May / Easter

Once again, we celebrated Easter, with the usual glory, the customs, participating at Communion. Corfu has mastered the annual period, all enjoy the contributions for success. Some join groups, others maintain family observance, some travel, others cling to renowned Elders. We wished Happy Easter to you all. We will continue with wishes, Christos Anesti, like St. Seraphim of Sarov.

Often, Easter awakens an appetite for further knowledge. On the second Sunday of Lent, St. Gregory Palamas, (14/11 is his day of remembrance), we heard the prophet Isaiah’s (9,5) well known words, used in Handel’s Messiah, shouting the titles of the Messiah to come - Wonderful, - Counsellor, music and words that thrill audiences. (Isaiah 9,6). The Megaron Chamber Choir sing “For Unto Us A Child Was Born” with contagious dedication. Read Isaiah 9,6 and remember the words. Not difficult.

Once, Martin Luther the theologian was asked “What would you do if you knew Christ would come tomorrow?” Smartly he answered, “I would plant a tree”. He also said, “God’s Gospel is in the Bible, the trees, clouds and stars”. Who would think likewise? St. Amphilochios of Patmos did (16/4) asking his parishioners to plant trees all over the island! Yet another, Francis of Assisi. On the third Sunday of Lent, we honoured the Cross, a great sign and trophy of victory, made of three woods, Cyprus, Cedar and Pine, with a rich history - Moses made a cross when praying.

Today, trees are felled, topped, roads are cut in virgin land, take note: trees can’t survive aridity. Caring for our environment is a responsibility for all. This was said by the late Pope, Francis, who died on the Monday after Easter Sunday 21/4/25, with 500,000 people attending his funeral, a man who connected, inspired, was loved by everyone. May he rest in peace. Let’s plant a tree in his name.

Dostoyevsky said “Love everything.” Albert Sweitzer said “All creation speaks vividly of God better than any human lips” and C.S. Lewis said “God’s creation with His love and artistry deserves our reverence.” Preparing for Easter, we celebrated St. John Climacus (30/3) who died in 649 and who was guided by St. John Cassian (29/2) who died 200 years earlier in 439. Climakos wrote his Ladder of Ascent numbering vices and virtues helpfully - as earlier explained by Cassian. John Climakos, after years of solitary living, little intercourse with other beings, at the age of about 70, undertook to write his simple worded, much read, book of 30 steps. St. Cassian left Constantinople (ordained by St John Chrysostom), went to France and opened two monasteries, and living with the monks there, taught them Orthodox Rule, new to the French. His mystical writings are unsurpassed.

We also learnt much about St. Mary of Egypt, a story that continues to stun readers. She wandered in the desert for 47 years with no comforting cave, no clothes, no food, but rewarded with heavenly help for her repentance. She ate weeds, she prayed, she mysteriously learnt the Bible- without ever having seen a Bible, she walked on water to meet her monk friend, yet she never forgot her life as a whore - details of which she told the monk. Most desert dwellers organize a cave, for protection from the sun’s rays, cold nights and wild animals. Not so for St. Mary. After communing with Zosimas’ help, she died. A wild lion came unexpectedly to bury her, digging her grave with his paws, just in time, and very appropriate. Zosimas reverently threw Maria his cloak to cover her, observing her deprived life, no company, no trees for shade or beauty.

St. Gregory Palamas, (14/11) and the second Sunday of Lent wrote a text “On Drought” about the time he had been imprisoned. Did he bring rain? Many Saints brought rain, St John Climacus, Polycarpos, prophet Elijah, St Tryphon. St. Andrew of Crete. Moses hit a rock for water.

After Palm Sunday we dyed the eggs red, cookies were baked, and ingredients for Easter soup arranged. Now in May, we closed the Triodio, opened the Pentacostarion book and enjoyed a week of no fasting. Read about the following Sundays with their messages, easy reading with powerful meanings. There are parables, the Good Samaritan, the Blind Man. Saints to honor, St.John the Russian, St Christoforos, St. Irene. Light a candle on 9 May in memory of prophet Isaiah. Also, the strange but valiant Saint Matrona of Russia, (2/5).

Living in an age of NO TRUST, not in Government, nor Judges, nor TV news, we can believe the life of Matrona, a strange but deeply pious blind woman who died in 1952. She is buried at the monastery and thousands go every day to her grave and plead for her help.

Light another candle for Pope Francis for eternal rest.

Christos Anesti, always on the tip of your tongue, the best wish for now and forever!

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.