Greek Independence Day

On behalf of the American Hellenic Council, I would like to pay tribute to the 202nd Anniversary of Greek Independence Day! March 25th is known to all Greek Orthodox Christians as the commemoration of the Annunciation of the Theotokos! It also marks the beginning of the Greek War of Independence! On this day, Bishop Germanos raised the flag of the revolution at the Monastery of Agia Lavra! The slogan of “Freedom or Death” became the slogan to free the Greek people of some 400 years under the Ottoman yoke.

With the help of the naval fleets of France, Britain and Russia, the Ottoman fleet was defeated at the famous Battle of Navarino. This ultimately would lead to Greek Independence declared in the Treaty of Edirne.

America’s early fathers praised the Greek War of Independence and victory. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “No people sympathise more feeling than ours with the sufferings of your countrymen, none offer more sincere and ardent prayers to heaven for their success!”

Today, President Joe Biden issued an important proclamation on Greek Independence Day as “A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.” He continued in stating that “the alliance between Greece and the United States has never been stronger!  As Greece and the United States meet the future together, the ties of family and the contributions of Greek Americans continue to strengthen our partnership at every turn.”

Senator Bob Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senator John Barrasso introduced a bi-partisan Senate resolution commemorating the anniversary of Greek Independence Day!

On this Day of National Celebration, the American Hellenic Council call upon all Greek Americans to commemorate the memory of the heroes of the revolution and continue to be vigilant to protect against any future threat to Greece.

ZHTO ELLAS!
Dr. Jim Dimitriou
President & Chairman

Greece, personified as a woman in the painting, surrounded by fighters of the Greek War of Independence. “Grateful Hellas” by Theodoros Vryzakis, 1858. Credit: Public Domain

“National Day of Remembrance” of the terrorist attack on 9/11

We must never forget the great tragedy suffered on this day 21 years ago when terrorists hijackers flew planes into the World Trade Center. This dark day in American history witnessed almost 3000 people killed that included the destruction of the historic St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and the deaths of 39 Greek Americans!
This year, however, also is a time of renewal of our faith and commitment when on July 4th, we joined with Archbishop Elpidophoros in the dedication of the beautiful “St. Nicholas National Shrine” as a symbol of peace and reflection for all Greek Orthodox Americans.

The Hellenic American Council continues to be dedicated to this spirit of peace and righteousness as we honor the memory of those lost during this tragedy. We further stand committed to working on strengthening United States and Greece relations to promote peace through strength & common purpose!

Dr. James F. Dimitriou
President & Chairman
American Hellenic Council

Commemorating the 1955 Pogrom – The Istanbul Riots of September 6 – 7

On behalf of the Hellenic American Council, we are committed to supporting and participating in the Commemoration of the September 6-7 1955 Pogrom. This historical tragedy is most important and we must never forget.  We cannot be silent regarding the horrific events that were directly instigated by the Turkish State against the Greek Community of Istanbul. This attack was unprovoked and deliberate aiming at Greek owned businesses, homes, churches and even cemeteries. These were government instigated riots with hundreds of rioters were bused into the city with the purpose of eradicating the Greek Population that had lived there for over two and half thousand years!  Dozens were killed, more were beaten and raped as thousands of stores and homes were destroyed!

The monumental book, “The Mechanism of Catastrophe” was brilliantly written and extensively researched and chronicled by the late UCLA Professor Spero Vryonis. He believed that we must never forget these events and shares the stories of this tragedy along with some 1500 photos!  We are proud to say that Dr. Vryonis was founding member of original “The Save Cyprus Council” that was the predecessor of our “American Hellenic Council.’ As a tribute to Professor Vryonis we must be sure that his legacy continues and is supported!

From a personal standpoint our family suffered directly from the pogrom that saw our families’ homes, businesses and even graves and monuments destroyed. Let us not forget the memory of those that lost so much and gave their lives.

We encourage everyone to watch the informative short video below and continue our support for the commemorative efforts by the Consulate General of Greece.

Respectfully,

Dr. James F. Dimitriou

President & Chairman

American Hellenic Council

Commemorating the 4th of July on behalf of the American Hellenic Council

We are uniquely honored on this 4th of July to celebrate our 200 years of friendship through World Wars, conflicts, threats, and a sense of common purpose and unity that has united our nations through two centuries!  The “Age of Pericles” had a unique impact on America’s Founding Fathers and especially, President Thomas Jefferson at the time of the birth of our nation!  In World War II, it was Greece that provided the first victory of fascism and totalitarian rule!  On that basis, it was President Harry S. Truman that developed the Truman Doctrine to aid Greece at a critical time and the Marshall Plan to rebuild a nation devastated by war!  The Truman Statue and the Marshall Memorial stand tall for Greeks to see and be reminded of this lasting friendship! The strength of this lasting friendship was clearly evident in the address of Prime Minister Mitsotakis to a Joint Session of Congress last month where his theme emphasized how Greece remains a faithful ally of the United States in vision, strength and commitment to freedom!

Re-emphasizing the 200 years of courage, friendship and common destiny is clearly observed in the words of the newly appointed United States Ambassador to Greece, the Honorable George J. Tsunis in celebrating America’s Birthday:

“Today, we celebrate America’s declaration of independence.  We celebrate the quest of a nation and a diverse group of people – representing all walks of life, sexuality, beliefs, and faith – who were united 246 years ago and remain united by a shared dream of equality and the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness for all.

This dream of democracy was born right here in Athens.  It was here that, for the first time in the history of the world, everyday citizens were empowered and ennobled as stewards of their collective destiny.  They were charged with protecting the democratic rights and freedoms of their society and putting them in service to the greater good of all.

Since the golden age of Pericles, the light of this democracy has guided the world’s path forward, dispelling the darkness of tyranny however menacingly it threatened.

This dream of democracy inspired the founding of the United States. It sparked the friendship of Thomas Jefferson and Adamantios Korais.  It united our peoples – as many brave Americans joined Greeks and courageously fought by their side for Greece’s independence 201 years ago, with the cry of “Liberty or Death! It’s the promise we’ve shared ever since – that the flame of democracy would never die.”

Now is the time for America to share that special relationship and provide the much-needed F-35 Lightning II to Greece and to continue to support the efforts of former US Ambassador to Greece, Geoffrey Pyatt as Assistant Secretary of Energy to complete the much needed “Eastern Mediterranean Pipeline” for the future of Greece, the European Union and the United States!

Let Freedom Ring,

Dr. James F. Dimitriou

President & Chairman

American Hellenic Council

Happy Greek Independence Day!
ZHTO ELLAS!

On behalf of the American Hellenic Council I would like to wish all Hellenes and Philhellenes a Happy 201st Anniversary of Greek Independence Day!

Ending 400 years of Ottoman rule, Greece rose up on this important day in history.  With the cry of “Eleftheria”, Freedom to end slavery, the Greek people were once again free!  As Thomas Jefferson said, Ancient Greece provided “The light which led ourselves out of Gothic darkness!”  Many American patriots were philhellenes that called out in support of freedom for Greece.  After 200 years, America & Greece have remained steadfast allies. Our Western Alliance is evident in NATO and the strategic naval base in Souda Bay, Crete.  As US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt has stated, Greece remains the strongest “pillar of stability” in the Eastern Mediterranean. In the time of such unending tragedy in the Ukraine, Greece stands in support of the poor suffering people of Mariupol; especially the many suffering Greeks in need of relief over there.

It is a time that the American Hellenic Council continues its efforts to forge a strong alliance in support of the Hellenic Republic, the Congressional Hellenic Caucus and the pressing need to complete the East-Med Pipeline.

With your continued support we can continue the call for freedom and Greek-American relations!

Dr. James F. Dimitriou
President
American Hellenic Council