The Minister of National Defence Panos Kammenos accompanied by the Chief of HAGS Lieutenant General Alkiviadis Stefanis, attended the religious Service held due to an initiative of the family of Master Sergeant Vasiliki Plexida at the Monastery of Panagia Akrotiriani, Serifos Island.
 
After the end of the Service, the Minister of National Defence handed a copy of the Icon of Panagia of Sumela to the Mother Superior of the Monastery and stated, among other things, the following:

“On behalf of the Chief of the Hellenic Army General Staff and of all our Officers, NCOs and Privates and the entire Greek people, we would like to thank you for the chance you gave us today to thank Virgin Mary for the miracle that took place; we would also like to thank you because, here, on the Aegean Sea, you guard our country’s territory.
 
Please, allow us to offer the Monastery an Icon with a symbolic value. Here, on the Aegean Sea, we connect the entire Greek people with each other. This is what the Armed Forces do.    
 
This Icon is Virgin Mary of Pontus, Panagia of Sumela. Pontus, Thrace, Aegean Sea, Cyprus is one united area which Virgin Mary protects. Just like she embraced Vasiliki and took her off the helicopter. I would like you to know that all the aircraft of the Hellenic Armed Forces, of our Air Force and all the ships that pass by, and the soldiers as well, no matter how far they are from Pontus, Thrace, Aegean or Cyprus, they will always think of you who pray for our homeland with the blessing of Virgin Mary who appeared many times.”