The Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis represented the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis yesterday, Saturday 4 April 2026, at the celebration marking the 200 th Anniversary of the Heroic Exodus of the Free Besieged from the Sacred Town of Messolonghi. The Deputy Minister was welcomed by the Commander of the 2/39 Evzone Regiment Colonel Panteleimon Bertsias.
Mr. Davakis attended the memorial service in the Garden of Heroes and laid wreaths at the monuments of the Philhellenes, Bishop Josef of Rogon and Kozylis, Jacob Mayer, Lord Byron, and Kyriakoulis Mavromichalis. He then proceeded to the Museum of History and Art – the Art Gallery – from where the icon of the Exodus, the Holy Banner, the Holy Cross of Bishop Josef of Rogon and Kozylis, and the banner of General Demetrius Makris were transported to the Holy Metropolitan Church of Saint Spyridon.
He then attended the Grand Festive Vespers Service presided over by His Eminence Chrysostomos Metropolitan of Patras, he participated in the procession to the Garden of Heroes, in commemoration of the Exodus of the Free Besieged, while he attended the memorial service and laid a wreath.
Finally, he watched a reenactment of the Bombing of Demogerontas Christos Kapsalis.
After the event concluded, Mr. Davakis stated:
«It is a great honour for me to represent the Greek government on the 200 th anniversary of the Heroic Exodus of Messolonghi.
A moment in our history that we must never forget, for the example of the Free Besieged of Messolonghi remains as powerful and relevant as ever:
Firm resistance against anyone who threatens our Freedom, resistance against violence and authoritarianism, and a constant struggle for a better Greece – in the name of all those who gave everything for their Country, but also in the name of those who will come after us!
LONG LIVE MESSOLONGHI!»
The Deputy Minister of National Defence will also attend the culmination of the festive events today, Sunday 5 April, in the presence of the President of the Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas and the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
