Speech of the President of the Community
Mr Manolis Stavrianakis
30/3/2025

Dear friends,

With great joy we are celebrating today the National Day of Greece, our motherland, which represents the honour DUE to the Greek Revolution , the war of the Greek people against the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over Greek lands for almost 400 years. It started in 1821, originally in Moldavia in February and ,after its demise there, in mainland Greece on 25th March 1821, it lasted nine years and ended up with the creation of the modern Greek State. It was the longest and hardest fought of all uprisings in Europe in the 19th century, was full of heroic deeds and shook the entire Continent of Europe.

We dedicate today’s celebration to the outstanding role of the Orthodox Church in the cause of freedom for the Greek people and the valuable contribution of the Greek Orthodox Clergy to this War of Independence.

The Greek Orthodox Church, Particularly the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, held significant influence over the Orthodox population within the Ottoman Empire. The clergy, including bishops and priests, used their authority to preach the importance of freedom and independence, fostering a sense of national identity and galvanizing support for revolution. The Church played a crucial role in preserving the Greek language, culture and traditions during the Ottoman period, which helped to maintain this sense of national identity among the Greek population.

During the pre-revolution period of the 18th and 19th centuries apart from their participation in several uprisings of the Greek people against the Ottoman rule, the Greek Orthodox Clergy tirelessly worked not only for the orthodox faith but also for the preservation of a national identity of the Greek people. During this period leading personalities emerged among senior clergymen, the so called Great Educators of the Nation, whose influence was of paramount importance for the promotion of the Greek cause. Saint Kosmas Aitolos, Eugenios Voulgaris, Anthimos Gazis, Neophytos Vamvas, Neophytos Doukas, to name just a few, were among them. Under their names noble and aspiring ideas were pronounced and spread throughout the Hellenic world and beyond.

After the start of the Revolution the Greek Orthodox Clergy continued to play a pivotal role , which was manifested both politically and militarily, by supporting the cause of independence, often leading to religious and nationalistic fervour and acting as a bridge between the people and the revolutionary movement. It is true to say that the Greek Revolution of 1821was fueled by a strong sense of religious identity playing a key role in fostering this sentiment.

The clergy, particularly bishops and metropolitans, became symbols of resistance against the Ottoman rule, often leading or participating in the revolution. In fact many Orthodox prelates actively participated in the revolutionary movement, even assuming a leading role in insurgent Greece and playing an important part not only in ecclesiastical but also in political and military matters. Their work and their action was truly outstanding. Countless hierarchs, priests and monks stood side by side with the people in their sufferings. They supported the revolutionaries in their activities and took arms inspiring and leading others into battle The monasteries became fortresses and refuges, offering food, supplies and ammunition to fighters and shelter to ordinary people.

Many members of the clergy were martyred by the Ottoman rulers for their role in the Revolution. Some examples of Clergy actions and sacrifice are the following ; The Metropolitan Germanos of Patras declared the start of the Revolution for Greek Independence on 25th March 1821at the Holy Monastery of Aghia Lavra in the Peloponnese.

The Patriarch of Constantinople Gregorios E’ was executed on 10th April 1821, becoming a martyr for the cause of the Greek Independence.

Numerous Bishops and Metropolitans were arrested, imprisoned , tortured or executed, like Bishop Isaiah of Salona and Bishop Joseph of Rogon.

Apart from the high ranking clergy though, the contribution of ordinary priests and monks was also significant. Some of them gave their lives during the Revolution and became martyrs for the cause of freedom and independence of the Greek nation.

An outstanding example was the martyrdom of Deacon Athanasios, Athanasios Diakos, who was killed by impalement by the Ottoman Turks during the battle of Alamana in April 1821.

Another notable example of utmost dedication and personification of the fighting spirit was Archimandrite Grigorios Dikaios, known as Papaflesas, who died heroically at the battle of Maniaki in 1825.

Concluding I would like to cite the words of Fotis Kontoglou, the well known icon painter, theologian and thinker ; He wrote : “Faith and love of country were one and the same thing and the freedom which the Greeks thirsted for was not just the freedom, which all revolutionaries fight for, but the freedom which preserves and guards faith, the Orthodox faith”

Thank you very much for your attention and God bless you all