March

We are well into the Triodio, soon it will be the Big Fast, then Easter will have arrived. Ascetics take off into the desert and return for Easter. Familiar icons appear, like the Entry of Christ, seated on an ass, into Jerusalem.

Some remember to buy tickets for the Royal Albert Hall, for the oft repeated Good Friday performance (since 1876). The tickets are not cheap but Handel’s Messiah, with its sensational music, gathers keen audiences at the Carnegie Hall, at the Sydney Opera house, at the Philharmonie de Paris, with tickets well over $100. Handel, with his stirring music now sung by famous choirs, wrote his Messiah in an inspired week or two, written in English and written for a concert hall, NOT a church. Handel was  in his mid fifties, when he produced his masterpiece The Messiah which became a holiday tradition. Handel used the words of the Prophet Isiah. Isaiah, one of the great Prophets - others were Jeremiah, Ezekial and Daniel. Isaiah, in the Old Testament is a marvelous book. Isaiah  means salvation and he says “God is my Salvation” (Is. 12/2).The Prophet lived in Jerusalem in the 8th century before Christ but foresees His coming. Moments in the book are complex, one minute he warns, next he promises hope. Isaiah prophesied the birth of the Theotokos, of John the Baptist, the coming of the Messiah, and was the reason for the formation of the Pool of Siloam. Handel knew Isaiah’s work well, see Isaiah 6/3-4 where the seraphs created the heavenly “Hallelujah!”, so arousing that audiences have stood reverently since the time of King George II in about 1876 who was aroused by it.

The other sumptuous masterpiece is “For unto us a child is born” (Is. 9/6). The choir shouts the names of God, with dramatic pauses, “Wonderful, Counsellor, Almighty God, Everlasting father”. This alone, this inspired music set to unforgettable words literally melts the audience. Year in, year out. Time to learn, sing, revere.

Prophet Isaiah is celebrated on 9 May. Recommendation - celebrate Isaiah all year. We learn of God’s judgement of sinners, how He will have mercy on you and even if your sin is scarlet he will make it as white as snow. You have attended church weddings, you know the Dance of Isaiah. Why not learn more of Isaiah? Learn of the death of Isaiah (supposedly cut in two), learn of his Utopia (Is.11) - a song called the “Peaceful Kingdom”. Just when there are meetings to make a peaceful Ukraine, Isaiah already prophesied Peace! Isaiah also talks of the future climate problems. (Is. 24/4). Not easy to read.

Long live Handel! Long live Isaiah!

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.