Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade: 2012

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The Parade of 2013

On behalf of the Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade Committee, it is with great joy and pleasure to announce the date for the 2013 Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade, which will once again be held on Monroe Street in Historic Greektown. The 2013 Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade will mark the 12^th annual year the local Greek community has come together to hold this very special event!

If you need a healthy dose of all things Greek, please make sure you markdown on your calendars Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 3:00 p.m.! “Having this parade is a way to have fun and to preserve and further the Hellenic heritage.” George Reganis, a founding member and the Chairman of the Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade.

Additional information will be coming soon about the 2013 Hellenic Heritage Award, the 2013 Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade sponsorship opportunities and all the other 2013 Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade Weekend events.

Once again, the Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade Weekend will have the philanthropic side of supporting and raising funds for the Hellenic Museum of Michigan (www.hellenicmi.org).

Finally, Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade Committee needs the support and help from the Greek community to make the 2013 Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade very special! If your organization, church or club would like to enter a float or vehicle and/or if you would like to help volunteer your time over the weekend, please feel free to notify the committee at: Also, please click the Meetings tab on this web site to see the dates and times for all the parade committee meetings.

The 12^th Annual Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade, Sunday, April 14, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. On Monroe Street, in Historic Greektown, Detroit, MI

Sunday, April 1, 2012

The Importance of This Year’s Greek Independence Day Parades in USA

The Importance of This Year’s Greek Independence Day Parades in USA

By Fani Toli on February 21, 2012 in News

“The imminent parades for Greek Independence Day that will be held on the 25th of March throughout the USA constitute a great opportunity for Hellenism in America to promote Greek identity and mentality”, the Coordinator of Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) USA Region, Theodoros Spyropoulos told ‘National Herald’.

After the global movement ‘We are all Greek’, in solidarity with Greeks and the current crisis they face, Greek-Americans should promote Hellenic presence abroad through the strengthening of such movements in the USA.

Spyropoulos makes an appeal to all Greek-Americans to come to this year’s Greek Independence Day parades, while he motivates people to raise money that previously was being spent for the parades’ costs in order to support schools and families in Greece, hit by the Greek economic crisis.

“Greek population needs our support. Because actions speak louder than words, let’s focus on actions for Greek people so that we can be a paradigm to the new generation”, Spyropoulos concluded.

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Annunciation and Greek Independence Day 2012

Encyclicals from Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Protocol 27/12

March 25, 2012

Feast of the Annunciation

Day of Greek Independence

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For almost two centuries our celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation as Greek Orthodox Christians has been joined by the commemoration of the struggles for independence by our forbearers in Greece that began in March of 1821. These two observances have been and continue to be very important to us, for they represent a deep connection of our Church and our heritage, of faith and life, that offers a unique witness to the world.

When we contemplate and celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation, we are presented with a sacred event in which God revealed His love for us and His divine plan for our restoration to life and communion with Him. At the Annunciation, in an awe-inspiring manner, God announced through the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that He is going to be incarnate and born by her as God and man.

This miraculous event in the history of our faith is one that we celebrate each year. We do this because the Annunciation is both a beginning and a fulfillment. It is the time and place when Christ took upon our humanity in order to redeem us from sin, evil, guilt and death; and for centuries, many had hoped for the day when God would make a new covenant with all of humanity, a covenant of grace and faith. This happened at the Annunciation

The Feast of the Annunciation is also connected to our commemoration of Greek Independence Day not only because of the day of the 25th of March for both, but because each presents significant themes that connect our faith and our lives, as well as our identity as Greek Orthodox Christians with our Hellenic legacy and heritage. The struggle for independence by our fathers and mothers was born out of an affirmation of the right of every human being for free will and choice, a right granted by God. This combined with the desire for freedom and self-determination, inspired the people of Greece in 1821 to seek an end to centuries of oppression and to reclaim control of their lives and destiny. Further, these same people knew that their commitment to independence would require great sacrifice. However, this was a sacrifice, a willing offering of their lives, for the sake of justice, dignity, and freedom.

The struggle for independence by the people of Greece was also a beginning and a fulfillment. It was the fulfillment of the hopes of those who had lived and died under oppression, and of the vision of peace and happiness that many wished for their children and descendants. It was also the beginning of a new era, a renewal of a nation and a people. Through the struggle came the opportunity to rebuild and restore their communities and their lives, and to affirm openly and freely their heritage as Hellenes and Orthodox Christians.

The relationship of these two observances on this day gives us cause to commemorate the Feast of the Annunciation and Greek Independence Day in an appropriate way. Our priority is our worship of God and our expressions of gratitude and praise for what He has revealed and for His great work of salvation for us through Christ. We give thanks to Him, and we venerate the blessed Theotokos for her commitment to God’s will. We celebrate our creation in the image of God, which resulted in the creation of a humanity that has been honored and sanctified by Christ so that through faith our fellowship with God can be restored.

We are also inspired by the understanding of freedom and human dignity that is revealed to us by God, and in remembrance, we honor the many who have sacrificed so that we might have a beautiful heritage of freedom and faith. It is this heritage that we celebrate on this day. We commemorate the struggles and independence of our ancestors and of all free peoples. We also affirm that our understanding of this freedom and the source of the highest qualities of our humanity are found in God. With this witness of faith and truth, may we continue to offer to the world the fulfillment we find in Him and the beginning of an eternity in His presence filled with absolute freedom, ineffable joy and abundant life.

With paternal love in Him,

†DEMETRIOS

Archbishop of America

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Greeks celebrate Independence Day with parade on Detroit News

Detroit --Greektown became the heart of cultural pride Sunday afternoon when thousands of Greek- Americans and others flocked to the historic district for the 11th annual Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade.
Parade-goers donned vibrant costumes representing different sections of the Hellenic Republic and waved Greek and American flags up and down a half-mile stretch of Monroe Avenue.
Highlights included live music, courtesy of local marching bands, and vintage cars, including a 1939 Cadillac Fleetwood that caught the eye of many bystanders.
The event commemorates Greece's rise against the Ottoman Turks in 1821 after being held in slavery for 400 years.
Best friends Hannah Avdoulos, 16, and Stefanie Papasoglu, 17, joined in the parade as members of the local Greek dance group affiliated with the Nativity of the Virgin Mary of the Greek Orthodox Church in Plymouth.
They wore traditional costumes from Greece's Mani Peninsula.
Avdoulos, who has performed with the group for three years, said she comes from a long line of Greek dancers.
"It's a great way to keep up with the community and it's a great way to embrace my culture," she said.
Stefanie Papasoglu said her mother, Yianna, is constantly reminding her and her friends about the Greek origins of mathematic phrases and words commonly used in American culture.
Yianna Papasoglu, who has taught at a local Greek school, said it's important for youths to know their history.
She said she's not that much different than the culturally prideful parent in the hit film "My Big Fat Greek Wedding."
"I believe everyone should be proud of who they are," she said.
More than 5,000 people have annually flocked to the parade since 2001, said Joan De Ronne, a coordinator and member of the parade's committee.
The parade mirrored similar events held Sunday in Greece.

Detroit's Greek Independence Day Parade winds through Greektown on DETROIT FREE PRESS

Detroit's Greektown was a whirlwind of activity Sunday with dancers in colorful costumes, floats, marching bands and vintage cars on display for the 11th annual Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade.
Under sunny skies, thousands of people watched the festivities commemorating the anniversary of Greece's independence after 400 years of Ottoman rule.
"We've been coming to this event every year since it started," said Eleni Dionyssopoulos of Grosse Ile, who, with her husband, Stavros Dionyssopoulos, and three children -- all in red and white mainland Greek dress -- prepared to march in the parade with other members of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Southgate.
"Obviously, we're very proud of our Greek ancestry, and it's important that our children learn about their heritage and carry on the legacy," she said.
"Today we acknowledge our Greek ancestors and their brave fight for independence," said Peter Panourgias, 53, of Troy, one of the organizers of the parade.
Standing along the parade route, Mike Mikha, 36, of Windsor was the image of pride and nationalism, draped in a large blue and white Greek flag.
"I'm expressing solidarity while celebrating Greek Independence Day," said Mikha, who attended the event with his wife and two children.
"My heritage is important to me, and today all Greeks share a common bond."

Taki Karras, 35, of Ferndale holds his daughter Evan Gelia, 2, on his shoulders as they attend the celebration in Greektown. "Today we acknowledge our Greek ancestors and their brave fight for independence," said Peter Panourgias.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

11th Annual Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade

It is with very great pleasure and excitement that the Detroit Greek Independence Day Committee would like to announce that the 11th Annual Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade will be held on, Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in Historic Greektown Detroit, on Monroe Street!

Each year our Greek community awaits for this special weekend with great anticipation and excitement! This weekend demonstrates the legacy of Hellenism and the preservation of the Greek culture. This year commemorates the 191st anniversary (March 25, 1821) of Greece’s independence after 400 years of Ottoman rule.

The Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade Weekend will be featuring a special performance by the famous Horeftikos Omilos Agiou, Evzones and Amalias of Agion – Peloponnesos, Greece, during each of the three below events.

The 2012 Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade Weekend:

The Hellenic Museum of Michigan Night

Friday, March 23, 2012, 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

67 E. Kerby, Detroit, MI, across from the Detroit Institute of Arts

The Detroit Greek Independence Day Dinner Dance and the Hellenic Heritage Awards

Saturday, March 24, 2012, 6:30 p.m.

The Royalty House, 8201 E. 13 Mile Rd., Warren, MI

For tickets for this event: Tasos Tomaras (248) 377-2549 or Olga Cardasis (586) 779-6111

The 11th Annual Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade

Sunday, March 25, 2012, 3:00 p.m.

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