December

November had on its last day the celebration of St. Andrew The Apostle. Just as everyone went to Thessaloniki for St Demetrios, everyone goes to the town of Patras on 30 November, where the holy skull is kept in a new church, and the grave in the old church. Our Patriarch celebrates on St. Andrew’s Day, being the descendant of the Apostle.

Mentioning these days of celebration, we see how honoured Greece is. On 12/12 we will celebrate St. Spyridon, here in Corfu - the musical bands have rehearsed, the priests have arranged time away from their village church, icons are painted and dried. The usual icon is of the Saint in his knitted common cap. Corfiots descend into town, venerate, then have a dish of loukoumades. Demetra and Demetrios are more than common names awaiting boxes of sweets, given to all those celebrating. There is always a major string of Services at the large Church of St. Spyridon - Vespers, all-night vigil, Divine Liturgy, then a grand procession around town, people lining the streets, and our Bishop with some fellow bishops from elsewhere, blessing the onlookers. Many tourists, in adoration of the Saint, buy icons and other mementos, also large candles. Locals hang red cloths on balcony rails, and the procession continues with periodical chanting. Each has a role to play, in this revered celebration, every house knows the wondrous works of the Saints, plan wishes to send to celebrants, all crave for attention from the Saint, some get small fylaktos (amulets for protection) made from the worn-out slippers of the Saint. These embroidered slippers are changed every year, for the Saint travels constantly, some efficient nuns prepare the small amulets, treasured for years. You must visit on 12/12 and experience the events associated with the protector of Corfu. Don’t forget to say “Chronia Polla”.

Elsewhere, there are other important saints. 6 December is the day for St. Nicholas. Icons picturing St. Nicholas the most venerated saint, including those picturing some sea.  Stories repeatedly told are of the Saint’s help to seafarers. In truth St. Nicholas is the patron Saint of Sea Goers. The saint is loved in different countries and on different dates. St. Nicholas is generous, sometimes an austere teacher, with a high forehead, firm face, penetrating eyes, bushy eyebrows, certainly he is our Christmas Saint. Streets, suburbs, businesses with his name, abound. Often there is a Service in the church over in Turkey, in Myra, where St. Nicholas officiated, if the authorities, there, allow.

Then December explodes into Christmas with the Nativity of our Lord. Christmas Day on the 25th, icons with serious reference to the Day when Mary gave birth to our Saviour, stars, shepherds, mangers, Three Wise Men, a bewildered Joseph, sheep and other animals near the Crib, all of these in one icon. Glorious hymns, inspiring readings, decorated churches filled with families to honor the day. Villages build a mock manger, children feed the sheep, such a day causing astronomers, scientists,d octors and theologians, to argue how could it be? Why one Star? A virgin birth? Why such poverty? Who were the Wise Men? What was Joseph’s role? Let them argue, we can sing, the traditional carols, prepare the Xmas bread, fill the house with incense, keep the fire roaring, the oven cooking the tasty roast, wishing you all “Merry Christmas”.

We said before how November was a quiet month. In comparison, December is feverish, expecting a lot from us, yet we receive a lot. Writing of the few Saints, of the Nativity, we have no space or time for St. Barbara, St Anastasia, St Stephen. Next year. The cities may flood, the mountains burn up, more wars with illegal weapons, but we will keep our faith, good will, and traditions. (2 Thess. 2,15.)

Be blessed, “Merry Christmas”.

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.