By Catherine Tsounis
The Greek Independence Day program of the Cathedral School of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, located at 319–337 East 74th Street in New York City, was held on Friday morning, March 21st, in the school auditorium. Prominent guests included Greek Consul General Ifigenia Kanara and Dr. Demitra Patronidou of the Greek Department of the Consulate General of Greece in New York.
The students presented a rich program of music, singing, band performances, and poetry. The event was organized by Greek teacher Efi Kitsanta, the education staff of the Cathedral School, music instructors Mr. Theo Alvanos and Mr. Greg Asimakopoulos, who also introduced a new band, and Principal Meropi Kyriacou. The Very Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Gilbert is the Dean of the Cathedral.
The Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, serves as the national cathedral of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and is the episcopal seat of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
Principal Meropi Kyriacou congratulated the students, saying, “Our students gave an outstanding performance. Their hard work, dedication, and talent were truly remarkable. A heartfelt thank you to all the parents who took the time to attend and share this special day with us. Your presence and support mean so much to our school community. We deeply appreciate your commitment to your children’s education and cultural heritage.”
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Consul General Kanara delivered an inspiring speech: “The program was so complete. A speech alone could not cover everything this show presented today. It had art, culture, music, history, and politics. Congratulations. I want to say something to the parents, as I see you here, rightfully proud. Congratulations to your children, they truly deserve it. And a heartfelt thank you to you. I have said this before, but it bears repeating. Your decision to bring them to the Cathedral School matters. By choosing this school, you embraced a way of life, education, and culture that upholds tradition. I appreciate that choice because I know it is not always easy.”
A strong sense of Greek identity, rooted in ancient heritage and a national church free from Latin rule, sustained the Greek people through 400 years of enslavement. Greek heritage and the Orthodox Church shaped the Greek nation as we know it today in 2025.
Why should we remember March 25th? The Greek Revolution gave a priceless gift: freedom. No longer were Greek families sold at slave auctions in Alexandria, Egypt, or Constantinople. Their sons were no longer taken as hostages by Ottoman forces, castrated as eunuchs, forced into the janissary corps, or drafted into Ottoman armies to fight against fellow Orthodox Christians. Their women were no longer seized and forced into Ottoman harems.
As Thucydides, the ancient Greek historian (460 to 394 BC), said, “The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom is courage.”
