I Love a Parade

Today is March 25 which means it's Greek Independence Day.  It also happens to be Sunday so between cultural sites and shops, there are a lot of closures today.  The nice consolation prize is that we get to experience Athens like the locals and enjoy the Independence Day parade.  The Greeks are understandably proud of their heritage and won their independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1829.  Independence Day is celebrated on March 25 because on that day in 1821, Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the flag of revolution inspiring the Greeks to rise up and proclaim their independence from the Turks.

Every year on March 25, parades are held throughout Greece commemorating Greek independence, including the main parade in Athens that features the Greek Armed Forces.  We didn't get out quite as early as we thought, but we made it time to catch the parade from the starting point.  A friend from work who is Greek gave me a scarf with the flag and logo of the national soccer team.  We cheered and celebrated like the locals, but considering my blond hair and fair complexion, I don't think I was mistaken for Greek.  We saw many military units marching in precision and had fighter jets and helicopters fly in formation very low in the sky above us.

Metropolitan Cathedral of the Annunciation

Today is also the Feast of the Annunciation in the Greek Orthodox Church which is also celebrated on March 25.  This marks the day that the Angel Gabriel told the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus.  For us Methodists, today is Palm Sunday and we found the Anglican Church in Athens and picked up palm branches although we missed the service.

After the parade, we walked up to the Parliament and watched the changing of the guard.  A special unit of the Hellenic army known as the Evzones are in traditional military dress and guard the Monument of the Unknown Soldier in front of the Parliament building.  They have a unique style of marching which is somewhat in slow motion to go with their unique uniform.

Changing of the Guard

We could tell this was a day of great pride for the Greeks. Children were dressed up in traditional outfits and many people were out walking the streets and lining the parade route.  Pop and I were both wearing our blue shirts which made us feel like we were part of the big family celebration, if only for a moment.