PHILADELPHIA, PA – On September 7, the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) organized the 7th Annual Greek Heritage Night at Citizens Bank Park as the Philadelphia Phillies took on the Miami Marlins. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Greek Ambassador to the U.S. Alexandra Papadopoulou, accompanied by Jimmy Kokotas, Supreme President of AHEPA which is celebrating its centennial this year.

A short pregame video highlighting Greece was screened on the ballpark’s Jumbotron. The National Anthem was sung by the award-winning youth of Saint Luke Greek Orthodox Church of Broomall, PA. On-field Greek folk dances were performed by the Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Upper Darby, PA’s youth folk dancing group Pegasus. In the 5th inning, an on-field performance by the Phillie Phanatic, sporting a traditional Greek Evzone costume, and the award-winning youth folk dancing group Zephyros from Saint George Greek Orthodox Church of Media, PA, delighted the fans. About 700 Greeks were there to support the Phillies in their 4-3 win over the Marlins.