August

The month for the Virgin Mary. With the August fast from 1-14/8 with no meat, no oil, no dairy products, no fish, no wine. Then the big free day on 15/8. Every Greek goes to morning Liturgy, then wolfs down all the delights that were forbidden.

Our Metochi celebrates on 23/8 so do come. We will have Holy Bread and refreshments for you all. This particular celebration marks the end of the August festivities for the Virgin Mother. Also celebrating are big monasteries like Prousos in Karpenisi, with its famous icon, the Prousiotissa.

It has been so hot that a regular night’s sleep is missing. We tend to dream more. My latest dream was having guests to a dinner - I had Handel, Isaiah, and Roger Bullard, who wrote “Messiah, The Gospel according to Handel’s Oratorio”. All of these esteemed people got on well, delighting in recounting their cooperation in the superb Oratorio. Mr. Bullard was very knowledgeable and contributed with learned questions. Who would you invite to a dreamy dinner? Someone asked me “Didn’t they exchange money?” Goodness no. Nor did they eat much. The menu was of no importance, but their combined delight all together made the evening so enjoyable.

Money is uppermost in our thoughts lately as a huge scandal unfolds all over Greece. It seems that members of parliament, plus others, craved for grants of money for supposed agricultural achievements. In all branches of society there are always the greedy, who never think they will be uncovered. What about the serpent in the first book of creation, Genesis in the Old Testament (Gen 3,1). That serpent was so crafty, the craftiest of all creatures, it mislead Eve and therefore Adam too. So the pair were found nude. The Lord was disappointed in the couple but acted at once, clothing the couple in more adequate clothes made of skins, and sending them out of Eden at once. Our Lord did not need to consider, to delay for days, nor to form committees each to check the other’s work. The crafty money grabbers had so many committees, yet no one worked there. About the serpent again, it was then cursed and ordered to go on its tummy for ever after. (It is thought that originally the serpent was designed for loftier life.) Sometimes we have to remember that symbolism, legend and mythology were rampant in those days. The scandalous characters I now associate with serpents. These officials, these serpents, made absurd claims cashing in considerable amounts, but now the cat is out of the bag they are resigning, one after the other. With recorded conversations these officials are now trapped. It is said - history repeats itself. Some philosopher said that owning property was the beginning of the end. Alexander the Great desired to expand his empire, Catherine the Great wanted to own beauties from all over the world for her Hermitage, Potemkin wanted the Crimea and the southern parts of Russia, the Crusaders caused havoc, the Jews and their Temple invited jealousy, Putin would be happy with more and more territory.

Throughout August there are memorable celebrations like those for St.Joseph the Hesychast on 16/8 who kept by him worthy monks despite his austere ways, e.g. they all had to eat leftovers with mould and grubs. But each monk on the death of St. Joseph became an Abbot at one of the monasteries on Mt. Athos. The book written by St. Joseph reads well but it is filled with the painful stories that the brotherhood experienced. The book is called Expressions of Monastic Experience, by Elder Joseph. Not an easy book to read but helpful. One of the monks, Papaharalambos, became Abbot at Dionysios monastery on the Holy Mountain and wrote probably the best book about prayer. “The Prayer from the Heart”.

The final day (31/8) is yet again for the Virgin Mother and celebrates the day her sash was deposited. The icon shows the Theotokos holding her sash and is a quiet and serious icon. A major celebration is at the Monastery Batopedi of Mt. Athos, where the Holy Belt is treasured. Perhaps the icon of the Dormition is one we should study. Last year we wrote plenty about the icon, and don’t forget the beautiful simple icon we are proud to own at the Metochi. Perhaps someone will photograph it. We will be expecting you. If you want to see the books and icons that we have talked about, like Foti Kontoglou’s book on icons come earlier than the festival day.

The Icon of St. Marina(17/7) that we spoke of in July with the black devil annoying the Saint, is an icon you should be familiar with, as the valiant Marina strikes the devil, in the prison where they met, even so she was beheaded. The devil has horns, fearful claws and malicious fire coming from its mouth. The saints all fought with devils, St. Antony the Great, St Joseph the Heysachast, Efraim, many Abbots. Tolstoy in a short story “Father Sergius” has a woman bedevil Father Sergius. Like all Tolstoy’s writings it is a gem.

It is good to attend all Services - the evening Services called Paraklisis, are sweet and easy to attend. August does expect a lot from you so follow the programme well. At the Metochi you can always find books for the Services, and copies of icons - of St. Marina as well. Have a good month, keep the August fast, please come to our festival. We need a photographer, someone else to offer the sweets before they melt, and someone to help in the Iero, to have the incense ready.

August 23 - Festival of The Odigitria

As at every monastery, so too at the Holy Metochi, the celebration of the Saint to whom the monastery is dedicated is the most significant day in the year. 

In the case of the Metochi, our Patroness is the Holy Virgin and Mother of God, the Odigitria, who in this area is called the Panayiopoula. All year in our thoughts and prayers we call to  her to bestow her grace on us.

The 23rd of August is the Return Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, the 9th day, and worshippers venerate a small icon of the Dormition, showing the All-Holy settled on her deathbed surrounded by apostles, hierarchs and angels.

Leading up to the day the church is scrubbed, polished and decorated. The Altar is covered with a richly embroidered cloth only used for this festival, flowers fill every corner and rows of flags are strung up and down the street. The  beloved and grace-filled icon of the Panayiopoula is framed in priceless handmade lace.

Celebrating the Panagia Odigitria

The church which so many describe as having a 'soul' is very small, so chairs outside in the quiet street soon fill up with locals and some from further away.

• On 22nd August, Vespers starts at 8 p.m.with the Blessing of the Bread (Αρτοκλασια) and is followed by refreshments.
• On 23rd August, Matins and Divine Liturgy starts at 8 a.m. Later, coffee is served next door, with extra help from a group interested in maintaining Corfu Town customs. Although lacking a refectory we aim at hospitality as that of Abraham.
• The small Canon to the Theotokos is chanted in the evening at 8 p.m., by candlelight, and already we look forward to next year's celebration, God willing.

Each Service is officiated by the Hegumen of the Holy Monastery Platytera.

'All generations shall call me blessed'  Luke 1, 48. That is why we call and pray for her help, our Ever-Virgin Mother. All Holy Theotokos intercede for us.

The church can be contacted by writing to PO Box 532, Corfu, 49100 Greece or by email at info@corfu-odigitria.com.