Kathimerini Greece Newsroom
The parade at Syntagma in honor of Greece's national day was magnificent.
Participating in the event were Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos and President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
French Defence Minister Florence Parley was also in attendance, for the second year in a row.
“March 25 is a double celebration for Hellenism and Orthodoxy. The fighters in 1821 made history, as they liberated our country from the conquerors. The armed forces are constantly being upgraded, strengthening their operational capabilities,” said Panagiotopoulos, before the start of the parade.
Four Rafale fighter jets joined the aircraft and helicopters that flew over Athens during the military parade.
The legendary aircraft Supermarine SPITFIRE MJ755 was one of the many planes that flew over Athens. It has been reconstructed with funding from the IKAROS foundation and was accompanied by an F-16 fighter aircraft.
The events for the celebration of March 25 opened at 08:00 with 21 greeting shots from the cannon of Lycabettus and the raising of the Greek flag on the sacred rock of the Acropolis.
At 10.00 the solemn liturgy began in the holy metropolitan church of Athens followed by the President of the Republic laying a wreath at the monument of the Unknown Soldier.
