President of the Republic Constantine Tasoulas visited Astros, in the Municipality of North Kynouria, to mark the 203rd anniversary of the Second National Assembly.

Mr. Tasoulas attended a doxology service presided over by His Eminence Bishop Epiphanios of Mantinea and Kynouria, followed by a commemorative address delivered by Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Dimitris Charalambis.

Immediately afterwards, the President laid a wreath at the Sacred Site of the Second National Assembly and made a statement, stressing that “the constitutional and institutional heritage stemming from the 1821 Revolution best explains why our supreme institutional framework, the Constitution, is among the most advanced and liberal in Europe and the world.”

In his remarks, Mr. Tasoulas said:

“In Greek territory, no human being is sold or bought. This is the most emblematic provision of the Law of Epidaurus, the new Constitution adopted 203 years ago here in Astros by the Second National Assembly, by representatives of the Greeks who were fighting for their freedom while simultaneously laying the institutional foundations of that freedom.

There were also other pioneering provisions: the establishment of press freedom, the right to petition, and the right to a fair trial. At the same time, it was decided to abolish local constitutions, so that a unified constitutional order would apply across the liberated Greek territories.

This constitutional and institutional legacy of the 1821 Revolution helps explain why our supreme institutional framework remains one of the most advanced and liberal in Europe and the world.

The Second National Assembly, held here in Astros, was the most important event of the first half of 1823. It fully confirmed the determination of our ancestors to secure their political existence and independence. Their struggle for national and institutional rebirth against Ottoman rule reached a defining moment here in Astros in 1823, with the Second National Assembly and the Constitution of Astros.”

After the parade of students and clubs, Mr. Tasoulas toured the archaeological site of the Herod Atticus Mansion.