ΙΕΡΑ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΗ

ΑΜΕΡΙΚΗΣ

                                                                                                                    March 25^th 2006

The Reverend Clergy

Esteemed Members of the Parish Councils, Philoptochos Societies,

Faculty & Students of the Catechetical and Greek Afternoon Schools,

Directors and Participants of all Youth Organizations, and all devout

Orthodox Christians of the Greek Orthodox Communities of our

Holy Metropolis of New Jersey

My Beloved Spiritual Children in the Lord,            

            “Stand fast therefore in the freedom by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1)

          It is with much pride and enthusiasm that we, the Omogeneia of the United States, joyously celebrate once again this year the historic and important anniversary of the Liberation of the Greek Nation, Greek Independence Day of 1821.

          Hellenes and Philhellenes living all over the United States of America, this majestic and hospitable Country of Democracy, gather together and proclaim their faith and allegiance to the immortal Hellenic Christian ideals.

          Led by the Clergy, the pious Faithful of our Greek Orthodox Communities, of all ages and social standing, continue every year the beautiful tradition of marching in Greek Independence Day parades all over the country. They march under the gorgeous blue sky, reminiscent of Greece’s, with their unwavering faith and belief in the lofty ideals of Hellenism, announcing to all parade participants and bystanders, that the sacrifices made and blood shed by our forefathers will never be forgotten or lost. Today with religious solemnity, we honor these heroes of ours, who with faith and boldness, self-denial and love of country, decided to free themselves from the 400 years-old yoke of slavery and tyranny, reminding us that Freedom is gained with our “hearts’ warmth and blood.”

          Freedom is a divine and heavenly gift, for only Christ is the eternal and true Liberator. For it is unto Him and to the Most Holy Theotokos, the Invincible Champion of the Greek Nation, that our heroic forefathers looked to for inspiration and strength in their battle and quest for freedom, and not to material things such as weapons and canons. It is very difficult to properly explain and convey the true essence of the divine word - Freedom with human words; only divine hymns, chanted by angelic voices, can extol the essence of what Freedom truly is.

          Today, March 25^th, we honor and remember our courageous forefathers, for the great sacrifices that they faced to gain their Freedom, the Freedom which we equally enjoy today. Let us pray to Almighty God, Who has freed all of us, that we also become worthy of this Freedom. For it is a Freedom that was “born from the holy bones of the Hellenes” and which always guides us to live out our lives in peace and harmony, with faith and piety.

          As the Spiritual Leader of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey, I take this opportunity to bless all of you and to pray that you will celebrate this beautiful and historic day of the Annunciation of the Holy Theotokos and Greek Independence Day for many years to come, with faith, exalted pride, and with one heart and soul devoted to the lofty ideals of our Hellenic heritage.

LONG LIVE THE 25^TH OF MARCH 1821 !        

†E V A N G E L O S

Metropolitan of New Jersey

To be read from the pulpit on Saturday, March 25^th and Sunday, March 26^th 2006      

© 2008 Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey. Terms of Use.