 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Local events to mark Greek independenceBy RICHARD DANIELSON © St. Petersburg Times, published March 14, 2001 Greek Independence Day will be observed locally this week with flag-raising ceremonies in Clearwater and New Port Richey, religious observances, a parade through downtown Tarpon Springs and a visit from a high-ranking Greek diplomat. Grigoris Niotis, Greece's deputy minister for foreign affairs, will fly to the Tampa Bay area Saturday and is scheduled to participate in a flag-raising ceremony and dinner in Clearwater, as well as a parade Sunday in Tarpon Springs. "This Greek-American parade in Tarpon Springs is an important event," said Dimitris Macrynikolas, the Greek consul in Atlanta. According to U.S. census statistics, more than 11,400 people of Greek ancestry live in Pinellas County, while nearly 3,200 more live in Pasco. Independence day ceremonies commemorate the events of March 25, 1821, when Greek patriots revolted against 400 years of occupation by the Ottoman Empire. "It's a very serious and important celebration for Greece," said Sotirios Agelatos, president of the Greek Independence Day Parade Committee of Tampa Bay. "We cannot forget our grandfathers and fathers who were fighting for freedom for so many years." At 12:30 p.m. Friday, the Greek flag will be raised in a ceremony at the West Pasco Government Center, 7530 Little Road, New Port Richey. A similar ceremony will take place 1 p.m. Saturday at Clearwater City Hall, 112 S Osceola Ave., with the Rev. Father James Rousakis of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church presiding. Both events will feature local dignitaries, music and a 47-member music and dance group from Greece, the Philharmonic Orchestra and Tsoliades. On Saturday a testimonial dinner is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Polish American Center, 1521 N Saturn Ave. Call (727) 458-5329 for ticket reservations. At 11:30 a.m. Sunday, a Doxology and Divine Liturgy will be held at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Tarpon Springs. At 12:30 p.m. a flag-raising ceremony will take place outside the cathedral. At 1 p.m., an independence day parade will start from the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center and proceed to the Sponge Docks. The parade will include Niotis, the deputy foreign minister, and Michail Mouroutsos, who won a gold medal for Greece in tae kwon do during last summer's Sydney Olympics. It also will feature floats, military and high school bands, local politicians and the Philharmonic Orchestra and Tsoliades. At 11 a.m. Monday, U.S. and Greek veterans will gather at the Veterans Memorial at Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs for a wreath-laying and memorial ceremony.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From today's Pasco Times |
