NEW YORK – Greek Independence Day was celebrated with the annual Open House at the Consulate General of Greece in New York on March 25 in a festive atmosphere. Community members and Philhellenes filled the space to honor the 203rd anniversary of the start of the Greek Revolution. Consul General of Greece in New York Ambassador Dinos Konstantinou gave the welcoming remarks noting the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs Edward Mermelstein, members of the diplomatic community, and fellow citizens, and thanking everyone for attending. “We have gathered here today, to commemorate a pivotal moment in history, Greek Independence Day,” Consul general Konstantinou said. “This day holds profound significance not only for the people of Greece but also for Greeks abroad, including Greek-Americans, who carry the legacy of their ancestors with them enriching the tapestry of the United States of America with their culture, traditions, and resilience.”

“From the birthplace of democracy in ancient Athens to the drafting of the United States Constitution our nations have championed the rights of individuals to govern themselves, to speak their minds, and to pursue their dreams without fear of oppression or tyranny,” he continued. “Two hundred and three years after Hellenic Independence, Greece has undoubtedly made enormous progress and is a pillar of peace for the southeastern Mediterranean, our efforts are recognized by all the members of the international community including, of course, the Unites States of America. We all know that New York City is one of, if not the most important city on the planet in many aspects and occupies a special place… it was here in this great city of this great nation that many Greeks came and made their future, we thank New York for welcoming the Hellenic community to prosper and advance.”

Little Andriana Pardalis then sang the Greek National Anthem to enthusiastic applause.

Konstantinou then spoke in Greek noting the impressive turnout at the event, seeing the Consulate full of community members, the Omogenia, and friends. He noted the key role the Greeks of the Diaspora, the Greeks abroad, played in the Greek Revolution from Odessa where the Filiki Eteria was founded, to Trieste, Vienna, Paris, Geneva, London and elsewhere. Greece continues to stand up for international law and for humanitarian principles, Konstantinou also noted, adding that this year commemorates the 50 years of the return of democracy in Greece which in spite of difficulties and back to back crises, consolidated its place at the core of the European Union, and is a great pillar of stability and peace in the eastern Mediterranean and the wider region. He pointed out that the 50 years of illegal Turkish occupation of part of Cyprus is an unacceptable situation which wounds us and we continue to fight for a just solution for Cyprus. This year’s New York Greek Independence parade on April 14 is dedicated to the struggle for Cyprus and for that reason the entire community must be there in great numbers to show support for the cause.

Konstantinou wished everyone the best for the dual holiday of March 25th, Greek Independence Day and the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, “Ζήτω η Ελλάδα και ζήτω το έθνος! (Long live Greece and the nation!)”

New York City’s Commissioner for International Affairs Edward Mermelstein then shared his best wishes on behalf of Mayor Eric Adams. “Today, New York City proudly boasts the largest Greek population of America, our streets resonate with the vibrant influence of Greek culture… Greek influence resonates in every facet of American as well as New York City society from democracy to philosophy… let us cherish the bonds that unite us and to continue to draw inspiration from the timeless spirit of Greece, I thank you once again on behalf of Mayor Adams and congratulate you all.”

The New York parade organizing committee president Philip Christopher, thanked Amb. Konstantinou for the open house and then noted the upcoming events, the march from St, Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine to Bowling Green with His Eminence for the flag-raising ceremony on April 12, the Gala at the Hilton on April 13, and “April 14 with the Evzones, we are marching from 64th to 79th Street and we want all of you to be there, the parade belongs to all of us, every organization.”

He then encouraged all the organizations and all those present to contribute to the parade journal. Christopher said: “We are the best community in the United States, Greek-Americans are first in education, second in national income and we are the pride of New York City and the pride of America, we are marching for Hellenic values, Hellenic ideals, and we are marching for Cyprus on April 14.”

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros thanked Amb. Konstantinou for the reception noting that “this reception is especially important because as we all know, and this meeting tonight is evidence, that the Greeks cannot remain silent, but especially they cannot remain silent when they lose their freedom, their dignity, their liberty and all the values that built the Greek civilization and are very characteristic of our history, we cannot remain silent.”

His Eminence then referred to the marches for equal rights and human rights he participated in with the then-Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, “exactly to demonstrate our commitment to equal rights for all citizens and if you ever wonder why it was always the diaspora that supported the Greek Independence and all the efforts every time the Greeks tried to organize a revolution and to gain sovereignty and their liberty from the Ottoman occupation, look around, if the Greeks, any person experiences and tastes just for a while what freedom means and what freedom is, we cannot go back to slavery, to occupation, this is why we will never forget, as we don’t forget the struggle for independence, liberty, and freedom, we will never forget the 50th anniversary this year of the invasion and occupation of Cyprus, never forget… so the same way we never forget the Revolution, never forget any current struggles that Hellenism are leading throughout the world.”

He then congratulated AHEPA and its Supreme President Savas Tsivicos, who was also present, for underlining the grim 50th anniversary by organizing the AHEPA Convention on the island of Cyprus, “not only because Tsivicos is Cypriot, but this year we are all Cypriots.”

His Eminence thanked Konstantinou for the open house and for his two years in New York as a dynamic testament for Greece in the capitol of the world, concluding by wishing everyone the best and “Long live Greece!”