CHICAGO, Ill.—Greektown in Chicago was a wave of blue and white as Greek-Americans, Chicagoans and spectators from here and abroad attended the Greek Heritage Parade to commemorate Greek independence. Presented by the Federation of Hellenic-American Organizations (ENOSIS) and sponsored by Greektown Special Service Area #16, the Greek Heritage Parade has become one of the largest annual events in Chicago’s Greek community since its founding in the 1960s.
The day began at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation to celebrate a divine hierarchical liturgy with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, joining His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago. This service commemorated the veneration of the Holy Cross, marked the beginning of Greek Independence Day festivities and the Forty Day Memorial for the late Father Nicholas Nikokavouras, Proistamenos of the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Metropolitan Chicago for decades.
Archbishop Elpidophoros honored the admirable and generous leadership of Fr. Nicholas in his homily and reminded parishioners to follow his example of love commanded by our Lord: “’This is my commandment: love one another as I have loved you. There is no one with greater love than this, to lay down his life for his friends. As Christians and Orthodox Christians, we are bound to this commandment – a ἐντολή that rises above every canon, every dogma, every tradition that is so dear to us. Because if we do not respect this commandment above all, everything else in the Church is meaningless. »
After the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Elpidophoros with Metropolitan Nathanael, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas, Ambassador Evangelos Savva of Cyprus, Consul General of Greece in Chicago Emmanuel Koumbarakis, Leadership 100 President Jim Logothetis and L100 member Dimitris Bousis, President Costa Chaniotakis of Enosis, Illinois, Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC) President Endy Zemenides, members of the Federation of American Hellenic Organizations of the Illinois, Hellenes and Philhellenes gathered at the National Hellenic Museum before the parade officially began. Archbishop Elpidophoros praised Chicago’s Greek community for its love and pride in its Hellenic heritage. HALC President Endy Zemenides thanked His Eminence for continuing to remind us of Turkey’s unjust and illegal invasion of Cyprus and the importance of supporting Cyprus in the nation’s struggle for freedom.
Even though it was a rainy day, it didn’t deter anyone from walking. With umbrellas in one hand and Greek flags in the other, participants proudly marched to celebrate the resilience of the heroes of 1821 and the fight for Greek independence. Children and adults dressed in traditional Greek costumes, danced to the songs of our homeland and waved Greek flags and Church banners with smiles expressing great joy. Clergy and worshipers from many local Greek Orthodox churches participated in the parade procession, proudly emphasizing their Greek Orthodox faith.
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SOURCE; GOARCHE
