Western Mentality and Eastern Morality One of the great empires of the world was the Roman Empire, which was created in 31BC. At various points in its history it was divided into two separate Eastern and Western imperial courts as an administrative expediency, followed by a later reuniting. The Western Roman Empire was abolished by the Germanic Goths in 476AD. By the 5th century Christianity was well developed among the masses, and was more dominant in the East but spread at a slower pace in the West. Dramatic changes happened in the population in western Europe early in the 5th [...]

Our Byzantine Heritage - A Proud Past! The Byzantine Empire had its origin in the early 4th century when Constantine the Great moved Rome, which was then the capital of the Roman Empire, to a little-known Hellenic town of Byzantium. This town straddled the Straits of Bosporus, in today’s Turkey, and it marks the meeting point between Asia and Europe. The view from the shore was unbelievably exotic, littered with numerous little beaches in the beautifully expansive Sea of Marmara on one end, and the Straits of Dardanelles at the other end. The site was strategic in controlling trade between [...]

Divine Providence and Human Anxiety In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus proposes that the life of the faithful should depend entirely on the Providence of God. This concept appears to be in direct contrast with the contemporary way of materially focused life. Whereas all those who want to follow Him should live a life exclusively dedicated to God, and not care about money and wealth (mammon). This clear-cut attitude of Jesus appears to imply that the Christian life and the pursuit of wealth, even if created by dedicated and honest work, are incompatible. Jesus could not have [...]

The Resurrection is a Revolution Every year has several days of celebrations, or festive days, during which we honour a religious, national or social event. These are meant to instil in our minds the deeper meaning of the occasion. For us Orthodox Christians the Resurrection, or Pascha, is a joyful and enthusiastic celebration. On the one hand there is a strong religious preparation (Great Lent, Holy Week) accompanied on Easter day by centuries-old customs, such as: the Easter candles; red eggs; Easter bread (tsoureki); lamb on the spit; and the exuberant spirit of friendship, joy, forgiveness and closeness with one [...]