“We read in the book of Genesis
that God, when he had created man, planted a garden for his pleasure, a most
beautiful garden in Eden, and settled him there. The image of the garden in all
Middle Eastern religions functions as a symbol of ideal happiness – perhaps in
contrast with the aridity and the bareness of the deserts which abound in these
regions. Certainly, the drought of the desert is a symbol of death, while the
rivers which irrigate the Garden of Eden and the wealth of vegetation which
adorn it give the picture of fullness of life”[1].
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Greek Islands - A Wonderful Summer Destination!
Every summer we ask the same questions? Where to go to have a wonderful holiday? Where can I find beautiful beaches, sun, food, friends, people? Below is a beautiful video which shows the magical Greek Islands. If your not sure where to go this summer, you can choose any of the 1.500 Greek islands. Enjoy!
Monday, April 28, 2014
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Monastery of the Virgin Mary Girokomitissa – Patra
The
Monastery of the Virgin Mary Girokomitissa (which is the Greek word for home
for the elderly) was founded in the 10th century A.D., just outside
of Patra (the third largest city in Greece, located in the Peloponnese). The
area has taken the name from the monastery and hence it is called Girikomeio.
It is believed that the monastery, during the Byzantine era had under its
auspices a home for the elderly. The monastery is built above the ancient ruins
of the Temple of Artemis and that is why the Katholikon (i.e. the main Church)
is dedicated to St. Artemios.
During
the Ottoman period, where Greece was under Turkish rule for 400 years, the
monastery was the See of the Metropolis of Patra. Unfortunately, the monastery
was burnt by Turks and Albanians in 1770 and by the Turks during the
Independence struggle against the Ottoman Empire (1821). In 1943, the monks
where exiled from the monastery by the Germans, moving them to the monastery of
Mpala.
A
feature which is easily evident to the visitor is that the monastery has many
water fountains and springs which come straight from the mountain, attracting
the locals, who come to fill their bottles with cold mountain water.
Upon
entering the premises of the monastery, the visitor comes across a small
chapel, with an interesting story. There, in the main wall on the interior of
the chapel we find an interesting icon – plaque of the Virgin Mary. On the 2nd
of May 1969 two young kids, around 9 years old, where in the garden of the
monastery, outside of the Katholikon. They both saw a bright light coming
towards them. The light ended up on the floor, where the image of the Theotokos
was imprinted. This image (icon) was later taken and placed within the chapel,
showing that miracles still happen in our time.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Friday, April 25, 2014
The Foundation of Orthodoxy
Fr. Dumitru Staniloae explains in his book, Orthodoxy, Life in the Resurrection, the
importance of the Resurrection for the Orthodox Church, stating that:
“The deepest foundation of the
hope and joy which characterise Orthodoxy and which penetrate all its worship
is the Resurrection. Easter, the centre of Orthodox worship, is an explosion of
joy, the same joy which the disciples felt when they saw the risen Saviour. It
is the explosion of cosmic joy at the triumph of life, after the overwhelming
sorrow over death – death which even the Lord of life had to suffer when he
became man. ‘Let the heavens rejoice and the earth exult, and let all the world
invisible and visible jeep holiday, for Christ our eternal joy is risen’ All
things are now filled with the certainty of life, whereas before all had been
moving steadily towards death. Orthodoxy emphasises with special insistence the
faith of Christianity in the triumph of life”.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
The Easter Gospel in Homeric Greek
Every year, on Easter Sunday, the
Orthodox Church celebrates the Vespers of Love, where we read John’s Gospel in
many languages and dialects, in order to show the unity between the peoples of
all backgrounds. One of the most famous dialects used during this service is
Homeric Greek. Below is a video with the Homeric Greek Gospel, chanted in a
unique and beautiful manner.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Christ’s Resurrected Body
How will our bodies be when we
are again resurrected, after the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? This is a
question many have, when speaking about the future, our future life in the
Kingdom of Heaven. However, we can find the answer, when looking at our Lord.
How was his human body after the Resurrection? Christo Yannaras gives an
interesting answer to the above question.
“The body of the risen Christ is
the human nature free from every limitation and every need. It is a human body
with flesh and bones, but which does not draw life from its biological
functions, but is hypostasized in a real existence thanks to the personal
relationship with God which alone constitutes it and gives it life”[1].
Therefore, we understand that a
life in communion with God will give us a new body, a new existence. Theosis,
when achieved will give us the opportunity to live with God in a renewed
existence.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
MY FIRST BOOK – The Aegean Sea Dispute Between Greece and Turkey, The Consequences for NATO and the EU
I am proud to announce that my
first book is out. The title is The Aegean Sea Dispute Between Greece and Turkey, The Consequences for
NATO and the EU, (London,
Akakia Publications, 2014). The
Aegean dispute between Greece and Turkey is a persistent problem between the
two allied states. Difference of interpretation of the treaties has contributed
in the prevalence of the argument. This dispute consists of five key issues.
Greece only accepts one, namely the delimitation of the continental shelf.
However, Turkey has introduced and has persisted on the other four, which are
the delimitation of the territorial seas, the national airspace and FIR
controls over the Aegean Sea, the demilitarization of the Eastern Aegean
Islands and finally the disputed islands, islets and rocks which have presented
the grey zones issue. All of these matters have persisted for so long,
especially after the Treaty of Lausanne in 1923 where the current status quo in
the Aegean was introduced, due to economic, political and strategic reasons.
The
Aegean dispute does not only have consequences for Greece and Turkey; it also
affects, negatively, NATO and the European Union. This is an ongoing problem,
which if not solved it will produce future problems, not only for the two
states, but also for NATO and the EU. A third party may be needed in order to
assist in finding a just and permanent solution concerning this dispute, since
Greece and Turkey seem incapable of solving this dispute by themselves.
This
book is based on a thesis, which was submitted to the University of London,
Queen Mary, for the MA in International Relations, 2010. Since then the Aegean
Sea dispute has remained unchanged for both Greece and Turkey. However, the
current form of the text has altered, due to a number of new information.
Unfortunately, a solution to this significant matter has yet to be found.
The book is available as an
e-Book (PDF, EPUB, MOBI) and in a printed format (paperback). Whoever is
interested in buying the book please follow the links below:
http://www.akakia.net/en/the-aegean-sea-dispute-between-greece-and-turkey
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/dimitris+salapatas/the+aegean+sea+dispute+between+greece+and+turkey/10704163/
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aegean-Dispute-between-Greece-Turkey/dp/1909884529/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397575324&sr=8-1&keywords=the+Aegean+Sea+dispute
http://www.amazon.com/Aegean-Dispute-between-Greece-Turkey/dp/1909884529/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397575559&sr=8-1&keywords=THE+AEGEAN+SEA+DISPUTE+BETWEEN+GREECE+AND+TURKEY
http://www.perizitito.gr/product.php?productid=237633
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Clement of Rome on the Resurrection of Christ
Christ is Risen! Truly He is
Risen! These are the words with which we greet each other for 40 days after
Easter. We identify that God continually shows us in nature that there will be
a resurrection. St. Clement of Rome comments on this important topic First
Epistle to the Corinthians (Chapter XXIV):
“Let us consider, beloved, how
the Lord continually proves to us that there shall be a future resurrection, of
which He has rendered the Lord Jesus Christ the first fruits by raising Him
from the dead. Let us contemplate, beloved, the resurrection which is at all
times taking place. Day and night declare to us a resurrection. The night sinks
to sleep, and the day arises; the day again departs, and the night comes on.
Let us behold the fruits of the earth, how the sowing of grain takes place. The
sower goes forth, and casts it into the ground; and the seed being thus
scattered, through dry and naked when it fell upon the earth, is gradually
dissolved. Then out of this dissolution the mighty power of the providence of
the Lord raises it up again, and from one seed many arise and bring forth
fruit”.
Saturday, April 19, 2014
Jesus in Hades for three days
In the Bible we hear Jesus claim
that he will be in the underworld for three days. However, when we celebrate
this reality during Holy Week we identify that it is actually 1 day. How, then,
do we explain this?
Jesus Christ was on the cross on
Holy Friday, between 1-3 pm, when there was still light. During the 6th
- 9th hours there was
darkness, i.e. between 3-6 pm. After the 9th hour we have day again.
The following day we have Saturday and on Holy Saturday night we have Christ’s
Resurrection. Thus, analytically we have the following exegesis:
Holy Friday, 1-3 pm First Day
Holy Friday, 3-6 pm First Night
Holy Friday, 6-9 pm, Second Day
Holy Friday, night Second Night
Holy Saturday, day Third
Day
Holy Saturday, night Third
Night, where we have the Resurrection of the Son of God
Friday, April 18, 2014
Epitafios in London 2014
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of All Saints, Camden Town
Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Michael, Golders Green
St. Panteleimon and St. Paraskevi Orthodox Church, Harrow
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