The Fall River, Massachusetts, Greek Independence Day Flag Raising ceremony took place on March 25, 2026, marking the 205th anniversary of Greek independence. The event, which has been held for at least nine years, commenced with an opening address acknowledging the celebration. Father John of St. Demetrius in Fall River delivered remarks, expressing gratitude to Mayor Coogan for the proclamation and providing a historical overview of Greece's struggle for independence from the Ottoman Turks, which began on March 25, 1821. He highlighted key figures such as Alexandros Ipsilantes and Theodore Kolocronis, and noted the eventual recognition of Greece's independence in February 1830 at the London Protocol, followed by further liberation in 1912. Father John also drew attention to the ongoing persecution of Orthodox faithful in Constantinople and advocated for continued support from federal, state, and local governments. Mayor Paul Coogan then read a formal proclamation, officially designating March 25, 2026, as Greece Independence Day in Fall River. The proclamation underscored the historical and philosophical ties between ancient Greece and the United States, particularly regarding democracy. It also recognized Greece as one of only three nations outside the former British Empire to have allied with the U.S. in every major 20th-century international conflict. The Mayor concluded by encouraging all citizens to observe this special day.
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Thank you. Thank you for coming uh to celebrate Greek Independence uh day with us one more time. Uh this I think we've been doing this now at least the nine years I've been nine years that you've been here and I remember being here with my son about 20 years ago doing it upstairs. But everyone thank you. I just like to say to anybody that might be listening in Greek uh ketto which means to next year.
0:24Uh Mayor Coogan's going to read a proclamation uh after Father John says a few words for us here. Father John of St. Demetrius in Fall River, Massachusetts.
0:36Thank you. It this is just for the mayor the Greek Orthodox Christians of our Orthodox Church here in Fall River.
0:48Thank you wholeheartedly in the reading of the pla proclamation in support of those who gave their lives in the struggle for Greek independence of 1821 from servitude to the Ottoman Turks making this the 25th year anniversary.
1:08The lives of these brave men and women still live in the hearts of every Greek.
1:14for our children still learn of the accomplishments of Alexandros Ipsilantes, Theodore Kolocronis, Lascarina Bubulina, John Mikaranis, and the Metropolitan of Patras Yermanos III together with so many others. Although the first group attempting a Greek independence started in Mulavia in 1814, the official date of the war was March 25th 1821.
1:48It was a long nine years of battling until finally in February 1830 at the London Protocol, the Western powers and the Ottomans accepted and recognized the independent nation of Greece.
2:06Then yet again in 1912, another war would be declared, finally liberating the northern half of Greece and all of the islands. And in this celebration of Greek independence, the free democratic nations of the whole world, recognizing that all peoples of the world should be able to choose and live according to their own destiny, we bring to mind and pray fervently to Almighty God for all those suffering in
2:39the world, in the Holy Lands, in Europe, in the Ukraine, and in the Middle East.
2:46Again, we thank you, mayor, for this recognition in the celebration of Greece's independence from the Turkish overlords. And yet, even though we celebrate the 205th year anniversary, still our Orthodox faithful in Constantinople are persecuted and are suffering religious oppression under the hands of the Turkish oligarchs. We encourage our federal government together with state and local governments to continue to
3:18help us in our struggle of true freedom from our Turkish overlords and to help us fight for our rights as Christian citizens within the Turkish government.
3:29Thank you, Mayor.
3:38Good afternoon, everybody, and thanks for coming out on this chilly but beautiful day in the city of Fall River.
3:43Um we're here obviously to honor Greek Independence Day and uh the city every year does a proclamation so that we never forget and I'll read it. Whereas the ancient Greeks developed the concept of democracy in which the supreme power to govern was vested in the people. Whereas the founding fathers of the United States drew heavily on the political experience and philosophy of ancient
4:09Greeks in forming our own representative democracy.
4:13And whereas Greek soldiers were with the United States on the shores of Tripoli in the military operation memorialized in the United States Marines hymn.
4:25Whereas many Americans fought alongside the Greeks in their fight for Greek independence while stirring speeches by President James Monroe and Daniel Webster led Congress to send funds and supplies to aid the Greeks in their struggle for freedom.
4:40And whereas Greece is only one of three nations in the world beyond the former British Empire that has been allied with the United States in every single major international conflict in the 20th century, including World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and the Balkans. And whereas Greece and the United States are at the forefront of efforts for freedom, democracy, peace, stability, and human rights.
5:14So whereas March 25th, 2026 marks the 205th anniversary of the beginning of the revolution that freed Greek people from the Ottoman Empire.
5:26Therefore, I Paul Coogan, mayor of the city of Fall River, do hereby proclaim March 25th, 2026 as Greece Independence Day in Fall River. And I urge all citizens to help with this special observations.
5:43Congratulations and thank you.
5:45Thank you. Thank you so much.
5:53Okay.
5:56Nor istoche.
6:25No, Bangla, Greece.