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October
From the Holy Monastery of St John the Theologian, on Patmos island yet another Saint, Osios, was included in the SAINTS REGISTER of the Holy Patriarchate recently. The Elder Amphilochios, Abbot of the Monastery till his death in 1970. Τhe elder of Metropolitan Kallistos of Oxford, and Elder to Nun Gabriela, (famous for her book the Ascetic of Love).
Osios Amphilochios, 16/4, said: “You must love the trees”. In fact he said this to all the islanders who consulted him, commanding them to plant trees and the once barren island is today covered in pine and gum trees. Often the Elder wandered over the island and checked the new plants were being watered. He never tired of repeating “Love trees”.
When Metropolitan Kallistos spoke in Ioannina about the Beginning of the Day, he included the wise words of the new Osios, ending with: “We can’t save something we don’t love!” How true! Look at the devasting damage to areas of Greece from a fierce storm with howling winds and powerful rainfall. We loved the seashore so much we built almost into the waves. We loved our pennies so we built in low-value temporarily dried up creeks.
We must thoroughly change our way of thinking and really care, for our abuse of the environment is agonizingly apparent. We have sinned, not as most think only against man, a shortsighted thought, but we have sinned against all the beautiful, the useful, the protective, the essential Creation. Abusing the generosity and patience of God at the same time.
On Mt Athos the monks take nature seriously and have a learned approach to the valuable therapeutic qualities in herbs, in certain trees, in remedies for bites, and the God-sent protection from tall trees to block the blistering sun. Their superb libraries house volumes, handwritten texts from many years ago, full of practical knowledge. Surely we shouldn’t have to wait for a storm to blow away the tree, the fire to burn the tree to a pile of cinders, the builder to saw down the tree to raise a cement blob in order to put nature in its holy place? Turn to the recipes using herbs for relief of anxiety, learn the use of honey for hair loss, add pine nuts to your rice pilaf, drink some chamomile to lose weight, sit under the cool branches of the oak tree and avoid the overhead sun.
God has given the wondrous, and the command to replenish and subdue the earth. And Saints to turn to like St Pavsikakos 13/5, like St Anastasia the Saint of Herbs 22/12, the Unmercenaries, and so many others with heavenly attributes.
Our Metochi has small icons of the above mentioned Saints and books extolling the Creation, which we, each of us along with the numerous authorities can help to protect and restore.
Plans for Services at the Metochi are placed well in time at the front door of the church. Attending and participating , along with prayer at home, can be on the path to God.
Holy Friday at the Metochi
This is the second important day in the annual program of the Panayiopoula, full of tradition and well supported by the local residents.
Holy Week (Easter) on Corfu is truly special and everyone strives to keep the customs. The little church is readied according to the solemnity of the day, fasting continues (on this day many eat only lettuce dipped in vinegar) and the schedule of the Procession of the Epitaphion is examined.
There are at least a dozen churches in the area also participating, so close control is needed on the timing.
The Panayiopoula is beautified in purple, the women decorate the Epitaphion with the richest of flowers and the children are ready to throw petals as the procession starts. A very individual, wooden iconographic presentation of Christ laid out for burial, is in the centre of the flowered Epitaphion. A Hieromonk from the Holy Monastery Platytera officiates at the chanting of The Praises, one of the most treaured of services in the Holy Week. (It would be rewarding to read this exquisite poetic set, if you are not aware of it.)
Holy Friday is a day of sacrifice, strict fasting, and avoidance of work. While knowing the sufferings of Christ, we already look forward to the glorious Resurrection.
Each year youngsters are chosen to carry the Epitaphion, the Holy Banner, the Cross, lanterns and cherubims, and one will care for the incense.
The procession follows a course round the historic Old Town and no one deserts it, for there is the reading of the Gospel once back in the church.
After the dismissal, everyone takes flowers from the Epitaphion - an age old custom - and the sorrow of Easter Week changes to a keen awaiting of the Resurrection. The celebration of the Resurrection has already started; the church removes the symbolic purple and now red and white predominate.
The Greeks now wish each other "Καλη Ανασταση" (kali anastasi).
We are very proud of our particular Epitaphion, a memorable Paschal day and suggest you come and experience it with us next year.
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.
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.
St Maximus the Greek
Let’s see another celebration on January 21, for St Maximus the Greek, Vatopaidinos, son of the noble Trivoli family of Corfu, Enlightener of the Russians, 1470-1556.
The Holy Monastery Vatopaidinou, Mt Athos along with The Friends of the Monastery, revere the Saint. New facts are researched by their historians and a group in Arta where the Saint was born, have almost completed an enormous church in his memory. They have managed to obtain some relics of the Saint from the Moscow Lavra of St. Sergiou.where Maximus is buried.
Young Russians visiting our Metochi are always glad to see our faithful copy of the icon which graces the Vatopaidinou Monastery and express their respect for the Enlightener of the Russians. All those who read the life of the Saint also admire him greatly.
Maximus came to Corfu for schooling over some years and it was here that he developed his unquenchable love for learning. The descendants of his family have kept a valuable and interesting historic record over the years. Maximus continued higher level studies in Italy and became known for his widespread reading, especially erudite. Answering a heavenly call to monastic life he entered Vatopaidinou Monastery and became perfect in obedience. The rich library of the Monastery was his delight. During this time Russia was in need of improvement of its liturgical books. Maximus was chosen to go there to translate, add corrections and explanations in the books and correct church observances. He was the first to set up a printing press and aroused an interest in culture. In short he instigated a local renaissance.
In the Church, too much activity arouses jealousy while too little causes anger. By now Maximus had daily contact with the Tsar, the Metropolitan and all the prominent people of Moscow. Suddenly that changed. The leaders became wary of his intimate friendships and closed him in a Moscow jail for 25 years, in abysmal conditions, in a cramped, damp underground cell with no floor, sometimes chained, always cold. His devotion and faith never wavered despite not being allowed books or pen, and finding a piece of coal on the rough ground he wrote on the walls of his cell the Service of Supplication to the Holy Spirit. This has recently been published in Greek and in a few days our Metochi will chant this unique work. The tough and ungrateful Russians had locked-up a philosopher, theologian, writer and publisher, translator, language expert and miracle worker. The Greek writer Kazantzakis writes in his book “Travels” that there would be no way the Russians would allow Maximus back to Greece for he knew too many secrets. The Monastery of his Repentance, Patriarchs and Metropolitans all strove to have him freed. Finally he was released to a Moscow monastery where he added to his rich collection of writings, never complaining about his torture, rather, praising the Lord for increasing his belief. He died there quietly, and his Holy Relics are housed in that lavra. God had bestowed Grace and allowed miracles to be performed by Maximus. Our select monk Maximus remained a model monk, always eager to improve his vast knowledge as trained in Corfu, which led to his Sainthood.
May Saint Maximus intercede for us.
Monastic Celebrations
In every monastery in our blessed Orthodox country many services are conducted day and night throughout the length of the church year. Vespers, Matins, Small Compline and the Divine Liturgy to name a few.
One day is exceptionally special, the day the monastery honours its Patron Saint or Patroness. The service will be officiated perhaps by the Bishop of the Metropolis and Hieromonks and priests will be co-officiating. Worshippers, the friends of the monastery, will also honour the day arriving early with gifts of oil, candles, flowers and sweets.
All year long the monk, or nun, prays to the saint, begs for holy intercession, and executes each task with due reverence. No task is done half-heartedly, not to upset the brother monk and certainly not to disappoint the saint. Or the Panayia, for so many monasteries are devoted to the All-Holy Ever Virgin. If accidentally something is broken or lost all apologies are made to the Panayia, for the monk is a temporary resident at the monastery and everything belongs to the Panagia (or Saint).
Of course other celebrations can be observed through the year especially if there is a miracle-working icon or relics of some saint. Preparations for the festival include making the Bread for Consecration, boiled wheat (koluba) topped with a coloured-sugar icon, perfecting the church, candles in place, the garden pruned and watered, and the refectory welcoming for the numbers of worshippers who will sit at the table. A large sisterhood can fulfill these traditions yet in smaller monasteries nothing is missing.
Chanting
The Holy Monastery Platytera Corfu has just published a study on an early music manuscript (c1650) found in its library. Its composition is unusual and the archivists, Spiros Karydis and Panayiota Jivara leave the way open for specialists to define its role. Copies can be obtained at the monastery.
The Orthodox Church has always included fine chanting in its services. There are strict rules and detailed instructions, and still today schools are offering lessons in every Metropoli for Byzantine music.
Even if in women's monasteries the nuns have mastered the 'art', we expect only men in the parish churches, some modelling themselves on the excellent chanting as at Mt. Athos, and others who from years of attending church have learnt the troparia (songs) by themselves.
As St. John Chrysostomos writes, it's not essential for note perfection but for humble appropriate expression. The mission is achieved if the congregation understands the words.
As the chanter plays an important part in each service, he dresses well, he stands attentively, and shares the service with the chanter at the opposite lectern. It is said that St. John Koukouzelis received a gold coin from the Holy Mother for his exquisite chanting.
Not everyone though is blessed with a beautiful voice and the humble chanter who exercises ‘Fear of God’ is an asset to the church.
Monastics chant throughout the day. When St. Maximos the Greek (monk of Vatopedi monastery) was imprisoned in Russia and denied paper and pen, he wrote The Canon to the Holy Spirit on the wall of his cell using a piece of charcoal.
The Holy Metochi Panayiopoula is extremely grateful to the chanters who offer their help so willingly and in keeping with the monastic rule of the blessed church.
The church can be contacted by writing to PO Box 532, Corfu, 49100 Greece or by email at info@corfu-odigitria.com.
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