Dear fellow Greeks! Ladies and gentlemen!

A total of 200 years have passed since the historical National Uprising that laid the foundations of the modern Greek state. Two hundred years ago, the Greek people, guided by their love of the homeland and the desire for freedom, united in the struggle for Independence and a dignified future. Greeks abroad and the friends of Greece gave a strong impetus to the national liberation movement, which then swept all of Greece. And today, more than ever, we the Greeks of Russia, feel the inseparable historical relationship between our countries; we are proud of our compatriots, who became the ideological figures of inspiration for the Revolution, and of the brotherly help given by Russia to Greece, in the sacred struggle for Independence.

Today, at a difficult time for the country and the world, the worthy example of our ancestors who participated in the Revolution of 1821, leads us to keep those eternal values: patriotism, selfless service to the homeland, the observance of duty, and to ideals of honor and dignity.

It is symbolic that now, two hundred years since the beginning of the liberation struggle of the Greek people from long-standing slavery, we celebrate with the hope of a short release from the shackles of the global pandemic. The most important thing is not to run out of strength, not to lose faith in God and in tomorrow. I wholeheartedly wish you and your families, on the National Independence Day of Greece, Health, Happiness, Love and Optimism.

May the Lord protect all the Greek people and our common historical homeland!

Yours sincerely,

The President of the Federation of Greek Communities in Russia
Ivan Savvidis