The Greek Presidential Guard, known as the Evzones, donned on traditional Pontian guerilla uniforms on Sunday to perform the changing of the guard in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in downtown Athens in front of Parliament, in an annual memorial event to honor the victims of the Greek Pontic Genocide.
Despite the traffic restrictions due to the “International Tour of Hellas” cycling event around Athens, a large crowd gathered at the monument to view the ceremony.
Members of the Greek Parliament, political and military figures, as well as the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, were present at the event.
Earlier on Sunday, associations and societies gathered to perform a memorial service and say a prayer for the victims of the Genocide. This year’s motto was “If we forget, we will be lost.”
Members of Pontian associations and the Pan-Pontian Federation of Greece laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, forming the number 353,000 to represent the number of fallen people, while other members danced the traditional “pyrrhichios”, the oldest Greek war dance, in front of the Tomb.
Addresses were given by the president of the Pan-Pontian Federation, Giorgos Varythimiades, the governor of Attica region, Nikos Hardalias, among other representatives of various organizations.
The commemoration concluded with a march to the Turkish embassy and the delivery of a resolution by members of Pontian associations.
