“Faith gives meaning to life or faith is the meaning of life?”

The Holy Metropolis of Corfu, Paxoi and DIaponian Islands and the Union of Christian Scientists held an event-discussion on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at the Spiritual Center on the subject: “Faith gives meaning to life or faith is the meaning of life?” the new book by Prot. Themistocles Mourtzanos, General Prelatic Warden of the Holy Metropolis of Corfu, titled “Oil Lamp in the Darkness-Seeking ways of faith in times of unfaithfulness”, by EN PLO publications.

The first speaker of the event was Mr. Vassilis Argyriadis, a theologian, writer, translator and editor of EN PLO publications, who referred to three parts from the book by father Themistocles. First of all, the lively and essential relationship of man with the Priest and his brothers is preceded. Secondly, it is emphasized that the presence of God in the world is a mystery, is very discreet, likened to a lamp and not to a projector. And thirdly, the book emphasizes our responsibility for the Christians in the world, whose purpose is to sanctify ourselves so that the flesh is enslaved in our hearts, and at the same time become live examples to other people, leading them to salvation.

Then the author took the floor and underlined that this book was written in the context of a dialogue, the source of the Word of God, as expressed in the worship and within the ecclesial community. A word that has to do with the beginning of becoming the “new” world within us. On the other hand, today’s people, as a modern song says, are working on the prospect of “We were done with the Words and We Left”. This is the slogan that applies to an era of images. Today we live in a climate of dissatisfaction. We ask for progress, goods, everything except our relationship with God. People are struggling to rule every facet of our lives. Letting others love us is scarce. We are afraid to be loved.

Still, Father Themistocles noted that within the Church we have rest to a series of reasons like certainty, moralistic reasons, a sense that the habit of Ecclesiastical life is enough and everything is OK.

In all of the above considerations, Christ gives the answer, with absolute trust to Him, the acceptance in His invitation to be loved by Him. The verb “I love”, which is a constant hope and search, is illuminated by the word of God as a lamp, so that our lamp will not go out.

In conclusion, Father Themistocles stressed that if we see faith in Christ as the meaning of our lives, we can discuss today without fear and thanked everyone deeply for their help, but also for their numerous presences in this event.

Then his Eminence, the Bishop of Corfu, Paxoi and Diapontian Islands Mr. Nektarios, made a speech congratulating his spiritual child, Themistocles, on the richness of his new spiritual affection, with the wish of the Lord God to grace him, adding that the darkness is characterized by the distinction of day and night, but it is another spiritual state, which Christ Himself spoke of. He Himself clarifies that the man who will follow Him will not be left in the dark, but will go to the Light, who is the Lord Himself. In our time, unfortunately, we are going through a spiritual darkness. While we were born again with the Holy Baptism, left aside the works of darkness and sin and live the presence of God daily, yet we care only for ourselves and we continue to question our Holy Church.

The Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Corfiots Ioannis Spiteris and the Vice-President of the Union of Christian Scientists Archimandrite. Seraphim Linosporis, Preacher of the Holy Metropolis also addressed the event.

Two former students of Father Themistocles, Marina Martinou and George Economidis, who read the book as young people seeking the truth, made their interventions too.

The event was accompanied by a choral figure with members singing or chanted in the Church of All Saints of Corfu and other collaborators of the School of Ecclesiastic Music of the Holy Metropolis “SAINT ARSENIOS”, under the direction of the First Chanter Georgios Lavovrechis.

Finally, the co-ordinator of the event was Christos Dessyllas, theologian-historian, responsible for the private office of His Eminence.