Soldiers of the Legion are Greek volunteers who were fighting during the Crimean War (1853–1856) from the side of Russian army.
The number of the Legion was 1,200, of which more than 600 soldiers were killed, 730 were awarded medals «For the Defense of Sevastopol» and 31 people became a knight of the highest military award — the Order of St. George. The project of setting monument was designed in 1864 by architect H. Morgan on the basis of the ideas proposed by a participant of the Crimean War, the hero of Sevastopol Defense, a retired lieutenant colonel of the Azov Cossack regiment, Aristidu Hrisoveri. At the Russian historical archive were preserved drawings of the monument’s project: plan, side and front facade of the monument.
They had laid on the basis of the monument, on which creation worked sculptor Andrei Korobtsov and architect Konstantin Frolov. The initiators of setting the monument were the Russian military-historical community and Charitable Foundation of Ivan Savvidi. Thus, 150 years after the original design of the project and in the 160-year anniversary of the Crimean War, in Sevastopol appeared a monument to the Greek heroes.
Inauguration of the monument began with a worship ceremony and consecration of the monument, which were held by the Simferopol Metropolitan and Crimean Lazarus.
— On behalf of the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, let pass the primatial blessing of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill to all participants of this celebration «- Metropolitan Lazarus welcomed all those who present, — Prelate Philaret of Moscow wrote: «War — a holy thing for those who are in favor of its truth and faith." Just to protect our faith died volunteers of Greek Legion. And this monument will remind all of us about their holy feat…
Symbolic for all who present was that during the consecration ceremony of the monument, which was held under the heavy rain, the sky cleared and the sun came out.
At the event took part Deputy Chairman of the Russian Association Presidium of International Cooperation, Chairman of the Societies of friendship Association board on the nations of Greece and Cyprus, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Republic Crimea is the permanent representative of the Crimea at the Russian President Georgy Muradov, head of the group of the Federal Assembly Cooperation Council of the Russian Federation with the Parliament of the Greek Republic, Senator from Crimea Olga Kovitidi, Executive Director of the Russian military and historical community Vladislav Kononov, Rear Admiral of Russian Navy Eugeniy Halaychev.
Participants of the event were welcomed by the President of the Federal National and Cultural Autonomy of Russian Greeks Ivan Savvidi.
— Today the historical justice has triumphed. We see an absolute copy of the monument, which is blessed and approved by the emperor. Has passed 150 years since that time, and I’m happy to be with you touching to the heroic history of the Greek volunteers — noticed I. Savvidi.
Greek Legion of Emperor Nicholas I consisted entirely of volunteers. The people of the Hellenes have appeared as one of the few allies of Russia in this war, — addressed to the audience, President of the Federal National and Cultural Autonomy of Russian Greeks Ivan Savvidi.
The project of setting monument was designed in 1864 by architect H. Morgan on the basis of the ideas proposed by a participant of the Crimean War, the hero of Sevastopol Defense, a retired lieutenant colonel of the Azov Cossack regiment, Aristidu Hrisoveri. At the Russian historical archive were preserved drawings of the monument’s project: plan, side and front facade of the monument.
The legion consisted of about 1200 people. For most of them it was, first of all, the war for the faith. Greek officer Aristid Hrisoveri before each battle reminded to his fighting brothers of their sacred duty.
«The Greeks! Let me remind you that we are a few volunteers and we present here the whole Greece and the Greek nation among the hundreds of thousands of our Russian brothers. Do not forget that we are the children of the glorious fathers, whose feats in the name of the revival of our nation, were admired by all of Europe and the whole Christian world. Do not forget, moreover, that the fathers of our fathers had shed in these places their blood — we must imitate them, as required by the honor of our nation. Long live the Greece, long live the Emperor, the patron of orthodoxy. Homeland looks at us, brave volunteers. Ahead, God is with us », — emphasized Ivan Ignatievich.
— At this significant year, the year of friendship between the fraternal nations, between the fraternal countries: Russia and Greece, is opened this wonderful monument, — noted the Deputy Chairman of the Ministers Council of the Republic Crimea in his welcoming speech — Permanent Representative of the Crimea at the Russian President Georgiy Muradov. — Indeed, the heavens themselves mourning the outstanding heroes who laid down their lifes for Sevastopol, for Crimea and for Russia.
Senator of Crimea Olga Kovitidi emphasized the importance of long-term friendship between nations of Russia and Greece.
— 2016 year declared the year of Russian and Greek culture by the order of the Russian, exactly at this year is opened such a great monument. We all know what long and difficult friendship was between our nations. It was difficult only in the fact that during the years of trials and battles Greeks have been always next to us, Russians — said Olga Fedorovna.
After the announcement of all words of welcome a wreath-laying ceremony was held, in which were attended acting sailors of the Black Sea Navy, as well as representatives of the Greek community of Crimea. The opening of the monument finished with a concert, which was organized by the Russian military and historical society and Regional national and cultural autonomy of Greeks of Republic Crimea «Tavrida».
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