TENAFLY, NJ – The Evzones of the Presidential Guard were greatly applauded April 14 by more than  600 Greek-Americans who participated in the event organized by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John The Theologian in Tenafly. 

Greek-Americans from Tenafly and other areas of Northern New Jersey arrived earlier than scheduled, with their children and grandchildren dressed in traditional Hellenic garb, in order to come as close to the Evzones as possible.

As soon as Metropolitan Evangelos, Bishop Philotheos of Meloa, president of the Metropolitan Philoptochos Anne Michals, vice president of the Metropolitan Council James Fountas, and other members of the Metropolitan Council and St. John the Theologian Church entered the room, the Greek-Americans stood up to welcome and applaud the Evzones.

The Evzones formed two lines across each other and the children of the community dressed as Evzones rushed to stand between them. Both the Greek and American national anthems and the “Ti Ypermacho Stratigo” were sung immediately after, and Metropolitan Evangelos welcomed the Evzones of the Presidential Guard, pointing out that the event was a historical one, for it was the first time that the Greek-American community of New Jersey was given the opportunity to admire the Evzones and learn about the history of the Presidential Guard and the significance of the Evzones’ attire.

Photos-Video:TNH, Kostas Bej