The official opening ceremony of the events of the Navy Week 2016 took place yesterday (30/5), in front of the Metropolitan church of Saint Constantine and Helen, organized by the cultural association of the Holy Diocese of Demetrias "Magniton Kivotos, for the rescue of the cultural reserve", in collaboration with many organizations of Magnesia, in the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatius of Demetrias, the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Mr Theodoros Dritsas, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, Transport and Networks Mrs Marina Chrisoveloni, the Deputy Regional Governor of Thessaly Mrs Dorothea Kolyndrini, Thanos Theodorou as representative of the Mayor, the Member of the Parliament in Magnesia Mrs Katerina Papanatsiou, the Chief of the Port Police Corps and Hellenic Coast guard, Vice Admiral Stamatios Raptis, representatives of the Military Authorities and of the Local Government and lots of people.

In his welcoming address, His Eminence our Metropolitan Ignatius stressed that "The Navy Week in Volos", is not just about organizing cultural events and actions, but expressing a big concern about what happens nowadays in the Mediterranean!

The people who have joined us today, are the ones who rescue other people's lives in the Aegean Sea, combating others' indifference. They have a strong sense of duty and work under adverse circumstances, always guided by their courage, their will and Virgin Mary's presence.

Our merchant shipping plays a vital role in our economic and tourism growth and contributes to the transport of goods and to the rendering of services, through the officials of the merchant fleet, sailing across the whole world. Today it holds the first position in the world shipping scale. In parallel, the Navy is actively involved in the care of the island population on a daily basis through rescue operations or emergency situations, safeguarding the sea travels at the same time...".

The Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Mr Theodoros Dritsas opened the meeting and stressed the work of the Local Church to promote Culture, while he expressed his appreciation for our Metropolitan, recognizing his multi-faceted and laborious task.

The highlight of this event was the awarding of the Honorary Distinction by the Holy Diocese of Demetrias, of the Golden Cross with a certificate to the Port Police Corps of our country, for its exceptional services, that is,  not only the coast- guarding but mainly  the heroic rescue of thousands of refugees-immigrants in the Aegean Sea. While awarding the honorary distinction to the Chief of the Port Police Corps, Vice Admiral Mr Stamatios Raptis, our Metropolitan Ignatius pointed out that:  "The Holy Diocese of Demetrias and Almyros is awarding the Golden Cross to the Port Police Corps and the Hellenic Coast guard for its tremendous offer in Searching and Rescuing people at risk".

On behalf of the congregation and generally of all the citizens of Magnesia, we would like to tell you that we are moved by the superhuman efforts by the Port Police Corps to rescue thousands of refugees, who jeopardize their own life at sea, in the hope of searching a new home and in an attempt to protect their children. The horrific images of people wailing on our island coastlines can be overcome through the images of the heroes of the Port Police Corps who rescue women and children from half-sunk boats.

 I personally and all the citizens of Magnesia feel proud of you...

Tonight we are awarding you, Mr Stamatios Raptis, as a Chief of the Port Police Corps and Hellenic Coast guard, all these heroes, with whom I would like to shake hands, to congratulate and to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

During the event there was a wonderful musical program by the Marching Band of the Municipality in Volos and the Marching Band of the Port Police Corps.