Christ condemns vanity.
Bishop of Corfu, mr. Nektarios “Christ condemns vanity”
On Sunday, November 26, 2017, his Eminence, the Bishop of Corfu, Paxoi and Diapontian Islands, mr. Nektarios did the Divine Liturgy in the Holy Church of Virgin Mary the Odigitria, in the village of Gastouri.
In his preaching, the Bishop analyzed the today’s part of the Gospel highlighting three points. Firstly, Jesus condemns human’s vanity and arrogance, who believes that he knows everything and is based on his own powers while putting God aside. Secondly, one can claim that he is poor but this does not imply that he does not communicate with Christ. Yet, something is left apart. This can not only be found in wealth, but in character, thought, evil.
If one attempts to criticize his/her own self, he/she will find out his/her good and bad qualities that make him/her a stranger to his/her family and society. Thirdly, the human who has worshipped the material goods, realizes his situation, when he becomes ill. Under the fear of his extinction, he rethinks his values and he recognizes the futility of searching the bliss (eudemonia) and material goods while appreciating the importance of spiritual life and the struggle for the ontological completion of man, which occurs from his union with God.
In his closing, the Bishop of Corfu invited the faithful Christians to open their hearts and minds to Jesus Christ, while struggling for realizing the Divine Will in this world.
In the end of the Divine Liturgy, mr. Nektarios made mr. Panagiotis Cheimonas a reader. Mr. Cheimonas is a graduate of the Music Studies Department of the Ionian University and a professor of Byzantine Music.
Then, the Vicar of the Holy Church of Virgin Mary the Odigitria, Protopresbyter Dionysios Kontos having thanked mr. Nektarios, wished that God will always bless him and continue to help him leading the people of Corfu, Paxoi and Diapontian Islands to salvation.
Also the Band of Gastouri “Omonoia” followed, which played for His Eminence to celebrate his 15 years of pastoral work.
Moreover, the Board of Directors of the Band proclaimed mr. Nektarios an honorable member.
The Bishop of Corfu thanked them from the bottom of his heart for this great honor while emphasizing the sensitivity and the delicate feelings that characterize people, who deal with music, while they cultivate the talent that Christ has given them.
