Piraeus pays tribute to memory of Russian marines

Russian marines have celebrated Russian Navy Day in Greece, reports RIA «Novosti». Yesterday, the crew members of the ship Smetliviy took part in a commemorative ceremony held in Piraeus, Greece. They laid flowers at the monument to Russian marines installed at the Russian cemetery. Russian diplomats took part in the ceremony as well. A religious service was held at the military marine necropolis. The Orchestra of the Black Sea Fleet played the Russian and Greek anthems.

It is to be recalled that the Russian Navy celebrates its 320th anniversary this year.

The Smetliviy guard ship is to participate in the Russia-Greece cross year event program, which includes commemoration of the jubilee of Grand Duchess Olga Konstantinovna Romanov. Nicholas I’s granddaughter was Queen of Greece and contributed a lot to the development of diplomatic and cultural relations between the two countries. She founded a Russian cemetery in Piraeus, the town which used to be a Russian navy base for many years. Thanks to her, a Russian hospital was established in Piraeus. Initially, Russian marines were buried at the cemetery but later they started to bury Russian immigrants there as well.