PHOTO RELEASE:
March 21, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT:
Derek Sands
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BERGEN COUNTY CELEBRATES GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY
Recognizes the 204th anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821
Above: Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Bergen County Clerk John Hogan, Bergen County Commissioner Rafael Marte, Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz, Bergen County Commissioner Chairwoman Mary Amoroso, Bergen County Commissioner Chair Pro Tempore Dr. Joan Voss, Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III, Bergen County Commissioner Thomas Sullivan, and Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella stand with a proclamation of Greek Independence Day.
HACKENSACK, NJ – On Thursday, March 20, the County of Bergen, in partnership with the AHEPA Bergen Knights Chapter 285, the AHEPA Alexander Hamilton Chapter 54, and the AHEPA Ramapo Chapter 453, held its Annual Greek Independence Day and Flag Raising Ceremony at Two Bergen County Plaza.
Greek Independence Day is celebrated on March 25 and commemorates the start of the War of Greek Independence against the Ottoman Empire in 1821. American history and Greek history are greatly intertwined, as our country’s founders drew on the democratic principles of ancient Greece while establishing the United States and sought wisdom from Greek history and philosophy. Today, Bergen County is a proud home to one of the largest Greek populations in New Jersey.
Welcome remarks were given by Dr. Peter Hilaris, President of the Bergen Knights Chapter 285. Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III delivered remarks and presented a proclamation declaring March 25, 2025, as Greek Independence Day. The proclamation was presented to the Honorable Consul Petros Dorizas of the Consulate General of Greece in New York. Consul Dorizas delivered greeting remarks to the audience.
A cultural performance was given by Tasos Papaioannou and George Stathos.
Closing remarks were delivered by Bergen County Commissioner Chair Pro Tempore Dr. Joan Voss.
The County also presented community members with 2025 Greek Independence Day Outstanding Community Service Awards.
The event culminated in the singing of the Greek National Anthem by Anna Lilikas while a video of the Greek flag being raised in the Piazza of One Bergen County Plaza played.
Food and refreshments for this event were kindly donated by Fantis Foods of Carlstadt and Kontos Foods, Inc. of Paterson.
2025 Greek Independence Day Outstanding Community Service Award Recipients:
- Niklaos Katsapis
- Jerry Makris
Nicholas Pirsos
Photos:
Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton, Bergen County Clerk John Hogan, Bergen County Commissioner Rafael Marte, Bergen County Commissioner Germaine Ortiz, Bergen County Commissioner Chair Pro Tempore Dr. Joan Voss, Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III, Bergen County Commissioner Thomas Sullivan, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella., and Bergen County Commissioner Chairwoman Mary Amoroso stand with Greek Independence Day honorees at Two Bergen County Plaza.
Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III presents a 2025 Greek Independence Day Outstanding Community Service Award to a member of the community.
Tasos Papaioannou and George Stathos put on a cultural performance for the audience at Bergen County’s Annual Greek Independence Day Celebration and Flag Raising Ceremony at Two Bergen County Plaza.
Anna Lilikas sings the Greek National Anthem as a video of the Greek flag being raised in the Piazza of the One Bergen County Plaza Administration Building plays.
Attendees enjoy Greek food at Bergen County’s Annual Greek Independence Day Celebration and Flag Raising Ceremony.