The timeless dual pillars of faith and devotion to the homeland were at the heart of a landmark address by Greek President Konstantinos Tassoulas in Kavala, on the occasion of celebrations marking the city’s 113th anniversary of liberation and the feast day of its patron saint, the Apostle Paul. The President emphasized that these historic foundations continue to guide both the region and the country as a whole.
In his address, the President of the Republic highlighted that Kavala carries “historic foundations of faith in God and in the homeland,” noting that “this unbreakable unity is the great secret through which Greece successfully meets its challenges and maintains its enduring resilience.”
Tassoulas: The people of Kavala stood firm in their faith, demonstrating patience and resilience in Hellenism and Orthodox Christianity
He noted that these foundations remain alive today, enabling Kavala and Eastern Macedonia as a whole to face the future “with optimism, faith, and confidence, grounded in a freedom that was won through great sacrifice and is vindicated through the progress and prosperity this region deserves.” Reflecting on the dual significance of the day, he observed that Kavala honors both the 113th anniversary of its liberation and the feast of its patron, the Apostle Paul, foremost among the Apostles.
As he recalled, the city was liberated 113 years ago following a prolonged period of subjugation lasting more than five centuries — first under the Ottoman yoke and, in its final years, under Bulgarian occupation. “Throughout this long period,” he added, “the people of Kavala remained steadfast in their faith, demonstrating patience and resilience in their commitment to Hellenism and Orthodox Christianity.”
The President also paid special tribute to the Apostle Paul, recalling that it was in nearby Philippi that he founded the first Christian church in Europe and baptized Saint Lydia — the first Greek and European Christian woman. Tassoulas further acknowledged the vital role played by the Hellenic Navy in the liberation of Kavala, noting that Greek forces landed in the city under Lieutenant Commander Antonis Kriezis, acting on the orders of fleet commander Admiral Pavlos Kountouriotis, and were welcomed by the city’s residents “with frenzied enthusiasm and love.”
Earlier in the day, the President attended a solemn Te Deum service held at the Cathedral of the Apostle Paul, officiated by Metropolitan Stephanos of Philippi, Neapolis, and Thasos. He then proceeded to the War Memorial, where he laid a wreath in honor of the fallen. Shortly before noon, he visited the headquarters of the Kavala Regional Unit, where he was received by Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Regional Governor Christodoulos Topsidis and Kavala Deputy Regional Governor Theodoros Markopoulos. In the afternoon, Tassoulas was scheduled to be named an honorary citizen of Kavala at a special ceremony held in the city’s municipal garden.
