Metropolitan Markos of Chios, Psara and Oinousses gave his answer to the constant Turkish provocations during the festal Vespers service of Saint Markella of Chios.
According to the newspaper “Politis,” shortly before the end of the Vespers and addressing Metropolitan Ephraim of Hydra, Metropolitan Markos said, “At the current tremendous juncture, the concelebration of the Metropolitan of Hydra and Spetses with the Metropolitan of the heroic island of Psara is a clear and articulate answer, that we, the descendants of those glorious naval commanders, who came from the islands we are spiritually shepherding, give our answer by praying to God and strengthening our people making it clear that the current claims, both illegal and unhistorical, over the Aegean Sea cannot but be disproved.”
Metropolitan Markos, who had made patriotic statements in difficult times in the past, presented the Metropolitan of Hydra with the highest distinction of the Metropolis of Chios, the Cross of Saint Isidoros and the flag of the heroic island of Psara.