Greenwich Commemorates Greek Independence With Ceremony At Town Hall

GREENWICH, CT — The mood outside Greenwich Town Hall was very festive on Friday morning, as the community gathered to celebrate Greek Independence Day with a proclamation reading from First Selectman Fred Camillo, a ceremonial flag raising and Greek dancing.

Greek Independence Day is observed on March 25. It marks the beginning of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire, which had ruled Greece for almost four centuries.

On March 25, 1821, the war was declared when Bishop Germanos blessed fighters at the Monastery of Agia Lavra, and hoisted the flag of the Greek revolution.

"Freedom or death" became the motto of the war. During the Battle of Navarino, the combined British, French and Russian forces assisted in the war by destroying the Ottoman-Egyptian fleet, and in 1829, Ottoman rule ended when an independent Greek state was finally established.

Camillo issued a proclamation declaring March 25, 2023, as Greek Independence Day in the town of Greenwich, and encouraged all residents to recognize the contributions of Greek Americans to the town, state and country.

"I want to salute the Greek people today for their contributions to societies all over the globe for centuries, and certainly here in Greenwich," Camillo said. "We see it all throughout our town, whether it's through volunteering, civic service or government, and business. We're honored to raise this flag today, and we're all very proud to be Greek today."

Karen Fassuliotis, a Greenwich resident, longtime member of the Board of Estimate and Taxation, and the organizer of Friday's event, spoke briefly to a crowd of over 50 people, many of whom waved mini Greek flags.

"Greece has offered many lessons to the world having been the foundation of Western politics, literature, theater, science and art," Fassuliotis said. "As Greek Americans, we must be fierce in protecting our founding principles of liberty, reason, free speech and the exchange of ideas. That is what our forefathers fought for when they declared independence in 1821. That's what we celebrate today. Today, I reflect on the words 'freedom or death' and what it means to us as Greek Americans. I hope you will, too."

After the Greek flag was raised, the audience watched and ultimately participated in Greek dances with the Holy Trinity New Rochelle Dance Troupe.