Within the framework of the celebration of the bicentenary of the Greek Revolution of 1821 and upon the completion of 190 years since the assassination of Ioannis Capodistrias, on Sunday, September 19, 2021, a Memorial Service was performed for the rest of the soul of the late Governor of Greece, in the holy church of Saint Nicholas of Patras. Most Rev. Metropolitan Chryssostomos of Patras officiated in the Divine Liturgy and the Memorial Service, while a numerous congregation including state and local government dignitaries and politicians attended.
In the middle of the holy church a portrait of Ioannis Capodistrias was placed on a decorated quadripod stand, surrounded by men and women of the “Culture Portal in Patras” Cultural Club. Following the Divine Liturgy a Memorial Service was performed before the bust of Ioannis Capodistrias, wreaths were laid, national and traditional folk dances were performed by the aforementioned Club, and the national anthem was chanted.
In his address, the Most Rev. Metropolitan inter alia stated:
That great Greek laid the foundations of the educational system, saw to the writing of school manuals, created a peer-to-peer school, founded the first Greek junior high-school, established the central School on the island of Aeghina, saw to the recovery of the economy of the country. For this purpose, he founded the national mint, introduced the phoenix as national currency, founded the “national financial bank” (later National Bank of Greece). He was interested in church education, and therefore started an Ecclesiastical School on the island of Poros. He established an orphanage, an archaeological museum in Aeghina and an Agricultural School. He founded the first pharmacy. He created the legislative framework of the newly founded state. He granted loans to the inhabitants of the islands to purchase ships and construct shipyards in Poros and Nafplion. He founded the military academy of cadets (“Evelpids” in Greek).
To read the full text of the Metropolitan’s address please click here.
