204th Greek Independence Anniversary Celebrated with Spectacular NYC Parade

By Catherine Tsounis

“Greek Americans are no longer an immigrant group, but an American ethnic group. Greeks are now Americans of a certain ethnic background,” said Dr. Nicholas Alexiou of the Hellenic American Project at Queens College, CUNY. On Sunday, March 30, 2025, Greek Americans from the Northeastern states and Canada participated in the incredible 204th Greek Independence Day Parade in New York City. The event, which started at 1:30 p.m. and lasted until past 4:30 p.m., marched along 5th Avenue from 61st Street to 74th Street, showcasing the spirit and pride of the Greek-American community.

The NYC Greek Independence Parade, first organized in 1938, has grown into a massive and vibrant event in 2025. Over 120 groups, 52 floats, and 15 bands participated in the parade, celebrating Greek heritage and culture. Cyprus had a strong presence with multiple floats, and various groups, including Northern Epirotes and Pontians, honored their lost homelands. The Armenian-American community also participated, highlighting the deep historical connections between Greek Orthodox Christians and Armenians since the time of the Byzantine Empire.

Key Parade Participants

Participants in the parade included federations, societies, associations, professional groups, trade clubs, women’s organizations, businesses, schools, student associations, churches, and religious communities. The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York sponsored the parade, holding numerous preparatory meetings throughout the year. The parade’s organizational team included Parade General Chairman Philip Christopher, Parade Chairman Yannis Stroumbakis, Parade Executive Director Georgea Kontzamanis, and a 35-member committee. Parade announcers included Anthoula Katsimatides, Demetris A. Filios, Dimitris Filippidis, and Michael Stratis.

2025 Parade Grand Marshals and Honorees

The 2025 Parade Grand Marshals included His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras, representing the Metropolis where the Greek War of Independence began; General Andrew Poppas; and Evangelos Marinakis, President of Olympiacos Soccer Club. The Honorary Marshals were Pyrros Dimas, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, and Christoforos Papakaliatis, director of Netflix’s Maestro in Blue.

The 2025 Parade Grand Benefactor was George Tsunis, former United States Ambassador to Greece. Platinum Benefactors included the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America under His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros; Internova Travel Group; EMBCA (led by President Lou Katsos); PSEKA (led by President Philip Christopher); Libra Group (chaired by George Logothetis); and Red Apple Group (chaired by John Catsimatidis). The Diamond Sponsor was AHEPA, represented by Supreme President Savas Tsivicos.

Community and Church Participation

Fraternal organizations, such as the “Geros Tou Morea” chapter of the Panarcadian Association of America and the Chian Federation, provided buses for participants from their centers. Following the parade, a dinner was held for attendees to celebrate the day’s festivities.

Greek Americans, spanning second to fifth generations, are working to revive their schools and communities. The Cathedral School of the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral has seen revitalization under the leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, along with Principal Merope Kyriakou and a dedicated staff.

For the first time in years, smaller Greek Orthodox churches participated in the parade. The Transfiguration of Christ Church in Mattituck, Long Island, joined the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption of Port Jefferson to march together. Under the leadership of Father Andrew D. Cadieux, Presvitera Joanne, and Parish Council President Anna Kalogeras Flossos, the two churches marked their return to the NYC Parade after nearly 20 years.

The Role of Greek Orthodox Churches in Hellenism

“The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese is our center,” said Mrs. Athena Tsokou Kromidas, former President of the High Council for Greek Education in the U.S. “Hellenism began in the churches in the United States.” Greek communities outside of Greece continue to support the welfare of Greece, ensuring the continuity of Greek culture and traditions.

Support for Greece and U.S.-Greece Relations

At the White House Greek Independence Day celebration on March 25th, the future U.S. Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, delivered a positive speech. “It is the honor and privilege of a lifetime to serve this country. I know President Trump loves Greece, its incredible history, and its democracy,” she said. “With Trump, you’ll sleep peacefully at night and wake up with hope, knowing someone is fighting for the economy of the U.S. and for Greece too, for religious freedom and liberty, and for the continuation of the U.S.-Greece alliance.”

President Trump, known for keeping his promises, also spoke, saying, “You have honored our country with your courage and patriotism. Under this administration, we will continue to share your ideals and the spirit of this unique heritage that stretches back thousands of years, from the golden age of Greece to the golden age of America that we are living now. You are great people. I would not have missed this event for anything. I canceled something very important to be here. As soon as they told me it was happening today, I canceled it. God bless you.”

Conclusion: Celebrating Greek Heritage and Culture

The 204th Greek Independence Anniversary Parade in NYC was a resounding success, highlighting the strength, unity, and pride of the Greek-American community. The participation of thousands of marchers, dignitaries, and organizations demonstrated the enduring importance of Greek heritage, culture, and Orthodoxy. The event marked another chapter in the ongoing celebration of Greek independence and the continuing bond between the United States and Greece.