St. George, Piscataway, NJ
- St. Demetrios, Union, NJ
- Evangelismos Tis Theotokou, Easton, PA
- St. George, Trenton, NJ
- St. Demetrios, Wildwood, NJ – FLOAT
- St. Anna, Flemington, NJ
- Holy Cross, Stroudsburg, PA
- Sts. Constantine and Helen, Reading, PA
- St. Matthew, Blandon, PA
- St. George Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA – FLOAT
- St. Sophia, Norristown (Valley Forge), PA
- St. Demetrios, Upper Darby, PA – FLOAT
SECTION D – MISC.
- Highway Patrol of the Philadelphia Police Department
- Philadelphia Police and Fire Pipes and Drums
- Philadelphia Fire Department
- Mummers – Woodland String Band (Will stop for performance)
SECTION E – ORGANIZATIONS / SOCIETIES
- Young Leaders Committee of the Federation
- Peloponnesian Society
- Pieria Society
- Ladies Pieria Society
- Cretans of Delaware Valley Knossos Chapter
- Society of Epirotes of Philadelphia, Omonia – FLOAT
- Brotherhood of Demati Society
- United Chios Society, Chapter 16 “O Korais” – FLOAT
- Corthion Andros Society of New Jersey
- Velvendinon Society
- Hellenic University Club
- Hellenic Medical Society
- Greek American Heritage Society of Philadelphia
- Pan Macedonian Society
- “Pavlos Melas” Chapter
- “Amalia” Chapter
- “Youth of Alexander” Chapter
- National Hellenic Student Association
- Federation of Hellenic Student Societies of Philadelphia – FLOAT
- Temple Hellenic Student Society
- Villanova University Hellenic Society
- Drexel University Student Organization
- University of Pennsylvania Students Organization
- Saint Joseph’s University Hellenic Student Union
- Hellenic Student Association University of Delaware
- West Chester University Students Organization
- Hellenic Student Association of Rutgers University New Brunswick
- Penn State Hellenic Student Association
- Intercollegiate Hellenic Society Global
- Pan Icarian Brotherhood of America “Atheras” Chapter
- Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey
- Pontian Society “Akritai”
- Nafpaktian & Perihora Society – FLOAT
- Cyprus Brotherhood of Philadelphia
- Kalomira (Joining are Sons of Pericles / Maids of Athena Chapters) – FLOAT
- AHEPA Family – FLOAT
- Daughters of Penelope, Upper Darby Chapter
- AHEPA, Thermopylae Chapter #449
- AHEPA, Camden Chapter #69
- AHEPA, Hercules Spartan Chapter #26
- AHEPA Chester–Delco Chapter
END OF PARADE
Post-Parade Dance Group Performances