On Wednesday, 4 December 2019, the Deputy Minister of National Defence, Alkiviadis Stefanis, representing the President of the Hellenic Republic, attended the official celebrations in honour of the Great Martyr Aghia Varvara, the Patron Saint of the Artillery Arm, held at the Artillery School (N.Peramos-Attica).
The celebration was also attended by the Chief of HNDGS – General (AF) Christos Christodoulou, the Chief of HAGS – Lieutenant General Georgios Kampas, the Chief of HNGS – Vice Admiral Nikolaos Tsounis HN, the Chief of HAFGS – Lieutenant General Georgios Blioumis, as well as general and senior officers of the Armed and Security Forces, as well as retired Armed Forces officers.
The Deputy Minister of National Defence in his address stated the following:
“With great respect and piety we celebrate today, at the Artillery School, the commemoration of the Artillery Arm’s Patron Saint, the Great Martyr Aghia Varvara, in a double celebration, representing the unbreakable bond between Orthodoxy and the Armed Forces and projecting the ever-lasting connection of the two fundamental pillars of Hellenism-Homeland and Religion.
The sacrifice of Aghia Varvara on the altar of orthodoxy is an ever-lasting symbol of great value, that lights up and steels the will of the Greek people, to defend freedom and democracy.
Today is a commemoration and honour day for all Artillery personnel who actively participated in all struggles of the nation, sacrificing their lives for their ideals, honoring the flag by spilling their blood, thus fulfilling their duty, defending the sanctities of the nation.
Their sacrifice was and will continue to be a luminous beacon for all Greeks in the perpetuity, serving as a ‘vaulting horse’ of national dignity and pride.
At the same time, we honour all of you as well, the modern Artillery personnel, who continue quietly and worthily the work of your predecessors, distinguishing yourselves with the flawless military and scientific knowledge of your subject-matter; you truly honour the motto of the Artillery, ‘Power through Knowledge’.
Besides, it is a fact that the Artillery Arm incorporates today all scientific and technological developments and innovations, making it a special force multiplier, in the modern multi-faceted field of military operations.
In a period of the known continuous threats against the country’s national defence, it is required to be comrade-in-arms and to have national unity and union of hearts.
On the occasion of today’s celebration, I would like to explicitly assure you that the Armed Forces of the country are an essential Pillar of National Power, capable of guaranteeing, through their steady operational readiness and capability, the successful management of all potential challenges and threats, preserving in full the national honour and dignity of the Homeland.
Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Soldiers of the Artillery Arm,
Keep upgrading our Artillery’s capabilities, by being responsible, having a high morale, believing in democratic principles and values, serving the country with selfless devotion, with a sense of duty, having Christian faith, with optimism and passion, mnemonic of the historic heritage, of the struggles and sacrifices of your Artillery predecessors and prove every day in practice what it means to be a worthy descendant of Great Ancestors and an ever-lasting worthy defender of the Homeland.
May Aghia Varvara be on your guard and give health and strength to you and your families.
Thank you’.
