'Zhto H Ellada!' (Long Live Greece) [VIDEO]

Blue-and-white flags waved in the chilly morning air Saturday, as about 40 members of the local Greek community gathered in unity for a brief celebration – one day early – of Greek Independence Day.

At the center of the crowd was Father Soterios Alexopoulos, former priest of St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church, and his wife, Presvytera Eleni Alexopoulos, accompanied by their three young grandsons, Thanasi Miris, 4, and twins Christo and Sotiri.

Thanasi was animated, waving his flag while dressed in traditional Greek garb, passed down to him.

"This is my whole life," said Eleni Alexopoulos, speaking not only of the moment shared with her grandchildren, but of her life's experience – coming to America at age 16 with her parents and navigating her way through a world that was so different from the one she'd grown up in. She went off to college and eventually married, settling in Nashua where together, she and her husband raised a family while he led the church. She was right by his side, doing her part to nurture the Greek coummunity by teaching for years at the church-based Greek school.

The group Saturday was made up of members and friends of AHEPA, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association #35, who gathered first at Hellenic Circle on Central Street, then relocated to City Hall for the raising of the Greek flag, which has become an annual tradition.

Brian McCarthy, President of the Board of Alderman, read a proclammation, recognizing not only the holiday, but the many contributions the Greek community has made to Nashua.

"When I see the Greek flag, my heart cries," said Eleni Alexopoulos. "For 400 years Greece was occupied by the Turks, but finally we got together and raised the flag for Greek independence Day in 1821. It is a day we will never forget."