Tassoulas said it is the highest national obligation both for the victims' memory and for human conscience "to restore the historic truth and be continuously vigilant to avert similar heinous crimes in the future - which hellenism has similarly also suffered - and every action that incites by words and deeds discrimination, bigotry, and violence."
Each year, the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem leads the Holy Fire ceremony. He enters the Edicule, a small shrine within the Holy Sepulchre encasing Christ’s tomb, alone.
UNESCO's Executive Council unanimously decided on the move in its meeting on Monday (April 14).
Tuesday, March 25, marks the 204th anniversary of the beginning of the Greek War of Independence against dour Ottoman rule, a titanic struggle that lasted for eight years.
At the same time, Tassoulas noted that the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution in 1821 was not simply a ritual commemoration of a historical event, or a time of national exhilaration that is exhausted in celebration - it was mainly an opportunity for reflection and contemplation.
“Through your leadership, you embody the values of our Christian faith and love for the Gospel,” the Archbishop said. “You remind me of the great Roman Emperor Constantine the Great.”
