Greeks in Warren celebrate Independence Day

By JORDAN COHEN

news@vindy.com

WARREN

The city’s Greek community views the annual celebration of Greek Independence Day as an emotional time of remembrance—an attitude personified by the Rev. Constantine Valantasis, priest of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, during the observance Sunday at the Warren City Amphitheater.

“I’m a third-generation Greek-American, and for me this means everything,” said Valantasis, a native of Campbell.

“The profound aspects of our culture are overwhelming, and it’s emotional for me to see this community respond to it.”

The church, a fixture in Warren for 90 years, conducted the 11th annual observance with parishioners parading from High Street to the amphitheater. School-age children wore the traditional red and white clothing and carried Greek flags of blue and white.

All of this was especially meaningful for Valantasis who was a priest for more than 16 years in Los Angeles.

“I think some of our culture was lost on the West Coast, but you can see it here,” he said. “Now I’m in the promised land.”

The celebration honors fighters in the 1821 war of independence by Greeks against the Ottoman Empire, which had controlled the country for 400 years.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com