Kalymnos will mark the 202nd anniversary of the Battle of Gerontas, one of the most significant naval engagements of the Greek War of Independence, with an official church service, wreath-laying ceremony, flag displays and the illumination of public buildings.
The commemorative events, organised by the Kalymnos Regional Unit, will take place in the town of Kalymnos on Saturday, 29 August, and Sunday, 30 August 2026.
The Battle of Gerontas was fought on 29 August 1824 in the gulf of the same name. It is regarded as the largest naval battle of the 1821 Greek Revolution and as a decisive event in the course of the struggle for independence.
The Greek fleet, consisting of approximately 75 armed merchant vessels and fireships under the command of Andreas Miaoulis, Georgios Sachtouris, Georgios Androutsos and Apostolis Nikolis, defeated a combined Ottoman-Egyptian fleet of approximately 250 vessels, despite its numerical and material superiority.
The victory gave the Greek revolutionary forces valuable time and contributed significantly to their continuing struggle against Ottoman rule.
Programme of events
On Saturday, 29 August, a general display of flags will begin at 8:00 a.m. and continue until sunset on 30 August. Flags will be displayed at public and municipal buildings, public-law entities, banks, private businesses, homes and vessels berthed in the port.
Public and municipal buildings, public-law entities and banks will also be illuminated during the evening hours of 29 and 30 August.
On Sunday, 30 August, officials will arrive at 10:55 a.m.
At 11:00 a.m., an official doxology service will be held at the Metropolitan Church of Christ the Saviour, in the presence of the Kalymnos Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra. The service will be officiated by His Eminence Paisios, Metropolitan of Leros, Kalymnos and Astypalaia, together with members of the local clergy.
A military guard of honour and the Kalymnos Municipal Philharmonic will render honours. Writer and poet Sakellaris Kampouris will deliver the commemorative address.
At 11:30 a.m., a memorial prayer and wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the monument of Andreas Miaoulis in the central square of Kalymnos. Honours will once again be rendered by a military guard and the Municipal Philharmonic.
Following an invitation from the organisers, a Hellenic Navy vessel is expected to be stationed in the port of Kalymnos, with a delegation attending the commemorative events.
The Kalymnos Regional Unit has extended an official invitation to political, military, religious and local authorities, representatives of institutions and associations, and the public to participate in the events honouring the historic naval victory.
