It is with feelings of national pride that we celebrate the anniversary of March 25, 1821 and the liberation of Greece from the Ottoman yoke. On the day of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, Hellenes everywhere recall the feat of that epic struggle and revive themselves with the messages of national rebellion.
Founded on the principles of freedom and justice, the Greek Revolution is a decisive milestone in the course of the modern history of Hellenism and a legacy for future generations. The uprising of the enslaved Greeks was preceded by a spiritual renaissance. From the middle of the 18th century, Greek letters were developing in the wider region, reaching as far as central Europe. With the lights of knowledge and education, many thinkers, such as Adamantios Korais and Regas Feraeus, connected modern Hellenism with the seeds of the great Greek intellectual tradition. This current of Greek enlightenment, inspired also by European enlightenment, paved the way for the Society of Friends. That secret brotherhood that spread to Greece, Asia Minor, the Balkans and central Europe, reaching as far as Cyprus and preparing the revolution.
The Revolution of 1821 highlighted the virtues of the Genos and marked the course of the nation. Men and women, named and unnamed, from all social groups, with meagre material means but with high patriotic spirit and mental fortitude, undertook a struggle for liberation on land and sea. With unparalleled patriotic devotion and self-denial, they defied even death. The phrase "freedom or death" became the front page of the Revolution. Legendary figures such as Theodoros Kolokotronis, Georgios Karaiskakis, Athanasios Diakos, Laskarina Bouboulina, Konstantinos Kanaris and Manto Mavrogenous led the uprising and wrote unparalleled pages of heroism and self-sacrifice. Not only of the Greeks but also of the entire civilized world, resulting in the creation of a movement of Philhellenism in Europe and throughout the world. Many were those who came from different countries and fought on the side of the Greeks, while others, many more, contributed in fundraising and other ways. As a result, a philhellenic public opinion in various countries contributed to the revolution finding support from major powers that promoted the creation of the free Greek state. But the Greeks then also gave a more general message since the Greek Revolution was the first to succeed against the order that had prevailed since the Congress of Vienna in 1814, rekindling hopes among other peoples who were still subjugated.
Despite its geographical distance from mainland Greece and its proximity to Turkey, Cyprus was on the side of the rebels from the very first moment. Archbishop Cyprian was in early contact with Alexander Ypsilantis and the Society of Friends, to which many Cypriot Greeks had already been initiated. With the outbreak of the Revolution, the participation of hundreds of Cypriots was touching. As many as a thousand Greek Cypriots seem to have fought for freedom at that time, while thousands of others contributed as they could, sending money and food for the needs of the revolutionary brothers. For this Cyprus, like other places, then paid a heavy price. From 9 July 1821, the Turks began horrific atrocities, hanging Archbishop Cyprian and beheading Bishops Chrysanthos, Meletios and Lavrentios. This was followed by hundreds of procrites, leaders and a number of ordinary people who were murdered in the following period and passed into immortality as martyrs of Greek freedom. Cypriot society was plunged into terror and literally decimated, but this did not stop the Greek Cypriots from continuing to demand the inclusion of Cyprus in the new Greek state. While some surviving fighters in European countries then issued the first declaration for union with Greece.
The chances of success of the Greeks' struggle were logically not high. But in that struggle the reasonably meagre chances were compensated for by an excess of cheerfulness, patriotic philanthropy and courage. Against the material means, the crowd and the power of the mighty Ottoman Empire, the courage of the Mesolonghians and the Souliotes stood up. In the face of the strong and coordinated Ottoman army, reinforced with forces from Egypt and Albania, stood fearless thieves and charioteers. Against the impoverishment of man, the national disorientation and the lack of any education imposed for 400 years by the conquerors, stood spiritual leaders, ardent priests and teachers who made the legend of the hidden school flourish. The Greeks became a modern national power, drawing at the same time on liberal European ideas and the classical Greek intellectual heritage. However, the love of freedom, the decision to sacrifice and the spirit of collective responsibility ultimately prevailed. Among other conclusions, however, we must not forget how important a factor in a national struggle is unity and commitment to a common goal. The struggle finally came to fruition and almost four centuries after the fall of Constantinople, it gave the Greeks a free state.
For Hellenism, which continues to be threatened by the expansionist logic and aggressive behaviour of its eastern neighbour, the anniversary of 25 March is always a bright beacon for the future. From this glorious anniversary, however, particular messages are drawn by the Hellenism of Cyprus, which even today, 48 years after 1974, is still experiencing the Turkish occupation. Going back to our national roots and drawing on the justice of our struggle, we are inspired by this national anniversary to continue to demand an end to foreign occupation and freedom throughout Cyprus. With the feat of 1821 as our indelible national legacy, we resist injustice and bulimia and are ready not to give in to Turkey's voracious expansionist plans. Basking in the national swimming pool of 1821, we are inspired by the renaissance of Hellenism and we continue to struggle and claim by peaceful means and with the weapon of international law the liberation of all the territories of our special homeland.
On the occasion of the double celebration of the anniversary of the 1821 Revolution and the Anniversary of the Annunciation of the Theotokos, I wish you a very happy birthday.
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