President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, marked the start of the new year by receiving a wide array of well-wishers at the Presidential Mansion on Wednesday.
Political leaders, religious figures, military representatives, and other dignitaries attended the annual gathering, reflecting the spirit of unity and tradition.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was among the first to convey his good wishes, followed by Parliament Vice-President Yiannis Plakiotakis, who represented the Parliament's president, currently recovering from COVID-19. Other prominent attendees included PASOK-KINAL leader Nikos Androulakis, SYRIZA-Progressive Alliance leader Sokratis Famellos, and Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Dimitris Koutsoubas.
Ministers, deputy ministers, and Athens Mayor Haris Doukas also participated, alongside Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens and All Greece, military and security officials, university representatives, and leaders of various religious communities. The Presidential Mansion staff also joined in the festivities.
President Sakellaropoulou extended a personal invitation to two families with children and two students, one from the special nursery for the visually impaired in Kallithea and another who had recently written her a heartfelt letter. These guests accompanied her to the Presidential Guard (Evzones) barracks nearby, where she highlighted the Evzones’ enduring role in Greek history and wished them a prosperous new year.
As part of the tradition, the President cut the New Year’s cake (Vassilopita) at the barracks, adding a festive note to the occasion.
Religious Observances
Earlier in the day, the President attended the New Year’s doxology at Athens Metropolis, joined by political and military leaders, setting a solemn and hopeful tone for the year ahead.
The annual gathering and celebration underscored Greece’s strong cultural traditions and the importance of unity as the country steps into 2025 with hope and resolve.