The Greek Cultural Garden in Cleveland, under the direction of Greek Garden Association President Lou Frangos, hosted a program on June 17 in the Greek Cultural Garden in Cleveland Ohio.

Honorable James Trakas served as Master of Ceremonies and he introduced Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne.

Master of Ceremonies Jim Trakas

Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne

Chris Ronayne gives a proclamation to Lou Frangos

Chris Ronayne gives a proclamation to Deputy Minister Loverdos

Then Greek Garden Association of Cleveland President Louis Frangos gave his remarks including talking about Philotomo.

Greek Garden President Louis Frangos

Greek Garden Association of Cleveland president Louis Frangos speaking

Then His Eminence Metropolitan Savas, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, gave his remarks and an invocation.

His Eminence Metropolitan Savas

Standing for the Invocation

His Eminence Metropolitan Savas with
Athanasios Sarantopoulos serving as cantor

Next, students of the Georgia Pappas Hellenic Cultural School led the national anthems of the United States and Greece.

Greek and US national anthems

Next, Jonathan Cambouris, Director of the Greek Garden Association of Cleveland, gave his remarks.

Jonathan Cambouris

Then Jim Trakas introduced the Honored Guest, Honorable Ioannis-Michail Loverdos the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece.

Honorable Ioannis-Michail Loverdos
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece

In his remarks, the Deputy Minister spoke of the history and culture of Greece and its importance to so many fields - democracy, medicine, science, mathematics, etc. He encouraged the learning of the Greek language and for young people to learn about Greek culture and heritage.

Honorable Ioannis-Michail Loverdos

Watch a video of the Deputy Minister's remarks.

Then Louis Frangos, Jonathan Cambouris and Andrew and Faith Chakalis presented special mementos and memorial flags to the honored guests.

Deputy Minister Loverdos and Lou Frangos

Consul General of Greece in Chicago
Emmanuel Koubarakis and Lou Frangos

Consul General, Lou Frangos, Deputy Minister

Andy and Faith Chikalis with the
Consul General, Deputy Minister and Lou Frangos

Lou Frangos gave an update on the huge frieze that is being worked on by the sculptor with a 2026 completion date.

Lou Frangos and Jim Trakas

Jim Trakas concluded the event with remarks about Greece's gifts to civilization.

Jim Trakas

This video shows the entire ceremony with all the speeches including that of the Honorable Ioannis-Michail Loverdos the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece. So if you watched that above you can fast forward through that part in this video.

The celebration continued with food and drink, photo opportunities and enjoying the Greek Cultural Garden. Here are some images.

Ann and Lou Frangos

Deputy Minister Loverdos arriving

Jim Trakas, Lou Frangos,
Chris Ronayne and Jonathan Cambouris

Lou Frangos and Deputy Minister Loverdos

Ann Frangos, His Eminence Metropolitan Savas and Alex Machaskee

Jonathan Cambouris and Lou Frangos

Samos Club Members