The Greeks, determined and united, have a duty to fight, on the one hand “to internationally recognize the Genocide of Pontic Hellenism” and “to compel the victims to express at least a ‘humble apology’”, underlined President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, at the memorial service for the victims of the Pontian Genocide, at the Feast of the Dormition of Virgin Mary, at the Church of Our Lady of Soumela, on Mount Vermio, in Kastania Imathia.
The President of the Hellenic Republic pointed out that this year’s commemoration of the Dormition of Our Lady in Vermio’s Panagia Soumela acquires a “special, brilliant, national symbolism” because of the one hundred years since the Genocide of the Pontic Greeks, which, as he stressed, the state officially mentions (L. 2193/1994) and attributes due honor to the memory of the victims. In particular, the President of the Republic referred to the historical obligations of the Greek nation on the occasion of the anniversary.
Mr. Pavlopoulos referred to the symbolism of today’s celebration and wished that Virgin Mary “always illuminate the course of our People and our Nation”.
“We are celebrating today the Dormition of Mother of God, the summer Easter. Here, in Vermio, in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Soumela, this Great Feast also receives a special, brilliant, national symbolism: The Dormition of Virgin Mary is also a Day of Remembrance for Pontus and Pontic Hellenism”, Mr. Pavlopoulos concluded.
Source: ANA-MPA