Greece, Hellenism celebrate 202nd anniversary of 1821 independence struggle

Greece and ethnic Greek communities around the world on Saturday celebrated the nation’s annual March 25 Independence Day, marking the 202nd anniversary of the beginning of a monumental eight-year struggle against dour Ottoman rule.

As per the tradition, the most prominent military parade took place in central Athens, in front of Parliament, with Greek President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou “taking the salute” of military commanders, flag-bearers and parading troops.

Similar commemorative events, celebrations and parades, by military units and pupils, took place around the country.

March 25 is also a major religious holiday in the predominately Christian Orthodox country, marking the Annunciation of the Theotokos, the Virgin Mary.

The day’s official itinerary began at dawn with a 21-round salute fired from atop the Lycabettus Hill in central Athens, followed by a flag-raising ceremony on the Acropolis.

A con-celebratory Liturgy was officiated at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral by His Beatitude Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos, attended by Sakellaropoulou, along with the country’s political and military leadership. Wreaths were subsequently laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, beneath Parliament, on Syntagma Square.

Saturday’s events mark the first time in two years that Covid-related restrictions have been completely lifted.

In a message issued on the eve of the national holiday, Sakellaropoulou said “Greece needs consistency and conscientiousness, for all of us to be responsible in order for it to move ahead and prosper…We have an obligation to our history and to all of those who fought on with the hope and dream of a Greece that would be both proud and strong.”

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, speaking after the end of the military parade in downtown Athens, emphasized that this year’s celebration of Greek Independence and the great feast day of the Annunciation “are being commemorated under the shadow of a great tragedy.” He was referring to a deadly train collision on Feb. 28, while adding that it was “…was necessary to be inspired by the triumphs of our country, and to learn from the tragedies.”

The March 25 anniversary also celebrates the armed forces, particularly the men and women, who paraded holding the flag up high, conveying a sense of national pride, he added.

Main opposition SYRIZA leader and former premier Alexis Tsipras traveled to the small Dodecanese island of Tilos to attend a pupils’ parade there.
Meanwhile, in an uncharacteristic – for the occasion – message, Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu sent congratulations to his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias for the anniversary.

According to diplomatic sources, Cavusolglu also expressed the certainty that good-neighborly relations will become permanent in the future. He also cited his decision to contribute further to the current positive dynamic in bilateral relations.

Cavusolglu also reiterated his gratitude to the Greek government and people for their solidarity and help following the deadly earthquakes in southeast Turkey last month.