ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟ ΑΠΟΔΗΜΟΥ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΣΜΟΥ (ΣΑΕ)
WORLD COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD (SAE)
Δρ. Ολγα Σαραντοπούλου
Γραμματέας
Vienna, 25.03.2013
Dr.Olga Sarantopoulos’ Message on the National Anniversary of
25th of March 1821 and the Annunciation of Virgin Mary
"One word I shall tell you,
I have nothing else to say,
Inebriate with the
Immortal wine of ´21"
Kostis Palamas
Dear Hellenes and Philhellenes,
On this day we honor the memory of the Freedom Fighters of the Greek War of Independence.
We honor the sacrifice, the unparalleled courage of a people who rose up against tyranny and fell heroically in the battlefield, for Freedom, Democracy, national Independence.
Today our Homeland so different, is striving to elevate the stature through a sweeping crisis that touches the community at large, and so the ideological edifice bequeathed to us by generations of Greek Heroes.
The people of Greece have to win the battle by preserving the achievements of the past, ensuring seamless continuity of the historical course.
Hellenism around the world stands in solidarity alongside the metropolitan Fatherland and Cyprus recently also tested. Because what unites us is the Language, the Orthodox Faith, the common Historical Memory, our Culture. This Homeland is the Homeland of brave, enlightened people, defende
rs of the ideals centering the Man. On these we should again base hope. These ideals are the source of values embraced by the entire free world and on which was underpinned the construction of a United Europe.
Today's double celebration, the launch of the Independence Revolution on 25th of March 1821 and the Annunciation of Virgin Mary, remind our people that Hellenism and Orthodoxy they walk together, sharing the burden of responsibility for the continuity of the nation.
All of us, in the present critical juncture on Hellenism in Greece and Cyprus, we are responsible to return to the same values that gave birth to the Heroes of the Revolution. We are the heirs of that heritage, that can lead our steps in the future.
In a future and in a Europe with a shared vision of economic development and social welfare, in a Europe of solidarity, social cohesion and equal relationship, centered on the people and the European citizen.
In these difficult times for all Hellenes, let us draw strength and hope from our own History and Hellenic culture.
Long live the 25th of March 1821!
"I am the indestructible soul of Salamis,
I brought the sword of the Hellenes to the city of the seven hills,
Ι am not getting lost in Tartara,
I just have a rest.
In Life I appear again,
And revive the peoples...”
Kostis Palamas
