Greek parade on 5th Ave.

0:00 Speaker 1 With us today is Father Alex Faluzzos on a Greek celebration day. Today is Greek Independence Day, a big parade on Fifth have you, and he’s also the recipient of the Middle of Freedom Award from the United States President Biden.

0:19 Father Alex, welcome to Sunday morning, and we catch you in time before you have to run the church and tell us about Greak Independence Day. How you see things?

0:32 Speaker 2 Well, you know, John, one of the reasons why and by the way, thank you very much for having me on here. One of the reasons why immigrants around the world, but specifically you and I and our families respective families we came to the United States was that we had independence, that we could actually have a better life. And what

0:55 a great celebration that we have as Americans of Greek heritage today is the great parade on Fifth Avenue. But it celebrates the birthplace of democracy, Greece and the champion of democracy, which is America. And I think that that’s a celebration. And then thank you for mentioning the Presidential Medal of Freedom. And it celebrates, of course something that

1:20 JFK himself created many years ago, and the intrust of the President of the United States who would follow him, to honor those people that live up to the principles of freedom from wherever they come in the world. And this is the time that we all celebrate independence. One of the great freedoms, of course, is freedom of religion.

1:46 And we got to be constantly vigilant. If America doesn’t stand strong, then I think that the rest of the nations around the world will weaken. We have a strong resolve as Americans, and I’m very proud of that. And that’s why Greek Independence Day and you’re doing with WABC and what you do every day in your philanthem incommitment

2:10 and extra time. We thank you for doing.

2:12 Speaker 1 That, Father Alex. In the last couple of years, this seems to be an attack on religion, whether it’s in our city, our state, our country worldwide. Where is this coming from? I mean, we all believe in the Creator.

2:33 Why are we fighting amongst ourselves? Why is there an attack on religion?

2:39 Speaker 2 Well? Can I tell you I’m really very concerned because, as you know, the First Amendment protects the route, the freedom of the press, and freedom of religion, right, and I do believe there’s such an attack on America coming from disinformation mission twisting so many realities around us, and then you have people becoming belligerent and non tolerant. Our

3:12 Rabbi arche Schneier is our mutual friend, always spoke about peace intolerance with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. We did a conference many years ago about that kind of mutual respect. And we’re losing it. And I think that also comes from many of us because we take our religion and our freedoms for granted. That’s why everybody should be out there

3:35 celebrating July fourth, or for any spiritual cultural tradition that celebrates independence, because unless we affirm independence in the day, the privileges and the blessings of being free, we’re going to lose it. We can’t take that for granted. So what you’re doing today WABC, it has nothing simply to do with a Greek and we’re proud of that, but

4:01 it’s the principle of independence that means religious freedom, freedom of the press. Those are the two fundamental rights. The way is Americans should never take for granted. So what you’re doing is combining the best of your legacy. I mean, look at the time you spent I laugh about it many times. With all of the big businesses you’re involved in,

4:24 you’re always the person dealing with people in the street, wherever they are. You’re the You’re an uncommon man who deals with the common things. That’s what makes you special. John and I thank you for bringing out Greek Independence data today. But the way you stand up for principles, truth, justice in the American way, that’s America.

4:46 Speaker 1 Thank you, Father Alex Carlucco’s recipient of the Middle of Freedom awoid. Thank you for everything you do, putting people together, no matter what the religion is, you put people together and the world. Thanks you God, Thanks you, and we’ll catch up again real soon. Thank you so much.

5:06 Speaker 2 God bless thank you very much. Thank you my friend.