Χαιρετισμός του Προξένου κ. Παπανικολάου στις εορταστικές εκδηλώσεις "Δημήτρια 2012" της μακεδονικής οργάνωσης Χιούστον (Χιούστον, 27.10.12)

Honorable President of the Macedonian association

Honorable Supreme President and Vice President of the Panmacedonian Association

Honorable members of the board

Distinguished guests

I am very honored to have been invited for the celebration of Dimitria, such an important and worthy occasion for the Macedonians around the world. Dimitria was and still is a celebration dedicated to Saint Dimitrios, the protector and Patron Saint of Thessaloniki; it dates back to the 6th century, as a thanksgiving act to the saint, and as recognition for the protection of Christianity and of the city of Thessaloniki against the Slav’s invasion. Today the cult of the city residents to the Saint has a Dual Character: it embodies both their religious and patriotic feeling, but at the same time it also expresses their identity, hardships, tradition, myths and customs.
But this years’ Dimitria celebration coincides with another historical time landmark, the centennial celebration of the liberation of Thessaloniki from its then ottoman rulers. The march of the Greek troupes in the city, on October 27, 1912, marked the beginning of a victorious and glorious era for Greece that led to the territorial expansion in its today’s internationally recognized land borders. Throughout the previous century Thessaloniki grew and evolved to the second biggest city in Greece and the primary financial and logistics center of the Balkans mainly due to its port, geographical location and hard working people.
There is one common element in both occasions. This unique blend of Christian orthodox religion and greek patriotism that has driven our country and nation to high levels of integration.  Today, in these rather difficult times, where our strength and unity is tested, orthodoxy and Greek people walk together again. The Greek Diaspora in the United States, all of you present here today, is a clear illustration of this reality. Of course today we don’t fight for independence at the military front, but we need to remain together to face existing challenges, whether these come from the irredentist propaganda of Skopje or from the financial strains our country struggles to cope with.
I want to thank the Macedonians of Houston and especially Nina and Peter Peropoulos for such a diligent preparation and organization of our tonight’s’ event, I want to thank them for bringing into Houston some of the celebration spirit that surrounds Dimitria back home, but I want to thank them most and foremost because they continue to fight and raise awareness for the Greek interests in the State of Texas.
Finally I want to thank all of you for being here tonight and honoring our Macedonia, our Thessaloniki and its patron SAINT DIMITRIOS.

Enjoy the evening.