Prime Minister of Canada Participates in Greek Independence Parade

Prime Minister of Canada Participates
in Greek Independence Parade

The Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos and Greek Independence Day were jointly celebrated in Canada with much enthusiasm and majesty.

The dual holiday was commemorated with Divine Liturgies, Vespers services, parades, dinner parties and the raising of the Greek flag at city halls in the largest cities throughout Canada. Everything was done with remarkable organization and success.

In Montreal, like every other year, the national parade was well organized with the participation of tens of thousands of people, and thousands of students, associations and communities parading.

The Grand Marshal of the parade was Dr. Apostolos Papageorgiou.

Five persons led the march: Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau in the center, flanked on the right by Metropolitan Sotirios and Greek Ambassador to Canada Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, and on the left by the President of the Community Archon Hartouliaros Nicholas Pagonis and the Consul General of Greece in Montreal Mr. Michalis Gavriilidis.

Following behind were dozens of other officials, ministers, members of parliament, mayors and municipal councillors.

Also present alongside the Greeks were Armenians, Jews and other nationalities.

During the Doxology, following the Divine Liturgy which Metropolitan Sotirios presided over, the customary address of the day in tribute to the homeland was delivered by the Ambassador of Greece to Canada, Mr. Dimitris Azemopoulos, whose speech was so replete and inspiring that he was applauded by everyone.

In the same way, the parade took place in Toronto and in the other major cities across Canada.