Trump celebrates Greek Independence Day at White House, receives Holy Cross

Trump honoured at Greek Independence Day event. (Video Grab)

President Donald Trump hosted a Greek Independence Day celebration at the White House on Monday, marking 204 years of "glorious Greek sovereignty and freedom." The event, attended by prominent members of the Greek-American community, included a speech by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, who praised Greece as the birthplace of democracy.

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, addressing a packed East Room, expressed gratitude for the White House’s continued recognition of the occasion.

"Today, Mr. President, you bestow extraordinary honour upon the Greek American people with the annual Greek Independence Day celebration here at the White House," the Archbishop said. He praised Greece as the birthplace of democracy while also celebrating the United States as "the world's greatest democracy."

During the ceremony, the Archbishop presented Trump with a Holy Cross, making a striking comparison between him and Emperor Constantine the Great.

"You remind me of the great Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. The Roman emperor, my president, who built my birthplace, now called Istanbul," he said. "This cross led the great Constantine to victory as Christ revealed to him in a vision. It means, ‘Go with this and be victorious, my president.’"

Visibly surprised, Trump responded, "That is beautiful. Thank you very much. I didn’t know that was going to happen. But I'll take it. Thank you so much."

Constantine, who ruled in the fourth century, is widely recognised for his role in establishing Christianity in the Roman Empire.

The event underscored the strong relationship between Greece and the United States, reaffirming shared democratic values and cultural ties.