The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias participates in the “4th Karavangeleia” and visits the 15th Infantry Regiment in Kastoria

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias participates in the "4th Karavangeleia" and visits the 15th Infantry Regiment in Kastoria

February 15, 2026

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, today, Sunday 15 February 2026, participated in the celebrations of the "4^thKaravangeleia 2026" in Kastoria. The "Karavangeleia" are an annual cultural and historical institution, organised by the Holy Metropolis of Kastoria. The institution is dedicated to the memory of the Metropolitan of Kastoria, Germanos Karavangelis (1866-1935), an emblematic figure of the Macedonian Struggle.

The Minister was accompanied by the Chief/HNDGS, General Dimitrios Choupis, and the Chief/HAGS, Lieutenant General Georgios Kostidis.

The Minister of National Defence attended the Holy Doxology at the Holy Cathedral of Kastoria, which was co-officiated by theirEminences, the Metropolitan of Kastoria Mr Kallinikos,the Metropolitan of Patras Mr Chrysostomos, the Metropolitan of Florina, Prespes, and Eordaia Mr Ireneus, and the Metropolitan of Phthiotis Mr Symeon.

Mr Dendias was honoured by the Holy Metropolis of Kastoria and His Eminence the Metropolitan of Kastoria Mr Kallinikosby being awarded the Cross of St Minas, alongside a holy icon of St Kallinikos and a painting of the historical Church of Kastoria.

In his address the Minister stated:

"Your Eminence, Your Eminences,

You will allow me, initially, to express my joy, and also my awareness of being here today, by my own free will, in order to represent the Government, but mainly to express my feelings of love towards you, your Eminence, as well as the other Eminences, to whom I am connected by a "favourable fortune", as well as more personal relations.

And to reassure, furthermore, through symbolism, the community of this historic city, and Macedonia more broadly, of the willingness, throughout time, as is mandated constitutionally, of the Hellenic State to safeguard Hellenism. And by Hellenism, I do not mean sovereignty alone, but life quality, which is necessary to our survival.

I fully understand the challenge the historic town of Kastoria is facing, Your Eminence. A cycle of her economic activity has closed, and a new one ought to open as fast as possible, to lead it to new heights.

Obviously, it is the responsibility of each government to provide facilities and incentives to this town.

Yet, I would like to reassure you that this will happen. This town will flourish as it deserves. As will Western Macedonia, which is currently facing similar challenges. It will be incentivised and will flourish once more.

Your Eminence, here, we had the chance, through History, to witness Hellenism fighting in order to survive. The Church, of course, was the main factor of survival, safeguarding the Hellenism of Macedonia.

Our being here today - my presence here today, if you will, as representative of the Hellenic government - is not something historically self-evident. It was not assured that the Greek sovereignty would dominate in Western Macedonia. There were moments, where probability, if you take the conflicting forces into consideration, pointed to the opposite direction.

It took the sacrifice of people, especially Pavlos Melas, but many more as well, a few famous, most anonymous, for the Hellenism of Macedonia to maintain itself, and for us to be here today, me and the Chiefs of General Staffs, but mainly the Greek State. Our Country.

I thank you warmly, therefore, since with the Karavangeleia, you remind younger generations that "nothing is obvious", and that the Country's Borders are not only geographical, but spiritual and religious as well, and we ought to defend them.

May you always be in good health, and I hope we are as strong next year. You will allow me to express my warmest wishes for the town of Kastoria, in whose future I deeply believe.

Thank you very much".

Subsequently, Mr Dendias went to the monument for the heroes Germanos Karavangelis and Pavlos Melas, in the garden of the Episcopal Residence, where a memorial service was held and he laid a wreath.

The celebrations were also attended by the MP Maria Antoniou, the Head of Region of Western Macedonia Giorgos Amanatidis, the Deputy Head of Region of Western Macedonia for Kastoria, Dimitris Savvopoulos, the Deputy Head of Region of Western Macedonia for Agricultural Development, Paschalis Charoumenos, the Mayor of Kastoria Giannis Korentsidis, the Mayor of Prespes Giorgos Stergiou, the Commanding General of the Supreme Military Command of Epirus - Macedonia, Lieutenant General Grigorios Boudliakis, the former MP Zisis Tzikalagias, representatives of the Local Self-Government, the Security Forces, and the Association of Descendants of Macedonian Struggle Fighters.

Afterwards, the Minister of National Defence went to the 15^thInfantry Regiment, where he was received by the Commander of the 9^stMotorized Infantry Brigade Regiment, Brigadier General Stefanos Doxakis, and the Commander of the 15^thInfantry Regiment, Colonel (INF) Thomas Georgiadis. During his visit, he was briefed on the 15^thRegiment's organisation and mission, in the Framework of the New Structure of Forces, and the implementation of the "Agenda 2030" in the Armed Forces.

After the completion of the visit, Mr Dendias stated the following:

"It is a great joy and a particular honour to be present today, here, in Kastoria, at the 15^thRegiment's Headquarters.

As you know, with the restructuring, which is part of the "Agenda 2030", the Regiment is being incorporated into the Supreme Military Command of Epirus-Macedonia, with the significant mission of guarding a sector of the Greek-Albanian borders.

Of course, Albania is a country which by no means constitutes a threat to Greece. Yet, the Regiment's presence reinforces the populace's morale, the feeling of security. Thus, it helps provide the gift of security to the Greek society.

Apart from this, however, it is a great joy to once again be in Kastoria. A very beautiful town, a region facing the problem of transforming its economic activity. From a monoculture of fur, addressed to a particular market alone, the Russian market, Kastoria is called to enter a new era.

To manage to exploit its unique beauty, its huge cultural legacy, develop its tourism and create new productive activities, which will allow it to once more flourish economically.

It is an obligation of the Government - every Government - to aid in this transformation. To aid Kastoria in returning to its rightful place.

What I can promise, on behalf of the Ministry of National Defence, is that we, apart from our constitutional obligation to provide the gift of security to the Greek Society, and to protect the borders, sovereignty, and sovereign rights, will also do everything possible to facilitate this development of the local economy.

In this framework, we are discussing everything asked of us by local authorities and local entities. I reiterate: We are willing and disposed to help in any way we can.

I warmly thank you once again".