In an atmosphere of deep emotion and national uplift, the New York the meeting of the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikita Kaklamanis, with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
This meeting took place at the headquarters of the Holy Archdiocese, as part of the celebrations for the National War of Independence and the traditional parade on 5th Avenue and was a resounding reminder of the extreme unity between the Greek state, the Church and the patriotic Hellenism.
During their conversation, Nikitas Kaklamanis conveyed the gratitude of the Hellenic Parliament to the Hellenes, characterizing it as “the most powerful and sincere ambassador of Greece abroad”. Particular emphasis was placed on the Cyprus issue, with the Speaker of the Parliament underlining the need for the international community to show the same sensitivity that it shows in contemporary crises (Ukraine) and for the 50-year illegal occupation of Cyprus.
“Greece and the Greek people remain on the right side of history, claiming justice and freedom but I don’t think it is right that the civilized Western world, for 50 years now, to pretend not to see or hear that another occupying army is holding a country of the European Union cut in two,” he said.
From his side, Archbishop Elpidophoros praised the role of the Homogeny as a force active and dedicated to the ideals of democracy and liberty. He referred to the overwhelming pride shown by the new generations of Greek Americans, who, despite the distance and the passage of decades, keep the flame of their Greek origin unquenched.
This year’s visit of Mr. Kaklamani – the first Speaker of the Parliament in 18 years to the US – coincided with a historic occasion of tremendous celebration:
The 205th anniversary of the Hellenic Revolution.
The 200 years since the heroic Exodus of Messolonghi.
The 250 years since the American Independence.
“That was the first reason for my visit. But the second was your own urging, Your Eminence, for me to be present,” the Speaker said. He also noted that the presence of the Greek parliamentary delegation marks the commitment of the State to always stand by the Greeks of America “who are annihilating the 8.000 miles of distance with Greece, with their love and their offering“.
The meeting concluded with the exchange of welcomes and gifts, with Mr. N. Kaklamanis inviting the Archbishop to Athens for an official reception at the Greek Parliament.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Parliament had visited in Astoria, the Greek school of Agios Dimitrios (primary, secondary and high school), which has 378 children, where, in an atmosphere of intense emotion, he was given a tour of the premises by the director, Vassilis Skordas, and had talks with pupils.
The President of the Parliament attended the praise, which took place at the church of Agios Nikolaos, located at Ground Zero, considered a “national pilgrimage site” for the United States and a symbol of the Greek Orthodox presence reborn from the ashes of September 11.
Then he was present at the raising of the Greek flag in the historic Bowling Green park on Wall Street. The event, which he attended along with a large number of expatriates and which is of particular importance, since it takes place in the presence of a Presidential Guard (Euzonon), symbolizes the strong presence and economic influence of Hellenism in the financial center of the world and is a precursor to the big parade on 5th Avenue.
“The Greek Parliament bows before you tonight. And is grateful to you for what you have done, for what you are doing and for what you will do for our Motherland, our Greece. A few days ago I turned 80 years old. I did not expect that today would be the most touching moment of my 80 years, gazing here in the heart of New York City on one side at our national symbol, our flag on one end and next to it being the flag of your second homeland, America. And just beyond that, the flag of our Cyprus, the only state in Europe that has an occupying army and keeps it divided in two to this day. We have an obligation to fight for our Cyprus, to make it united and free again”, he said.
Also present at the events of the expatriates were the MP of the Southwest, Mr. Thanasis Papathanasis and the MP of SYRIZA, Mr. Giorgos Gavrilos.
