Officers, NCOs, Privates, Sailors, Airmen, Militiamen and Civilians of the Armed Forces,
We are celebrating today the anniversary of 25 March 1821; the day of National Palingenesis and the anniversary of the liberation struggle of 1821, one of the most important struggles of our Nation throughout its history. We are also celebrating the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary that is symbolically associated with the 1821 Revolution, in order to indicate that the Gospel of human salvation is considered equivalent to the release of our Country from slavery.
The 1821 Revolution was a fight that has shown that faith in freedom and the strong commitment of a nation may change its historic fate. The Hellenes proved once again to everybody that no people remains subjugated, from the moment that it takes the ultimate decision to live free. And the Orthodox Church contributed greatly to this, since it was the Nation’s ark and preserved the unity and the hope of freedom.
Our heroic ancestors reversed the power facts of those days and the throwing off of the Ottoman yoke proved to those believing that it was an impossible challenge that they were wrong.
The 1821 Revolution also awakened the European people and created a great philhellenic movement that emerged in the world and European history for the first time.
The clarion call of the Nation was the beginning of the gradual fulfillment of the national hopes. Through the struggle that lasted several years, the new Greek State was developed.
The sacrifice and the achievements of the fighters of 1821 became a kind of myth in people’s consciousness and created our heroic national tradition. We are showing to those fighters the honor that they deserve, since their example constitutes an eternal beacon with timeless and durable light for the generations of Greeks.
Heroes, like Kolokotronis, Botsaris, Karaiskakis, Nikitaras and Papaflessas, have emerged, as well as thousands of others who held high the banner of freedom with their fights and their sacrifice.
Our fleet with Miaoulis, our fire ship captains Papanikolis and Kanaris and many other unknown sailors and captains spread terror among Turks.
Place names like Dragatsani, Valtetsi, Dervenakia, Maniaki, Alamana and others illustrate the heroism of the Hellenes. The Chios Massacre, the Destruction of Psara, the Sortie of Messolonghi are milestones of the battle and the holocausts that are surrounded with the wreath of glory, heroic resistance and sacrifice.
On days like today, the verses of our poet Kostis Palamas come to our mind: “The greatness of a nation is not measured in acres; it is measured by the heat of the heart and by the blood!”.
Men and Women of the Armed Forces,
It is the duty of the Greek people to honor history and to express its gratitude for the heroic battles of its ancestors and all those who kept the fire of freedom burning.
You, who secure and defend Freedom and our Country’s sovereignty rights, should continue to safeguard National independence with the same sense of responsibility and patriotism, because you are the guarantee for peace in the sensitive region from a geopolitical point of view of Southeastern Mediterranean Sea and the Balkans.
Our country’s geographical location, with the geostrategic environment being characterized by dynamically changing situations, requires powerful Armed Forces always in readiness and high spirits. You all participate actively in the Country’s defence and Greek citizens may organize the present with confidence, in order to build the future of our country.
The trust of the Greek people in you and the feelings of gratitude and certainty for your work is the proof of your contribution over time. You serve the Country with zeal and devotion under unfavorable sometimes circumstances and we all feel safe and secure.
Our Country implements the international law and treaties at all times and it is an example of a state that applies the principles of “good neighborliness and friendship” in the area. On the contrary, Turkey many times derogates from the standard practices applied to border situations between neighboring countries.
We shall continue to insist with composure and determination on the implementation of the international law and treaties, but friends and enemies should always bear in mind that we are in no way different from the fighters of 1821 and we have proved that in all periods of our history.
Today is a day of remembrance and pride for the Nation; let us not forget that part of Cyprus is still under foreign occupation in violation of the International Law and UN resolutions. A fair and viable solution to the entire Cypriot Hellenism consists in a united and free Cyprus through the complete abolition of obsolete guarantees.
Men and Women of the Armed Forces,
Let us remember the words of Theodoros Kolokotronis, the leading figure of the struggle: “When we decided to make the Revolution, we did not think neither our numbers, neither our arms, nor that Turks held the castles and the cities… but like the rain, we were all flooded with the desire of freedom…”.
We have to go back and get baptized again into the values and ideals of the heroes of 1821, into the “we” of Makrygiannis, the patriotism and the sacrifice of fighters; to preserve what unites us and to consider the vision and the objectives that will make us move forward for the sake of our Country.
Inspired by the time values of our culture and Orthodoxy, I urge you all with the help of Almighty God and Virgin Mary to be inspired from the past, to safeguard the present and march towards the future of the Country and Hellenism with confidence, optimism and determination.
