Greek Independence Day
Today was Philadelphia’s parade, which was marvellous: Orthodox church groups complete with banners and a bearded, riassa’d (cassock) and kamilavka’d (the stovepipe hat in the photo) priest and clubs representing every region from Pontus in Asia Minor to Cyprus to Greek Macedonia. The date is the feast of the Annunciation* (as in the banner photo) and the city’s parade is a compromise, on a Sunday between the Gregorian- and Julian-calendar dates.

Fun fact
Today is Julian-calendar St Patrick’s Day

*Tomorrow in the Roman Rite, transferred this year because of the Easter octave.