To the Editor:

May Day has passed, and for next year, let us be well. The Sunday of the New York Greek Independence Parade has also passed, so let’s talk about it and for next year as well. I will say a few things that need to be said. First of all, a big congratulations to everyone who marched and also to those few who attended. The weather was up and down this year and that’s why those who went in such weather deserve a bravo.

I watched on television the Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity and then the Doxology for March 25 with our Archbishop and two other hierarchs and the clergy present as well as the Evzones and all the officials. When the Doxology was finished, the related speech had to be said as it was the Doxology for the Day of our Greek Independence. However, our Archbishop spoke only in English and did not say a single word in Greek, except for “Long live Greece.” And the most important thing is that none of the journalists that day reported this unacceptable action of our Archbishop, which for me was indecent. Now, why didn’t the reporters note that? That our Archbishop on such a day in our Cathedral gave his speech only in English? I say that perhaps they were afraid that he would depose them, as he did elsewhere. Now let me also say this, that our Archbishop may have had something else on his mind and that is why he spoke in English, but certainly not on such a day. That is why, of course, he gives me the right to say what I say above. However, Ambassador of Greece to the U.S. Alexandra Papadopoulou spoke in Greek and at the end also spoke in English, thus honoring the day and our Greekness.

Thank you very much.

Dimitrios Georgopoulos

Queens, NY