Culture Minister Lina Mendoni represented the Greek Government at the commemorative events of August 5th for the 201st anniversary of the Battle of Samos, one of the most decisive events of the Greek War of Independence of 1821, which contributed to the liberation of the island and the course of the liberation struggle.
She attended the Panegyric Vespers at the Holy Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Pythagoreio, presided over by Metropolitan Eusebios of Samos, Ikaria and Korseon, while participating in the procession of the Holy Icon and watching with crowds of people and authorities the reenactment of the historic naval battle of Mycale.
On August 6th, the feast day of the Transfiguration of the Savior, during the official doxology, Metropolitan Eusebios awarded Lina Mendoni the highest honorary distinction of the Metropolis of Samos, Ikaria and Korseon, the golden cross with the image of Christ Pantocrator, as a sign of gratitude for her contribution to promoting the island’s cultural heritage. Subsequently, the minister laid a wreath at the statue of Lykourgos Logothetis, a member of the Filiki Eteria and a leading figure of the Greek Revolution, who built the historic Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior in the Castle of Pythagoreio, in memory of the victory and salvation of the Samians in the naval battle of the Mycale straits in 1824.
Mendoni: Greece has the strength and pride not to tolerate any challenge
The Culture Minister declared: “Today is a great celebration for Samos and Greece. On the feast day of the Transfiguration of the Savior, Samos delivers lessons of freedom. We remember and honor on this anniversary the victories achieved by previous generations, securing the freedom of our homeland that we enjoy. Greece, a strong country with a strong democratic spirit, absolutely peaceful, has the strength and pride not to tolerate any challenge or questioning of its national sovereign rights. The memory of our ancestors’ victory over the Ottomans here in the Mycale straits 201 years ago elevates the spirit of Greeks, teaching and showing us exemplarily everything we must do for our homeland.”
When asked by journalists what the honor bestowed upon her by Metropolitan Eusebios of Samos, Ikaria and Korseon meant to her, she said: “I consider the distinction that His Eminence reserved for me to be supreme. I take it as an honor that is not addressed only to my person. The Ministry of Culture, through its dedicated staff in archaeological and restoration services, implements significant work in Samos for the protection, restoration and promotion of its cultural heritage. Thanks to the collective function of the Government and the priorities set by the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Culture has all the necessary resources for the important work it carries out in every corner of our homeland.”
The battle of Samos
In 1824, Sultan Mahmud ordered Admiral Khosref Pasha to suppress the revolution in the Aegean islands. The Ottoman fleet, which after the destruction of Psara in June had withdrawn to Lesbos, sailed on July 28th against Samos. The Greek fleet, consisting of two divisions under Georgios Sachtouris and Andreas Miaoulis, rushed to intercept Khosref Pasha’s plans. After initial skirmishes, the decisive naval battle was fought on August 5th in the waters off Samos, in the Mycale straits. The fire ships from Hydra and Spetses, led by Konstantinos Kanaris, burned three warships of the Ottoman fleet, while the two Greek divisions with their cannons prevented the advance of the Ottoman army. Khosref Pasha, facing losses and fierce resistance, was forced to retreat. The Battle of Samos, along with the Battle of Gerontas that followed on August 29th, not only saved the island but constituted a significant Greek success.
The anniversary events were attended by MP for Samos Christodoulos Stefanadis, MEP Giorgos Autias, North Aegean Regional Governor Kostas Moutzouris, the mayors of Eastern and Western Samos Paraskevas Papageorgiou and Themistoklis Papatheofanous, General Director of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage of the Ministry Olympia Vikatou, Ephorate of Antiquities of Samos Pavlos Triantafyllidis, representatives of the Armed Forces and Security Corps, ministry officials and crowds of faithful and people.
