Religious and Civic Celebrations Mark 177th Anniversary of Greek Independence

GOARCH - March 26, 1998
OFFICIAL NEWS

Religious and Civic Celebrations
Mark 177th Anniversary of Greek Independence

New York, NY - The 177th Anniversary of Greek Independence Day was marked with celebrations throughout the United States beginning at the White House. On March 12th, President Clinton welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, to the Oval Office to receive the official proclamation declaring March 25,1998: Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. (Attached)

On March 25th at the Annunciation Church in New York City, His Eminence will preside at the Divine Liturgy, Artoclasia and Doxology commemorating the twin celebrations of the Annunciation and Greek Independence Day. That evening he will attend a Greek Independence Day program at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria,NY. Other events include:

March 27: 2:00 p.m. Mayor Rudolph Giuliani will host a Greek Independence Day Proclamation Ceremony at City Hall. At 4:00 p.m., Queens Borough President Claire Shulman will host a Reception at Borough Hall.
March 29: Divine Liturgy and Greek Independence Day Doxology beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Attending will be members of the Greek Parliament and Diplomatic Corps, Federation of Hellenic Societies, Grand Marshals and the Presidential Guard Evzones.
Greek Independence Day Parade on Fifth Avenue beginning at 1:00 p.m.
March 31: A Doxology and Reception in honor of the Presidential Guard Evzones will be held at the Archdiocese at 11:00 a.m.

GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY:
A NATIONAL DAY OF CELEBRATION OF GREEK AND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, 1998
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

This year, as we mark the 177th anniversary of the advent of Greece's struggle for independence, we celebrate with the Hellenic Republic and recognize the close ties that have long existed between Greece and the United States. Through two centuries, our nations have enjoyed a strong and enduring friendship. For more than half a century, we have stood together in NATO, modern history's most successful alliance.

Our bonds are deeper still, however, for we are joined by blood, culture, and a profound commitment to shared values. Greek ideals of democracy and freedom inspired our Nation's founders and breathed life into America's experiment with democratic self-government.

Generations of Greek Americans have enriched every aspect of our national life -- in the arts, sciences, business, politics, and sports. Through hard work, love of family and community, steadfast commitment to principle, and a deep love of liberty, they have contributed greatly to the prosperity and peace we enjoy today.

The bonds between America and Greece, in fact, have never been stronger than they are today. We are partners in the effort to find a lasting, peaceful solution in the Balkans and to build an enlarged NATO that will enhance our common security. As our two nations prepare for the challenges and possibilities of the new millennium, we look forward to building on that partnership so that the seeds of democracy we have nurtured together for so long will bear fruit in a bright future not only for ourselves, but for our global community.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 1998, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-second.

WILLIAM J. CLINTON

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March 26, 1998 ]