On Friday 15 August 2025, the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias represented the President of the Hellenic Government at the festivities for the Dormition of Virgin Mary and the memorial service for the 85th anniversary since the torpedoing of Cruiser “ELLI” in Tinos.
Mr. Dendias, accompanied by Chief/HNGS Vice Admiral Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras HN, boarded the HS “MYKONIOS” of the Hellenic Navy, which sailed to the region where Cruiser “ELLI” was sunk. Afterwards, a memorial service was held for the fallen, followed by wreath dropping by the Minister of National Defence and the Chief/HNDGS. The LST “SAMOS” honorarily anchors at the spot where the HS “MYKONIOS” sailed.
Later, the Minister attended the mass at the Holy Church of Evaggelistria, officiated by His Eminence the Metropolitan of Syros, Tinos, Andros, Kea, Milos, Mykonos and other islands Dorotheos B. The mass was also officiated by His Eminence the Metropolitan of Trikki, Gardikion and Pyli Chrysostomos and His Eminence the Metropolitan of Larissa and Tyrnavos Ieronymos. Mr. Dendias also attended the Litany of the Sacred Icon of Our Lady of Tinos.
The memorial service, the Litany of the Sacred Icon of Our Lady of Tinos, and the mass were also attended by the Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Sofia Zaharaki, the MPs Philippos Fortomas and Maria Syreggela, the Chief of the Port Police-Hellenic Coast Guard Vice Admiral Port Police Tryphon Kontizas, the Governor of Tinos Anastasia Deligianni-Asprou, the Mayor of Tinos Panagiotis Krontiras, the Mayor of Athens Harris Doukas, representatives of the other Security Forces, of the Local Self-administration and local agents, as well as numerous people.
The Minister of National Defence, upon conclusion of the Litany, stated the following:
“Greece is celebrating today the Easter of the summer.
Orthodoxy honours the Dormition of Virgin Mary, the highest Marian feast. Our Lady of Tinos, the everlasting Maternal Figure and Presence, is a reference point for Hellenism worldwide, steering towards spiritual support in difficult times, in the consciousness of the entire Nation. As I believe, we all remember that Virgin Mary is the Protector of our Armed Forces.
However, this day is not only illuminated by faith. Here, in Tinos, the memory of historic loss also lingers. Right here, in this port, on 15 August 1940, the Cruiser “ELLI” was torpedoed by the forces of the concealed, yet advancing, Fascism. This torpedo attack scattered the last hopes we had for a peaceful co-existence with the regime of Benito Mussolini.
Nine seamen, members of the crew, lost their lives serving Greece. It was the prologue of the great River of Blood of the epopee of 1940 and the Occupation. Their names, along with 121,683 more, are illuminated every night on the translucent Ark of National Remembrance, in front of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence.
I would like to assure you that, through time, regardless of the political Parties, Governments and circumstances, the Armed Forces of our Country measure up to the Hellenic History.
They honour it and, mostly, they continue it. In the context of the “Agenda 2030”, we proceed today to the greatest transformation in the history of the Armed Forces of New Greece.
The Hellenic Navy, in particular, is upgraded with a series of modern naval units and the rest are modernised. I would like to tell you that next year, I hope, with the help of Virgin Mary, the form of “KIMON”, the first FDI (Belharra) frigate, the most modern frigate of the planet, will embellish the skyline of Tinos, here behind us.
This way Greece reinforces its deterrence power with consistency, responsibility, and respect for the money of the Greek taxpayer. Always in accordance with the International Law, the Law of the Sea and the European Acquis Communautaire.
You all understand that exactly here, in the heart of the Archipelagos, in the heart of the Aegean, the invocation of the International Law on the day of the celebration of the Dormition of Virgin Mary has for us Greeks, for Hellenism, a special value and great significance.
Many Happy Returns to everyone, Virgin Mary protects the Armed Forces of our Country”.
