THE NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED IN CORFU
Corfu celebrated the national anniversary of October 28 with a divine service at the Holy Metropolitan Church of the Most Holy Theotokos Spilaiotissis, where His Eminence the Bishop of Corfu, Paxos and the Diapontian Islands Mr. Nektarios officiated. At the end of the service, the doxology was performed, presided over by the Bishop of Corfu, with the participation of the local authorities.
The solemnity of the day was delivered by the philologist of Special Education Mrs. Olivia Kardakari. The events ended with the memorial prayer and the laying of wreaths at the Hero of the city. Speaking to the faithful in the Divine Liturgy, the Metropolitan of Corfu stressed that this day we remember the presence of Our Lady in the life of the Nation, as with its state roof it helped our people to oppose the NO to the invasion of the enemy. Our Lady did not abandon us. She sees the reverence of God’s people for their Creator.
This agreement is valid from the Old Testament period, between God and Abraham. God promised to be close to His people for as long as they recognized God as their Creator and Father. When the people turned to idolatry and ceased to have intercourse with it, then God also respected the freedom of the people and left them alone, resulting in many trials. This is also the case with our people. When we stood close to God, He supported and helped us both as a nation and as a Nation. God saw the weakness of men and made nations and peoples and gave borders, so that every people may live free. As long as there is God’s blessing, we gain strength and move on. When it leaves us thinking that we are God’s people, then we remain instruments of our course, both as a people and as people. Today many peoples surround us and our freedom is threatened. God gives us the blessing to think and act freely in our thoughts and lives. This does not imply freedom, but freedom in Christ. When we deviate from the law and the truth of God, then God allows us to be tempted.
Let us not forget the blessings of God to our people. Let us not be fooled by the material achievements of the West and let us not absolutize science and technology. Let us reorganize our thoughts and lives and stop being strangers to God in order to have Him as a benefactor and helper. The Virgin Mary is the one who will mediate and let us give faith, hope and love to have her roof with us.
