Message from the President of the Republic Mr. Konstantinos A. Tasoulas to the Greeks Abroad on the Anniversary of the National Day of March 25

The example of the Greek fighters continues to inspire us to defend the freedom, national sovereignty and territorial integrity of our homeland. At the same time, in an era of rapid geopolitical changes, the timeless and hopeful message of the Revolution of 1821 in favor of independence, democracy, justice and self-determination of peoples remains more relevant than ever and reminds us that the survival and prosperity of a nation require ceaseless struggle, constant vigilance, commitment to ideals and values, as well as a deep study of History.

The contribution of the Greeks of the diaspora both during the national liberation struggle and during the first difficult steps of the Greek state was invaluable. From Vienna in the pre-revolutionary period where Rigas Feraios contemplated the spiritual awakening of the Greeks and issued the famous Charter to Paris where Adamantios Korais laid the foundations of the Greek Enlightenment, the flame for freedom smolders in the hearts of Greek communities. From Odessa, where in 1814 Xanthos, Skoufas and Tsakaloff founded the Friendly Society and from the ports of Trieste, Marseilles and Alexandria, which became, with the contribution of Greek merchants and benefactors, hubs for the transport of supplies and bases for philhellene volunteers, to St. Petersburg and Geneva, where Ioannis Kapodistrias attempted to convince the Great Powers of the time of the just struggle of the Greeks, the contribution of Hellenism everywhere was invaluable and decisive.

I am certain that, reflecting on this very self-denial of our ancestors, you also draw strength and inspiration, so that you can continue to excel as Greeks no matter how far from your homeland you may be. With your selfless love for Greece, your initiatives and actions to preserve our language and traditions, the heritage and identity of our Homeland, you prove that your presence in every corner of the earth is wealth, strength, valuable support and honor for our Nation.
Greeks abroad,

The sacrifice of the heroes of the Revolution, as well as the selfless contribution of the Greeks of the diaspora, fills us with pride for our History as a Nation and inspires us to build a future of security and prosperity. Our country, moreover, despite the difficulties, remains a pillar of stability and peace in a turbulent but strategically decisive neighborhood, in an uncertain world. With unity and faith in the powers and principles of Hellenism, we will continue to fight, each from his own place, for a strong homeland and for a more just world as envisioned in the 19th century by Greeks, scholars, fighters, clergy and the people. At the same time, more than 50 years since the Turkish invasion, we do not forget our debt to a free and reunited Cyprus.
Let us therefore celebrate this great day of the anniversary of March 25 and the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary with joy and pride. I wholeheartedly wish all of you health and progress.

Many more years to all! Long live Greece!