Clerical Meeting in the Holy Metropolis of Corfu
On Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 a clerical meeting took place in the Spiritual Centre of the Holy Metropolis of Corfu on the following subject: “Triodion and preparation for the Holy Lent. Listing of Holy Heirlooms of old churches.”
In his speech, his Eminence, the Bishop of Corfu, Paxoi and Diapontian Islands, Mr. Nektarios analyzed the speech of Saint Vasileios “Take care of yourself” and encouraged the priests of the local Church, especially during the Triodion period that we are going through, to pray more, to control themselves more and in general their spiritual struggle. The priests’ way of living consists a life example for all the other people, either for imitation or for avoidance, in those occasions where they scandalize the loyal people with their actions. So our Lord is very strict as far as scandalizing people is concerned. The worst thing is for the priests when they scandalize other people! Priests should be particularly careful, to have God’s fear along with zeal in order to serve the souls that Christ trusted them with.
Moreover, Mr. Nektarios presented to the priests the official position of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece as far as the recent topic on Skopje’s name is concerned. Through the centuries, our Holy Church played an active role in our Nation’s struggles. It was like an affectionate mother who warns her children for the dangers that threaten them. For this reason, the Holy Metropolis of Corfu, Paxoi and Diapontian Islands issued a resolution not only for the Skopje but also for the imposition of holiday on the day of three Hierarchs by the Ministry of Education.
The resolution follows:
RESOLUTION
The Clergy of the Holy Metropolis of Corfu, Paxoi and Diapontian Islands gathered today, Wednesday January 31st, 2018 in the Spiritual Centre of the Holy Metropolis for the usual Clerical Meeting under the presidency of his Eminence, our Bishop, Mr. Nektarios and had a conversation, particularly worried for two topics: our position on including the term “Macedonia” in Skopje’s name and the declaration of holiday on the day of Three Hierarchs’ feast. After the conversation
Our Clerical Meeting unanimously decides:
- Expresses its complete satisfaction on the obsession of the Permanent Holy Synod for its “clear position” “as far as the non-acceptance of the Church’s part of the term “Macedonia” or any other of its derivatives as a part of Skopje’s name, which would have the effect on the name of the schismatic self-proclaimed Church of Macedonia” (Press Release of the Permanent Holy Synod on 26-1-2018). In the same time, it asks from the Greek government and the other Greek political parties to behave accordingly and resist to any pressures that will create bigger problems and harm our homeland. Macedonia is Greek. We ask the Greek Government to express its people’s opinion and demand full and permanent removal of the Constitution of the neighboring of any insolvency and reject any “salamopoiisi” of the whole problem, that is giving to Skopje a name with the term “Macedonia” or any derivative and acceptance of Skopje in NATO, leaving a definitive solution of the problem for later.
- Reminds the people of the words of the late Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Christodoulos and insists on it: “Macedonia will save Greece because some part of Greece has decided to commit suicide. Macedonia is the one to hold the flags with such stories, memories and clear historical memory. No feasibilities. No calculations. Without foreign commands. No dictations. That’s why it would be great for all Greeks to visit from time to time Macedonia. To watch out their steps because the soil is holy. There may be a grave. There may be a relic. The place is scattered by sacrifice. This sacrifice gives us life. This sacrifice sustains us. And it is the antidote to globalization that wants everything to be the same. Not to talk about struggles or wars or sacrifices.”
- Expresses its strong sorrow, because according to the 120/23-1-2018 FEK (Government Gazette), 3. Article 2 paragraph 4b, the day of the Three Hierarchs is declared as educational holiday. The Three Hierarchs are the protectors of Education and this feast was established as Feast of Education since the 11th century in Byzantium and since 1842 by the Senate of the University of Athens, following the respective establishing of the feast by the Ionian Academy in Corfu. The declaration of holiday implies the cessation of courses, deprivation of the decided school ecclesiasm and cancellation of the festive events during this day. We wonder, then, what could be the point of this holiday, when the celebrating Saints Ecumenical Teachers are not honored with the school ecclesiasm, with festive speeches and celebrating events? We appeal to the Minister of Education, Research and Religious Affairs to relinquish the school feast of the Three Hierarchs till this day and not continue to harm the morality and tradition of our Education.
Following the resolution, Archimandrite father Ioustinos Konstantas, Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Corfu talked about issues related to the normal functioning of the local Church.
Then, Mr. Spyridon Andriotis, responsible for the new website of the Holy Metropolis of Corfu presented the new functions of it to his Eminence and the priests.
Lastly, there was a presentation about listing, preserving and digitalizing the holy heirloom of the historical Church of Holy Fathers in Corfu Town. Main Speakers were the following: Mr. Ioannis Tsiouris, Archaeologist- Professor, Mr. Dimitrios Alklif and Mrs. Ekaterini Katsi, members of the scientific team of Social Collective Business “Pantokrator”. In particular, in the church of Holy Fathers were listed the following: 193 portable sacred images, 35 Liturgical Books, 76 Liturgical Items, 30 Holy Vestments and 21 folk art items (buckles, offerings etc.).
