Municipality of Messina-The Events Programme for the celebration of the National Anniversary of March 25th

The events in the Municipality of Messina for the celebration of the National Anniversary of March 25th begin on March 23rd, with a memorial service at the burial site of the hero chieftain Dimitris Papatsoneas in Eva.

According to the programme, a general three-day flag decoration will take place from 08:00 on March 23rd until sunset on March 25th, 2026. Additionally, during the evenings of March 24th and 25th, towns and villages will be illuminated as part of the celebrations.

March 23rd, 2026

Municipal Community of Eva

• 13:30 – Ceremony at the burial site of the Papatsoneas family, at the chapel of Saint Athanasios in Eva.
  Participation of a youth delegation from Eva, led by “Papatsoneas,” in the reenactment of the Liberation of Kalamata.

March 24th, 2026

Municipal Community of Eva

• 15:30 – Procession of the Holy Icon of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary from the Church of the Archangels to the Church of Evangelistria
• Vespers service

March 25th, 2026

Municipal Community of Messina

• 09:15 – Gathering of flag bearers and student escorts from all schools, accompanied by the Municipal Philharmonic Band
• 09:30 – Formation and flag raising
• 09:35 – Procession to the Metropolitan Church of Saint John the Forerunner
• 09:40 – Arrival of officials and organisations
• 09:45 – Arrival of the Mayor and Municipal Council
• 10:00 – Doxology, Mayor’s address, and keynote speech by Konstantina Ralou Kontopoulou (Theologian, 2nd Gymnasium of Messina)
• 10:20 – Memorial service for Bishop Iosif of Androusa and Messina
• 10:35 – Ceremony at the central square war memorial, moment of silence, wreath laying, National Anthem
• 11:00 – Student and association parade on Polytechniou Street
• 11:30 – Traditional dances at the Central Square
• 18:00 – Flag-lowering ceremony

Master of ceremonies: Michail Bizymis (Physical Education Teacher)

Municipal Community of Androusa

• 07:00 – Flag raising
• 09:00 – School gathering at the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen
• 09:30 – Arrival of officials
• 10:00 – Doxology
• 10:30 – Memorial service, wreath laying, speech, poems
  National Anthem, school parade, traditional dances

Municipal Community of Aristomenis

• 08:00 – Flag raising
• 09:30 – Doxology at the Church of Saint John the Theologian
• 10:00 – Memorial service and wreath laying
• 10:15 – Keynote speech
• 10:20 – Student poetry recitations
• 10:45 – Traditional dances
• 11:00 – Student parade

Municipal Community of Valyra

• 10:00 – Doxology at the Church of Saint Athanasios
  Followed by a memorial service, wreath laying, student parade, speech, poems, theatrical performance, songs, and dances

Municipal Community of Eva

• 07:00 – Flag raising
• 08:30 – Arrival of officials
• 08:40 – Procession to Evangelistria Church
• 09:30 – End of Divine Liturgy
• 10:00 – Memorial service and wreath laying
• 10:20 – Speech and student poems
• 10:30 – Student parade and traditional dances

Municipal Community of Logga

• 07:00 – Flag raising
• 09:30 – Doxology at the Metropolitan Church of Saint Nicholas
  Memorial service, wreath laying, speech, poems, National Anthem, student parade
• 18:30 – Flag lowering

Municipal Community of Petalidi

• 09:30 – Flag raising formation
• 10:00 – Doxology
• 10:30 – Memorial service, wreath laying, speech, poems
• 11:00 – Parade of students, women’s association, and volunteer fire brigade

Municipal Community of Trikorfo

• 09:30 – Doxology at the Church of Saint Nicholas
• 09:50 – Keynote speech
• 10:00 – Memorial service
• 10:10 – Flag raising and National Anthem
• 10:15 – Wreath laying and moment of silence

Municipal Community of Chatzi

• 07:00 – Flag raising
• 10:00 – Doxology at the Church of Saint John the Theologian
  Followed by a memorial service, wreath laying, and the National Anthem