Anninos Blog 3: Our Future

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We welcome Father Damaskinos from Cyprus. He is a monk and a missionary in Africa. Father, we welcome you, and we would like to hear some of your experiences from Africa. Thank you. First of all, I would like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to be here in Cyprus, the land of holy people. As far as magic is concerned, the situation among the people there is catastrophic. There is no love between people. One time, I asked someone who was carrying a small wooden figure: “Why do you have this with you?” He answered me: “With this, I protect myself and my family from the magic of other people.” He placed all his faith in this small wooden figure. When we baptize people there, we explain to them that they must remove these magical objects from themselves. One person was not convinced to take it off. No matter how much we tried to put him in the water to baptize him, he was unable to enter. An invisible demonic force was pushing him away. Eventually, he was baptized, but he had not truly accepted the faith. When he was in church to receive Holy Communion, he fell down and had convulsions, like an epileptic seizure. We explained to him the reasons why this happened, but he did not want to listen, and he died without confessing the truth. One day, I was with a priest there, and we saw a naked girl. The priest said to me: “This girl is a magician. She came from another village far away.” I asked: “How did she come here from such a distance?” The priest answered: “You do not know. She came flying through the air.” According to what was believed there, in order to succeed in magic, she had taken a small child, torn out the heart, and drunk the blood. In this way, they believed that demons held magicians in the air and allowed them to fly. Another time, Father James was in Africa and asked a magician: “How do you harm people?” The magician said: “Look, I touch them and I cause them problems.” Father James replied: “Do the same to me.” The magician answered: “I cannot touch you. You, the Orthodox priest, are full of fire.” Another time, a man believed to be possessed by a demon went to a Catholic priest to ask him to cast the demon out of him. According to the story, the demon inside the man said to the Catholic priest: “You are a Capuchin. Do you think I can hear you?” The speaker then says that, according to his belief, Catholics do not have divine grace. Now I will tell you another story. Three former magicians went and were baptized without confessing their sins first. According to the story, the demons said to them: “We do not care what you have done, but do not mention it to Father Meletios.” Before being baptized, these three men had killed a woman and her two children. Someone witnessed this, found others, and they went to kill this former magician. The former magician then made a deal with the demons, saying: “If someone kills me, I want you to reveal to my family who my killers are.” They took him to bury him. According to the story, an invisible force did not allow the coffin to be buried. The coffin pulled the men who were carrying it in another direction, leading them to the house of the people who had killed the former magician, in order to reveal who the murderers were. At the funeral, everyone was frightened. They did not know what to do. The dead man appeared to begin breathing inside the coffin, and his son started speaking to him, believing that his father was alive, although he was not. After the murderers were revealed and everyone became afraid, his son came to me asking for help. I brought another priest with me to bury him. Everyone who was there was very frightened. After they saw what we did, how we prayed according to the Orthodox tradition, and how we prayed for the repose of the man’s soul and buried him, they believed that we had greater spiritual power than

Abdul Hamid gave the order for the tomb of Mehmed the Conqueror, which was located next to the mosque, to be opened in order to check for any damage and make repairs. The tomb was opened, and at a depth of three meters, an iron trapdoor was found. From there, a stone staircase led down into the underground chamber of a Byzantine church. There, to their astonishment, the workers found a marble tomb containing the embalmed body of Mehmed—identical to the portrait painted by the Italian artist a few months before his death. This fact—that Mehmed was buried within the ruins of a Byzantine church—has been considered by many as strong evidence that he wished to be buried as a Christian and Byzantine emperor, among the other Byzantine rulers. It is known that Mehmed often claimed to be the successor of the Byzantine emperors. Sultan Abdul Hamid II, who, for political reasons at the time, had abandoned a certain Islamic sect he had followed and had adopted Sunni Islam, was seized with panic and ordered the tomb to be immediately sealed. These events took place before 1908, and since then, the tomb has never been opened again. For this reason, it is difficult today to verify the testimony. However, on December 19, 1996, a Turkish weekly publication associated with the well-known newspaper Sabah was released with the striking headline: “The Conqueror was a Christian.” The subtitle read: “Historians have not been able to solve this mystery to this day.” Many centuries after the death of the great Fatih—Mehmed the Conqueror, as he is historically known—it is also known that he had a Christian mother, most likely of Greek origin. The fact that in modern Turkey—where Islamic identity is strongly re-emerging—such reports are published is seen by some as evidence of doubt about Mehmed’s true religious identity, even within the official Turkish establishment. This becomes even more significant when we consider that Fatih Mehmed is one of the greatest taboos of Turkish history, nationalism, and identity. A leader like him was expected to embody not only national pride but also religious identity. And yet, inside his tomb, it is claimed, lies one of the greatest secrets of the Ottoman Empire. There were testimonies stating that next to the tomb there was a cross and an icon of the Virgin Mary. According to these claims, Mehmed the Conqueror may have embraced Christianity at the end of his life—something carefully concealed by official Turkish historiography. From his early childhood, he had contact with Christianity through his Christian mother. It is one of the great historical mysteries how a relatively small number of Seljuk Turks and Ottomans who arrived in Asia Minor between the 9th and 10th centuries managed, within a few centuries, to change the entire ethnic and religious character of a region inhabited by millions—many say up to 20 million—Greek-speaking Orthodox Christians. There are many explanations. Some say it was forced Islamization through violence, while others say it occurred for practical and economic reasons. However, because this process of religious conversion was often incomplete and superficial, a unique characteristic remained within Turkish Islam—one that some consider a heterodox element. Today, this is being increasingly discussed by Turkish journalists and researchers under the term “the religious problem of modern Turkey.” On November 10, 2002, a Turkish newspaper reported that the feast of Saint Nektarios was celebrated inside a Muslim mosque—formerly a Christian church—in Eastern Thrace. Many Turkish Muslims stayed after their prayers to observe the Christian service with great reverence. Similarly, there are reports of Turkish Muslims attending Christian ceremonies, lighting candles, kissing priests’ hands, and seeking blessings from the Virgin Mary. In some cases, even Muslims from other countries, such as Iran and Iraq, visit Orthodox churches in Istanbul, seeking hope, healing, and help for their personal struggles. Some Turkish women have even been reported diving into the water during the Epiphany ceremony to catch the cross—an act deeply rooted in Orthodox Christian tradition. Other reports mention Muslims visiting churches regularly, praying, lighting candles, and asking for miracles. Turkish newspapers have even described certain churches as “places of hope” for Muslims. In recent years, there has also been an increase in conversions to Christianity in Turkey, often among people who later discover they have Christian ancestry. Investigations revealed that many of these individuals had ancestors who were Islamized, especially after the Asia Minor catastrophe, and later rediscovered their Christian roots. There are also remarkable accounts of healing sites, such as sacred springs associated with early Christianity, where both Turks and foreigners visit for healing. In some places, visitors light candles, burn incense, and perform acts that are officially forbidden in Islam. Despite this, such practices continue and are even broadcast on Turkish television. One striking example is the pilgrimage to Saint George on the island of Büyükada, where tens of thousands of Muslim Turks visit the church, light candles, make vows, and seek blessings. Some even walk barefoot up the hill to the church, tying threads along the path as part of a ritual for their wishes. Priests are seen blessing Muslim visitors, sometimes even making the sign of the cross on their foreheads. Finally, there was a mysterious event reported in 1998 on the island of Antigoni, where a strange, sorrowful sound—like a sigh—was heard every night around a church. Residents were alarmed and unable to explain it. Some interpreted it as a supernatural sign, even suggesting it was a message from the Virgin Mary—a lament for the state of the world and the abandonment of faith. The church, once full of Orthodox believers, now stands nearly empty. And this sorrowful “voice” was seen by some as a symbol of that loss. --- If you want, I can: * shorten this into a **powerful narration script** * or turn it into **YouTube documentary style with dramatic pacing**

Δεν λέω ότι ξέρεις ήδη την απάντηση. Αλλά αν δεν υπάρχει Θεός, τότε μένουν κάποια ερωτήματα που πρέπει να σταθούν μόνα τους. Πώς προέκυψε ένα σύμπαν με νόμους που δεν αλλάζουν; Γιατί η ύλη υπακούει σε μαθηματική τάξη; Πώς από απλή ύλη εμφανίζεται συνείδηση — η εμπειρία του “εγώ”; Και γιατί ο άνθρωπος δεν ψάχνει μόνο το “πώς”, αλλά και το “γιατί”; Δεν λέω ότι η απάντηση είναι εύκολη. Λέω όμως ότι η ερώτηση δεν εξαφανίζεται. Και ίσως τελικά, το ζήτημα δεν είναι ποιος “πιστεύει”. Αλλά ποιος αντέχει να δει ότι δεν έχουν εξηγηθεί όλα. — I’m not saying you already have the answer. But if there is no God, then some questions still remain. How did a universe governed by consistent laws come into existence? Why does matter follow mathematical order? How does mere matter give rise to consciousness — the experience of “I”? And why does human thought search not only for “how”, but for “why”? I’m not claiming the answer is easy. I’m saying the question doesn’t go away. And maybe the issue is not who “believes”. But who is willing to admit that not everything is explained.

Here is the site of Panagia of Zorochoumbi, also called Panagia of Glossa. It is located about 15–20 minutes from the main road. It lies south of the village of Kellaki, about 5 minutes away. The area is called “Listogonos Mountain,” and it received this name because in old times, pirate ships used to stop there after carrying out raids. The robbers would escape to this mountain to hide, since it was difficult to access. In the past, there was a small village here, which was later abandoned. The inhabitants moved further down. Perhaps this happened because of the raids, to stay hidden, or maybe because of the cold—we do not know. Many ruins remained here, which people called “ruined houses.” Gradually, as people began cultivating gardens in the area, they cleared the land. The first church that existed here was a small chapel, serving as a rural chapel of the village. Some historians date it to the 12th century, others to the 15th century—we are not certain. As we said, this was originally a chapel of Zoodochos Pigi (Life-Giving Spring). Later, the residents leveled the area, intending to use it either for storage or construction. However, in 1976, the metropolitan bishop requested the land to establish a monastery. The local community agreed, along with the priest, and gave the land for this purpose. Thus, in 1976, it became a monastery. Four nuns came from Saint George Domanos, and the monastery began as a communal women’s monastery. Later, the large church of the Holy Trinity was built, which is now the main church (katholikon) of the monastery. It is a beautiful Byzantine-style church. The wooden carvings inside are handmade, dating from around the 1800s. They are remarkable works of art, with symbolic representations such as the phoenix, the vine, and the peacock. These carvings are of great value. The Church of the Holy Trinity was built by the priest of Saint Tychon, Father Kyriakos, together with his wife. Later, other chapels were built, including the chapel of All Saints next to the Holy Trinity. Also, on the first floor of the monastery, there are chapels dedicated to Saint Savvas and Saint Ambrose. There are also many accounts of miracles. A couple once brought their six-year-old child, who could not speak. They stayed overnight at the monastery and prayed to the Virgin Mary for their child to speak. The next morning, at dawn, the child woke up and said, “Mom, I want milk,” even though he had never spoken before. This was considered a miracle of Panagia, and many such miracles have occurred. Another man came recently and said that after praying and repeating the prayer three times for his child, the child’s tongue was opened, and he began to speak. We should also mention the holy water (hagiasma) found here at Zoodochos Pigi. It flows from a rock behind the monastery. However, for easier access, it has been brought to a fountain in front because it is difficult to reach the back. In another case, the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to a woman who was in the final stages of cancer. She told her to come there, describing the route with turns, and said, “There you will find me, Panagia of Glossa, and my daughters (the nuns) who care for me.” When the woman arrived, she recognized the place exactly as shown in the dream, and her cancer was completely healed. Another woman brought her daughter, who was about to undergo surgery for tumors in her neck. A prayer (paraklesis) was performed, asking the Virgin Mary to perform a miracle. The next day, the girl returned running with her arms open, saying, “I have nothing! They took me for surgery, and there was nothing.” The Virgin Mary had performed a miracle. The girl still visits the monastery and celebrates Panagia with great joy. There was also a nine-year-old child from Russia who had never spoken a single word. After a prayer service and anointing with oil, the child began to speak fluently, as if he had always spoken, with no problem at all. The feast of Panagia here is celebrated on the Friday of Bright Week, the week after Easter, known as Renewal Week. That Friday is dedicated to Zoodochos Pigi. Here, she is also known as Panagia of Glossa. There is also a celebration on Thomas's Sunday. Many people come bringing offerings, often silver tokens, asking for miracles. After receiving help, many return to offer silver plaques inscribed with the word “thank you,” expressing their deep gratitude to Panagia.

AFTER ERDOGAN

Θα ξεμπαρκάρουν οι Τούρκοι από το νότιο μέρος της Κρήτης, από τα Πρεβελιώτικα (Μοναστήρι Πρέβελη) και από το Μαριδάκι, από το χωριό Χόνδρος, κοντά στους Καλούς Λιμένες Ηρακλείου. Οι Τούρκοι θα κάνουν ένα πέρασμα και από τα μέρη που θα περνούν θα κάνουν γενική σφαγή και καταστροφή. Στην Επαρχία Μεραμβέλλου Λασιθίου, θα γίνει μεγάλο μακελειό και καταστροφή. Το βογγητό και το κλάμα των ανθρώπων θα ακούεται από την Βουβάλα, βουνό στις Μελάμπες Ρεθύμνου.

(in the Orthodox Easter)

Each year in Jerusalem, in the tomb of Jesus Christ comes the holy light (in the Orthodox Easter) and only the Orthodox Patriarch can take it. If you only look for this and why Catholics can not get it either Protestant or... The Holy Fire (Greek, agios phos, literally “Holy Light”) is a miracle that occurs every year at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Holy Saturday, the day preceding Pascha. It is considered by many to be the longest-attested annual miracle in the Christian world, though the event has only been documented consecutively since 1106

In paradise

we do not go to paradise simply by admitting that we believe in Jesus. This is Pentecostal hallucinations. Devils also believe and admit the same. Wake up and learn the truth from Orthodox «Αιρετικόν άνθρωπον μετά μίαν και δευτέραν νουθεσίαν παραιτού» (Απ. Παύλος Τίτ. Γ10). Οι Ορθόδοξοι όμως επιμένουμε να μετέχουμε συνεχώς σε συναθροίσεις αιρετικών Και βέβαια υπάρχουν οι Αποστολικοί κανόνες που ορίζουν ότι επιβάλλεται να μην έχομε πνευματική επαφή μαζί τους, για όποιον τυχόν δεν κατάλαβε τα προηγούμενα αποσπάσματα των Γραφών

Right of reincarnation fans to believe what they want

Let us remember Job who his friends told him to have sinned and punished, while misery was a test of his faith toward God. Moreover, if Christ accepted the reincarnation, he would not heal the blind, but would leave him so that he would now be forgiven the debt of sins of his previous life and the next to be born in better condition! These from the Bible can not be called a Christian, and at the same time believe in Hindu beliefs ... Right of reincarnation fans to believe what they want. But they are not allowed to falsify the Bible to support their theory. The Bible at every point of her reverses the reincarnation. If reincarnation was in force, it is not justified to see Elijah's tumultuous rise to the sky, since the body has no value nor its appearance in transformation, since it must have been lost in the divine as a perfect one. Moses, how did he appear himself? He had not been reincarnated during the 1,250 years since his death until the time of Christ; People believe in the reincarnation of its tricks, devils.Orthodox Christianity preaches the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which means that he conquered sin and death for us. Having tasted death for all, Christ lives forever. He will resurrect all our dead bodies on the last day and reunite them with our souls. If indeed, as the Ephesians suggest, 'we' are chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, then if 'you' live multiple lives ... which 'you' resurrects? -Certainly not all of 'you' ... this would create two simultaneous instances of the same thing that Aquinas has demonstrated is not 'good'. Also, if 'you' are perfected, how many perfects can there be?

Ορθοδοξία

Η Εκκλησία όμως που ίδρυσε ο Κύριος Ιησούς Χριστός, και παρέλαβαν οι Απόστολοι, και συνεχίζει να διατηρείται ανόθευτη μέχρι σήμερα μόνο στην Ορθοδοξία, δεν έγινε από ανθρώπινη προσπάθεια όπως αυτές της Δύσης, και δεν μπορούμε επομένως να προσθέσουμε ή να αφαιρέσουμε εμείς με διαλόγους κάτι από Αυτήν.

βουδιστής ή Χριστός θα επιλέξετε Ένας βουδιστής μοναχός είχε ακούσει τις φήμες που κυκλοφορούσαν για το γέροντα Παΐσιο και αποφάσισε να τον επισκεφτεί. Όταν τον βρήκε στην καλύβα του, του είπε πως με τη βοήθεια του διαλογισμού ήταν ικανός να αιωρείται στον αέρα. Ο γέροντας δεν τον πίστεψε και απάντησε: “Ο άνθρωπος είναι φτιαγμένος για να πατάει στο χώμα”. Ο βουδιστής τότε έκατσε και διαλογίστηκε και μετά από λίγα λεπτά αιωρήθηκε, δύο μέτρα πάνω από το έδαφος. Ο Παΐσιος μόλις το είδε αυτό κίνησε το χέρι του προς αυτόν, λέγοντας: “Ε, τώρα κάτσε εκεί”! Ο βουδιστής μοναχός έντρομος ανακάλυψε πως δεν μπορούσε να κινηθεί ούτε προς τα πάνω ούτε προς τα κάτω. Ο γέροντας Παΐσιος του εξήγησε πως οι δυνάμεις που του επέτρεπαν να το κάνει αυτό ήταν δαιμονικές και αυτός με τη βοήθεια του Θεού τις εξουδετέρωσε

αυτή η δοκιμαστική περίοδος δεν είναι για να μας προετοιμάσει να πεθάνουμε, αλλά να ζήσουμε, ότι η επιθυμία του Πατρός για εμάς είναι ώστε να μπορέσουμε να αποφύγουμε κάθε σφάλμα και να λάβουμε κάθε αλήθεια και εφαρμόζοντας την αλήθεια στη ζωή μας, να γίνουμε περισσότερο σαν Εκείνον και να γίνουμε άξιοι να κατοικήσουμε μαζί Του

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