Tag Archives: Cyprus

Diary of a Pilgrim — Day 8 — Wednesday — Part B

The taxi driver was surprised to learn that I had never been to Mount Athos. He used his komboloi prayer beads with great alacrity as he drove me to the airport. Whether out of faith or stress I cannot say. I gave him a tip and he kissed my hand. Again I am not sure if these two events were concomitant.


I have passed through the checks and security. Indeed one kind lady official seeing me with my rasson( cassock) ushered me into the fast priority lane. The irony is that my flight is delayed by more than one hour. Nevertheless, it was considerate of her and I am not sure if the same level of respect would be offered in Manchester.


Passing through the shops I saw some traditional Cypriot crafts including icons and “ancient ” vases. My curiosity was aroused when I saw some loaves of bread. I couldn’t resist picking one up to discover that it was made of pottery/ ceramics!


Recognising the fake from the real, the false from the true is a matter of discernment and one which we should seek, especially in spiritual matters since it is a gift of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12: 10

Diary of a Pilgrim — Day 8 — Wednesday — Part A

Traveling light : Luke 22:35
“Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Nothing,” they answered.”

The packing is almost completed. One can just imagine what it would be like for Britain’s largest family with 22 children. Of course they are from Morecambe. I recall years ago when Pilgrimage to Orthodoxy met with his Beatitude Ignatios ( of thrice blessed memory) in Paris I took a small case for the weekend. On the coach to meet with his Beatitude from the hotel I asked one of our brethren where was his case, he pulled out a tooth brush from his top pocket with the words: ” here it is !” Some of you know him. He now has the longest beard in the Archdiocese! Once again I find myself in that waiting period but making the most, quietly, of the time here amongst new friends.The reception staff ,one Cypriot one Romanian, last evening talked with me about monasteries in Cyprus and Romania. It was a joyful conversation. They said “why don’t you come and live here in Cyprus father? ” I replied with a wry smile” I don’t think my Archbishop or my people would like it!”
Such are the vagaries of the English language that a word can have more than one meaning which can be confusing but sometimes revealing!
It is important not only that we travel light, but perhaps more importantly that we travel with the Light of Christ , bringing it to all He has given us to meet.
Be a traveling light!

Diary of a Pilgrim — Day 7 – Tuesday — Part B

The Silver Lining

After every trial comes a blessing. I went to collect the icon of St Amphilochios. Ioanna had it ready and gave it as a gift. She was so pleased I had introduced her to this saint who she didn’t know that she offered to paint an icon for our Parish. Dimitri from church kindly translated my thankyou letter.I bought some more komboskini and crosses and blessed them on the relics of St Lazarus. As I was praying with my hand on the relics for some of our people I felt a surge of energy through my fingers and joy.

As it was my last full day, I went to my favourite cafe and had prawns with chips and a glass of local white wine. No Octopus! Sophia( I named her) the cat spotted me ( ah here is the clerical guy) sat at my feet pleading once more for the prawns tail ends. Yet again I gave in to her petition.I have so many gifts that I needed to distribute some of them otherwise my suitcase would be too heavy I was given a rose cordial and some basil from my visit to Nicosia.Together with an icon of the Mother of God of Patmos I gave them to the daughter of a priest Pater Makarios who fell asleep in the Lord in 2019.

As I was about to leave the church I saw the Russian lady who I met on the first day in church. We sang some hymns together in Russian and Greek…..others started quite spontaneously joining in with usI shared the last of my icon cards, St Dimitrios to a lady whose son just happened to be called…

You guessed it!

Diary of a Pilgrim — Day 2

Thursday 8th

A day of rest and adjustment.  Adjusting to the heat of a Mediterranean country takes an englishman by surprise. It is 25c first thing in the morning without air conditioning( it was faulty, now corrected).

Acclimatisation is not just about the weather  it is about culture and faith too. Our colder climate often means we british are more reserved; we need more outer clothing, live indoors and thus become less sociable. We need to become acclimated to God too.

I feel better in a hot climate. Perspiring toxins as one adjusts brings a certain sense of well being. So that’s why they have saunas in cold countries!

There is a temptation to eat more on Holidays.

Actually holy days often require fasting. Whilst it is difficult to avoid hospitality the body benefits from restraint and exercise. The Church is a gymnasium.

St. Basil the Great says “one who truly fasts abstains from anger, rage, malice, and vengeance. One who truly fasts abstains from idle talk, empty rhetoric, slander, condemnation, flattery, lying and all manner of spiteful talk.”

The old men sit and drink lots of coffee, the cleaners work so hard in the hotels. Rest and ascesis are found as neighbouring realities.

I say my prayers and visit St lazarus asking his intercessions. As I leave the  supernatural  brightness of the church and go once more into the natural brightness, words of St John of Damascus come to me:

“The Father is the sun, the Son is the light and the Holy Spirit is the heat.”

Indeed, amen!

Between Son and Mother

A virtual, photographic pilgrimage to shrines in Greece and Cyprus dedicated to the Feast of the Mother of God Presentation or Entry, Entrance, Eisodos in the Temple (November 21)

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Iconography of the Entrance of the Theotokos at Hilandari Monastery–MOUNT ATHOS

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The Monastery of Panagia Hozoviotissa in AmorgosENTRY96entry7

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Panagia Malteza of Santorini

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Panagia Odigitria of Kimolos

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The 11th Century Church of Panagia Kapnikarea in Athens

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The Monastery of Panagia of Machairas in Cyprus

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No one stands between Son and Mother

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Give us salvation


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“Today, the most pure temple of the Savior, the precious bridal chamber and Virgin, the sacred treasure of God, enters the house of the Lord, bringing the grace of the Divine Spirit. The Angels of God praise her. She is the heavenly tabernacle.”

 

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