Bishop of Corfu, Mr. Nektarios: Our Faith is the Antidote to Ethnocentrism

On the morning of Wednesday, May 20, 2020, His Eminence the Bishop of Corfu, Paxoi and the Diapontian Islands, Mr. Nektarios, did the Divine Liturgy at the celebrating Holy Temple of Agios Nikolaos Petalia in Northern Corfu. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Mr. Nektarios led a small procession around the church in this historic village.

Addressing the faithful, Mr. Nektarios, after wishing “Christ is Risen”, stressed that St. Nicholas served Christ with his faith, devotion and self-denial. A myrrh flowed from the tomb of the Saint, and the faithful hurried to be sanctified by it, a fact which today would cause a stir in the opinion of the unbelievers who represent the beggars. St. Nicholas fought against the sect of Areios, which was joined by emperors and bishops. This is still the case today. Lords and once pastors of the Church have joined the current of the priority of science. But the ancients used to say “God first” and, without denying the power of science, which is a gift from God, they first started from faith. The Church Fathers defended the faith even if they were forced to come into conflict with secular, but sometimes ecclesiastical, power.

This is unfortunately happening in our time. The Church needs to speak out again against globalization. Against the perception that does not want man to have personality, freedom of thought, the perception that history, tradition, culture want to be erased from our identity. Today, ethnocentrism is being pursued and that is why the struggles of our ancestors for freedom are not taught as an example!

Saint Nicholas was imprisoned and persecuted for his strong stance. It was an irreversible pillar. He was in front. Awaken people’s consciences. He had a burning faith and holiness of life. And God gave him grace.
Mr. Nektarios expressed his joy that he saw the faces of the faithful again. The service is the work of the clergy and the people, it is a collaboration. After two months of policing and terror, it has been proven that faith is not imprisoned. People, especially young people, sometimes even artists who did not give the impression that they believe in God, today bear strong testimony in favor of the miracle of faith! The disease is real and therefore every attention is appropriate. But fear and terror are not justified. They serve other purposes. Our lives do not stop at death. It extends to the century and that is why we celebrate the resurrected life, in the faces of our Saints!