The political and military leadership of the Ministry of National Defence, the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Mr. Thodoris Dritsas, the leader of the Centrists Union Mr. Vassilis Leventis, the Metropolitan Seraphim of Piraeus, MPs and members of the local authorities attended the celebration for the feast of Hellenic Navy’s patron saint, Saint Nicholas, which was held in the Hellenic Naval Academy, Piraeus.

The Minister of National Defence made the following address:

“In the presence of the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Mr. Dritsas, the Alternate Minister of National Defence Mr. Vitsas, the military leadership, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff Admiral Apostolakis, the Chiefs of the Hellenic Navy, Army and Air Force General Staffs, the Chiefs of the Hellenic Coast Guard, the Hellenic Police and the Hellenic Fire Service, the Officers, NCOs and Seamen, the Honorary Chiefs, the retired Admirals and Officers of the Hellenic Navy, who honour us with their presence, we celebrate.

It is a great pleasure and emotion we are here today, to honour Saint Nicholas, the patron Saint of our seamen. Today’s feast of the Patron Saint of the Hellenic Navy and the Merchant Marine, demonstrates the indissoluble bond between us Greeks and our Saints, thus accentuating the traditional link of the two cornerstones, the Country and Orthodoxy.

The Hellenic Navy’s relation with Saint Nicholas is a reality expressed through a deep and long experiential relation.

On this day, memories of national pride, emanating from Greece’s naval epopee throughout the centuries, are evoked in the mind of each Greek.

The Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff rightly referred to Admiral Kountouriotis who, under the inspired leadership of the great national leader Eleftherios Venizelos, managed to liberate the islands of the Eastern Aegean.  

Allow me to remind you that at that time, Greece was exiting a very serious financial crisis. Therefore, notwithstanding the fact that the financial crisis has affected to a great extent our personnel’s income, it hasn’t affected the morale and readiness of the Hellenic Navy, as well as of the entire Armed Forces of our country. This is a fact that should be taken into account by those who consider conspire against the country’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Our country’s geopolitical position has been the determinant that designated the Nation’s historical course throughout the centuries. Naval power has a leading role in Hellenism. Greek people’s innate naval knowledge and their supreme morale reflect the value of Greek naval officer across time.
 
We owe them not only our freedom and our national sovereignty, but the obligation to never allow our flag to be struck as well and to continue struggling for sovereign, proud and independent Greece. This obligation towards the heroes of our past and future generations is more imperative than ever today. It is a moral and national imperative.
  
Today, I am sure that our war vessels convey the message of force, deterrence and readiness of our Armed Forces to every part of Greece, to every island. The sacred legacy of the great tradition of the Hellenic Navy makes us all feel proud and sure of our country’s future. This is why today we send a message of respect and acknowledgement of the Hellenic Navy through this highly symbolic celebration.
 
Moreover, we do not forget about the ubiquitous Merchant Marine which carries on board its ships the Greek flag across the oceans all over the world, as a permanent ambassador of Greece, as a connection with the Greek communities overseas.

We do not forget our Coast Guard, with Officers, NCOs, men and women who fight to rescue human lives every day. They do exactly what Greek seamen do, not because they are trained to do so, but following their instinct and our long maritime history.

This day, a feast day characterised mostly by reverence and faith to the eternal principles and values of Orthodox faith, shows all of us the manner of understanding and fellowship.

We are particularly honoured by the presence of all political parties today, here, to celebrate the feast of Saint Nicholas and of the Hellenic Navy.

At the difficult times that we are going through, we must reflect and remember that no matter what our differences may be, there is something much deeper and much more sacred that unites us; we must remember that we are all Greeks and we ought to fight all together to help our country recover.
 
Dear Colleagues,

On behalf of the Ministry of National Defence I assure you that our objective is to have absolute consensus on our national defence matters.
 
Men and Women of the Hellenic Navy,

Today’s feast is a tribute to the memory of our heroic seamen, of the creators of free Greece. We take example of their achievements with gratitude to all those who were sacrificed.
 
Proud of our glorified historical past and with confidence and optimism for the future, I ask you to continue your work finding strength and inspired by our brilliant naval tradition and our ancestors’ sacrifices.
 
I wish everybody Happy Saint Nicholas Day and may Saint Nicholas give you health, family happiness, strength and may he give our seamen fair winds and always stand as a guardian angel on the bows of their ships.”