October

A quiet month with changes to cooler temperatures, changes in dress, and a good time for extra prayer for all those who were tormented during September. In Greece we had every fireman on the planet come and help us with fierce fires, fires that ignored water dumped, raging ahead destroying villages, houses and forests. Then came the torrential rains flooding the same area twice and leaving many homeless to confront diseases, destroying crops, stock and livelihoods. Morocco suffered, Libya too, as most corners of the globe experienced freak weather.

It used to be that we would call on certain Saints for their help - today no one suggests this paraklisi. Once you accept that deadly weather onslaughts will be more common and stronger, forget the oohing and aahing, check your personal position and help neighbours. Move now if you built your house in a river bed, check your roof, remove dead trees and install a generator. Not useless but practical steps to take. Spiritual steps now, as mentioned, are deep serious prayers to saints like Polycarpos, the saints The Unmercenaries such as Damian and Cosmas to help with wounds, skin diseases and others, the prophet Ilias, and of course a prayer to the Panagia. You can pray, your family too, ask your neighbour to pray. Soon prayers for survival will be on everyone’s lips, and God willing, there may be changes for the better. Don’t wait for the Committee, for the Society, for the Ministerial office, for emergency calls, but you get ready, keep your faith, and look out for yourself. Whoever is your beloved saint, call to that saint for help, not just for yourself, but for mankind.

Read the first chapters in the Old Testament. Again and again. See how our Lord created the earth, day and night, animals and vegetation. How He left all the wondrous things to us to protect. Don’t you feel the pangs of ignorance, uselessness, inaction? Get going. It’s never too late.

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.