TSN0324

5 THE SHEPHERD • MARCH 2024 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO March 25th is a national holiday celebrat- ed annually in Greece, commemorating the start of the War of Greek Independence in 1821. It coincides with the Greek Orthodox Church’s celebration of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, when the Archangel Gabri- el appeared to Mary and told her that she would bear the son of God, thus marking the beginning of the greatest mystery of all time: The Incarnation of the Son, when God be- came man to save all mankind. Greece had been part of the Ottoman Em- pire since 1453. The Greek revolt was precip- itated on March 25, 1821, when Bishop Ger- manos of Patras raised the flag of the revolu- tion over the Monastery of Agia Lavra in the Peloponnese. The cry “Freedom or death” became the motto of the revolution. The Greek struggle had elicited strong sympathy in Europe, and many leading in- tellectuals had promoted the Greek cause, including the English poet Lord Byron. At the naval Battle of Navarino, the combined British, French, and Russian forces destroyed GREEK LANGUAGE SCHOOL ΣΧΟΛΕΙΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗΣ ΓΛΩΣΣΑΣ The Greek Revolution of 1821 Sunday, March 24 In the Church Hall, Following the Divine Liturgy General admission: $25 12 yrs old and below: $15 Get your tickets today at www.sdgreekschool.org or contact Christoforos Savvides at 619.709.6067 O u r G r e e k S c h o o l p r e s e n t s a p r o g r a m t o c e l e b r a t e HOPE &JOY (Holy Orthodox Primary Education &Junior Orthodox Youth): HOPE and JOY met for Games, Lunch, and a Lesson in February and learned about St. Valentine while having a scavenger hunt. They left with a printed icon of St. Valentine and hopefully a better understanding of the true meaning of agape. 4 YOUTH MINISTRIES the Ottoman-Egyptian fleet. The revolution ended in 1829 when the Treaty of Edirne es- tablished an independent Greek state. In celebration of Greek Independence Day, towns and villages throughout Greece hold a school flag parade, during which school chil- drenmarch in traditional Greek costume and carry Greek flags. There are also armed forces parades, the biggest one takes place in Ath- ens. However, the celebration of March 25th is not limited within the borders of Greece. In every corner of the globe where members of the Greek Diaspora are present, the anni- versary will be marked. Celebrating Greek Independence Day in the diaspora serves to strengthen the bonds between Greeks world- wide. It is more important than ever to foster a sense of unity among the diaspora. Coming together to celebrate our shared history and culture creates lasting connections that span continents and generations and preserve our unique cultural heritage. Greek language, cuisine, music, dance, and other traditions are integral parts of our identity, and it is our responsibility to ensure they thrive be- yond the borders of Greece. Embracing our customs and teaching them to younger gen- erations helps maintain a connection to our roots and contribute to the rich tapestry of global culture. Therefore, we invite you all to attend our 1821 Greek Independence Day celebration to honor and remember our rich history on Sunday, March 24th after Divine Liturgy! This annual event always sells out, and as there will be no ticket sales at the door, if you haven’t bought tickets yet, buy them today at www.sdgreekschool.org or reach out to Christoforos Savvides at 619-709-6067. Nancy Provataris, PhD Greek Language School Director