The message is that Hellenism when it wants and is united can work miracles, was sent by Health Minister Michael Hadjipantelas speaking in Paphos.
In his statements in Paphos where he attended the celebrations for the national anniversary of March 25 and after the end of the parade he wished all Greeks a happy birthday, noting that "we must take 1821 as an example and that when Hellenism wants and is united it can do miracles".
Let us set an example, he said, from the struggle of 1821, and with unity let us achieve the goals we have.
Hatzipantelas then congratulated the organisers of the parade, the pupils, the students, the soldiers, the reservists and all the people who marched today. It was, he said, "an excellent parade and I want to congratulate again."
The celebrations for the national anniversary of 25 March culminated today with the traditional parade. It was preceded by the customary Doxology at the Cathedral of St Theodoros, a memorial service for the fallen Fighters in the 1821 Struggle and the laying of wreaths by the city authorities. The solemn speech of the day was delivered by the Prefect of Paphos Mary Lambrou.
The Prefect of Paphos Mary Lambrou said that the Greek Revolution of 21 is one of the most important struggles of the nation throughout its history. It reversed the historical course, abolishing the slavery that had lasted for 400 years. The shaking off the Turkish yoke was, he said, a task that initially seemed impossible.
The numerical superiority of the Turkish troops and the long years of subjugation did not dampen the morale of the enslaved Greeks who rebelled and fought stubbornly and victoriously.
We owe, he continued, eternal gratitude to the heroes and fighters of 1821, to the known and to all those who remained unsung and fell on the battlefields. We owe, he said, "eternal gratitude to the heroes and fighters who believed in the just demand of National Independence, despite the hostility of the period towards the revolutionary movements."
Moreover, in his statements, Metropolitan George of Paphos described today's anniversary as the greatest anniversary in our history, adding that since March 25 we can look at all our ancestors without seeming to be at a disadvantage. We are, he said, the same generation of 1821 as that of the Marathon fighters of the Salaminomachi, those who have always fought for the freedom of our homeland.
The Metropolitan said that we should not count anything in front of the freedom of our homeland. It is our freedom , our dignity and we must prefer it rather than indulgence and pampering. In addition, the Metropolitan of Paphos said that we may have overlooked our readiness to fight for this we must wake up because, as he said, times are not easy.
The celebrations, coordinated by the Coordinating Committee for the Celebration of National Anniversaries in Paphos, started yesterday with the coronation of monuments by Students, Associations and Organizations and in-school celebrations as well as the big commemorative event at the Markideio Municipal Theatre in Paphos.
The programme included a speech by the Vice-Rector of Academic Affairs of the TE.PA.K Pantelis Keliris, on the topic: "The 25th of March 1821 and the 1st of April 1955 from the point of view of Romiosity", a speech by the Mayor of Pafos, Phaedon Phaedonos, and an artistic programme by Sotiris Karagiorgis, Stelios Cacoyannis, Theofano Charalambidou and the Choir and Orchestra of the Pafos Music School.
The Mayor of Pafos, Phaidonas Faidonos, said that in the difficult times that our country and the entire nation is going through, turning everyone to a journey of memory is, under the circumstances, a supreme duty and obligation.
Events were also organized in the Municipality of Polos Chrysochous with a dinner in the streets of the city by the band of the Gymnasium and Lyceum - Technical School of Polos. The band passed through the main streets of the town this morning, followed by a flag-raising ceremony at the Cultural Centre of the Municipality of Polos with the participation of delegations of pupils from Polos schools.
This was followed by a praise service at the Holy Church of Apostle Andrew of Polis Chrysochous, presided by Bishop Arsinoe Pagratios, accompanied by the Holy Clergy of Polis Chrysochous and the communities of the department of P. Chrysochous.
The Government was represented at the praise service by the Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Shipping, Iliana Charalambous. The solemn speech of the day was delivered by the B.D. of Literature Classes of the Gymnasium Polis Chrysochous Dimitris Pamporis. The parade started from the church of Apostolos Andreas, passed through Archbishop Makarios III Street and ended at the Municipal Market. The greeting of the parade was given by An. Director General of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, Bishop Pangratios of Arsinoe, the Mayor and the Municipal Council P. Chrysochous and the officials from a podium on Archbishop Makarios of G. Street.
Yesterday morning at the D. Polis Chrysochous, the busts of the heroes George Stylianos - Antonis Rossidis and the column of the National Guard Michael Michalakis were crowned by students of the Polis Chrysochous Schools. The events continued with inter-school celebrations.
Source: CNA
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