WASHINGTON,DC: The Washington Oxi Day Foundation released the following statement on the occasion of International Holocaust Remembrance Day — January 27, 2014:

“The Washington Oxi Day Foundation joins people in America, Greece, Cyprus, Israel and around the world in commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day and honoring the memory of the over six million Jews and other innocent victims who lost their lives during this tragic moment in human history.

While today is a day of mourning and reflection, it is also serves as a call to action. We have a duty as Greeks and Greek-Americans to stand strong against anti-Semitism and all forms of prejudice and hate. We must assure that `Never Again’ is not a platitude, but a rallying cry.

In doing so, we draw inspiration from many of our Greek ancestors who risked their lives to save not only friends and neighbors, but also complete strangers. We aspire to be like Archbishop Damaskinos of Athens, who is credited by the Raoul Wallenberg Foundation as being the only national religious leader in a Nazi-occupied country to publically challenge the Holocaust as it was occurring. Damaskinos proclaimed ‘I have taken up my cross. I spoke to the Lord, and made up my mind to save as many Jewish souls as possible.’

We can also draw inspiration from the story of Metropolitan Chrysostomos and Mayor Carrer of Zakynthos who submitted only their names to the occupying Nazi forces, preferring to risk death rather than adhere to the demand to provide the names of the Jewish residents of Zakynthos. Not a single Jew on Zakynthos died during the Holocaust, as a result of their courageous action.

We also remember the words of Archbishop Damaskinos who stated that he ‘condemned any attempt to discriminate or create racial or religious difference.’ He added ‘Our common fate both in days of glory and in periods of national misfortune forged inseparable bonds between all Greek citizens without exemption…and we lend our hearts to those in need.’

It is by standing vigilant against the forces of evil and hate that we most honor the memory of those who lost their lives. For our Jewish friends, for ourselves and for all of humankind, we must never forget.”