The Bishop of Corfu visits the Church of Virgin Mary the Eleousa in Potamos
His Eminence the Bishop of Corfu, Paxos & Diapontia Islands Mr. Nektarios did the Divine Liturgy and spoke at the Holy Temple of Virgin Mary the Eleousa in the suburb of Potamos, Corfu town.
He addressed the large congregation, which in fact expressed his joy and satisfaction, taking occasion from the catholic letter of St. John the Theologian, where today his memory is honored by our Church. First, the evangelist John tells us that “no one has ever seen God”, and it is a fact that John the Theologian, who theologized in both his gospel and his catholic letters, comes to give us an understanding of God as he is. It is never possible for any of God’s creations to explore His divinity. This would be like one who would like to explore the core of the sun on which the planetary system around him depends.
Second, the evangelist John comes to give us an understanding of God’s uncreated energies and tells us that “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. ” (1 John 4:16). , which means that the love of God is his characteristic feature through which love built the universe, through love, created man in His image and enabled him to reach the likeness, that is, to become a Saint, as Holy is God. And we can liken this to one who wants to explore the sun, but this is done by researching the energies of the sun, that is, the light of the sun, the heat of the sun.
Thirdly, the love of God is not romantic as modern man considers it, but it is sacrificial love. Through His sacrifice on the cross He redeemed man from his decay and fall and recreated fallen human nature. The evangelist John speaks to us about this love and in addition tells us There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1, John, 4:18), that is, the fear with which modern man is threatened by the fear of decay, sickness and death, can not overcome this threatening spiritual state, which means that he is distanced from the love of God.
His Eminence called on people not to succumb to the threats of fear and despair. They are not attributes of God but are attributes of our sin-torn society. In the end, he thanked the pastor, Father Georgios Petrakis, who works tirelessly with his collaborators and produces great intellectual work.
