The Anniversary of Greece’s second most important event in its modern history and in particular in the Military and National one, that of the 28th of October 1940 – when the Greeks entered the Second World War, was celebrated in the British Capital and all over the United Kingdom at the diaspora churches earlier on today.
The main event took place at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Divine Wisdom (St. Sophia) in Bayswater’s Moscow Road. Following the Divine Liturgy, the special liturgy for the event officiated by Archimandrite Theonas Bakalis took place.
Just before the end, Greece’s new Ambassador to the United Kingdom Ioannis Tsaousis delivered the traditional speech for the day; he was warmly applauded by the enthusiastic worshipers as he also made a mentioning to some points by Greece’s Nobel prize winner George Seferis who at a time served also as ambassador in UK and coincidentally, currently an exhibition takes place at the Ambassadorial Residence in his honor! Present were also the Greek Defence Attache Captain (HN) Nikolas Filias with officers from his department, the Greek Maritime Attache Mrs. Angeliki Iatropoulou (HCG) and Commander (HCG) Panagiota Koutra, deputy Maritime Attache / IMO Alt Perm Representative, Teachers and Students from the London Greek Schools and Universities, Academics, Presidents and members of the many Greek and Cypriot associations and as always members of the Greek Shipping fraternity with many from the HESGB!
A reception took place at the Crypt of Saint Sophia with over 200 guests enjoying traditional Greek meze and drinks and exchanging wishes for The Day! (see picture below)
May we remind you that Greece has lost the majority of its Merchant fleet in World War Two and hundreds of Seafarers in all Seven Seas. We don’t wish to remind you the Honor bestowed by World Leaders for the miraculous Greek Fighters and the simple Greeks resisting Fascism in their epic fight in all fronts; it is about time the World “returns” this to Greece and its people and not allow the EU and certain elements and nations to further harm Greece and its people!
Worth for all to pay a visit at Tower Hill’s Memorial – just off the tube station, for all those Seafarers who perished in Two World Wars; their names and ships are engraved in bronze plaques/slates; in the past we used to honour them with an open liturgy / service with representatives from all of Greece’s Naval and Maritime representatives as well as the diplomatic corps followed by dinner! A MUST to revive this event!
Long Live Greece! Long Live the Masters and Seafarers of the Seven Seas, Long Live the Hellenic Armed Forces, Long Live the 28th of October 1940!
