My dearly beloved fellow Cretans, It is with deep pride and great spiritual joy that I have the opportunity of communicating with you on the occasion of the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Crete to greet you in the Risen lord and to convey to you my paternal blessings and best wishes.

How can we not feel proud to be the ancestors of such heroes who fought valiantly and had their faith as their mighty shield in a battle that proved to be a turning point in the history of World War 2.

The strategic plan of attack by the Germans was carried out with precision and extreme might. But the resistance was also unparalleled and thus ensued one of the most brilliant pages in the history of modern Hellenism.

On the morning of the 20th of May 1941, Nazi Germany began an airborne invasion of Crete. Paratroopers and glider-born infantry landed at four points on the island. It was the first time they were used En masse, the first mainly airborne invasion in military history. But as the sky filled with descending Germans the defenders opened fire. Entire German units were consumed in a hail of bullets and bombs, before or just after they reached the ground.

Our allies – British, Australian and New Zealand forces – fought bravely, defending every inch of Greeks soil on which they stood. The fearless Cretans, poorly armed but determined joined the battle. It was the first time that German troops encountered mass resistance from the local civilian population.

The sacred struggle for faith and nation became a matter for the entire Cretan people. With meagre means but with unity, faith and a spirit of sacrifice, Cretans of all ages, both men and women, dared to stand up to the might of Hitler’s forces, becoming a model of courage and heroism for Europe and the rest of the world. Due to the number of casualties and the belief that airborne forces no longer have the advantage of surprise; Adolf Hitler became reluctant to authorise further large airborne operations.

Crete was militarily defeated by the overwhelmingly powerful forces of the conqueror, but the spirit of the Cretans could never be conquered or subdued. They continued to vigorously maintain resistance throughout the entire time of the island’s occupation until it’s complete liberation. The sacrifice of the ANZACs in Crete is something that Greeks will always remember and for which we eternal gratitude.

The bond of friendship, forged by blood remains strong and deep as we continue to share add live by the same values and principles of freedom, courage, sacrifice and independence.

This proud struggle for freedom and dignity and the heavy toll paid by our ancestors is for all of us, today, both a significant legacy as well as an historic debt. May we be counted worthy to guard the Thermopylae’s as we were taught by our ancestors.

Finally, I assure the Committee of the Cretan Federation of Australia & New Zealand of the support of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia in all your endeavours to commemorate this significant anniversary. I remain in the love of the Risen Christ and with many blessings.

With fervent paternal prayers,

His Eminence Archbishop of Australia MAKARIOS