BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 16. Minister of
National Defense Nikos Dendias represented the Prime Minister at
the celebration of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary and at the
memorial service marking the 85th anniversary of the torpedoing of
the Cruiser ELLI, on the island of Tinos, Trend reports citing the
Greek Defense Ministry.
Mr. Dendias, accompanied by the Chief of the Hellenic Navy, Vice
Admiral Dimitrios–Eleftherios Katara HN, boarded the Fast Patrol
Boat MYKONIOS of the Hellenic Navy, which sailed to the sea area
where the Cruiser ELLI was sunk. A memorial service for the fallen
followed, along with the laying of wreaths by the Minister of
National Defense and the Chief of the Navy. At the site where the
MYKONIOS sailed, the Landing Ship SAMOS was anchored in
tribute.
Subsequently, the Minister attended the Divine Liturgy at the
Church of Panagia Evangelistria, officiated by His Eminence
Dorotheos II, Metropolitan of Syros, Tinos, Andros, Kea, Milos,
Mykonos and the other islands. Concelebrating were His Eminence
Chrysostomos, Metropolitan of Trikala, Gardiki and Pyli, and His
Eminence Hieronymos, Metropolitan of Larissa and Tyrnavos. Mr.
Dendias also participated in the Procession of the Holy Icon of the
Virgin Mary “Megalochari.”
Also present at the memorial service, the Procession of the Holy
Icon of the Virgin Mary, and the Divine Liturgy were: Minister of
Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Sofia Zacharaki; Members of
Parliament Filippos Fortomas and Maria Syreggela; Commandant of the
Hellenic Coast Guard, Vice Admiral LS Tryfon Kontizas; Prefect of
Tinos Anastasia Deligianni–Asprou; Mayor of Tinos Panagiotis
Krontiras; Mayor of Athens Haris Doukas; representatives of the
other Security Forces, Local Government and local institutions, as
well as a large number of citizens.