On Sunday 3 September 2023, the Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikos Dendias, representing the Prime Minister and the Government, attended the celebration of the 199th anniversary of Gerontas Naval Battle in Kalymnos.
Mr. Dendias attended the service at the Metropolitan Church of Christ the Savior, in which the Reverend Metropolitan of Leros-Kalymnos and Astypalaia Paisios officiated.
Next, he visited the statue of Andreas Miaoulis, where a memorial service was held, and the unveiling of the statue was conducted by the Minister of National Defence and the Mayor of Kalymnos Dimitris Diakomihalis.
During the unveiling ceremony, the Minister of National Defence stated in his address:
“It is a tremendous honour for me to be here today, for the first time in my life – I ought to say – on the remote island of Kalymnos, with its rich history and its Greek morale and mind; an island in the eastern Aegean, which also defends our borders. It is an honour, even more, to be here in order to honour an important moment in the history of the Greek Revolution and our homeland, the Gerontas Naval Battle.
The Aegean islands witnessed this naval battle, but I think, Mr. Mayor, that you are right and that the argument of the geographic distance reinforces your opinion about having these festivities held here, on Kalymnos, by the Greek State, in an institutionalised and correct manner.
The Gerontas naval battle in the Aegean islands was not just a confrontation of two fleets. It was a proof of mind and intelligence, due to the huge size difference between the two fleets.
Admiral Andreas Miaoulis and his crews did not loose morale. They faced the challenge of the much stronger Turkish-Egyptian fleet, and – allow me to say it in order to restore the historical truth – that on the other side, Ibrahim was not a random personality.
A few years after the successful end of the Greek Revolution, Ibrahim almost broke down the Ottoman Empire, arriving as an invader, in charge of his Egyptian army, almost opposite Constantinople, where he was stopped by the European forces. Therefore, the undertaking and success of the Greek fleet under Andreas Miaoulis is of huge importance. This victory, which is a proud part of our country’s naval successes, has also a huge interest for those studying the tactics of the navy, about the manner in which it handled the adversary’s size supremacy, by using fire ships and the wind.
It was said, before, in the outstanding celebration at the Metropolis, that a consequence of the success was also the delay of the invasion of the Egyptian army in Peloponnese, and the domination of the Greek fleet in the Aegean until the end of the Greek Revolution; also, another outcome was that Samos island could not be occupied. So, today, as we stand here, we must remember the sacrifice of those who lost their lives in this attempt.
Their bravery must remind us that freedom is not given free and that we ought to follow their example in order to face not only oblivion with these ceremonies, but also the challenges of modern times for us, Greeks, in the eastern Aegean, which, I believe, there is no need to mention.
But, ladies and gentlemen, in order to face them successfully, we must be united, as we did so far. It is worth remembering, as was said before, in the celebration, that the moment the Greek fleet achieved great things in the Eastern Aegean, our country suffered a civil anguish.
As we must also remember that the bright and brave admiral Andreas Miaoulis, upon conclusion of the independence struggle, was the same man, with the same characteristics, who burned the frigate “Hellas”, which had just been delivered, as a reaction to the measures of the first governor Ioannis Kapodistrias.
Therefore, besides the historical memory, as a huge national chapter and as a prerequisite of our national survival, we must preserve our unity, concord, devotion to our long tradition and the certainty that the Greek nation, if it is united, has a bright future.
Thank you”.
Next, the Minister of National Defence laid a wreath in Andreas Miaoulis statue and visited Kalymnos Civilization and History Center, where he had a conducted tour.
The Deputy Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Giannis Pappas, the MP of Dodecanese Manos Konsolas, the Mayor of Kalymnos Dimitris Diakomichalis, the prefect of Kalymnos Manolis Mousellis also attended the celebrations.
The Commander of the Higher Military Command of Interior and Islands Lieutenant General Sotirios Kostakoglou, the Commander of 80 Higher National Guard Battalions Command Brigadier General Aristeidis Kavarligos, the Commander of 5/42 Evzones Regiment Colonel Dimitrios Gogoulas and a delegation of Army Officers also attended the celebration.
Representatives of political parties, of the local governance bodies and local authorities also attended it.
Upon conclusion of the celebrations, the Minister of National Defence made the following address:
“As Representative of the Government of the Hellenic Republic, of Mitsotakis Government, I wish to address all residents of the eastern Aegean islands, who have been literally defending our borders across time.
Mostly, I want to assure them that the Government and the Greek people and the Greek society in general do not declare just a vague interest in their land, but there is a concrete intention to be present here and improve their living conditions. Let us be well and I hope next year, 200 years from Gerontas naval battle, we will be here again.
Thank you.”
