Join us for EMBCA’s “The Evzones: History, Legacy, and the Spirit of Hellas” Webinar Panel Discussion on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 2 P.M. EST/ 9 P.M. Athens EEST. The panel discussion will be introduced and moderated by Lou Katsos EMBCA’s President. The panel is currently in formation.

The Evzones are more than soldiers, they are a living symbol of Hellas’s courage, resilience, and enduring spirit. Their story begins in the rugged mountains of Ottoman occupied Hellas, where agile fighters known as klephts led daring raids against the occupying forces. From these roots emerged the light infantry units that would later be called Evzones, elite men “well-girt” for battle, whose skill and endurance turned them into legends of the Hellenic struggle for freedom.

During the Greek War of Independence, these fighters became crucial to the revolutionary cause. They held mountain passes, executed daring raids, and became a visible emblem of liberty, their traditional dress, a precursor to the modern fustanella turning them into an unmistakable symbol of Hellenic resistance. As the new Hellenic state took shape, successive kings sought to formalize this force. Under King Otto and later King George I, the Evzones were organized into battalions tasked with guarding frontiers, maintaining discipline, and serving as elite troops in the young Hellenic Army.

Over the decades, Evzones proved their mettle in every major conflict. They fought with distinction in the Balkan Wars, World War I, the Greco-Turkish War, and even the Greco-Italian War of World War II. Stories of bravery abound, including that of young Evzone Konstantinos Koukidis, who, according to legend, wrapped himself in the Hellenic flag rather than surrender it to invading forces, leaping to his death from the Acropolis. These moments cemented their reputation not merely as soldiers, but as living embodiments of Hellenic courage and sacrifice.

Today, the Evzones have transitioned from warriors to ceremonial guardians, serving as the Presidential Guard. At Syntagma Square in Athens, they perform the meticulous and highly stylized changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Every detail of their uniform the pleated fustanella, red cap, and leather tsarouchia carries historical significance, connecting centuries of struggle to the present day.

The Evzones’ presence at national events, in literature, and in the imagination of Hellenes and visitors alike reminds all who see them that freedom and courage are not just ideals, but living traditions. From mountain fighters of the Ottoman era to the ceremonial guardians of the modern state, the Evzones continue to embody the heart of the Hellenic Republic , a symbol of a nation that never forgets its past and carries its legacy with pride.

Join us as we explore their fascinating history and legacy.

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