It’s no coincidence a monument honoring Greek Americans who fought in the battle for Greek independence resides in Aurora.
It honors the community that grew up in the city as a result of that independence and the welcoming nature of the city.
Father Panagiotis Boznos, of St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, reminded Greek Aurorans who gathered Monday to raise the Greek flag in honor of the country’s 203rd celebration of its independence of that very fact.
“Aurora has been home to a thriving Greek community for decades,” he said.
It was that community that founded the Greek Orthodox church in the city in 1965, at first on Galena Boulevard then later in the bigger church where it stands today on Fifth Avenue in Aurora.
The church has been the “heart and soul” of the Greek community here, said Alex Alexandrou, the son of Greek immigrants who is also the city government’s chief management officer.
Alexandrou joked that everything got its start in Greece. But Mayor Richard Irvin said Alexandrou is only partly kidding when he “reminds me of that every day.”
Irvin pointed out it was democratic principles which started in Greece that inspired America’s founding fathers, and in turn, Americans steadfastly supported Greece when it fought for and won its independence this week in 1821.
“This is a national day of celebration for Greek and American democracy,” he said.
Ald. Ted Mesiacos, 3rd Ward, a Greek American who is a member of the City Council, said people should remember “everyone of Hellenic descent” who shed sweat and tears through decades helping build Aurora.
“They paved the way for someone like myself to represent our history and heritage as an alderman in Aurora,” he said.
The city honored Greek Americans by raising the Greek flag in One Aurora Plaza. And while rain forced most of the celebration indoors, officials still honored Greek Aurorans for their contributions to both America and Aurora.
Irvin gave what he calls the Optimum Participation in Aurora award, which creates the acronym OPA.
One award went to Niko and Fanny Andriopoulos, who owned Papa Bear restaurant in the city for 36 years, then after closing that, opened Gyro Pit on East Indian Trail.
Another went to Bill Deligiannis, for some of the community work he has done on the East Aurora Sports Scholarship organization, the East Aurora Education Foundation and as founder of the Tomahawk Turkey Trot, which raises money for students each Thanksgiving.
He was born and raised on the East Side of Aurora.
“I’m very proud to be Greek by blood, Auroran by birth and a Christian by baptism,” he said.
Another OPA award went to Penny Deligiannis, a woman who has worked all over the world with the Greek Orthodox church in projects to bring development and peaceful resolution to violent situations.
She previously won the Aurora Hometown Hero Award in 2009.
slord@tribpub.com
