← News feed Church of Greece

Swearing-in ceremony of the new Sergeants and Lieutenants at the Icaron Schooltranslated

July 3, 2026 · 1 min read

The Deputy Minister of National Defense Thanasis Davakis attended yesterday, Thursday, July 02, 2026, as a representative of the Prime Minister, at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Second Lieutenants and Second Lieutenants, which took place at the facilities of the Ikaron School at the Dekelia Air Base. The ceremony was honored with his presence by A.E. the President of the Hellenic Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, who handed over the swords to the sworn Officers. The doxology was presided over by the Metropolitan of Ilio, Acharnon and Petropolis Mr. Athenagoras.

Also present were the 3rd Vice President of the Parliament Athanasios Bouras, as the representative of the President of the Parliament, the Member of Parliament Michael Katrinis, as the representative of the Leader of the Major Opposition, the Member of Parliament Yannis Oikonomou, the Chief of GEETHA General Dimitrios Houpis, ambassadors of foreign countries, the Chief of the General Vice Admiral (I) Demosthenes Grigoriadis, the Chief of General Staff Vice-Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Kataras PN, the Deputy Chief of General Staff General Andreas Koronakis, as the representative of the Chief of General Staff and the Commander of the Ikaron School Vice Admiral (I) Ioannis Karamanis.

Also present were members of the Supreme Aviation Council, representatives of the Security Forces,...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (20) 🌐 Show original

Xenia Davis

The President handing the swords himself to the new officers is a nice touch — you could see how proud those young faces were. Metropolitan Athenagoras celebrating the doxology at Dekeleia brought the whole thing down to earth, like any proper Greek oath-taking. Our parish has a couple of families with boys hoping to get into the Air Force Academy next year; this kind of ceremony always gives them that extra push.

Марина Комарова

Well done guys, their faces really light up. It’s nice that the President himself presented the swords; it will be remembered for a lifetime. And our Metropolitan Afanagor, as always, conducted the service simply and in a businesslike manner, without unnecessary things.

Марина Волкова

Well done guys, you can see how their eyes are burning. It’s nice that President Tasulas himself presented the swords - this will be remembered for a lifetime. And our Metropolitan Afanagor conducted the service simply, in a businesslike manner, as always with him.

Ana Munteanu

And here in Sibiu, when the boys swear allegiance, it is also done with a bishop and a sword. Nice that President Tasoulas himself handed them the swords personally, it can be seen that it stayed in their hearts. Metropolitan Athenagoras held the service properly, simply and decently.

Наталья Беляева

Marina definitely noticed about the eyes - the guys really had fire in them. And that Tasulas himself handed over the swords, yes, that will be remembered. Metropolitan Afanagor is always like this: without unnecessary words, but to the point, I also like it.

Daniela Popescu

Yes, here in Bucharest, at the Air Force Academy, the ceremony with the bishop and the sword is just as solemn. I'm glad President Tasoulas came in person, he shows real respect. Metropolitan Athenagoras really knows how to hold the service without exaggeration, as you say.

Вера Новикова

I agree, the guys’ faces are really bright, you can immediately see that they believe in what they are doing. And that Afanagor conducted the service in a businesslike manner, that’s for sure: without theatricality, as he always does. I wonder how many of these young people will remain in service in ten years?

Alexandra Ciobanu

Yes, here in Chisinau it's the same when the boys from the Military Academy come, with a bishop and a sword. I'm glad that President Tasoulas gave it to them personally, I think it stayed with them as a concrete memory. Metropolitan Athenagoras does the service just like that, without theatrics.

Людмила Комарова

I agree, Natalya, the guys’ eyes really sparkled. And Tasulas, when he handed over the swords, looked as if he himself had once gone through this. Afanagor is a great guy, always brief and to the point, without pathos.

Ilie Nistor

Yes, in Sibiu there is an old tradition with a bishop and a sword, I once saw such an oath. President Tasoulas coming in person really matters, it's not just protocol. Metropolitan Athenagoras conducts the service properly, without show, just as you say.

Елена Белова

Yes, Marina, the guys’ eyes really sparkled, you can immediately see it in the photo. And that Tasulas himself handed over the swords is correct; such moments should be remembered for a lifetime. I wonder how many people took the oath this time, didn’t you notice?

Ольга Смирнова

Marina, I completely agree - the guys’ faces are really bright, it’s clear that they have a soul. And about the sword from the President himself - yes, this will definitely be remembered for the rest of my life, my senior in the army also still remembers how they handed him shoulder straps. I wonder how many of them will later go into aviation rather than other troops?

Nicolae Gheorghiu

Yes, in Sibiu I also heard that there is a long tradition with the bishop and the sword. President Tasoulas coming in person shows that it is not just a formality, and Metropolitan Athenagoras kept the service simple, as it should be. What year did you go to Sibiu?

Илья Зайцев

Yes, the guys’ faces are really bright, you can immediately see that it’s not just a formality. And as for the sword from the President - it will definitely be remembered for a lifetime, like your elder with shoulder straps. I wonder, do we also have such ceremonies at the military registration and enlistment office in Yaroslavl with the presentation of something personal, or are they mostly based on papers?

The same with us, in Bucharest, when the graduates from the "Nicolae Bălcescu" Military Academy come, with a bishop and a sword. I also liked that the president personally handed it to them, it remains a memory that can be seen and held in the hand. Athenagoras seems a serious man, without show, as he should.

Ana Matei

Yes, the tradition with the bishop and the sword is old in our country, I also know it from the church choir. President Tasoulas coming in person really shows respect for the military. I was last in Sibiu in 2019, at a dedication service. What year did you hear this story?

Mihaela Tudor

Yes, I also saw at a similar service in Bucharest how the metropolitan blesses the swords, it's an ancient custom. Tasoulas came in person, it clearly shows that the army matters. I heard the story from an uncle who was at the Officers' School in '98, did you sing a lot in that choir in Sibiu?

Andreea Matei

Yes, the custom of blessing swords is old here too, I also saw it at a service in Constanța a few years ago. Tasoulas showed respect by coming in person, clearly. No, I didn't sing in the choir in Sibiu, only in the one of our church here, but what exactly did your uncle tell you about the school in '98?

Marius Ciobanu

Yes, the blessing of swords is a beautiful and old custom, I also saw it at a military service in Târgovişte. Tasoulas actually showed respect by coming in person, you're right. My uncle used to say that at the officers' school in '98, they slept four to a room and made long marches with a full backpack, but what impressed you the most about the job in Constanța?

Radu Gheorghiu

Yes, the blessing of the swords is indeed a moment that sticks in your mind. At the service in Constanța, what impressed me the most was how the officers stood straight and focused while the priest casually passed among them, there was total silence. Your uncle in '98 said they slept four? In our army it's more relaxed now, but those long marches are still made.