A significant Greek victory on the day of the Annunciation

On March 21, 1821 the Greek rebels started the siege of Kalavryta, making it the first Greek town that was liberated from the Ottomans, thus declaring the start of the Greek War of Independence.

In the morning of March 21, 600 armed fighters were sworn under the perennial plane tree of the monastery of Agia Lavra and according to some historians, said: “Not one Turk left in Moria (Peloponnese), nor in the whole world.”

A meeting followed where Bishop Palaion Patron Germanos called on Greeks to revolt and raised the flag of the revolution, a banner depicting the Assumption of Virgin Mary that was on the gate of the Temple of Agia Lavra.

The Greek chieftains took a small cannon from the Monastery of Agia Lavra and besieged the city fortress.

The Turks barricaded themselves in three towers and awaited military help from Tripolitsa. Four days later, the Ottomans surrendered.

On March 25 Kalavryta was free. Quickly the message of independance spread to the rest of Greece.

Greeks with the slogan “Freedom or Death” revolted against their Turkish ruler and began a brave struggle for freedom. Kalavryta was the first free Greek city.”

Every year the city celebrates its liberation with festivities around the Agia Lavra monastery.

Adapted from Greek Reporter