1821-2021 amid the pandemic
Article by the Most Rev. Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia, Philadelphia, Herakleion and Halkedon, in the “TA NEA” Greek Newspaper, issue of January 24, 2021
Two hundred years are completed this year since the most overwhelming event which changed the flow of contemporary Greek history. Two centuries since the Greek Revolution of 1821, the lofty values of faith, freedom, progress, concord, and unity, which the unparalleled example of our heroic ancestors and fighters inspired, are as relevant today as never before.
The Church of Greece very well knows that the historical memory of a people constitutes the core of its existence and implies the preservation of its national identity. Thus, through its Holy Synod and Holy Metropolitanates, It is actively involved as early as 2012 in the commemoration of the heroic epic of 1821, which unbreakably coheres into the free Modern Greek life, by means of events of honour and memory, by organizing a series of events and scholarly conferences. Over the current year 261 anniversary events will be carried out by our Church throughout the Greek territory and a multitude of books of historic, political, and cultural content will be made available to the wider reading public.
The Greek Revolution marked the regeneration of modern Hellenism, which fought, was humiliated, made sacrifices, and finally rose from the abyss and won back its spiritual and political independence. The admirable achievement of 1821 offered to the suffering Greek Nation a new state, which it ushered into the family of the European nation states, by giving it the opportunity of a new life. It was not only Greece that was influenced by the Europe of the Enlightenment, but also Europe that was henceforth inspired by the principles and the values of the Orthodox free Greece.
It is universally acknowledged that the contribution of our Church to both the moral and the spiritual preparation of 1821 was important. The Church constituted the powerful connecting link which united the Greeks, while at the same time fulfilling a nation-saving task. The sacrifices and instances of hanging of bishops, presbyters, and deacons, enriched the martyrology of the Revolution and inspired the enslaved fighting people to create heroes. Greece is destined to bear heroes, as the Church is destined to bear saints. Besides, let us not forget that the preservation of the national identity, the constitution of the Orthodox frame of mind and the safeguarding of the Greek language were par excellence the work of the Orthodox clergy, which nourished the oppressed Greek people with the desire of freedom.
In today’s Greece of the coronavirus the anniversary events of commemoration may not be of the spectacular magnitude we would have wanted them to be this year. At least let us endeavour to make them essential. Guided by their faith our heroic ancestors highlighted the visions of the struggling nation. Through their sacrifice they demonstrated the notion of real freedom, embodied the ideals of peace and justice, and taught us that, even under the most adverse conditions, when united, we Greeks can attain the unattainable.
