Germanos of Patras raises the revolutionary flag at Agia Lavra

Background. The Greek War of Independence was a successful war fought by Greek revolutionaries against the Ottoman Empire from 1821 to 1829. The insurrection was planned for 25 March 1821, the Orthodox Christian Feast of the Annunciation. However, the first revolt began earlier on 21 February 1821 in the Danubian Principalities, though it was soon put down by the Ottomans.

Traditional Account. According to oral tradition, the Revolution was declared on 25 March 1821 by Metropolitan Germanos of Patras, who raised the banner with the cross in the Monastery of Agia Lavra near Kalavryta. Some European newspapers of June and July 1821 published news of this declaration, either in Patras or at Agia Lavra on a non-specified date.

Historical Debate. Some historians question the historicity of the event at Agia Lavra. Earlier, another revolt had been declared on February 21 by Alexandros Ypsilantis in Iaşi, which was crushed by June 1821. The Maniots were the first to declare war on 17 March 1821 in Areopoli, urging Greeks in the Peloponnese into action.