Patron Saints of the Greek Armed Forces

Each Greek armed force has its own patron saint, indicating that the creation of the modern Greek State is deeply rooted in the Orthodox Church.

The 1821 Greek War of Independence began with the blessings and proclamation of Germanos III of Old Patras, the Orthodox Metropolitan of Patras. According to tradition, the revolution against Ottoman rule began on the Feast of Annunciation. From the very first moment, the 1821 uprising was linked to the blessing of the Church.

The Holy Cross was the symbol on the first makeshift flag of the revolution, cementing the unbroken bond between Greek Orthodoxy and the rebels. Subsequently, it also sealed the bond of the Church with the soon-to-be-formed Greek state. Since then, the Church has been involved in political and social events numerous times, demonstrating the dependence of the general state on the institution.

After the birth of modern Greece, following the successful 1821 revolt, the rebels and their leaders, including Theodoros Kolokotronis and Konstantinos Kanaris, became part of the newly formed official Greek armed forces.

Given the strong ties of the Greek state to the Church, each branch of the armed forces has a Greek Orthodox patron saint. Likewise, the Hellenic Police has its own.

Saint George: Patron saint of the Greek Infantry

The son of a rich, aristocratic family from Cappadocia in Asia Minor, it is said Agios Georgios was an officer in the Roman army, and he was executed because he refused to renounce his Christian faith.

His acts and martyrdom are believed to have been carried out during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian. He is commemorated twice a year. The first day is on April 23rd. This is the day he was beheaded in 303 AD. Alternatively, as per the Julian calendar, if the day falls before Resurrection, it is moved to Easter Monday. He is also commemorated on November 3rd, the day of the gathering of his remains.

Saint George, as the trophy bearer and liberator, is revered for his exploits, the most important of all being the slaying of the dragon to save the daughter of the king.

According to tradition, the beast guarded the water of a spring in Libya and would not allow people to drink unless it was offered to a fellow citizen. For many years, locals determined by lot the victim of the dragon. Entire armies opposed the monster to no avail. The lot also fell to the princess, who was saved by Saint George, the young officer on horseback who killed the dragon with his spear.

Saint George is the patron of armies and countries. Because of his life in the army, he was established as the patron saint of the infantry and Greek army by royal decree in 1983. He is also the patron saint of England and the Crusaders, who brought his relic from Palestine to the West, as well as the Boy Scouts.

Moreover, Saint George is celebrated as a saint of the Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, Lutheran, and Armenian Churches, as well as the patron Saint of the Christians of Palestine, Beirut, Georgia, and the Bulgarian army.

Saint Nikolaos: Patron saint of the Hellenic Navy

Through Royal Decree in 1901, Agios Nikolaos officially became the patron saint of the Greek Navy, the Merchant Navy, and later the Coast Guard.

He is a saint who, for the faithful throughout time, has been the protector of the poor, children, and, above all, people of the sea.

He was born on March 15, 270, and lived until December 6, 343. It seems he was born in Patara, Lycia, located in Asia Minor, and became an orphan at a young age. He had no siblings and followed the priesthood, being ordained by Bishop Nikolaos, who was his uncle.

Later, he was elected Metropolitan of Myron of Lycia. During Diocletian’s reign, he was tortured, and, after being released from prison, he returned to the episcopal throne when Constantine the Great took over as emperor. During his priesthood, he performed several miracles.

He is revered by both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, and he is the patron saint of several cities.

Archangel Michael: The winged protector of the Greek Air Force

On June 11, 1954, Archangel Michael was established as the patron saint of the Greek Air Force. Since then, the feast of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel on November 8th is the official aviation holiday. It is celebrated with great pomp in all Air Force units.

Archangel Michael is an angel, created as an invisible and perfect spirit, which is not limited by time or space. In addition, he is the only one who is called an Archangel, according to the Holy Bible, as well as “one of the first lords” and “archons.” His name means “he who is like God.”

Michael is an angel who appears in the Old Testament. Lucifer, whose name means “he who brings light”—the highest position in created perfection—led a small group of rebellious angels (later demons), who aimed to disobey the orders of God. They rebelled.

At that moment, Archangel Michael assumed an important role in the suppression of Lucifer’s rebellion, thus earning the title of Archangel. He was the one who announced to Abraham the need to sacrifice his son, Isaac. It was also he who led the people of Israel when fleeing from Egypt.

In the New Testament, Archangel Michael is the one who announces the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the rapture of His Church. He is also present in Joshua, the fall of Jericho, as well as in the stories of Emmanuel, David, and Elijah. He always holds a sword, which gives fiery punishment to God’s enemies.

Furthermore, we see him in the descent of Christ to Hades, as well as in John’s Apocalypse, where, as the head of the Angels, he fights Satan.

Saint Barbara: Patron of the Greek Artillery

Saint Barbara was established as the patron saint of the Greek Artillery in 1829 and on the 4th of December of the same year. An official celebration took place in Nafplio. This was the capital of Greece right after the liberation from the Ottomans.

The young saint lived, was tortured, and died during Emperor Maximilian’s rule in the 3rd century. She was the only daughter of the rich Greek idolater Dioskouros, who was the satrap of Nicomedia. In spite of the fanatic idolaters of her birth environment, Saint Barbara was enlightened by the Bible’s truth and, while still young, she embraced Christianity.

This caused her father’s anger, and he used every possible means to dissuade her—even torture. However, when she showed her proud and adamant attitude, he surrendered her to the Roman commander of the province to punish her. The commander was impressed by the beauty of the young lady and tried to bring her back to idolatry. When she showed her irrevocable decision not to deny Christ, he submitted her to horrible torture. That was the reason she was named Great Martyr.

Finally, she was beheaded by her own father’s sword, as her biographer Simon wrote. According to the tradition, while her father was leaving his daughter’s place of slaughter, Holy Justice burned the executioner father with a thunderbolt. The artillery fire symbolizes that punishing thunderbolt.

Saint Artemios: Protector of Greek Police

The Greek police (EL.AS) has its own patron saint as well, namely Agios Artemios. The Presidential Decree 398/1987 recognized the Great Martyr Artemios as the protector of the force. October 20th, the day he is commemorated, became an official holiday of the Hellenic Police.

On October 20th, with religious zeal, Greek policemen honor the memory of their patron saint, great martyr, and miracle worker, Saint Artemios.

Saint Artemios lived in the 4th century. He was characterized by his deep Christian faith, strong will, and rigid mental fortitude. He worked with passion for peace, prosperity, freedom, and security of citizens without concessions and compromises. In appreciation of his morals and virtues, Constantine the Great appointed Saint Artemios Superior Commander in various regions of the Byzantine Empire. He held the offices of Duke and Augustal with the duties of General Police Director.

His work was similar to that of the modern police officer. Saint Artemios worked with zeal and dedication for the peace and security of citizens. Wherever he served, he proved worthy of the trust placed in him and offered valuable and just services.

His faith, bravery, and courageous resistance to the illegitimacy of Emperor Julian the Apostate, who wanted to abolish the Christian faith by force, resulted in his deposition, torture, and martyrdom.

With his attitude in life, devotion to protecting and serving, and his martyrdom, Saint Artemios became a model for every police officer.