← News feed Church of Greece

The Metropolitan of Ilio at the swearing-in of newly recruited Hoplites 2026 2nd ESSO in Avlonastranslated

July 4, 2026 · 1 min read

On Friday, June 26, 2026, the Most Reverend Metropolitan of Ilio, Acharna and Petropolis, Mr. Athenagoras, upon invitation, attended the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 2nd ESSO Recruits, which took place at the Armored Training Center (KETTH) Avlona.

The Director of GES/DIT (Director of the Armored Cavalry Division) Brigadier General Tsevdos Ilias was present as an honored person. After the swearing in, the new recruits were properly addressed by the Commander of the Armored Training Center, Brigadier General Konstantinos Kossioris and the aforementioned Director.

The ceremony was honored with the presence of military and civil authorities, as well as relatives and friends of the sworn soldiers, who participated with particular emotion in this important moment of their military career.

This was followed by the customary parade of the new recruits, who performed the prescribed honors in front of the officers and their families.

Afterwards, a reception was held, during which His Eminence the Metropolitan had the opportunity to exchange wishes with the administration of the Center, officers of the Armed Forces and relatives of the recruits, wishing the young...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (8) 🌐 Show original

Ксения Лебедева

It’s good that Bishop Athenagoras was invited and blessed the guys. It was clear that this was an important moment for the families, especially as they stood and watched the oath of office and parade. I wonder if the metropolitan often attends such ceremonies in Aulon?

Mihaela Tudor

Yes, it was nice that Metropolitan Athenagoras came to Avlona and blessed the boys at the oath. It caught my attention that the families were excited at the parade, just like Ksenia says. Does the metropolitan often go to such ceremonies at the Tank Center?

Виктор Киселёв

It is good that Metropolitan Athenagoras came by invitation and was sworn in at KETΘ of Aulon. The families really stood there with excitement, especially at the parade - it's always touching. I wonder if Vladyka often attends such ceremonies with tank crews or is this a one-time visit?

Антон Комаров

Yes, it's always exciting for families, especially when their sons march in the parade. Metropolitan Athenagoras does not come to Aulon every time, but when he is invited, he comes willingly, as in other parts. Have you taken such an oath yourself?

Ioana Stan

Yes, I also noticed that the families were very excited, especially when the boys went through the parade. Metropolitan Athenagoras comes quite often to such military events in the area, I also saw him at other oaths in Avlona. Were you there with any grandchildren?

Claudia Wagner

Yes, the families were really there with a lot of feeling, especially when the boys marched past. It's nice that Metropolitan Athenagoras was invited and blessed the young soldiers. I once attended a swearing-in ceremony like this in Greece with my husband – it stays in my memory.

Ana Jovanović

It's good that Metropolitan Athenagoras came to the invitation in Aulon and blessed the guys at the oath in KETΘ. I see that the families were really excited at the parade, as Ksenia mentions. Interestingly, did any of our people from Montenegro serve there as a tank driver?

Пётр Богданов

It’s good that Bishop Athenagoras came precisely by invitation, and not just for show. For tankers in Aulon, such oaths are taken quite strictly, without unnecessary pomp, and families really stand with a lump in their throats, especially when the guys walk in the parade. I don’t know how often it happens, but in our area, metropolitans often shine in the navy or in the infantry; I see them less often among tank crews.