NEW YORK – The Parade Committee of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York has received confirmation from the Presidency of the Hellenic Republic that a contingent of the Presidential Guard Corps, the Evzones, will travel to New York to march in the Greek Independence Day Parade on Sunday, June 5 on Fifth Avenue. The Evzones will also take part in the other scheduled parade events and uplift the spirits of the Greek-American community.

The Parade Committee expressed its gratitude to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America for his intervention with President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, and for the commitment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to assume all the expenses related to the Evzones’ trip. The Federation also thanked other prominent Greek-Americans for their effective efforts with Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Minister of National Defense Nikos Panagiotopoulos. The Evzones’ delegation (18 soldiers and four officers) is scheduled to arrive on Thursday, June 2 and depart on Monday afternoon, June 6.

The Parade Committee also announced that the Grand Marshals of this year’s parade are: His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America in recognition of the efforts and contributions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and in celebration of the Centennial since its founding in 1922; the Hellenic Caucus of the U.S. Congress and its co-chairs, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL); Greek-American Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), and Greek Olympic gold medalist Fani Chalkia.

In addition, Honorary Grand Marshals of this year’s parade are: The great Greek-American organization AHEPA and its Supreme President Jimmy Kokotas, as this year, AHEPA celebrates its own Centennial with numerous contributions to Hellenism and Orthodoxy; the Cypriot organizations of the United States: Federation of Cypriot American Organizations, the International Coordinating Committee, Justice for Cyprus (PSEKA), and the Pancyprian Association of America along with their respective Presidents Kyriacos Papastylianou and Philip Christopher; the Chian organizations of the USA in commemoration of the Chian Massacre of 1822, 200 years after this tragic event, the Chian Federation, Panchian Society “Korais” and the United Chian Associations of America, as well as their respective presidents Ioannis Kontolios, Panagiotis Gerazounis, and Dimitris Kontolios; and Greek Olympic gold medalist Ioannis Melissanidis.

The Greek Independence Day Parade Committee invites everyone (associations, organizations, parishes and individuals) to attend the last two Parade meetings (Panomogeneiakes) on Thursday, May 26 and Thursday, June 2, 7:30 PM at the Stathakion Cultural Center, 22-51 29th Street in Astoria as well as all the other parallel parade events listed below:

Raising of the Greek flag at the Bowling Green in Manhattan, in the presence of the Presidential Guard Evzones, on Friday, June 3, 12 noon.

Raising of the Greek and the American flags at Athens Square Park in Astoria on Saturday, June 4, 12 noon in the presence of the Presidential Guard, the Evzones. In addition, the Hellenic Air Force Philharmonic Band will play the National Anthems of Greece and the United States.

The Parade Gala on Saturday, June 4, 7 PM at the New York Hilton Hotel in honor of Parade Grand Marshals and Honorary Grand Marshals.
LET’S ALL MARCH UNITED ON 5TH AVENUE, SUNDAY, JUNE 5,1:30 PM.

More information is available by phone: 718-204-6500 and via email: [email protected].