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| THE MONTREAL GREEK TIMES GOPHER NEWS SERVICE |
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March 2026
Remembering Elias Kormas and his sacrifice at the Battle of Maniaki
(GIF) article photo
By Dimitri Papadopoulos
For members of the Hellenic community, the legacy of the Greek War of
Independence is built upon the courage of local chieftains and military
leaders. Among the most revered of these figures is Lieut.-Gen. Elias
Kormas. Born in 1780 in the mountainous Messenian village of Kefalinou,
Kormas dedicated his life to the liberation of Greece from Ottoman rule,
ultimately sacrificing everything for the cause of freedom.
Before the revolution officially began in 1821, Kormas was secretly
inducted into the Filiki Eteria, the underground society plotting
the overthrow of the Ottoman Empire. He worked closely with other
revolutionary figures, including the fiery clergyman Papaflessas, to
prepare the Messenian population for an armed uprising. When the war
broke out, Kormas led a strong contingent of fighters from the
Ithomi region. He dismantled local Ottoman strongholds and forced
enemy troops to retreat to coastal fortresses, effectively
liberating his native province.
His tactical abilities quickly drew the attention of the broader Greek
military leadership. Kormas participated in several major campaigns
across the Peloponnese. He fought in the grueling siege of Tripolitsa
and played a key role in the pivotal Greek victories at Valtetsi and
Piana. His exceptional bravery during the Battle of Dervenakia even
led Theodoros Kolokotronis, the commander-in-chief of the Greek
forces, to briefly appoint Kormas as his aide-de-camp. Despite this
high-ranking staff position, Kormas chose to return to the front lines
to lead his fellow Messenians.
The defining moment of his military career, and the ultimate test of his
dedication, came during the Battle of Maniaki. On May 20, 1825, Kormas
and a small Greek force faced the massive, European-trained Egyptian-
Ottoman army led by Ibrahim Pasha. Despite the overwhelming odds, Kormas
refused to retreat. He fought relentlessly in the trenches and passed
into the pantheon of national heroes alongside his family members and
many of his fellow villagers who fought by his side.
To ensure this profound sacrifice is never forgotten, the municipality
of Messini now holds a formal memorial service in Kefalinou to honour
the lieutenant-general and his men who fell at Maniaki. Following a
unanimous decision by the local municipal council, this tribute is held
annually on the first Sunday of June. The commemorative event features
speeches from history professors and cultural representatives, wreath-
laying ceremonies by municipal and regional leaders, and a roll call of
the fallen. The local mayor has also stated that the municipal authority
will pursue official recognition of this memorial from the Greek state.
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