The Naval Battle of Gerontas is the largest naval battle of the Greek Revolution of 1821 and the most significant for the outcome of the Greeks’ struggle. On August 29, 1824, in the bay of Gerontas, one of the brightest pages of the Greek Revolution was written.
The Greek fleet, consisting of about 75 merchant ships equipped and armed, under the command of Andreas Miaoulis, Georgios Sachtouris, Georgios Androutsos, and Apostolis Nikolis, managed to confront and defeat the much larger and qualitatively superior Turkish-Egyptian fleet, which consisted of about 250 ships.
The victory gave the Greek fighters the time and opportunity they needed to finally break free from Ottoman rule.
As part of the celebration of the 201st Anniversary, the following events will take place in the town of Kalymnos:
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2025
20:00: Ceremony of reenactment, in front of the Regional Hall, of the fire-ship attack against the Ottoman fleet that took place during the Naval Battle of Gerontas.
The event will be accompanied by the Military Music Band of the 80th Higher National Guard Battalions Command (80 ΑΔΤΕ) of Kos.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2025
A. General flag-raising from 8:00 a.m. on August 30th until sunset on August 31st, 2025, at all Public, Municipal, and Community Institutions of Legal Entities of Public Law, Banks, private shops, vessels, and all ships anchored in the port.
B. Illumination of all Public and Municipal Buildings of Legal Entities of Public Law and Banks, during the evening hours of August 30th and 31st, 2025.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2025
- 10:55: Arrival of the Dignitaries.
- 11:00: Presentation by the Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra, for the rendering of honors. An official Doxology will be held at the Metropolitan Church of the Savior Christ. The ceremony will be officiated by His Eminence, the Metropolitan of Leros – Kalymnos and Astypalaia, Mr. Paisios, together with the Holy Clergy of the City.
Honors will be rendered by a military guard and the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Kalymnos.
The Festive Oration of the Day will be delivered by Mr. Panagiotis Pizanias, President of the Board of the Reading Society AI MOUSAI.
- 11:30: Memorial Service and laying of wreaths at the Hero Monument in the Central Square by local Authorities. During the wreath-laying, honors will be rendered by the Military Guard and the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Municipality of Kalymnos.
Throughout the events, a vessel of the Hellenic Navy will anchor in the port of the island and representatives will attend the ceremonies.
At the above official Doxology and festive ceremonies, the following are invited to attend:
The People of Kalymnos, His Eminence Metropolitan Paisios, the Government Representative, Members of Parliament of Dodecanese, the Commander of F.E.N., the General Secretary of Decentralized Administration of the Aegean, the Deputy Regional Governor of Southern Aegean, Deputy Regional Governors of the Dodecanese, the Mayor of Kalymnos, the Commander of the 80 ΑΔΤΕ, the Commander of 5/42 Evzones Regiment, the President of the Municipal Council, the Regional Councilors of Kalymnos and Kos, Municipal Councilors, Honorary Members of Parliament, former Mayors, the Commander of the Kalymnos Police Department, the Commander of the Port Authority, the Fire Brigade Commander of Kalymnos, the Airport Commander, the President of School Committees, the President of the Municipal Port Fund, Heads of Public Services, Heads of Legal Entities and Organizations and Banks, Officers of the Armed Forces, Security Forces, Coast Guard, and the Fire Service (in uniform), representatives of Political Parties, representatives of E.A.A.N., P.N.O., PSESM, the Association of Reserve Officers of Kalymnos, the Union of Retired Naval Officers, the Association of Retired Police Officers of Kalymnos, the Scouts, the Red Cross of Kalymnos, the Chamber of Commerce, Scientific and Professional and Labor Associations, Presidents of Boards of Unions and Clubs, and representatives of the Press.
This announcement constitutes the official invitation to the national celebrations of the Day.
Master of Ceremonies: Mr. Diakomichalis Vasileios, municipal employee.
Assistant Masters of Ceremonies: Ms. Giouli Zafeiria, employee of the Regional Unit of Kalymnos, and Mr. Kantas Georgios, municipal employee.
The Police Department of Kalymnos is responsible for maintaining order around the Metropolitan Church, as well as at the Hero Monument during the wreath-laying and the parade of the People of Kalymnos.
The Deputy Regional Governor of Kalymnos
Emmanouil T. Mousellis
