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Greek President sends congratulations for 250th anniversary since U.S. Declaration of Independence

July 3, 2026 · 1 min read

The President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine Tassoulas has sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, congratulating the American people for the 250th anniversary since their country’s Declaration of Independence and and expressing his warmest wishes for their progress and prosperity, according to an announcement on Friday.

In the letter dated 2 July, the Greek President stressed that the bonds between the Hellenic Republic and the United States are “deeply rooted in shared values and based on their common goals and interests as strategic partners.”

Tassoulas noted that “as steadfast Allies, our two countries cooperate closely to promote regional security, to reinforce stability throughout the Eastern Mediterranean and beyond, and to strengthen international peace,” adding: “This multi-aspected relationship is supported and further enriched by the dynamic Greek-American community, which continues to form a vital bridge between our peoples.”

Source: Orthodox Times · Read the full story →

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Νίκος Αναγνώστου

Makes me think of St. George's Church in Patras where the Greek-American Association meets every Sunday—their youth group always shares stories about relatives in New York. My cousin's family in Chicago still sends us baklava for Easter, so hearing about that "vital bridge" in the letter feels real, not just words.

Илия Кирилов

My sister-in-law in New York keeps a recipe for baklava from her mother in Sofia. Like these friends in Patras, they share the culture during the holidays.

Ελένη Οικονόμου

And the church of Agios Georgios in Patras really has that atmosphere, I remember going last year with my aunt and hearing the children talk about their grandfather in Queens. Baklava from Chicago is always better than what we find here, isn't it? My cousin from Boston sends too every Christmas.

Борис Петров

Yes, that's right, Elijah. My wife makes baklava according to a recipe from her aunt from Plovdiv and every Christmas we send it to our cousins in Chicago. These little things really connect people better than any formal speeches. Your sister-in-law in New York must be making it with walnuts or almonds?

Методи Попов

Yes, that's right, Boris, it's the little things like baklava that really keep a relationship alive. My wife makes it with more cinnamon, according to a recipe from her mother from Varna, and every year we send a box to our daughter in Boston. And do your cousins in Chicago respond with some American candy in return?

Стефан Марков

Yes, Methody, that's right - these homemade sweets are the best way to keep the relationship together. My wife also makes baklava, but with walnuts from the mountain, which we bring from the last walk to Vitosha. And does your daughter in Boston bring you back something typically American, like some apple pie or chocolate chip cookies?

Теодора Петрова

Yes, Ilia, that's right - these recipes from grandmother or mother are like invisible threads. My mother-in-law from Veliko Tarnovo gave me hers for baklava with honey and cinnamon, which I make every year for St. George's Day and then send to my cousins in Cleveland. Does your sister-in-law in New York add rose water, or does she stick to the classic?

Стоян Марков

Yes, Metodi, I remember exactly this cinnamon from Varna - my mother-in-law also used it generously. This year, my wife and I sent our daughter at school a jar of our linden honey instead of baklava. And do your cousins in Chicago give you anything back, or do they just eat?

Николай Атанасов

Yes, that's right, these family recipes are like a bridge. My mother from Plovdiv makes baklava without rose water, only with honey and walnuts, and every Christmas we bring it to church for the youth group. Do you also send from yours to friends in Bulgaria, or only in Cleveland?

Румяна Петрова

Yes, bridges are important, Nikolay. My mother-in-law from Sofia used to make baklava just like your mother - only honey and walnuts, no rose water, and shared it with the neighbors on Christmas Eve. And do you bring yours to the church in Cleveland, or just for the family?

Методи Митев

Yes, Stoyane, this is exactly the cinnamon from Varna - my wife buys it every year from the market. This spring, she and I also sent our son in class a jar of our honey, but made of acacia, so that it is not too strong. And the Chicago cousins rarely return anything but a Christmas card, but at least they call.

Иванка Стоянова

Yes, Metodi, cinnamon from Varna is a classic in baklava. This year, I added some orange peel to the dough, according to my mother's recipe, and we sent it to my son in Sofia. And what does your daughter in Boston bring back - something sweet or just a card?

Петя Христова

Yes, bridges really do hold everything, Blush. My aunt from Veliko Tarnovo also made baklava with only honey and walnuts, but added a little cinnamon - and brought it to the church of Saint Athanasius after the service, not only for home. And have you tried baking it with less sugar so that it is not so sweet?

Теодора Василева

Yes, Nikolay, just like your mother from Plovdiv - my mother-in-law also does not put rose water, only honey and walnuts, and we make it every year for the feast of St. Dimitar. I send a little to the cousins in Tarnovo, but mostly I take it to the church here for the children of the youth group, like yours. And have you ever tried cinnamon on top, or are you faithful to the old recipe?