Greek PM Mitsotakis congratulates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis today tweeted his congratulations to Joe Biden who was sworn as the 46th President of the United States on Wednesday.

"Warmest congratulations to @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris. It is with a sense of renewed optimism that we look forward to further strengthening the bonds and friendship between our two nations”, he posted on Twitter.

*More on GCT: Joe Biden’s swearing in: What does the new administration bring to Greece and the world?

Ahead of the inauguration of Biden and Harris - the first woman Vice President of the US - more than 25,000 National Guard troops stood watch over a barricaded Washington DC.

Normally hundreds of thousands would attend to witness a significant moment in American national life.

Harris was sworn in by Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina to serve on the supreme court.

Following, Joe Biden was sworn in as president by supreme court chief justice John Roberts, bringing an end to four years of Donald Trump’s leadership.

“This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day," U.S. President Joe Biden said during his inaugural address on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.

“We’ve learned again that democracy is precious,” Biden said, adding “and at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.”

He said the nation “must confront” white supremacy, possibly becoming the first president to utter that phrase in an inaugural address.

“The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer."

He argued that unity was the only successful path forward for the country.

“I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy these days. I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real. I also know they are not new,” the president said. “Unity is the path forward.”

Biden described America’s history as a “constant struggle” between the country’s professed ideals and its lived reality.

The president then pointed to Kamala Harris being sworn in as vice-president as an indication of how much positive change the nation can achieve, underlining “don’t tell me things can’t change."

He also condemned the riot at the US Capitol. “It did not happen. It will not happen: not today, not tomorrow, not ever."

Biden pledged to be a “president for all Americans,” including those who did not support him, and he called for the nation to make a fresh start today.

“We must reject the culture in which facts themselves are manipulated and even manufactured,” he said.

Joe Biden said America would provide a positive example to the world under his leadership as president. “We’ll lead not merely by the example of our power, but by the power of our example."

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros to participate in Virtual Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America will offer a prayer at the Virtual Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service, to be held on Thursday.

The service which is hosted by the Washington National Cathedral, will be live-streamed at bideninaugural and on the Cathedral’s website. It will start at 10:00 AM ET.

Archbishop Elpidophoros will represent Orthodox Christianity and offer a prayer on behalf of the faithful of the United States.

*More on GCT: Joe Biden’s swearing in: What does the new administration bring to Greece and the world?