Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis Attends “Palaiologeia 2026” in Mystras

Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis Attends "Palaiologeia 2026" in Mystras

May 29, 2026

Today, Friday 29 May 2026, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Thanasis Davakis represented the Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the "Palaiologeia 2026" commemorative celebrations, held in Mystras, Sparta.

Mr. Davakis, accompanied by the Commanding General of the Supply and Transportation Training Centre in Sparta, Brigadier General Georgios Zorbas, attended the memorial service in memory of Constantine Palaiologus and his brothers in arms who fell at his side, which was held at the Metropolitan Church of St. Dimitrios, in the archaeological site of Mystras, officiated by His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Monemvasia and Sparta, Mr. Eustathios. There followed a speech by MP for the 1^st Athens Constituency and Associate Professor of International Law and Foreign Policy at Panteion University, Angelos Syrigos.

Subsequently, the Deputy Minister went to the statue of Constantine Palaiologus, in the square of Mystras municipal unit, where a memorial service was held, and he laid a wreath.

Mr. Davakis, following the end of the celebration, stated the following:

"Today, we honour, for yet another year, a memory that kept our nation standing for centuries. A memory such as that of Constantine Dragas Palaeologus, the last Byzantine Emperor, who set off from these grounds, from historical Mystras, in 1449, to gain glory at the Gate of St. Romanos.

This memory should be honoured by us, the descendants, since we draw strength and a feeling of self-knowledge for the future.

A future which, if we bear our history in mind, is shaping out to be powerful, bright, and full of hope".