Commemorative Events for the 158th Anniversary of Arkadi Monastery’s Holocaust

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Public, municipal, and private properties in Rethymno will be festooned with flags from dawn on November 2 until sunset on November 8.
Ports and docked ships will be illuminated with decorations.
8:00 AM – The city’s flag-raising ceremony will occur at the Unknown Soldier Memorial, conducted by the Honor Guard of the 547 A/MTP.

8:30 AM – A high mass and memorial service led by His Eminence Metropolitan Pródromos will take place at the monastery’s gunpowder room.
9:55 AM – Lighting of the flame by the Metropolitan.
11:30 AM – Start of the Arkadi Road race for men and women.

11:00 AM – Memorial service at the Livadia Heroes Monument with the Municipal Band of Rethymno.
11:15 AM – Parade to Captain Ioannis Sopasis’s memorial led by local students, followed by a memorial service.
11:30 AM – A welcome address by Mary Xnari, President of the Livadia Cultural Association, followed by a speech titled “Ioannis Sopasis ‘Kouvo’: A Life Dedicated to the Fight” by journalist-author Eva Ladia.
A wreath-laying ceremony and a tribute song for those who fell during Arkadi’s sacrifice by Giorgis Vamboukas. Traditional “Livadiotikos” rhythms performed by the Folkloric Group “Lazaros and Manolis Xnaris.”
A minute of silence, followed by the national anthem. Hosting provided by the Sopasides Family at the Livadia Cultural Association.

9:00 AM – Celebratory speeches and events in primary and secondary schools throughout Rethymno.
11:00 AM – Student-led memorial service and wreath ceremony at the Captain Pachlas Memorial in Perivolia, led by physical education coordinator Maria Palasi.
11:45 AM – Memorial and wreath-laying by scouts and guides at the monument of hero Konstantinos Giampoudakis.

10:00 AM – Memorial service and wreath placement at Prior Gabriel Marinakis’s bust with the Municipal Band of Rethymno.

11:30 AM – Memorial ceremony and wreath-laying at the bust of heroine Harikleia Daskalaki with the Municipal Band of Rethymno.

12:30 PM – Tribute and wreath-laying at Konstantinos Giampoudakis’s bust with the participation of the Municipal Band of Rethymno.
1:00 PM – Parade by cultural groups and student representatives, followed by traditional hospitality offered by the Adele – Saint Paraskevi Cultural Association at the “Kostis Giampoudakis” Cultural Center.

8:30 AM – Archiereus Divine Liturgy at Arkadi Monastery presided over by the Metropolitan of Rethymno and Avlopotamos.
10:00 AM – Parade featuring the President of the Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, alongside political and military units, accompanied by the Rethymno Municipal Band.
11:00 AM – Dignitaries will gather at the Town Hall.
11:20 AM – Departure of officials for Arkadi Monastery.

11:45 AM – Arrival and honors at Arkadi Monastery by the 547 & 548 A/M TP Honor Guard and the Cretan Division.
12:00 PM – Thanksgiving service led by Archbishop Eugenios of Crete, alongside Metropolitan Pródromos.
12:15 PM – Anniversary address by Maria Lionis, Deputy Governor of Rethymno.
12:30 PM – Archiereus Memorial Service at the Mausoleum.
12:40 PM – Wreath placement by President Katerina Sakellaropoulou, followed by a moment of silence and the national anthem. Flag raising by “Synpolis” Active Citizens Association.
1:00 PM – Refreshments served at the Monastery courtyard.
5:30 PM – Official lowering of the city flag at the Unknown Soldier Memorial executed by the 547 & 548 A/M TP Honor Guard.