25th March 1821

“People are judged not by what they themselves have said and written about their deeds, but by the fruits of their deeds.”

(John Kapodistras,

from a letter he wrote two weeks

before he was assassinated, 27-09-1831)

Dearly Beloved in the Lord,

The national Greek feast of 25th March 1821, which Hellenes throughout the world celebrate every year, holds a special significance for the Greek people. But this year, more than any other, it acts as a beacon and leading light which should guide our thoughts and, above all, our actions. I chose to begin this year’s encyclical with the above quotation from the letter of the first Governor of free Greece after the Turkish Occupation, John Kapodistras, sent to his friend Eynard - a Philhellene and banker - only two weeks before his assassination, precisely because I would like to make two main points of topical significance.

Firstly, a great deal is said and written about self-sacrifice and the superhuman efforts of those who fought and of the political leaders of that titanic battle for their liberation from the Ottoman yoke, a yoke which for four hundred years weighed heavily on the neck of the Greek nation. Secondly, I must stress that the enduring lessons they teach ought to be followed also by us who are the heirs of those legendary freedom fighters, that we may imitate them, striving to achieve greatness when we find ourselves in times of difficulty and adversity, such as this time of economic crisis which is afflicting Greece and other countries.

That great Greek Leader, John Kapodistras, was killed in cold blood by his political opponents at the time when his entrepreneurial plans to save Greece had only just begun to take shape. This had the tragic result of the Greek world being brought under the influence of internal and external political tides, of foreign interests and of civil conflict.

There is a lesson here not only regarding the unparalleled achievements of the heroes and heroines of the Greek Revolution of 1821, but also concerning the consequent discord and other troubles that plagued the Greek people for more than a hundred years: internal dissensions on the one hand; foreign politics and economic dependence on the other.

And it is precisely this terrible lesson, this tale of woe, which we must learn from and always keep in mind. Moreover, Greek celebrations, alas, are not always of joyful events to be observed with gleeful festivities. Nonetheless, the Greek memorial of 25th March 1821, like the Greek Cypriot memorial of 1st April 1955, remains, thankfully, a celebration - one of which Greek people, wherever they are, rightly take pride in. They possess a national pride in their history which few other people of the world have.

For this very reason, we must account for our pride, not only in word, but in deed, that the Greek nation may always remain on a road to success and progress in the world. I would therefore like to take the opportunity of this Greek and religious Feast to mention the fundraising that is being carried out by Greek Orthodox Christians all over the United Kingdom and Ireland and other countries to assist the charitable work of the Holy Church of Greece for the alleviation of the poverty of our brothers and sisters there. I urge you to make your own contribution to this and to show your solidarity and the spiritual ties that bind all Greek Orthodox Christians together in times of crisis and recession.

In light of the enormous economic difficulties that Greece is facing this year, I must re-iterate that we have a sacred duty to offer generously to alleviate the suffering of our brethren. Our holy Archdiocese has already opened an account under the name “Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Greek Relief Fund” (Acc. No: 39117411. GBP IBAN: GB55ETHN 4062 0439 1174 11. Sort Code: 40-62-04. Swift Code: ETHNGB2L) with the National Bank of Greece. Anyone who wishes to donate can do so directly through the bank or via the Archdiocese. The money that is collected will be transferred to the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, which will use money for the Church of Greece’s considerable charitable and social work

Finally, I exhort you to celebrate with due splendour the historic memorial of 25th March 1821. And let us not forget the religious significance of this day, which is “the crowning moment of our salvation, and the unfolding of the eternal mystery”. Today the Christian world feasts the Annunciation of the Most-holy Mother of God and Ever-virgin Mary through the Archangel Gabriel. In all our churches the Doxology for 25th March, the service of the Artoklasia for the healing of the Faithful and a Memorial Service for the fighters and leaders of the Greek nation will be held. Also celebrations will take place in our Greek Schools so that our children and young people may learn about the heroic achievements and sacrifices of their forefathers. Other Greek Organisations will also organise similar events.

May you all be in good health for the remainder of Great Lent, and I remain with fervent prayers, and with all respect and love in our Lord.

London, 25th March 2012

Gregorios, Archbishop of

Thyateira & Great Britain