On Tuesday, 26 January 2021, the Minister of National Defence, Mr. Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos attended the celebrations of the 200 years Anniversary since Vostitsa Secret Assembly, in Aegion.

He attended the Doxology at Panagia Faneromeni Metropolitan Church and he laid a wreath at the Heroes’ Monument, at Ipsila Alonia Square, and he visited the Folklore Museum of the region.

The Minister of National Defence stated the following:

“Ladies and Gentlemen,

Due to the heavy schedule of this period, the duration and the progress of our struggle to reinforce the Armed Forces and their deterrent power and our capability to defend our sovereign rights, I may have missed the historic importance of the event we celebrate here today in Aegion.

My presence here today, for the celebration of the Vostitsa Assembly anniversary, is a great honour and pleasure, since today marks the 200 years anniversary from the start of the Greek Revolution, which laid the foundations for the Country’s liberation and the establishment of the modern Greek State, here, in the Achaean Polity, in Peloponnese, which is the place of my origin, as well as my family’s, and this has its own meaning, at least for me.

The Vostitsa Assembly constitutes a national event, with a special historic profoundness, and not merely a limited gathering of people, for the preparation of another local revolutionary movement during the Turkish domination, as many movements before, which were suppressed. It was the first coordinating meeting of the Greeks in Peloponnese and it may be considered the first important revolutionary event, which triggered the start of the armed, national-liberating Struggle on the 25th of March, and its successful consolidation first in Morias and then in the rest of the Greek territory. So, it was that moment during the historic course of the Greek Nation where the Clergy was not only a spiritual guide, but it had an active role in the preparatory revolutionary procedures, having taken care at the same time that Hellenism remains alive during the Ottoman yoke era; now, it stands by the people’s side, blessing the armed struggle and fighting for that matter to defend Faith and Country.

Distinguished Elders of Morias, like Asimakis Fotilas, Andreas Londos, Andreas and Asimakis Zaimis, as well as leaders of the Clergy, like Palaion Patron Germanos, Gregorios Dikaios known as Papaflessas, and Amvrosios Frantzis, as well as other important members of the Filiki Eteria attended the Assembly, defying the risk to be detected by the Ottoman regime, taking the risk, because the flame of the soul, the wish to shake off the Ottoman Yoke, prevailed over any other hesitation.

Most of them actively participated in the Revolution and, they either played an important role in the political life of the newly-established Greek State, like Andreas Zaimis, or they sacrificed their lives for the Struggle, like the Heroic Papaflessas in Maniaki.

All the participants in the Assembly decided to financially contribute to the Struggle, for the procurement of weapons and ammunition and at the same time, they ordered a representative’s tour all over Peloponnese, to collect money.

The Assembly did not start under the best circumstances. There were strong arguments and reservations with regard to ensuring foreign support and ensuring of course the support of the great powers of the time and at the same time the proper conditions for starting the Struggle. But finally, Hellenism’s need for freedom and National Regeneration overcame the doubts and gave the signal for the start of the Struggle, for the liberation of the Nation on the 25th of March.

Ladies and gentlemen, in order to comprehend or further realize the magnitude of this attempt, as well as its risk, I encourage you to visualise the status of these people at that time; to feel their agony, as well as their wish, their impatience and need to move rationally, discretely preparing what was about to come, possibly the doubts and fears of some of them, but also the inextinguishable flame of the soul. The flame which overcame any other doubt and finally, being aware of their national conscience and their Faith as well-as this was supported by the Clergy for centuries-took the big decision and started after all the preparatory procedures for the Revolution, to shake off the Ottoman yoke. If we try to be compassionate about this, then I think, we will be able to better understand how important, how big, how risky, how nationally fair this was.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Vostitsa Assembly leaves important elements as historic heritage, it shows us that when conditions dictate, the Greeks function as one and finally national union of hearts prevails, with regard also to the genuine interest of the Country, despite the disputes, despite the conflicting views. In the end, the great cause, the great flame of the soul prevails. Also, the ever-lasting faith of our people in great ideals, values and traditions, gives us the strength to ignore both the risks and sacrifices required to defend our Country.

Today’s anniversary makes us proud. It is a bright example for moral standards, dignity and the ever-lasting values of our ancestors, who, after four centuries of slavery, decided to fight to the death, against a superior opponent, one of the super powers of our time, following the one and only motto “Freedom or Death”. This example we must follow as well, as their genuine descendants and continue embracing the supreme values of Democracy and Freedom, having as one and only rule the Nation’s interest and our Country’s welfare.

Thank you. Happy anniversary!”.