THE 30TH ANNUAL GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE OF BOSTON CELEBRATED ON SUNDAY, APRIL 26TH
Posted by estiator at 27 April, at 10 : 36 AM Print
The parade welcomed the Presidential Guard of Greece (Evzones) for the first time in 25 years and nearly 70 Hellenic groups from across New England
BOSTON, MA (April 27, 2026) – Yesterday, The 30th Annual Greek Independence Day Parade of Boston – hosted by the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of New England (FHASNE), supported by the City of Boston, and in cooperation with The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston and The Consulate General of Greece in Boston – returned to Boston on Sunday, April 26, 2026.
Celebrating its pearl anniversary, this milestone year honored three decades of preserving and promoting Hellenic heritage in Boston. Reflecting both the historic legacy and continued relevance of Greece’s fight for freedom, this year’s official theme was “From 1821 to Today: Freedom, Dignity and the Human Spirit.” The parade welcomed nearly 70 Hellenic groups, as well as thousands of spectators along Boylston Street in commemoration of Greece’s independence from Ottoman Rule, which began on March 25, 1821.
As a centerpiece of this 30th anniversary, the elite Presidential Guard of Greece – known as the Evzones – traveled to Boston to participate in the parade, marking their first official appearance in the city in 25 years. Their return represents a deeply symbolic moment, honoring the enduring bond between Greece and the Greek-American community of New England. Known for their historic foustanella uniforms and precision ceremonial duties at Greece’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens, the Evzones are among the most recognizable and revered symbols of Greek national pride.
The parade commenced at the intersection of Boylston Street and Exeter Street in front of The Lenox Hotel with a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by parade dignitaries, including Grand Marshal & FHASNE President Eleni Vidalis; Grand Marshal & Consul General of Greece in Boston, Symeon Tegos; Honorary Grand Marshal & Director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center, David Paleologos; Honorary Grand Marshal, President/CEO of Ferro-Ceramic Grinding Inc. & Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America, Costa Sideridis; and more.
Following the ribbon cutting, the parade procession began with Boston Police, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard, representatives holding banners including the America 250th Anniversary (sponsored by Alpha Omega Council) and Military Guards presenting the United States and Greece flags.
The visiting Presidential Guard of Greece (Evzones) proceeded, marching in full ceremonial uniform. They were followed by the Kariatides presenting the Greek Flag, the Boston Evzones, the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of New England float and Board of Directors.
Next in the procession were a range of Greek cultural organizations, churches, student groups, and community organizations from throughout New England. Greek cultural organizations included Alpha Omega Council, Hellenic Boston Businesses Unite, Boston Lykeion Ellinidon, and more. Churches included Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England, Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church of Roslindale, Saint George Greek Orthodox Church of Lynn, Saint Athanasius Greek Orthodox Church of Arlington, Saint Catherine Greek Orthodox Church of Braintree, and more. Student universities and groups included Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, National Hellenic Student Association of North America, Hippocratic Institute Medical Students Greece and Cyprus, and more.
All groups marched along Boylston Street until they reached the official parade review stand at the intersection of Boylston Street & Charles Streets, emceed by reporters & news anchors Arielle Mitropoulos, Nicholas Antonakas, and Mariah Janos. Following the parade, all parade participants and spectators walked to the Boston Common, where it transformed into “Plaka,” Athens’ historic central square. The afternoon was completed with a vibrant Greek cultural celebration featuring traditional cuisine from food trucks, dance performances representing regions across Greece, and a live performance by Greek singer Christina Maragozi.
New England is home to more than 200,000 Greek Americans and over 60 Greek Orthodox parishes, making the Boston parade one of the largest Greek Independence Day celebrations in the United States.
OFFICIAL PRE-PARADE EVENTS:
As part of preparations for The 30th Annual Greek Independence Day Parade of Boston, the Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of New England set this year apart from those in the past by hosting an expanded range of public civic and community celebrations, including:
- Annual Dinner Gala (Saturday, April 18th at Venezia Restaurant in Dorchester): The Annual Dinner Gala awarded nine scholarships to Greek-American students, underscoring the community’s commitment to youth and education. The evening opened with a prayer by Protopresbyter Romanos Karanos, representing Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, and featured national anthem performances by scholarship recipient Vasilios Karanos. Remarks were delivered by Consul General of Greece in Boston Symeon Tegos, President of Athens Medical Association and Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute Dr. George Patoulis, and FHASNE President Eleni Vidalis, while attendees included Dimitris Kyriakidis, son of Stylianos Kyriakidis. Honorees included David Paleologos and Costa Sideridis as Honorary Grand Marshals, along with Dr. George Patoulis. The evening included traditional dance performances by Greek-American Evzones and marked a departure from tradition, as the dinner was held one week earlier than usual. [Photography]
- Forum on the Greek Healthcare System (Thursday, April 23rd at Boston College): The Forum on the Greek Healthcare System, part of the Greek American Lecture Series, took place at Boston College. The event brought together distinguished leaders in medicine and healthcare from Greece and the United States for an engaging discussion on the future of healthcare in Greece and beyond. The program featured keynote speaker Dr. George Patoulis (President of Athens Medical Association and Global Doctors’ Hippocratic Institute), alongside an expert panel including Panagiotis Andreadis (General Manager of ELITOUR), Ioannis Chatzistefanou (Maxillofacial & Head and Neck Surgeon at Athens Medical School), Irene Souter (Reproductive Endocrinologist at MGH Fertility Center), and was emceed by Dr. Peter Moschovis (Pulmonologist & Critical Care Physician at Mass General Brigham). [Photography]
- Greek Flag Raising Ceremony (Friday, April 24th at Boston City Hall Plaza): The official Greek Flag Raising Ceremony took place at Boston City Hall. The ceremony marked the official arrival of the Presidential Guard of Greece (Evzones) in Boston for the parade, their first appearance in the city in 25 years. Opening remarks were provided by parade host Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of New England’s president Eleni Vidalis, Boston city councilor at-large Erin J. Murphy, Boston city councilor Edward M. Flynn, and Boston Mayor’s Office deputy director of global affairs & protocol James Reginald Colimon. The Evzones then hoisted the Greek flag in front of Boston City Hall, and the ceremony concluded with Hellenic College Holy Cross (HCHC) assistant professor of Byzantine liturgical music Vassilios Karanos performing the Greek and American National Anthems. [Photography + Video]
- Greek Independence Day Commemoration (Friday, April 24th at Massachusetts State House): Following the Greek Flag Raising Ceremony, a commemoration event took place at the Massachusetts State House, located a short distance from City Hall, which was presided over – as in many previous years – by Greek-American Republican State Senator Bruce Tarr (Taliadouros). His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston was represented by the Dean of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England in Boston, Fr. Odysseas Drossos. The Holy Cross St. Romanos the Melodist Byzantine Choir chanted Resurrection hymns and patriotic songs under the direction of Protopresbyter Professor Romanos Karanos. Greetings and remarks were delivered by Consul General of Greece in Boston, Symeon Tegos and Federation President Eleni Vidalis, while Warrant Officer of the Presidential Guard contingent Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos offered a brief presentation on the Evzone uniform. This was followed by the reading and presentation of a proclamation issued by Governor of Massachusetts, Maura Healey. The Federation then honored its former president, Vasilios Kafkas. [Photography]
The 30th Annual Greek Independence Day Parade of Boston took place on Sunday, April 26th. For more information, please visit bostongreekparade.org.
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2026 Parade PR Assets
Photography (credit: Stratos Koilos)
B-Roll (credit: Hellenic College Holy Cross)
About The Federation of Hellenic American Societies of New England (FHASNE):
The Federation of Hellenic American Societies of New England, founded in 1982, is the premier umbrella organization of over forty Hellenic-American associations, representing over thousands of individuals in the community. The Federation of Hellenic-American Societies of New England celebrates Hellenic heritage by sponsoring and organizing programs and activities that promote and preserve the values and ideals of our Hellenic culture thereby enriching our community and nation. Its purpose and interest is the perpetuation of those values and ideals that are embodied within the Hellenic heritage – including the pursuit of knowledge, education, the arts, and civic responsibility. They are also the proud coordinator of several Hellenic-American community celebrations including the annual Greek Independence Day Parade in Boston, which attracts thousands of community members and brings together people from throughout New England. For more information visit bostongreekparade.org.
Media Contact:
Dena Panagopoulos
Founder, Dena Public Relations
(914) 806-7327
