Senator Leonidas P. Raptakis and the Greek communities of Rhode Island celebrated March 25 at the Rhode Island State House on Tuesday, bringing together state leaders and members of all three Greek communities from Cranston, Newport and Pawt 201. Anniversary of the Independence of Greece.
The event was attended by the Consul General of the Hellenic Republic Stratos Efthymiou and His Eminence Archbishop Elpidoforos, Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Joseph Shekarchi and Representative Joseph McNamara before the start of the event.
This is Archbishop Hope’s first trip to Rhode Island, and it has been more than 30 years since an Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America officially visited the State of Rhode Island.
Throughout the day, the Greek national flag was flown at four different venues in the Rhode Island State House: the Governor’s Hall, the Senate Hall, the House of Representatives, and the top of the State House.
“This event is always a wonderful expression of our strong Greek community on Rhode Island and the strong connection of this state, known for its commitment to independence, and the nation that was the birthplace of democracy,” Raptakis said. “I want to thank the Senate and the Parliament for the organization of this event, the approval of resolutions during their meetings yesterday and the firm support of Greek issues all these years. I am grateful to all the legislators and generals who attended this year as well, as they gathered in the Rhode Island State House to participate in this special celebration, including the many Greeks who participated from Connecticut and Massachusetts. “Our community shares the values of Greece.”
Source: The New Hellenic Times
