Today, October 28, is a national holiday in Greece, commemorating the country’s entry into WWII in 1940 on the side of the Allies.
The focus of the annual commemoration was again in the northern metropolis of Thessaloniki, where a military parade was held through the city’s center, in the presence of Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
In Athens, an pupils’ parade took place in front of Parliament and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Earlier, a Doxology memorial service was held at the Athens Metropolitan Cathedral, officiated by the Bishop of Oreon, His Grace Filotheos, the First Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece.
The Greek government was represented by the Minister of Education & Religious Affairs, Niki Kerameos. A wreath-laying ceremony followed at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Halfway around the world, the Archbishop of Australia, His Eminence Makarios, issued his message on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of “OXI Day” — Oxi in Greek meaning “no”, emanating from then Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas’ rejection of the Italian ultimatum, and the refusal of the Greek nation to bow down.
In his message, His Eminence stated “… Our children must have knowledge and awareness of who they are, where they come from and what values their ancestors fought for. It is also imperative that they know that the Orthodox faith has always strengthened the Greek Nation, in every adverse turning point of its historical path.”
In another corner of the world, the Archbishop of America, His Eminence Elpidophoros, on Wednesday issued an encyclical for the commemoration of OXI Day, Greece’s national holiday.
The Archbishop of America pointed out the fact that the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will be present at celebrations for this important day for the Greek nation.
He also underlined that those who said “No” to oppression, in turn said “Yes” to liberty — and the greatest freedom that any human being can know is the liberty of the spirit of Christ.
Back in Greece, the St. Maximus the Greek Institute this year unveiled a new musical compilation of songs performed by Sofia Vembo, the legendary singer and actress whose voice is associated with the Greek Army’s victory against Italian fascist forces in the early stages of WWII on the Albanian front.
The 12 songs are performed by a chorus of 350 children, led by choir director Sofia Manou.
The album is available on the Institute’s online platforms.
