The Minister of National Defence N. Dendias attends the celebration of the Dormition of the Theotokos at the Holy Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani on Paros

The Minister of National Defence N. Dendias attends the celebration of the Dormition of the Theotokos at the Holy Church of Panagia Ekatontapiliani on Paros

August 15, 2026

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias represented the Prime Minister today, Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Solemn Hierarchical Concelebrated Divine Liturgy marking the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos at the Holy Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani on Paros.

Also present were MP Katerina Monogyiou, representing the Hellenic Parliament, the Alternate Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports (responsible for Sports), Ioannis Vroutsis, New Democracy MP Anna Mani-Papadimitriou, MP Vasilios Grammenos, representing the Greek Solution party and Grigoria Protolati, representing PASOK-Movement for Change.

The Minister was accompanied by the Inspector General of the Hellenic Navy, Rear Admiral (Eng) Dimitrios Kapiris HN, representing both the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff and the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff.

Other attendees were the Mayor of Paros, Konstantinos Bizas, the Regional Governor of Paros and Antiparos, Vazaios Petropoulos, as well as representatives of authorities, organisations and associations.

The festive concelebrated Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was officiated by the Elder Metropolitan Bishop Gavriil of Leontopolis, with the concelebration of His Eminence Metropolitan Bishop Kallinikos of Paronaxia, His Eminence Metropolitan Bishop Amphilochios of Thera, Amorgos and the Islands and Their Graces Bishop Vartholomeos of Keramos and Bishop Ioannis of Skiathos.

Following the conclusion of the Solemn Hierarchical Concelebration of the Divine Liturgy, the Minister of National Defence stated:

"Orthodoxy and the Christian world honour the Dormition of the Theotokos today and the Armed Forces of our homeland celebrate the Dormition of their Patron, the Supreme Commander.

The choice of the Virgin Mary as the patron of our country's Armed Forces is grounded in specific considerations. It highlights the value system of the Armed Forces, a framework defined by the protection of society, a commitment to peace and the safeguarding of values ​​that characterise every Greek man and woman and, I dare say, every thinking person on this planet: the love of freedom, personal dignity and the protection of human rights.

So today, here, from the heart of the Archipelago, I cannot help but highlight another very important aspect that characterises our country's Armed Forces.

It is they that safeguard our independence and territorial sovereignty and it is they that enable us to demonstrate, in the clearest possible manner, our commitment to International Law and the International Law of the Sea. For the rules of International Law and the International Law of the Sea are not merely texts devoid of substance.

It is the choice of the civilised part of humanity regarding the manner of resolving any outstanding issue.

Today, however, we live in dystopian times, times when authoritarian views and approaches are attempting to alter this hard-won achievement of humanity.

Our country's Armed Forces stand ready to confront any such attempts. They stand ready, I repeat, to guarantee our independence and territorial integrity, as well as our sovereignty and sovereign rights, within the framework of international law and the international law of the sea.

I would therefore like to express my deepest gratitude for the duty performed by the women and men of the Armed Forces and to assure them that the thoughts of Greek society are with them.

As you also know, we are in the midst of a massive undertaking. Drawing precisely upon the hard-earned resources of the Greek people, we are striving to transform the Hellenic Armed Forces into the most powerful and modern Armed Forces the Hellenic nation has ever possessed. An initiative we have named "Agenda 2030".

Yet, in this great endeavour, we also need the help of the Virgin Mary. That is why, today, we made the sign of the Cross and attended the Divine Liturgy here at Ekatontapiliani on Paros, praying for a peaceful future for our homeland.

Warmest wishes to all those celebrating today. Best wishes to the Armed Forces of our homeland".

In observance of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, the frigate "Kimon" and the landing ship "Ikaria" are anchored in the port of Paros.