Greek-Americans Mark 191st Year of Independence

NORTH WILDWOOD — Inclement weather Sat., March 24 dictated the congregation of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Anglesea hold the 191st Greek Independence Day celebration inside the city’s Recreation Center, but the blue and white decor matched the Greek flag.
Rev. Stephen Vlahos, church pastor, was joined by several church council members as the congregation sat on bleachers. He reminded the faithful that the day of Greek independence, March 25, was not only a national holiday, but also a religious one, being the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, telling her she would bear a son, Jesus Christ.
In front of the group were children from the church’s Hellenic School, attired in traditional garb. That group, some holding small Greek flags that they waved, were led in singing the Greek National Anthem by Rita Efthimiou, teacher at the school and church cantor.
Parish Council member, Lestor Katsanis, who also chaired the day’s events, gave a brief discourse on Greek heritage and the importance of remembering that country’s battle for freedom. He told the children he hoped that would carry on the tradition, and someday tell their children.
North Wildwood Mayor William Henfey, joined Council President Pat Rosenello, who presented a proclamation to Vlahos on behalf of the city.
Joining the gathering as he has done for the past 20 years was James Plousis, state Parole Board chairman. Wildwood Solicitor Marc Karavan,sporting a broad smile, briefly addressed the children and others in Greek.
Finally, church council President William Mitchell accepted the proclamation from Vlahos and Katsanis, and thanked the congregation for attending and the city officials for being ever ready to assist St. Demetrios Church whenever called upon to do so.
At the conclusion of the indoor ceremony, a new Greek flag was unfurled on a flagpole next to the American flag and many others on the Central Avenue traffic island outside the center.
From there, the delegation traveled to Wildwood City Hall where another brief ceremony was held. From there, it went to the Cape May County Administration Building, Moore Road, Court House where the Greek flag was raised.