Scene in Easton: Celebrating the 193rd Anniversary of Greek Independence

By Christina Georgiou

About 80 people gathered in Centre Square Saturday afternoon to witness the raising of the Greek flag in observance of the upcoming Greek Independence Day, on March 25.

Fr. Constatine Papadopoulos, of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wilson Borough, led the gathering, along with State Representative Robert Freeman and Easton Mayor Sal Panto.

After a brief prayer in Greek, Papadopoulos spoke about the importance of freedom and liberty.

"Freedom is precious today, and it is the mother of liberty," he said. "It is freedom that allows us to have pride in our souls."

Young attendees wave smaller flags as they wait for the
Greek flag raising ceremony to begin.
Click on any photo for a full size view

He added, "We also appreciate the founders of America...this great, great nation."

Freeman, after presenting Papadopoulos with a declaration of recognition of the event from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, noted the influence of Greek culture on society as a whole.

"We acknowledge the many contributions of Greek Americans...Greek Americans have made America strong as so many other immigrants have made America strong," he said. "We also acknowledge the many contributions of Greek civilization to the world...The world owes a debt of gratitude to the Greek civilization. The world would not be the same without them."

The group, with many holding Greek flags, then sang the national anthem, followed by the Greek national anthem.

Before assisting parish president John Kariofillis with raising the Greek flag over Centre Square, Panto noted, "This Greek ethnic group in Easton is strong, and I hope it remains strong...We need our ethnic groups to remain strong so we as a country continue to prosper together."

Angelo Karaminas, 5, of Easton, dressed in traditional Greek garb for
the event.

Fr. Constatine Popadopoulos of the Annunciation Greek
Orthodox Church talks with a young parishioner at
Saturday's flag raising event on Centre Square.

 

A family watches as the Greek flag is raised
over Centre Square.

Fr. Constatine Popadopoulos reads the resolution recognizing
the event given to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
by the state legislature after the event.