The Second Part and Small Compline of the Akathist Hymn in the Holy Metropolis of Corfu
On Friday afternoon, March 22, 2019, his Eminence, the Bishop of Corfu, Paxoi and Diapontian Islands, Mr. Nektarios did the Second Part and Small Compline of the Akathist Hymn in the Holy Church of All Saints in Nissaki village.
In his speech, his Eminencepointed out that at the time of our Holy Church, we are called to intensify our spiritual struggle in the stage of virtues, through fasting that leads to repentance, in this situation where the God-removed Father comes to as another immoral son. Fasting still helps to communicate with Christ. As with his brothers, man communes through love. In the same way he has a relationship with God. The spiritual struggle is for the love of Christ. In order to strengthen with power and continue to the stage of virtues, the Holy Churches, where the Akathist Hymn is chanted to the Lady of Theotokos, who voluntarily collaborated in God’s redemptive work for humankind.
Then, his Eminenceanalyzed the following three verses from The 2nd part of the Akathist Hymn: “Rejoice, sea that drowned the invisible Pharaoh;
Rejoice, rock that refreshed those thirsty for life
Rejoice, pillar of fire that guides those in darkness;
Rejoice, protection of the world wider than a cloud “
Our Virgin Mary is basically likened to the Red Sea, through which Israel crossed, by the opening of the sea by Moses with the sign of the cross, and on the other hand, the Pharaoh’s army, which expelled him, was overwhelmed. In the face of Pharaoh is represented the ruler of this world, the half-dean devil, who was overcome by the glorious Resurrection of the Lord. Red Sea is also the passage from death to eternal life. The Theotokos is also likened to the rock from which he miraculously spilled water during the course of the Jewish people to the Promised Land when the Israelites were thirsty. And finally, the fiery column that led the Jews on Earth to Hanaan during the night impresses this Mother of God. The Virgin Mary became a dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. In the maiden’s womb, the human being became the Son and the Word of God, who saved us from the spiritual darkness of sin and death.
In conclusion, Mr. Nektarios urged the faithful to beg the Virgin and at the same time to thank Him for the rich benevolence To our Nation, for He is the Supreme General of our Family.
