201 years ago, on March 25, 1821, the Greek Revolutionary Forces raised the standard of the cross and declared that Greece would be free from Ottoman rule. 400 years of agony, suffering, and enslavement under the yoke of a brutal conqueror was about to end.
Inspired by the classical Hellenic standards of Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis, the gallant patriots of 1821 showed the world that courage was indeed the word of Greek invention and lived their motto: “VICTORY or DEATH” to the fullest.
Greece is the mother country of Freedom and knowledge of western culture and democracy, and each of us in the Western World is her child, no matter what our national origin might be.
The Greek War of Independence restored Freedom and eventual democracy to the place that gave birth to these concepts.
Battle scene from the Greek War of Independence by Georg Perlberg
Many Americans contributed their actions and voices to the Greek cause. The Greek-Americans will never forget the names like President James Monroe, President John Quincy Adams, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, and Edward Everett, among others, who so gallantly championed the cause of Greek Freedom in the halls of Congress.
1:00 pm – Raising of the Greek Flag at the North Apron, Philadelphia City Hall
SATURDAY – March 19, 2022
6:00 pm – Eleftheria Award and Dignitaries Banquet
Adelphia Restaurant – Clements Bridge Road, Deptford, NJ $75 per person – Reservations at HellenicFed.org via PayPal
Introduction of Dignitaries:
His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidoforos, Exarch of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Grand Marshal Georgia Athanasopulos, Honorable Consul to Panama in Philadelphia
Honorary Marshals AHEPA President Jimmy Kokotas and Daughters of Penelope Grand Kathy Bizoukas
2022 Eleftheria Award recipient – George G. Horiates, Esq.
SUNDAY, March 20, 2022
10:00 am – Archhierarchical Divine Liturgy and Official Great Doxology Celebrated by His Eminence, Archbishop Elpidoforos, Exarch of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George 256 South 8th Street, Philadelphia
12:30 pm – Dignitaries’ Luncheon at the Cathedral
Coffee Hour Reception (open to the public) Hosted by St. George Cathedral in honor of its Centennial, Very Reverend Archimandrite Ambrose Bitziadis
2:00 pm – GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
Formation Time: 1:00 pm
Starting Time: 2:00 pm
Starting Point: 17th and Parkway
Reviewing Stand: On Parkway prior to Art Museum Drive
(Inclement Weather Number: 856-665-2085)
4:30 pm – Reception & Dance Performances
Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church 229 Powell Lane, Upper Darby, Pennsylvania Hosted by St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church
Parade Route
STARTING/FORMATION AREA (Formation time is 1:00 pm)
18th Street and Race Street (along the Ben Franklin Parkway),
First groups will form at 19th, and Logan Circle on the Parkway, and all other groups will continue forming behind them towards City Hall on the Parkway.
MARCH ROUTE (Starting time of Parade is 2:00 pm sharp)
The parade will begin at 19th and Logan Circle.
The parade will move NW along the Ben Franklin Parkway.
The parade will go past the reviewing stand near Eakins Oval near the front of the Art Museum.
REVIEW STAND
The review stand is before Eakins Oval along the Parkway prior to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
In the case of inclement weather on the day of the parade, please call (856)665-2085. A decision will be made by 10:00 am.
PLEASE OBEY ALL PHILADELPHIA POLICE OFFICERS AND FEDERATION PARADE LINE-UP COORDINATORS.
Parade Instructions
FORMATION
Group/marchers will begin forming at 1:00 pm
Parade will begin at 2:00 pm sharp.
Any group arriving late MUST form at the end of the line. The City of Philadelphia’s Parade Permit is for a limited time as the Parkway is a major artery. Thus, the parade must commence on time.
BUSES (If arriving by bus)
Instruct bus driver to drop off AT BEGINNING OF Parkway towards City Hall.
Bus drivers must park at 21st and Ben Franklin Parkway on the Parkway.
PARADE DRESS
Please wear any of the following:
Men in dark suits with white shirts and blue ties;
Women in blue and white;
Ethnic costumes or uniforms
Comfortable shoes
Appropriate coats (remember the wind!)
Note: This is our day to show our fellow Americans our Hellenic pride and culture, and to promote Greek Independence, the eyes of the City will be upon us! March in an orderly fashion, smile, wave your hands or flags BOTH GREEK AND AMERICAN FLAGS (remember, this great Greek-inspired City gave the greatest contributions towards the Greek War of Independence) and keep our young children in line. We encourage our very young children to participate in the parade, but we ask that you limit the number of baby carriages/strollers.
FLAGS
You may purchase flags.
FLOATS
If your church or organization is interested in renting a float, you may contact Bond Floats AT at (973)778-3333.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
In case of inclement weather, a decision on whether to march will be made by 10:00 am on the parade day. You MUST call (856)665-2085 after 10:00 am to hear the decision.
Parade Line-up
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.
GENERAL/BANNERS
Veterans of Foreign War, Eleftheria Post #6633
Icon of Annunciation – Annunciation Church of Elkins Park
Icon of Annunciation – Evangelismos of Theotokos, Philadelphia
Agia Lavra–Palaion Patron Germanos
Panagia Soumela
Federation of Hellenic Societies of Philadelphia and the Greater Delaware Valley banner
Metropolis of New Jersey banner
Presidential Guard (The EVZONES)
DIGNITARIES
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidoforos of America, Exarch of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
Escorted by His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, Metropolis of New Jersey
GRAND MARSHAL and ELEFTHERIA MEDAL RECIPIENT: The Honorable Georgia Athanasopulos, Honorable Consul to Panama in Philadelphia George Horiates, Esq. Eleftheria Award Recipient
CENTENNIAL HONORARY MARSHALS: Jimmy Kokotas, Supreme President Order of AHEPA Kathy Bizoukas, Grand President Daughters of Penelope 13. Past Grand Marshals and Eleftheria Medal Recipients
Past Grand Marshals and Eleftheria Medal Recipients
Philadelphia Raider Drum and Bugle Corps
Federation officers/board members / past presidents and other dignitaries
Metropolis of New Jersey Philoptochos Board
AHEPA District Lodges of Pennsylvania and New Jersey /Delaware
Odyssey Charter School
PARISHES
Saint George Cathedral (First to march in honor of its Centennial)
Saint George Cathedral Float
St. Nicholas, Bethlehem, PA
St. George, Piscataway, NJ
St.Demetrios, Union, NJ
St. Sophia, Norristown, PA
St. Demetrios, Wildwood, NJ
St. Nicholas, Atlantic City, NJ
Holy Trinity, Egg Harbor, NJ
Evangelismos of Theotokos, Philadelphia, PA
St. Anthony, Vineland, NJ
St. Thomas, Cherry Hill, NJ
FLOAT Saint Thomas
St George, Media, PA
St. Demetrios, Upper Darby, PA
Evangelismos, Easton, PA
St. Luke, Broomall, PA
Holy Trinity, Wilmington, DE
FLOAT Holy Trinity
St. George, Trenton, NJ
St. Anna, Flemington, NJ
Holy Cross, Stroudsburg, PA
Saints Constantine and Helen Church, Reading, PA
Annunciation, Lancaster, PA
St. Mathew, Blandon, PA
Annunciation/Evangelismos, Elkins Park, PA
SOCIETIES/ORGANIZATIONS
Nafpaktian Society
Peloponnesian Society
Pieria Society
Ladies Pieria Society
Cyprus Brotherhood of Philadelphia
Cretans of Delaware Valley Knossos Chapter
Epirotes Omonia Society
Brotherhood of Demati Society
Epirotes Float
United Chios Society “O Korais” Chapter
Andriotes Society
Evrytanian Society
Velvendinon Society
Hellenic University Club
Hellenic Medical Society
Daughters of Penelope Upper Darby
Thermopylae Chapter AHEPA
Camden Chapter AHEPA
Hercules Spartan #26 AHEPA
Chester –Delco AHEPA
Vineland – South Jersey AHEPA
Valley Forge AHEPA
Wilmington, DE AHEPA
AHEPA FLOAT
Agnes Irwin School Greek Club
Armenian Society of Philadelphia
Federation of Hellenic Student Societies of Philadelphia
Temple Hellenic Student Society
Villanova University Hellenic Society
Drexel University Student Organization
University of Pennsylvania Students Organization
Saint Joseph’s University Hellenic Students
University of Delaware “OPAH”
Pan Icarian Brotherhood of America “Atheras” chapter
MUMMERS
Delaware Valley Hellenic American Police Officers
Philadelphia Greek Basketball League
Pan Macedonian Society “Pavlos Melas”
Pan Macedonian Society “Amalia”
Pan Macedonian Society “Youth of Alexander”
Hellenic Motorcycle Club
Pontian Society “Akritai”
Pontian Society “Akritai” Dance Group (closing the parade)
Parade order schedule to change based on Theme of Parade and Honorees.