«Λύχνος τοῖς ποσί μου ὁ νόμος σου καὶ ΛΥΧΝΟΣ φῶς ταῖς τρίβοις μου» A GREEK ORTHODOX PERIODICAL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Ψαλμ 118, 105

Volume 36, Issue 4 JUNE - JULY 2021

fter rising from the dead, the Lord spent our faith is useless and we are the most pitiful A forty days with His disciples teaching of all people (1 Corinthians 15:13-19). them the deeper meanings of the resurrection, Evidently, everything we see in Jesus is a and giving them His final instructions before fulfilment of what each of us can expect in our gloriously ascending into heaven. While own lives. He died on the Cross and was ascending from the Mount of Olives, He buried, we also will die and be buried. He commissioned the Apostles to make disciples rose, and we too will be raised. He was of all the nations and commanded that they presented to the Father, as we will be baptise them in the name of the Holy Trinity. presented and kneel before Him. He Soaring into underwent trial heaven, Jesus and was presented His sentenced, and glorified human we all will be nature to the subject to Father and having judgement. fulfilled the divine Now the question Will in all things, for us is to what was enthroned at shall we His right hand. resurrect? Jesus Fulfilling the tells us that “those promise to send who have done the Holy Spirit, He good [will rise] to left one thing to the resurrection of be finished, being life, and those His second who have done coming, and the judgement of the living and evil to the resurrection of condemnation” (John the dead. This final prophecy concerning 5:29). If we have been baptised and believe in Jesus was proclaimed by the angels who Jesus Christ according to all we proclaim in appeared at the Ascension saying that Jesus the Creed, then let us not stumble on this will return in the same manner the disciples point, namely the resurrection of the dead and saw Him ascend into heaven (Acts 1:11). This the life of the age to come. is also captured in the icon of the Ascension where Christ seems as though He is both Directing their attention up to heaven, the ascending and descending. disciples gazed as the Lord ascended into heaven. May we also lift up our hearts and Consequently, most people can understand raise our minds to the heights of heaven and how the living will be judged, but how will the presence of God. Let us remain Christ judge the dead? St Paul tells us that steadfastly in His company throughout our the dead will be raised just as Jesus was lives so that when Christ comes to fulfil His raised. He emphasised that “if there is no final prophecy, we may ascend into heaven resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not with Him. risen”, and added that without the resurrection 2

προσευχή «Βασιλεύ Ουράνιε» που εγωιστικές μας δυνάμεις, «το πύργο της σωτηρίας» Η αναφέρεται στο Άγιο Πνεύμα, αποτελεί την μας, και μπερδευόμαστε αφάνταστα μεταξύ μας. Οι εναρκτήρια προσευχή κάθε ιερουργίας και γλώσσες που ακούγονται σήμερα παγκοσμίως, ακολουθίας της Εκκλησίας μας. Στο περιεχόμενό δημιουργούν σύγχυση. Γλώσσες πολιτικών, της, περιλαμβάνει και διαγράφει τη σωστή πορεία οικονομολόγων, κοινωνιολόγων, τεχνοκρατών, του ανθρώπου για τη πνευματική του υποδομή. ακόμα και επιστημόνων, διαφέρουν μεταξύ τους και Η βασιλική ιδιότητα του Αγίου Πνεύματος, γίνονται αίτιοι διαστάσεως και διχασμού. εκφράζεται με την αδιάκοπη και αφανή παρουσία Αλλοίμονο και μεις οι Χριστιανοί αφού δεν έχουμε και προσφορά του προσώπου Του. Το Άγιο αποκτήσει την ενότητα του Αγίου Πνεύματος μιλάμε Πνεύμα είναι πάντα σαν κρυμμένο, γι’αυτό και δεν ακατανόητα. Δεν καταλαβαίνουμε τη γλώσσα των έχουμε συγκεκριμένη εικόνα Του. Όμως είναι πάντα Αγίων μας, δεν αντιλαμβανόμαστε τη γλώσσα της παρών όποτε αναπτύσσεται η αδελφική αγάπη και Εκκλησίας. Με αποτέλεσμα πολλές φορές να η επικοινωνία μας με τον Θεό. δίνουμε αυθαίρετα μια νέα ερμηνεία του Ο «Παράκλητος» είναι ο παρηγορητής και ο Χριστιανισμού που διαφέρει κατά πολύ από την υπερασπιστής κάθε ανθρώπου. Είναι το «Πνεύμα αποκάλυψη και τον τρόπο ζωής των Αγίων μας. της Αληθείας», εφόσον ο Κοντολογίς, γυρεύουμε έναν άνθρωπος που μετανοεί Χριστιανισμό «κομμένο και ειλικρινά, εισέρχεται στο χώρο ραμμένο» στα μέτρα μας, πιο της Αληθείας. Το Άγιο Πνεύμα μοντέρνο και εκσυγχρονισμένο, τότε ακουμπά πάνω στην αφού, στο κάτω κάτω, ζούμε «συντετριμμένη καρδίαν», και στον 21ο αιώνα! Το αποτέλεσμα καθαρίζει την ύπαρξή μας από είναι πως έτσι επιτείνουμε την «πάσης κηλίδος» και στη σύγχυση μέσα μας και μεταξύ συνέχεια μας παρέχει την μας. Είναι τρομερό ακόμη και εμπειρία της σωτηρίας. Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί να μην Στα κείμενα και διδαχές των καταλαβαίνουμε τη γλώσσα των Αγίων Πατέρων της Εκκλησίας Αγίων μας. μας, έχουμε φανερή την Ανάγκη επιτακτική στις μέρες επενέργεια του Αγίου μας, να επιστρέψουμε στις ρίζες Πνεύματος. Αυτός ο «Ουράνιος μας. Να εντρυφήσουμε στις Βασιλιάς», απομακρύνει τις διδαχές των πατέρων μας, κι δαιμονικές δυνάμεις του ακόμα πιο πολύ, στη μίμηση και εγωισμού και της φιλαυτίας του βίωση των παραδειγμάτων ανθρώπου. Με τη Χάρη Του, τους. Να ξανα-επισκεφθούμε αποκτούμε οικειότητα με το την Ιερά Παράδοση της Θεό, και σφραγίζεται η υιοθεσία Εκκλησίας μας, να μας από το Θεό. Και αυτή η ευθυγραμμίσουμε τη δική μας αδελφική σχέση του Χριστού με τον άνθρωπο, ζωή σαν οργανική συνέχεια της ζωής τους. τελεσιουργείται με την επενέργεια του Αγίου Την ημέρα της Πεντηκοστής - όπως και κάθε μέρα Πνεύματος. Το ίδιο και όλες οι σχέσεις που του χρόνου - καλούμαστε να προσευχηθούμε συνάπτουν οι άνθρωποι μεταξύ τους, σαν «Σώμα θερμά στον «Ουράνιο Βασιλιά» μας, στο Άγιο Χριστού» και προάγουν πνευματικά τη ζωή τους. Πνεύμα, να κατασκηνώσει μέσα στη καρδιά μας. Είναι αδύνατον να παγιωθούν και να Εμείς οι Ορθόδοξοι – παρ’όλη την αμαρτωλότητα τελεσφορήσουν χωρίς το φωτισμό και την μας – αισθανόμαστε την παρουσία του Αγίου επενέργεια του «Παρακλήτου». Με την βοήθειά Πνεύματος πολύ κοντά μας. Ιδιαίτερα σ’αυτές τις Του, αποκτούμε την ενότητα μεταξύ μας και ιερές στιγμές της Θείας Λειτουργίας μας. Να ’ρθεί μιλούμε την «ίδια γλώσσα». Αυτή την «κοινή λοιπόν μέσα μας να μας αγιάσει, να μας γλώσσα» μιλούσαν και μιλούν οι Άγιοι μεταμορφώσει. οπουδήποτε και οποτεδήποτε έζησαν. Έτσι με τη Χάρη Του να εισέλθουμε μέσα στη Δυστυχώς, στις μέρες μας επικρατεί στις Παράδοση της Εκκλησίας μας και των Αγίων μας, ανθρώπινες κοινωνίες η κατάσταση της Βαβέλ. και ν’αποκτήσουμε και μεις, χαρά, ειρήνη και Πασχίζουμε να φτιάξουμε με τις αυτόνομες ελευθερία. 3

The Three Steps of Spiritual Perfection any people believe that the purpose of happen to the person after death, depends upon M religion is to prepare them for the life after the kind of life they lived whilst on earth. As this death. Some Orthodox Christians believe that the determines our eternal future, the Fathers insist Orthodox Faith has this exclusive purpose. They do that our earthly life should be dominated by not do much in this life, but they wait until they die, Catharsis and a partial state of Photismos. When so when that time comes, they can go to Paradise, this is achieved, we will be able to see God, both in because when alive they were Orthodox Christians. this life, and in the other to come. Another group are quite active in this life – they This raises the question what is the purpose of pray regularly, ask the priests to offer supplication Catharsis and Photismos? From the Orthodox [paraklesis] or holy unction prayers, attend church theological viewpoint, whether one is Orthodox, frequently, etc, so that God may help them to live a Buddhist, atheist or whatever else, everyone will quiet and pleasant life, bless their business, help see the Glory of God at the common end of their children to succeed, etc. humankind during the Second Coming of Christ. Both these concepts about the ultimate function of Yes, everyone will see the Glory of God, but each Faith are wrong, as they do not have a common one in a different way. Those who are saved will spiritual axis or centre of reference. The only true see it as “Light” which is soothing, pleasant and axis that maintains the coherence of the Orthodox never ending. In contrast the condemned will see it Faith, and places everything on a correct footing is as “Fire”, eternally burning and tyrannising “where the axis of: Catharsis, Photismos, and Theosis. their worm does not die, and the fire is not Each of these come to fruition only with the help of quenched” [Mk 9:44]. the Holy Spirit. This event, which no human mind can possibly 1. Catharsis [Κάθαρσις - Cleansing of the inner comprehend, has defined the work of the Church self]. This means rooting out: one’s passions (ie. on earth. That is, preaching to the world that God is sins done habitually, over time); defects of real. He will be seen by all men during the Second character; bad habits; evil thoughts; and, even the coming, and the Church works so that its members occasional evil deed or sentiment. will see God as Light. Cleansing of one’s inner self is the task of the one The task and the agony of the Church is to prepare who undertakes the procedure, although his its members to see God as Light, which in fact is “a spiritual father plays a significant part in it. In fact, therapeutic process, which has to start and be the process cannot succeed without his active completed in this life.” This dogma is the substance participation. It is the Grace of the Holy Spirit that of the Orthodox Tradition, and the major task of the completes the process. Orthodox Church. 2. Photismos [Φωτισμός - Illumination of the For us, the above ideas are challenging. They bring mind]. This arises when the person is in a constant to the fore that as Christians we have to make state of being conscious of the presence of God many sacrifices in our life. And yet these sacrifices within himself, even when he may be asleep: “I can be made with the Power of and the Faith in slept, but my heart was awake” (Song of Solomon Jesus Christ, as we accepted His word, that “he 5:21). The knowledge of God by the person is who hears my word and believes in Him who sent “empirical”, due to his personal experience. me, has everlasting life” [John 5:24]. This secures 3. Theosis [Θέωσις - State of sainthood]. This is our future. the condition which is given to those who live in a The present will be secured by the continuous constant state of Photismos and who experience presence of Jesus Christ in our daily life, having in “Noetic Prayer” [ie. the Jesus Prayer]. Those in mind His admonition, “The kingdom of heaven Theosis see the glory of God, commonly as God’s suffers violence, and the violent take it by Uncreated Light, or some other vision. The force” [Μat 11:24]. This means that we need to experience may last only minutes or hours, in fact work by being forceful on ourselves, and active in as long as God determines. All Saints belong to our life. this category, and end up as friends of God. [Key article source: Romanidis J: Patristic Theology, The Fathers of the Church emphasise that what will Parakatathiki; 2004, pp46-48]. 4

Από Τους Αγίους From the Saints Της Εκκλησίας Μας of our Church Η Αγία Κυριακή η Μεγαλομάρτυς St Kyriake the Great Martyr (η μνήμη της τιμάται 7 Ιουλίου) (Commemorated on 7 July) Αγία Κυριακή γεννήθηκε στη Νικομήδεια, η t Kyriake was born in Nicomedia, the only daughter H μοναδική κόρη του Δωρόθεου και της Ευσεβίας. Οι S of Dorotheos and Eusebia. Her pious parents were ευσεβείς γονείς της ήταν χριστιανοί και πλούσιοι, αλλά Christian and rich, but childless. Following their άτεκνοι. Μετά προσευχές απέκτησαν την Κυριακή. prayers a daughter was bestowed to them, who was Ονομάστηκε έτσι γιατί γεννήθηκε την ημέρα της named after the day she was born, being a Sunday. Κυριακής. Ήταν όμορφη κόρη και στο σώμα και στην ψυχή, Kyriake was beautiful both in body and soul, and was μεγαλωμένη με χριστιανικές αρχές. Πολλοί την ζήτησαν raised with Christian principles. Many asked for her σε γάμο, αλλά δεν ήθελε κανέναν, λέγοντας ότι είναι hand in marriage, but she did not want anyone, saying αρραβωνιασμένη με τον Χριστό, και ήθελε να πεθάνει that she was engaged to Christ, and she wanted to die παρθένα. Ένας δικαστής θέλησε την Κυριακή για το γιο a virgin. A judge wanted Kyriake for his son, but his του, αλλά και η δική του πρόταση απορρίφθηκε. Τότε proposal was rejected. In revenge, he denounced για εκδίκηση κατήγγειλε την Κυριακή και τους γονείς της Kyriake and her parents as Christians to the emperor ως Χριστιανούς στον αυτοκράτορα Διοκλητιανό. Diocletian. Ο αυτοκράτορας διέταξε να υποβληθούν σε The emperor ordered them to be tortured. Dorotheos βασανιστήρια. Ο Δωρόθεος ξυλοκοπήθηκε άγρια, αλλά was savagely beaten, but to no avail, they did not χωρίς αποτέλεσμα, δεν αλλαξοπιστούσαν. Στο τέλος ο change their minds. Eventually Dorotheos and Eusebia Δωρόθεος και η Ευσεβία εξορίσθηκαν, όπου πέθαναν were exiled, where they died enduring much suffering υπομένοντας πολλά δεινά για τον Χριστό. for Christ. Η Κυριακή αρνήθηκε να προσκυνήσει τα είδωλα. Ο Μαξιμιανός διέταξε να τη Kyriake refused to worship the idols. μαστιγώσουν. Τη βασάνισαν με κάθε Maximian ordered her to be flogged. She δυνατό τρόπο, αλλά η πίστη της ήταν was tortured in every possible way, but ακλόνητη. Ένα βράδυ άκουσε τη φωνή her faith was unshakable. One night she του Θεού να της λέει: «Μη φοβάσαι τα heard the voice of God say to her: “Do βασανιστήρια Κυριακή, το πνεύμα μου not be afraid of torture Kyriake, my spirit είναι μαζί σου». is with you.” After many trials, Maximian Έπειτα από πολλές δοκιμασίες, ο failed to persuade the young woman to Μαξιμιανός απέτυχε να πείσει τη νεαρή change her faith. He then sent her to the γυναίκα να αλλάξει την πίστη της. Την prefect of Bithynia Hilarion, from whom έστειλε τότε στον έπαρχο της Βιθυνίας he asked to make a pagan of Kyriake or Ιλαρίωνα, από τον οποίο ζήτησε να κάνει to send her to him again. την Κυριακή ειδωλολάτρη ή να του την ξαναστείλει. Hilarion did his best to achieve this. One Ο Ιλαρίων έβαλε τα δυνατά του για να το of the tortures she endured was to be πετύχει αυτό. Ένα από τα βασανιστήρια hung from her hair for several hours που δοκίμασε ήταν να την κρεμάσει από τα μαλλιά της while soldiers burned her body with για αρκετές ώρες, ενώ στρατιώτες της έκαιγαν το σώμα burning torches. Finally, she was thrown into a prison με αναμμένες δάδες. Τέλος, την έριξαν σε ένα κελί cell. That night Christ appeared and healed her φυλακής. Εκείνη τη νύχτα ο Χριστός εμφανίστηκε και wounds. Seeing Kyriake's miraculous salvation, many της θεράπευσε τις πληγές. Βλέποντας τη θαυματουργή pagans believed in Christ and were beheaded for it. σωτηρία της Κυριακής πολλοί ειδωλολάτρες πίστεψαν They led Kyriake to the temple to sacrifice to idols. On στο Χριστό και αποκεφαλίστηκαν για αυτό. the way she begged God to help her not to do such a Οδήγησαν την Κυριακή στο ναό να θυσιάσει στα thing. As soon as they reached the temple, a strong είδωλα. Στο δρόμο εκείνη παρακαλούσε τον Θεό να την earthquake terrified the executioners and the statues βοηθήσει να μην κάνει κάτι τέτοιο. Την στιγμή που of the temple fell from their pedestals and were έφτασαν στον ναό, ένας δυνατός σεισμός κατατρόμαξε crushed. Kyriake, however, was once again tortured by τους δημίους και τα αγάλματα του ναού έπεσαν από τα βάθρα τους κι έγιναν θρύψαλα. Apollonius. However, when they threw her into the fire, the flames did not burn her, and when they threw her Η Κυριακή παρ όλα αυτά βασανίστηκε ακόμα μια φορά at the wild beasts, they died. από τον Απολλώνιο. Όταν όμως την έριχναν στη φωτιά, οι φλόγες δεν την έκαιγαν. Όταν την έριχναν στα άγρια In the end, Apollonius sentenced her to beheading on θηρία αυτά ημέρευαν. Στο τέλος ο Απολλώνιος την July 7, 282 AD. She was given a few minutes to pray, καταδίκασε σε αποκεφαλισμό στις 7 Ιουλίου 282μ.Χ. and asked God to take her soul. This was granted, and Της δόθηκαν λίγα λεπτά για να προσευχηθεί, και ζήτησε as the executioner approached for the execution he από το Θεό να παραλάβει την ψυχή της. Όταν την saw that Kyriake was already dead. She was only 21 πλησίασε ο δήμιος για να την εκτελέσει, η Κυριακή ήταν years old. ήδη νεκρή. Ήταν μόλις 21 χρονών. (ekklisiaonline.gr) 5

How can we help our families to grow spiritually?

hose that ask this question come from a he advised us not to be anxious but surrender T variety of backgrounds. It is a very this matter to Christ. He said, “If a child is common question amongst parents who have falling away, parents need to turn to God in come to love Christ, and who yearn for their prayer and in faith and place their child in the children to come to love Christ. Those that ask hands of the Lord. Sometimes parents have this question could even be young people who the grudge - we are regular at Church, why love the members of their family and deeply should my child turn away so much - they do desire that their loved ones, as the psalmist not give the screwdriver to Christ to tighten says, come to "taste and see that the Lord is some screws - they want to do it all themselves good" (Psalm 33 [34]:9). - even though they are faithful, they act as if Saint Porphyrios said the following for parents, there is no God, and thus they hinder Divine but his words apply to all, no intervention.” matter what their position is In other words, the main in their family. answer to the question on “What saves and makes for how can we help other good children is the life of the members of our family come parents in the home... closer to Christ is that we Parents need to become ourselves need to strive to saints in their relation to their grow spiritually. The children through their emphasis is not so much on mildness, patience and love. what we say to them, though They need to make a new occasionally, in a humble start every day, with a fresh and loving way, we may outlook, renewed enthusiasm have to say a few things to and love for their children... them. Children's behaviour is not The main way we can help improved by reprimands, them is if we are growing in disciplining, or strictness… prayer, and if we are growing Mothers know how to towards sanctity. If we are express anxiety, offer advice being renewed constantly, and talk incessantly, but they becoming more selfless, haven't learned to pray. Most tolerant, humble, kind, loving advice and criticism does a and giving, then this gives us great deal of harm. You don't need to say a lot the best chance of helping others. to children. Words hammer at the ears, but We cannot hide our true selves in our families. prayer goes to the heart... When the love If we are trying to tell them to come more between you and towards your children is holy regularly to Church, they are not likely to listen and Christian love, then you will have no if they know we have anger, are judgemental, problem. The sanctity of the parents saves the lazy and selfish. If we have tasted of the joy children… The same divine grace will then and peace of the Lord, and if we have genuine illuminate, warm and animate the souls of the love and humility, then there may come a time children.” when our loved ones will also be touched by St Paisios also stressed prayer, if someone the Grace of God. from our family is not interested in the Church † Fr D. K. 6

1821 Independence Milestones

t the start of the war of independence, the way to Vrioni. This caused the Turks to abandon AGreeks had been under the Turkish yoke for Attica in September and retreat to . By almost 400 years. The faced the the end of 1821, the revolutionaries had managed Ottomans, a well-established world power for 400 to temporarily secure their positions in Central years. The Greeks did not have a regular army, . centralised government or military command, let Soon after the start of the war, the Greeks took alone materials for waging war, or funds for the control of three important islands: Hydra, Spetses struggle. However, the Greeks had a desire for and . This effectively gave the Greeks liberty and religious freedom. As Kolokotronis said control of the sea. The Greek ships were not “Greeks, God has signed our Liberty and will not designed for warfare and were only equipped with take his signature back.” As God blessed David light guns and armed seamen. In contrast, the against Goliath, so He blessed the Greeks in their Ottoman fleet was designed for war, well struggle. equipped and under central command. In this The was the heartland of the uneven fight, the Greeks made good use of fire revolution. On 25 March 1821, the revolution was ships (πυρπολικά or μπουρλότα). On the island of declared by Metropolitan Germanos of Patras, Lesvos, at Eresos, on 27 May 1821, the Greeks who raised the banner with the cross in the under Dimitrios Papanikolis used a to Monastery of Agia successfully destroy Lavra (near Kalavryta). an Ottoman . The early phase of the Throughout the war, struggle resulted in fire ships were used many victories for the 59 times and were Greeks. On 17 March successful 39 times. A 1821, a force of 2,000 notable example, under the command of which attracted Petros Mavromichalis international fame was advanced on Kalamata, the destruction of the where they united with Ottoman flagship by troops under Kolokotronis, at , after the and . The Ottoman massacre of the island's Greek Greeks captured The Naval strategic cities population in June (Kalamata, Kalavryta and Patras) in the 1822. Conventional naval actions were also Peloponnese. By the end of March 1821, the fought, at which naval commanders like Andreas Greeks controlled the countryside, while the Turks Miaoulis distinguished themselves. were confined to the fortresses in the After the initial Greek successes in the Peloponnese. Peloponnese, the tide changed in favour of the The battle for was more Ottomans when Sultan Mahmud II enlisted the complicated and dangerous. support of Mehmet Ali, the pasha of Egypt. In led successful attacks on Phocis and Salona. The 1825, Mehmet Ali’s son, Ibrahim landed at initial Greek successes were followed by defeats Methoni, in the Peloponese, with a well-trained at the battles of Alamana and Eleftherohori Egyptian force. Ibrahim engaged in a scorched against the army of Omer Vrioni, and Albanina, earth campaign. Kolokotronis could not stem the Ottoman commander in the Roumeli. The Ibrahim’s advance. Ibrahim came within striking Greeks managed to halt the Turkish advance at distance of Nafplion. The city was saved by the Battle of Gravia. and a Makriyannis and Dimitrios Ypsilantis who handful of men, inflicted heavy casualties upon successfully defended Miloi at the outskirts of the Turkish army. However, Omer Vrioni Nafplion. managed to defeat Androutsos' forces and cause Ibrahim sent an envoy to the Greeks of Mani (a a Greek retreat. A Greek force of 2,000 men costal region on the southern Peloponnese) managed to destroy a Turkish relief army on its demanding that they surrender or else he would 7

1821 Independence Milestones

plunder their land as he had done to the rest of many more were enslaved. Many who remained the Peloponnese. The simply replied: behind decided to blow themselves up with “From the few Greeks of Mani and the rest of the gunpowder rather than be enslaved. Greeks who live there, to Ibrahim Pasha. We The massacre at Messolonghi brought received your letter in which you try to frighten us, unprecedented international support for the Greek saying that if we don't surrender, you'll kill the cause. This support was critical in the Battle of Maniots and plunder Mani. That's why we are Navarino. In October 1827, a large Ottoman fleet waiting for you and your army. We, the inhabitants was anchored at Navarino bay (near modern day of Mani, sign and wait for you.” Pylos, on the western coast of the Peloponnese). Ibrahim’s army of 7,000 men was held off by an The Ottomans refused to renounce hostilities. army of 2,000 Maniots and 500 refugees from Codrington, the commander of the other parts of Greece until Kolokotronis attacked combined British, Russian and French fleet, the Egyptians from the rear destroyed the Ottoman fleet and forced them to retreat. on 20 October 1827. Out of The Maniots pursued the 89 Ottoman ships, only 14 Egyptians all the way to survived. This victory Kalamata. Simultaneously, ensured that independence Ibrahim sent his fleet further would be granted to the down the Maniot coast in order Greeks. to outflank the Greek Despite the defeat of his defenders and attack them navy, the Sultan refused to from the rear. However, when grant independence. In April his force landed at Pyrgos 1828, Russia declared war Dirou, they were confronted by on the . In a group of Maniot women and the Russo-Turkish war, the repelled. Ibrahim again Ottoman armies suffered attempted to enter Mani from major losses. At the end of central Laconia, but again the the war, the Russians forced Maniots defeated the Turkish the Ottomans to concede and Egyptian forces at large territories to the Polytsaravo. The Maniot Greeks. In 1832, the new victory dealt the death blow to Greek territory extended Ibrahim's hope of occupying south of the line extending Mani. from Volos to Arta. Prince The Egyptian involvement in Otto of Bavaria accepted the the Peloponnese moved the The Sortie of Messolonghi (1853) Greek crown. In 1832, the European Powers Ottoman Sultan recognised (predominantly England, France and Russia) from Greek independence with the Treaty of a position of neutrality to an interventionist Constantinople. position in favour of the Greeks. The Treaty of The Greek War of Independence was a heroic London (1827), envisaged the creation of an struggle. At the start of the war, there was no autonomous Greek state, still under the authority surety of success. The stark facts favoured the of the Sultan. The Greeks agreed to the Ottomans. At times, the Greeks were hopelessly intervention of the European Powers. The Sultan divided. During the struggle, there were two refused this intervention. The allied fleets in the Greek civil wars. At times, there were two Greek Mediterranean were instructed to secure an governing assemblies. Against all odds, the armistice but without engaging in hostilities. Greeks succeeded. The cost of the protracted negotiations was a As Kolokotronis said “When we revolted, we said deteriorating military situation in Greece. In April first for our Christian Faith and then for the 1826, an attempt by the inhabitants of Nation.” God does not forget those who love Him. Messolonghi to lift Ibrahim Pasha’s siege resulted in a massacre. Thousands of Greeks were killed, 8 ΠΕΤΡΟΣ Ο ΕΚ ΤΩΝ ΠΡΩΤΟΚΟΡΥΦΑΙΩΝ

έτρος, ο Μαθητής που επαίνεσε τόσο πολύ Γεγονότα της ζωής του: Με το Ιάκωβον και Π όσο κανένα - άλλο ο Κύριος. Όταν έκανε την Ιωάννη μόνοι μάρτυρες της Μεταμόρφωσης του ερώτηση «ποιος νομίζουν οι άνθρωποι, ότι είμαι Κυρίου. Εκεί εκδηλώνεται ο αυθορμητισμός του. εγώ, ο υιός του ανθρώπου;» ο Πέτρος πρώτος Στην εβδομάδα των Παθών και αμέσως μετά ομολόγησε την Θεότητα του Χριστού. Όταν είπε την Ανάσταση: Ορμητικός κόβει το αυτί του «Συ είσαι ο Χριστός ο Υιός του Θεού του ζώντος» Μάλχου και στην αυλή του Αρχιερέα «τρεις» ήταν δείγμα της βαθιάς του πίστεως. αρνείται τον Χριστό «πριν ο αλέκτωρ φωνίσει». Ο Κύριος μεταξύ άλλων του είπε: «Σίμων, την Σώζεται με το πικρό κλάμα και την μετάνοια. Για ομολογία αυτή σου την φανέρωσε ο Πατήρ μου ο να εξαφανιστεί ο φόβος, και η ντροπή το πρωί της Επουράνιος και εσύ είσαι ο Πέτρος και σ’ αυτήν Κυριακής! Ο ίδιος ο Αναστημένος Ιησούς την πέτρα θα οικοδομήσω την Εκκλησία μου και παρουσιάζεται αποκλειστικά σ’ αυτόν! (Λουκ. Κδ’ πύλες του Άδη δεν θα την νικήσουν. Και θα σου 34) Δεν τον ξέχασε στη θλίψη και στην πτώση του. δώσω τα κλειδιά της βασιλείας των ουρανών ...». Το τι ειπώθηκε ανάμεσά τους άγνωστο. Όμως σε (Ματθ. Ιστ’ 16-19, Μετάφραση Τρεμπέλα). λίγες μέρες δίπλα στη θάλασσα της Γαλιλαίας ο αναστημένος Χριστός τον αποκατέστησε Αλλά και τον «μάλωσε» στο ίδιο κεφάλαιο (Ιστ’ 22- ρωτώντας τον τρεις φορές (όσες και η άρνησή του) 23), όταν ο Πέτρος τον «μάλωνε» να μην «Σίμων Ιωνά, με αγαπάς περισσότερο απ’ θυσιαστεί στα Ιεροσόλυμα, με το: «πήγαινε πίσω αυτούς;” και τρεις φορές πήρε την απάντηση «ναι μου σατανά!», μια βαριά κουβέντα. Αλλά όχι με Κύριε φιλώ σε» και τρεις φορές πήρε την θυμό. Η καταγωγή του ήταν η Βηθσαϊδά της απάντησή Του: «βόσκε τα πρόβατά μου». Και τον Γαλιλαίας - χώρα «των εθνών». Ζούσε με την ξαναέκανε «κορυφαίο της Εκκλησίας» και γυναίκα του στην Καπερναούμ. προφήτευσε «με ποιο θάνατο θα Ήταν ψαράς στη λίμνη της δόξαζε το Θεό» (Ιω. Κα΄ 18,19). Γεννησαρέτ (ή θάλασσα της Την Πεντηκοστή με την κάθοδο Τιβεριάδος) με τον αδελφό του του Αγίου Πνεύματος βγαίνει Ανδρέα, σε συνεργασία με τα δυο από το υπερώον και με θάρρος αδέλφια Ιάκωβο και Ιωάννη, κηρύττει για το Χριστό και μαζί με γιούς του Ζεβεδαίου. τους άλλους μαθητές πείθουν τα Εκεί τους γνώρισε ο Ιησούς και πλήθη και 3,000 Ιουδαίοι τους κάλεσε να τους κάνει «αλιείς πιστεύουν, βαπτίζονται, και ανθρώπων» (Ματθ.δ΄22, Μαρκ. γίνονται ο πυρήνας των πρώτων α΄16) και «αφήσαντες» τα πάντα Χριστιανών. μαθήτευσαν κοντά Του για τρία Η δράση του Πέτρου κατά τις χρόνια. Πράξεις: Κηρύττει στους Μόρφωση: Βασική από την χριστιανούς της Σαμάρειας, οικογένειά του ή γνώση της Π. Διαθήκης. Ο Καισαρείας, Ιόππης, Λύδδας. και τις δύο Πέτρος δεν φαίνεται να είχε πάρει κάποια ανώτερη Επιστολές του τις απευθύνει στους χριστιανούς μόρφωση. Η «παρέα» του Πέτρου δέχτηκε με της: διασποράς Πόντου, Γαλατίας, Καππαδοκίας, έτοιμη καρδιά και με χαρά την πρόσκληση του Ασίας. Χριστού, γιατί όπως είπε και ο πρωτόκλητος Πρώτος βαφτίζει την οικογένεια τού εθνικού Ανδρέας «βρήκαμε τον Μεσσία» (Ιω. Α΄ 41). Κορνηλίου. Παίρνει ενεργό μέρος στην Χαρακτήρας: Θαυμάσιος τύπος Γαλιλαίου που Α’ Αποστολική Σύνοδο Των Ιεροσολύμων. εμπιστεύεται, φιλελεύθερος, υπάκουος, θαρραλέος Το τελευταίο μέρος της ζωής του: Ελάχιστα αλλά και ευμετάβλητος. Ο Κύριος όμως διείδε την γνωρίζουμε για το τέλος της ζωής του. Κατά την εσωτερική του δύναμη και σταθερότητα και τον παράδοση ήλθε στη Ρώμη, πιθανότατα τον ίδιο ανέδειξε «Στύλο και Εδραίωμα» της Εκκλησίας. καιρό που και ο Παύλος ευρίσκετο εκεί. Οι ευαγγελιστές στα γεγονότα που περιγράφουν Εμαρτύρησε κατά τον διωγμό τού Νέρωνος – τον παρουσιάζουν σαν άνδρα γενναίο, δυνατό, με μεταξύ 64 και 66 μ.Χ. Ζήτησε να σταυρωθεί με το ηγετικά προσόντα, ζωηρό, ενεργητικό, ορμητικό, κεφάλι κάτω για να διαφοροποιήσει τον θάνατο ευέξαπτο, συναισθηματικό, πολύ ανθρώπινο τόσο του από το θάνατο τού Κυρίου του. στις αρετές του όσο και στις πτώσεις του. 9

Ψαλμός / Psalm 62:2 Argyro (the Leper) “O God, my God, I rise early to be with You; German firing squad is about My soul thirsts for You. A to execute a group of soldiers in WWII. A How often my flesh thirsts for You young woman marches across placing herself In a desolate, impassable, and waterless land.” between the rifles and the soldiers, pleading for «Ὁ Θεὸς ὁ Θεός μου, πρὸς σὲ ὀρθρίζω· ἐδίψησέ the life of her fiancé. This was Argyro. When the σε ἡ ψυχή μου, ποσαπλῶς σοι ἡ σάρξ μου ἐν γῇ executioner granted her request he was surely ἐρήμῳ καὶ ἀβάτῳ καὶ ἀνύδρῳ». caught off guard when she demanded that all should be released or else she would not step his Psalm was written by the Prophet and King aside. T David when he was in the wilderness of Judea, After the war she and her fiancé were married but when he was fleeing from the persecution of Saul. the joy was short lived for after her first child she It is striking that David, in a time of such great was diagnosed with the then incurable Hansen’s difficulty, found it possible to write a Psalm with disease. Forced to go to Spinalonga (a leper such love for God. island) away from her family, her desire to see her child grew. One night she escaped, swimming to When someone rises early, the reason for this the mainland and walking for seven days to find arises from love. For David’s love towards God, St her family. If the physical exhaustion, hunger and Nicodemus the Hagiorite expresses it in this way: thirst she faced to get there were not enough, she “[O]n waking my thoughts turn at once to you, would soon add heartbreak, for as she arrived making my converse with you prior to any word or they told her that her child had reposed. Broken deed, and having dedicated such converse to you and unable to offer anything else, she took the as the first-fruit of the day.” It is fitting that this is long path back to Spinalonga, the same way she the third of the Psalms recited during Matins. left. This sentiment is repeated when David writes “My She would repeat this journey five more times out soul thirsts for You”, and this shows the intensity of of a sense or honour (“philotimo”). On one his love for God. The idea of thirsting for God is occasion it was to attend her husband’s second repeated throughout the Psalms, and refers to the wedding who, seeing her condition getting worse times when God provided the Israelites water in the asked if he could remarry. The other four times, to desert after they had fled from Egypt. In the same attend the baptisms of each of his children. Each way that the Israelites were physically nourished, time she simply left her blessing and a satchel of so the “Living Water” quenches the thirst of the money she collected from her little allowance. soul for God. When Spinalonga finally closed in 1957, Argyro However, this thirst is quenched for the soul and moved to the Leprokomeio (Hospital of Infectious body. This emphasises the physical element of Diseases) in . Many had come here who, both the creation of humanity and of worship. although healed, were too disfigured to return Christ became incarnate, taking on and redeeming home. She spent her days praying and fasting the human body. This human body is called, while ministering to older patients and preparing alongside the rest of Creation, to worship God. This them for burial. Here she also met St Nikiforos the physical worship can be experienced in the Divine Leper and Elder Evmenios Saridakis, the chapel Liturgy, where all of the senses are brought closer priest. to God. This Psalm also reiterates the ongoing Born in Vasilies, Crete around 1920, this nature of our desire for God. This desire is not a courageous woman managed to turn her suffering rarity, but a constant within the life of the faithful. into acts of love. Her prayer and fasting would While everyday life may not appear conducive contribute to the cure for leprosy. Argyro and towards cultivating this thirst for God, we must some other devout women had asked God to remember that David managed this in the desert. provide the cure and they would never again taste The world can appear spiritually “desolate” and oil. Once discovered, every Pascha thereafter, “waterless”, but that should only encourage the these blessed women would but dip a finger in the Christian to hunger and thirst for righteousness oil candle and touch their lips so as to honour the through Christ as He instructs us in the Beatitudes. Resurrection without breaking their promise to God. May her memory be eternal. 10

Pentecost Kneeling Prayers The Refuge he Lord Jesus Christ sowed a most he Refuge is a modern English translation of “T precious seed in the field of this world,” T some of the writings of St Ignatius writes St Nikolai Velimirovich, “but the power of Brianchaninov. St Ignatius, who lived between the Holy Spirit was needed to come upon it, to 1807 and 1867, was a bishop and theologian of give it warmth and light, and make it grow.” At the Russian Orthodox Church. He was one of the Pentecost, Orthodox Christians celebrate the most prolific and influential writers of the modern descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples and Church, and wrote extensively on the spiritual life, on the whole of the earth. Towards the on prayer, and on how to progress in the spiritual world. Many readers would be familiar with conclusion of the Pentecost Divine Liturgy, it is another of his books, The Arena, which sets out a the recent practice that the prayers of the series of guidelines for the spiritual life. Vespers service for the commemoration of the Holy Spirit on the next day are read. During The Refuge contains 21 chapters, each seeking these prayers, the clergy and the laity kneel for to inspire the reader to the first time since Pascha fifty days prior. take actions to purify There are seven prayers which are read during themselves, seek refuge the three times the church kneels. The first two in the Lord, and perfect prayers, addressing God the Father, are read the image of God that is together. These two prayers recall all that the inside them. These chapters include “The Father has done for us through Creation, the Fear of God and the Ministry of Christ and the sending down of the Love of God” (Ch.4), Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In these prayers we “Seeing One's seek forgiveness, freedom from oppression Sins” (Ch.7), “The Jesus and that our prayers may be heard. Prayer” (Ch.17) and The next two prayers are read together with “Salvation and Christian Perfection” (Ch.20). the church kneeling. These implore Christ “as the reflection of the Father” who sent down the In each chapter, St Ignatius ties together many grace of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles to also reflections on the Bible (including the Old grant us the Holy Spirit. This is asked for our Testament and the Psalms), the writings of the Church fathers, and his own spiritual insights to support in the spiritual life and protection from guide the reader on this journey. This approach is the things of the world. engaging and insightful. Finally, the last three prayers are read. These The Refuge is a book that requires careful study prayers are longer, and focus on life and death as it raises deep insights regarding the hidden in Christ. We remember Christ’s harrowing of workings of the spiritual realm. More importantly, Hades and defeat of death, the Judgement however, it is a book that repays action. which is to come, as well as those who have St Ignatius is not undertaking a theological departed. In concluding these prayers, we are discourse for post-graduate studies. Instead, he seeks to provide the reader with concrete actions brought back to the present, seeking that our to be taken in this life. From the very first page of prayers may be answered and that we have a the book, he challenges the reader to “come and peaceful night. listen to the salvific teaching” and to stop wasting While the Holy Spirit is not directly addressed time “with constant, futile toil, unrewarded by any fruits.” Once we begin listening to “the holy song” - in these prayers, it is “present everywhere and when we live a life of prayer, repentance, and love filling all things”. What is sought from the - the Lord's consolation will descend and we will Father and the Son is now accomplished after understand the words of the Psalmist: “Blessed is Pentecost through the Grace of the Holy Spirit. the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly” (Psalm 1:1). 11

ho for us and for our salvation, came down “Panagia”, the All-Holy One. W from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy The Virgin Mary’s question to the Archangel, “How Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became human. can this be, since I do not know a man?” (Luke “Beholding Herself in purity, the Holy One 1:34), could seem at first glance to signify courageously said to Gabriel: ‘Your strange voice disbelief, based in rational thought restrained by seems unbelievable to my soul; for how do you the laws of human biology. Persisting in this line of speak of birth-giving without seed?’ (1st Stanza, thinking which tends to focus on the “how” rather Salutations to the Theotokos).” than the “what”, restricts one’s thoughts to the This expression of great wonder directed by the laws of the Created world and sole human Virgin Mary towards the Archangel Gabriel upon capability, leaving no room for God and His receiving the “Ευαγγελισμός” (Good news), that intervention. she was chosen to conceive within her womb and Fortunately, Mary was moved to proclaim: “Behold bring forth the Son of God, inevitably finds itself on the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me the lips of all believers according to your through the generations. word” (Luke 1:38). Even To appear “in the though this incredible flesh” (incarnate) was the event remained something way in which God chose to she could not explain the approach humanity. That ‘how’ of, it was the “what” the Pre-Incarnate Son of that she could God became Incarnate; comprehend and accept His conception in Mary, on the basis of her faith in the Womb of Divine God’s divine uncreated Incarnation (1st Stanza, energies. Salutations to the This truth is triumphantly Theotokos); that the Son declared by both of God becomes the Son St Athanasius the Great of the Virgin (Dismissal and St John Chrysostom Hymn, Feast of the concerning the event of Annunciation), is the Incarnation: “where inconceivable before the God so wills, the laws of laws of science as nature are overcome.” And understood by the human God willed to become mind. human. That Christ was “incarnate There may be times when of the Holy Spirit and the we feel within us, an Virgin Mary,” reveals the ‘incompatibility’ between unique manner of His conception, which was our rational thoughts as people (especially as unlike any other in the course of human history. It citizens of Western society), and what we believe was a “seedless conception” followed by a “Virgin as Orthodox Christians. Instead of dwelling in birth.” It also emphasises Christ’s divinity, whilst uncertainty and confusion, let us consider the declaring at the same time that He is human like disposition shown by our Most Holy Lady the us. Virgin Mary in the work of the Incarnation. May we In the role of the Virgin Mary, we behold the most never allow scholastic analysing, rationalising and magnificent example of synergy between God and arguing within ourselves, or with others, to man. Her free acceptance of God’s will, her small imprison us and triumph over the Truth that sets and yet so immense “yes” offered to God through us free, the Truth that … Christ is Risen! His Archangel, exalts all of humanity! She brought The next edition on “Our Creed” will focus on the honour to the whole human race, and we honour last phrase of Article 3: “and became human” her as “Theotokos”, the God-bearer, and as 12

NEWS and VIEWS

200 years of Greek independence celebrations askarina Bouboulina, Mando Mavrogenous and Domma Visvizi were three amazing L women of the 1821 revolution who devoted their entire personal fortune to build and man ships for the struggle for Greek Independence. They were the theme for the fourth 1821 event by the Greek Orthodox Christian Society. This was presented by the Girls’ Orthodox Christian Fellowships (Omades) on Sunday 23 May 2021, in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and other Clergy of our Holy Archdiocese, at the Parish/Community of All Saints Belmore.

«ΛΥΧΝΟΣ» is a bimonthly publication of the Greek Orthodox Christian Society, under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Phone: (02) 9787 9779 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.lychnos.org