Bishop of Corfu, Mr. Nektarios: God’s Grace makes us winners
On Sunday morning, October 27, 2019, His Eminence, the Bishop of Corfu, Paxoi and Diapontian Islands, Mr. Nektarios did the divine Liturgy in the Church of Saint Spyridon of Kotselas, on the occasion of the protectors of big families, Saints Terentios and Neonilli.The end of the Divine Liturgy was also celebrated with the presence of MP Mr. Stefanos Gikas, the Mayor of Central Corfu, Mr. Meropis Hydraiou, the Mayor of North Corfu, Mr. George Machimaris, the Vice-Mayor, the municipal councilors and councilors. , as well as the President of the Local Union of Large Families Mr. Michalis Konti.
Mr Nektarios spoke of God’s response to the apostle Paul’s request: “My grace is sufficient. My sickness is over. ”God did not respond to Paul’s three-fold request to relieve him of a painful physical ordeal. The apostle Paul accepted the will of God and went about his life preaching the Gospel and proclaiming faith in the nations, with the same joy and vitality that had been experienced before him.
Invoking the grace of God, said Nektarios, we are also called upon to adopt whatever trials we may have in our daily lives both in physical ailments and in other temptations. The western spirit of our times makes us rationalize everything. To ask ourselves “why does it happen to us what happens to us”. But all that is born in our life bears witness to the will of God. We are not independent of our Creator. Only then can we respond to our trials by seeking God’s grace.
The Bishop of Corfu pointed out three facts: how Saint Nesterus brought down the giant Lyaios, invoking the God of St. Demetrius. How David made the giant Goliath in the Old Testament, with his only weapon of faith in God. How the Greek people in the 1940 war overthrew the giant Italian army, aware that we are fighting for faith and homeland. All three examples are points of power that God’s grace adds to the seemingly weak and strengthens them to crush the Almighty.
Addressing the large families involved in the Divine Liturgy, Mr. Nektarios emphasized that many are blessed by God because they do not hope for money and material goods, but for God’s grace, faith, belief in becoming co-creators with God. the Creator God. The local Church has, both in the past and in the present, been supported both materially and spiritually in the struggle of the luxurious. But most of all, it encourages trust in God’s grace!
