It is with respect and a sense of historical debt, that modern Greece paid tribute to the Philhellenes in a glorious ceremony that took place at the Cadet Academy of Greece in Athens (Evelpidon) on May 9, 2025, highlighting the principle of solidarity among people and the importance of the ideal of Freedom.

The Minister of National Defense, Nikos Dendias, the Chief of the Hellenic National Defense General Staff, General Dimitrios Choupis, the Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis, representatives of the Chiefs of the General Staff of Navy (GEN) and the General Staff of Air-Force (GEA), the Commander of the Cadet Academy of Greece in Athens (Evelpidon), Major General Anastasios Polychronos, the representative of the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Ioannis Tragakis, and the Founder and President of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP) and the Philhellenism Museum, Constantinos Velentzas, welcomed 24 descendants of Philhellenes in the context of the official ceremony and special event on “The contribution of Philhellenes to the organisation of the Greek Regular Army and Navy”.

The ceremony and event were co-organized by the Cadet Academy of Greece in Athens (Evelpidon), and the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP) and Philhellenism Museum.

The Minister of National Defense attended the religious memorial service at the Heroes’ Monument, which was held by His Eminence Metropolitan of Glyfada, Elliniko, Voula, Vouliagmeni and Vari, Mr. Antonios. This was followed by 9 honorary cannon firings in memory of the Philhellenes from Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, the USA, Italy, Poland and Portugal, in the presence of the Ambassadors of these countries, and the laying of wreaths by the political and military leadership of the Armed Forces of Greece.

In the afternoon of the same day, the President of the Hellenic Parliament, Nikitas Kaklamanis, welcomed the descendants of the Philhellenes and the diplomats of their countries of origin to the Parliament’s Reception Hall, while a guided tour of the Parliament’s exhibitions on Philhellenism was held.

This was followed by a visit and guided tour of the Philhellenism Museum, by its founder Constantinos Velentzas, and by Irene Kairi, President of the Lilian Voudouri Foundation and Vice-President of the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism (SHP) and the Philhellenism Museum.

The descendants of the Philhellenes, with feelings of emotion and gratitude, thanked the organisers, expressing their admiration for the ideals of Greek culture and the continuous evolution of Philhellenism.

The events honouring the Philhellenes were also attended by the President of the Academy of Athens, Michael Tiverios, the Political Governor of Mount Athos, Lieutenant General Alkiviadis Stefanis, the Mayor of Vari – Voula – Vouliagmeni, Grigoris Konstantellos, the Vice President of the Council of State, Dimitrios Emmanouilidis, the President of the Court of Appeal, First Judge Michael Tsiloglou, the Director of the Diplomatic Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Michael Diamesis, Embassy Attachés, Military Attachés, Defense Attachés, the Mayor of the Sacred City of Messolonghi, Spyridon Diamantopoulos, the Mayor of Vyronas, Alexios Sotiropoulos, the Director General of Harvard University in Greece, Christos Giannopoulos, the Dean of the Cadet Academy of Greece (Evelpidon), Professor George Kaimakamis, professors of the Cadet Academy of Greece (Evelpidon), as well as representatives of scientific, political, cultural and social institutions and organizations.

 

For information:
SHP – Philhellenism Museum
12 Zisimopoulou Str., 115 24 Athens
+30 2108094750
info@eefshp.org & info@phmus.org