PROTOPRESBYTER ORDINATION IN THE HOLY METROPOLIS OF CORFU
In the Holy Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos Eleousa in the village of Ano Garouna in Central Corfu, his Eminence, the Bishop of Corfu, Paxos and the Diapontian Islands Mr. Nektarios did the Divine Liturgy on the morning of Sunday, March 14, 2021. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Mr. Nektarios ordained the pastor of the village, Fr. Georgios Fagogenis, a married man, father of two children, who after his retirement from the Greek Police, was ordained a clergyman and voluntarily served the local God’s. Mr. Nektarios also ordained Fr. George as a spiritual confessor, expressing his joy for his love for God, for his support to the people, but also for the maturity with which he undertook and fulfills his ministry.
Speaking to the faithful, Mr. Nektarios stressed that Lent is an opportunity to think about the essence of freedom, which is not only physical, but, above all, spiritual. We have forgotten that sin means the transgression of God’s will, which shakes and shatters communication with God. That is why man is exiled from Paradise, because he chooses his autonomy from God and continues to be separated. Our Church reminds us that the first Adam, along with Eve, were separated from God and Paradise. The second Adam, our Lord Jesus Christ, incarnates, recreates us, enables us to be deified, helps us to start from the beginning, if we want to live in the Paradise of the Church, in our sacramental union with God, through society of His body and blood, through almsgiving, through repentance, through truth, by election to be fully dedicated to God. Our soul becomes malleable and receptive when we give an “apology” to our brother and the grace of God comes to dwell in him.
Easter, concluded Mr. Nektarios, must be a lasting experience in our hearts, as did Saint Seraphim of Sarov, who at every moment of the year greeted anyone who saw him with the phrase “Christ is risen, my joy”. Let us live this spiritual joy throughout our lives, as long as there is the decision of faith, repentance, return to our Lord.
