With due ecclesiastical splendour and national pride, the Holy Metropolis of Phocis participated on the Sunday of Thomas , 19 April, in the commemorative events marking the 205th anniversary of the liberation of the Castle of Salona, the first major victory of the Greek War of Independence in Eastern Central Greece.
The celebrations were honoured by the presence of the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, following an invitation by the Municipality of Delphi and the local authorities.
In the morning, at the Metropolitan Church of the Annunciation of the Theotokos in Amfissa, the President was welcomed at the church entrance by the Protosyncellus of the Holy Metropolis of Phocis, Archimandrite Nektarios Moulatsiotis. He then venerated the Holy Gospel and exchanged the Paschal greeting—“Christ is Risen!” “Truly He is Risen!”—with His Eminence Metropolitan Theoktistos of Phocis. A festal Doxology was subsequently celebrated, presided over by the Metropolitan, in the presence of the President, representatives of the Greek Government, local authorities, and the Security Forces.
In his address, the Metropolitan welcomed the President to the historic seat of the Metropolis, emphasising the central role of the Church and the fighters of Phocis in the overthrow of Ottoman rule. He further underlined that the presence of the First Citizen of the country at this year’s celebrations lends particular distinction and highlights the historical significance of the sacrifice of our forebears at Salona.
This was followed by the delivery of the festal oration by the Mayor of Delphi, Mr Panagiotis Tagkalis. After the conclusion of the Doxology, a reception was offered to the President at the offices of the Metropolitan Church.
Subsequently, at Isaia Square, a memorial service was held before the statue of Bishop Isaiah of Salona, followed by the laying of a wreath by the President of the Republic and the observance of a minute of silence in memory of the heroes.
Those present then attended the customary parade of student groups and cultural associations dressed in traditional costumes from across Greece.
Following the parade, a memorial service and the unveiling ceremony of the Monument to the Fallen Airmen of the Prefecture of Phocis took place in the city of Amfissa.
