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Bicentennial of the Greek Revolution - March 25th, 2021

Click here to view photos from the day's celebration

Two hundred years ago, March 25th 1821, the enslaved citizens of Greece decided to stand up against the oppressive Ottomans in a heroic eight year battle inspiring revolutions and fights for freedom throughout Europe and the whole world. Serving as a model for democracy since its inception, Greece and its people have spread their culture and ideals to throughout the globe. Since 1874, a number of those Greeks settled in Lowell, MA and formed the first organized Greek Orthodox community in the United States. The descendants of those Greeks together with many new immigrants comprise a majority of the faithful of the Greek Orthodox communities throughout New England. As such, the Greek Metropolis of Boston led the celebration for the 200th anniversary of this momentous fight for liberation.

This year, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, spiritual leader of the 62 Greek Orthodox communities located in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and part of Connecticut, encouraged each community to host celebrations locally including programs featuring songs, dance, and poetry honoring those who fought for freedom in 1821. Additionally, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America hosted a number of essay writing and creative expression contests, a number of which had first place winners from the communities of the Metropolis of Boston.

In light of the COVID-19 restrictions, a number of annual festivities were altered to ensure that the long standing position of the Greek Orthodox community as community partners of local, state, and federal municipalities be recognized. To begin the festivities on Thursday, March 25th, a Divine Liturgy and Festive Doxology was celebrated at the Holy Trinity church of Lowell, MA followed by a procession to City Hall where wreaths will be placed on various memorials honoring the historic Greek community. His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios, Stratos Efthymiou the Honorable Consul General of Greece in New England, and a delegation of community leaders then visited the Mount Auburn Cemetery in Watertown, MA where wreaths will be laid on the grave of the great philhellene Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe. The day’s festivities will concluded on the USS Constitution where a special commemoration will be made.

On Sunday, March 28th, His Eminence will preside at the Divine Liturgy at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England followed by a Festive Doxology and presentation offered by Tufts University professor Dr. Constantine Arvanitopoulos, Former Minister of Education of Greece.