Greek pride on parade

By Jordan Cohen

Warren event celebrates anniversary of uprising

WARREN — Blustery winds, cold weather and occasional rain did not stop the Greek community from observing its ninth annual Independence Day Parade on Sunday.

The rains held off around the noon hour long enough for a small procession of vehicles, which formed in front of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church on High Street Northeast and traveled the short distance to city hall for a ceremony commemorating the Pan-Hellenic Uprising, Greece’s war of independence against the Ottoman Empire in March 1821. Approximately 75 people attended the outdoor ceremony.

“We usually get several hundred people for this, but I think the weather held them back,” said Christina Kapolis, whose idea launched the annual parade in 2000. She estimated that 400 were expected for a luncheon at the St. Demetrios Center on Atlantic Street Northeast later in the afternoon.

A number of spectators carried a Greek flag, a field of blue and white stripes with a white cross in the corner, outside the church and city hall.

“It represents liberty, the sky and the sea,” Kapolis said.

Trumbull County Engineer David DeChristofaro, who provided a truck from his department to carry participants in the parade, said he was asked for help by Aristithis “Arch” Charnas, the parade’s grand marshal.

“This is no different than using firetrucks in other holiday parades,” DeChristofaro said.

“We checked with our insurance company and found that everything is correct.” DeChristofaro also said the truck driver volunteered his time.

Colorful Greek clothing brightened the cloudy afternoon. Some of the young people wore the traditional Greek evzone, named after an elite Greek military unit, which consists of a red vest over white shirts and pants with a pleated skirt over the pants.

“Our skirts contain 400 folds to represent the 400 years we were slaves,” said Ray Rubino, 12, a Howland Middle School student.

“It’s great to show our Greek nationality, faith and religion,” said Nicolette Dovellos, 17, a Howland High School senior who was one of several young people wearing a sweatshirt with the acronym GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth Association) prominently displayed.

Kapolis, who conceived the idea of a Warren Greek celebration while she was secretary to then-Mayor Hank Angelo in 1996, said the idea started out as a simple ceremony to raise the Greek flag at city hall and grew into an annual parade, which was also her suggestion.

“Even though we commemorate the Greek [uprising], I think Americans should remember that whenever there is a ceremony like this, it usually means someone somewhere fought for our freedom,” Kapolis said.