2026 New York City Greek Parade

“Before 1821, Greeks were not free. They wanted freedom and dignity. Faith gave Greeks strength,” are themes taught to our Greek American and Philhellenic youth about the 1821 Greek Revolution. These ideas were expressed by the marchers and floats of the 2026 New York City Greek Parade on Sunday, April 26, honoring the 205th Anniversary of Greek Independence and the 250th Anniversary of American Independence. Communities from the Northeast participated in solidarity to support our freedom, in the background of the Iran War and gunfire at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner April 25th.

The outstanding work of the New York City police safeguarded the public safety of all. The Parade began at 1:30 pm till late afternoon. Marchers from Churches, fraternal societies, public and private organizations paraded along 5th Avenue from 61st Street to 74th Street. The EVZONES military guard of Greece was a major parade attraction. The Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York sponsored the Parade with prominent persons from the United States, Greece and Cyprus governments, business and education sectors. For more information, contact by email nyhellenicsocieties@gmail.com and https://www.facebook.com/hellenicfederationnewyork

The Parade Program included: Honorary Chairman, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America; Grand Marshals John Catstimatidis and Nikolas Tsakos; Organizations Grand Marshalls, The Hellenic Initiative and Capital Link; Honorary Grand Marshalls, Metropolitan Ieronymos of Kalavryta and Alkiviadis Stefanis; Parade Chairman Lou Katsos; Parade Vice Chairs, Yannis Stroumbakis, George Paralemos, George Venizelos, George Meinstassis; Parade Executive Director George Kontzamanis; Executive Director of Administration, Stavros Papagermanos; Parade Announcers, Mariana Apostolatos, Demetris A. Filios, Dimitris Filippidis and Michael Stratis; Education Committee Chairman Dr. Constantine Hatzidimitriou.1

“We must remember our roots,” explained Parade Chairman Lou Katsos on the April 24th Dimitris Filippis HellasFM program. “Without history, the parade is nothing. We must remember where we come from, Most Hellenic people don’t understand that the Greek Revolution was an international event. The nations supported the Ottoman Empire, because no one wanted revolution after the defeat of Napoleon. The Governments did not support the Greek Revolution. The people supported the Greeks. We had 14 lectures, meetings and concerts leading up to the parade. America’s Founding Fathers knew Greek and studied Greek history. People of many nations participated in the Greek revolution.”

In my opinion, the Greek Independence Day NYC Parade will continue for the following reasons: Support by the Greek Orthodox of America Archdiocese churches and Greek schools, parents of Greek and Philhellenic backgrounds who support the parade, and financial contributions by affluent NYC Greek Americans who are active in NYC and NY state politics. That is the core of the survival of the NYC parade and the Greek culture in America based on Greek Orthodoxy, understanding the Greek language and civilization.

Photos by Despina Siolas MD/Ph.D.