Greek Name Days

29/04/2023

🗞️ APR 29: Saint Jason / Άγιος Ἰάσων / Ágios Iáson

: Sending a Χρόνια Πολλά / Happy Name Day to all named Jason today! We reckon that you can extend a Happy Name Day to Greeks and non-Greeks named Jason, too.

April 29 is the the Feast Day of Saint Jason, also known as the Apostle Jason. He is one of the Seventy Apostles who, in addition to the original Twelve Apostles, were chosen by Jesus himself to spread Christianity and form the Early Christian Church. As Jason is included as one of the Seventy, scholars can safely assume that he was a contemporary of Jesus, even though his date of birth cannot be found.

Jason was born in Tarsus, (present day Turkey) as was the Apostle Paul. Paul later chose Jason to become the Bishop of Tarsus and establish the Christian faith there. ⛪

Jason also travelled with the Apostle Sosipater to the island of Corfu where they built a church to honour the Apostle Stephen. The Apostle Stephen was the Protomartyr (the first Christian Martyr) who lost his life establishing the early church.

While serving Christ on Corfu building the new church, Jason and Sosipater were able to convert many pagans to Christianity, including the King’s daughter, Kerkyra, to Christianity. She was tortured hard by her pagan father, and was thrown into prison for her faith in Christ, verifying the words of Christ; ❛Your enemies will be those of your own household.❜

She remained faithful and when the prison she was kept in was burned, she remained unscathed. Those who witnessed this called it a miracle and also converted to Christianity because of what they had seen. She was eventually martyred, killed by being shot with multiple arrows.

Her father, the king, was so enraged by these events that he attempted to chase the fleeing new believers; his boat sinking in the chase and killing him. The king who took his place converted to Christianity.

God bless all who perished in the name of Jesus Christ.

🙏🏻

🖼️ Anastasios Icons








#ΧρόνιαΠολλά

28/04/2023

⛪ Father Leslie is incomparable. His counsel and guidance is appreciated by many in Haberfield, and the surrounding areas. If you have the click time, please sign the petition linked here and help have him stay at St. Gerasimos Greek Orthodox Church. Thanks in advance.

🙏🏻

Keep Father Leslie at St Gerasimos, Greek Leichhardt Church

25/04/2023

🪶 APR25: Saint Mark / Άγιος Μάρκος / Ágios Márkos

: Sending a Χρόνια Πολλά to those named Mark, Markos, Marcus, Marco today!

Saint Mark, (aka: Apostle Mark or Mark the Evangelist), was born into a Jewish family in the Cyrene, in Northern Africa (Libya today). While no one knows for sure who wrote the Gospel of Mark, the book itself provides us with insight into who Mark was and how he came to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Mark was a nephew of the Apostle Barnabas, a Levite by descent, though born in Cyprus. Mark was introduced to the Apostle Paul through Barnabas when he first arrived in Jerusalem following his conversion, with Mark becoming a close companion to both Peter and Paul.

The Gospel of Mark records how a certain youth secretly followed Jesus wrapped only in a linen sheet when He was betrayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. When the soldiers found this youth, he managed to escape, naked, leaving only the sheet behind in their hands (Mark. 14:51-52). Some believe that this was the Apostle Mark himself. Having such proximity to the Garden of Gethsemane wrapped only in a sheet must mean he lived close to the garden and indicating that the Garden of Gethsemane was the property of his family.

Many years later, it is known that Mark went on to establish the Coptic Orthodox Church in Alexandria, Egypt, which continues to this day in Alexandria, and around the world.

In his final year, Mark was arrested by pagans. On the day of his death he was arrested, tied by the neck with a rope and dragged over rocks until he lost his life. Thankfully, Saint Mark's legacy had already been established as the church he built in Alexandria was gaining momentum.

He is commemorated on April 25th as it is believed this was the date, in 68 AD, that he succumbed to martyrdom.









#ΧρόνιαΠολλά

23/04/2023

🗡️ APR 23: Saint George / Αγιος Γεώργιος / Agios Geórgios

Χρόνια Πολλά to all the George and Georgia's celebrating today.

Saint George, The Dragon Slayer, is one of the most venerated of the Orthodox Saints and perhaps for that reason, the most common given male names in Greece!

The veneration of Saint George extends beyond Greece. We all know he is the patron saint of Greece and England (they celebrate St. George's Day every April 23, as well), but also of Aragon, Catalonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal and Russia; and the following cities: Amersfoort, Beirut, Bteghrine, Cáceres, Ferrara, Freiburg, Genoa, Ljubljana, Gozo, Pomorie, Qormi, Lod, and Moscow.

He is held in such high esteem that the scouts, soldiers, archers, cavalry and chivalry, farmers and field workers, riders and saddlers, recognise him as their patron, too!

What was it about Saint George, a man born around 270 or 280 AD in Cappadocia (Eastern Turkey) that made him so respected and renowned?

It's believed he was of Iranian origin, and converted to Christianity very early in his life. Having joined the Roman army at 17, his peers came to know him for his virtuous behaviour, physical strength, as well as his military bearing, valour, and handsome good looks.

Even though he served under the pagan Emperor Diocletian, his Christian faith stayed with him. When the persecution of Christians began, Saint George pleaded with the Emperor to spare their lives, though his pleas meant nothing to the pagans...

Emperor Diocletian sent Saint George to prison with instructions that he be tortured until he denied his faith in Christ. But his faith and his honour were greater than the pain he endured, defending Christ until he was beheaded at Nicomedia, Palestine, on the 23rd of April of the year 303 AD.

Where then does the medieval dragon slaying legend come into the story?

It was said that near the town of Silene, Libya, close to a fresh water spring, there a dragon had made its nest.

The people of the town needed to collect water there, so to not disturb the dragon, they would provide the dragon with a sheep. When they'd run out of sheep to offer, the townsfolk decided that they should begin sacrificing maidens (the writer of this piece wonders if there were no chickens in this Libyan town 🤔).

The maiden's names were all put in a draw as the fate's determined, the first name drawn was the King's daughter, Princess Cleolinda. Despite the King's protests, they took his daughter and led her to the dragon's nest.

Just before the dragon could lay a claw on Princess Cleolinda, a knight from the Crusades arrived on his white stallion. Saint George dismounted, drew his sword, and protected himself with the sign of the cross. He fought the dragon on foot and was able to slay the beast and save the Princess. It is said that the people of Silene were so grateful for his bravery, they stopped worshipping pagan idols and converted to Christianity.

And that's how the legend of Saint George, The Dragon Slayer, was born. 🐉

🖼️ Gustave Moreau









#ΧρόνιαΠολλά

22/04/2023

💜 Saint Nathanael / Άγιος Ναθαναήλ / Ágios Nathanaíl

: Saint Nathanael, an Apostle of Christ, is also commemorated.

Not much is known about Saint Nathanael whose name means "the gift of God" as he was only mentioned in Gospel of John. We know he was from Cana in Galilee (John 21:2) and that the Apostle Phillip had brought him to the Saviour as was described in John 1:43-51 ---

❝ Philip found Nathanael and told him, ❛We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote — Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.❜

❛Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?❜ Nathanael asked.

❛Come and see,❜ said Philip.

When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ❛Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.❜

❛How do you know me?❜ Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, ❛I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.❜

Then Nathanael declared, ❛Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.❜

Jesus said, ❛You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.❜

He then added, ❛Very truly I tell you will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.❜ ❞

It's important to note the significance of Christ telling Nathanael that He had seen him praying under the fig tree as Nathanael's prayer was heard by Christ before Philip had introduced them. 🌳

Do you know a Nathanael or Nathan? Tag them in the comments or send them a Χρόνια Πολλά message in honour of their Greek Name Day! 🇬🇷







#ΧρόνιαΠολλά

22/04/2023

✝️ Saint Nearchos / Αγιος Νέαρχος / Agios Nearxos

❝No fire will separate me from my fiery divine zeal for you O Saviour.❞ - said Saint Nearchos

Nearchos was a Roman soldier in Armenia under the Emperor Decius (249-251), before he became a Holy Martyr for the suffering he endured under the Emperor Valerian (253-259).

Nearchos had a close bond with a fellow soldier, Polyeuktos, who was a virtuous, almost Christian in his ways, pagan.

When Christians began to be persecuted under Emperor Valerian, Nearchos said to Polyeuktos; ❛Friend, we shall soon be separated, for they will take me to torture, and you alas, will renounce your friendship with me.❜

Polyeuktos then described to Nearchos a dream he had had where he saw Christ. In the dream, Christ took from him his soiled military cloak and dressed him instead in a radiant garment. Polyeuktos took this dream as his sign to commit to Christ saying; ❛Now I am prepared to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.❜

Polyeuktos was beheaded, becoming a martyr for Christ first. After his beheading, his beloved friend, Nearchos, gathered his blood as a precious and sacred relic, passing along a document relating the martyrdom of his friend Polyeuktos to the bishop, before he was also condemned for his confession of Christ, and was sentenced to be burned alive.

Do you know someone who is named for Saint Nearchos? Tag them in the comments or share this post with them in remembrance of Nearchos' faith.






#Νέαρχος
#ΧρόνιαΠολλά

16/04/2023

♥️ Happy Easter! / Καλό Πάσχα!

May the light and love of the resurrection find you and your loved ones today and always.

Χριστός Ανέστη! 🙏🏻🔴🥚


#ΧριστόςΑνέστη

15/04/2023

📖 From John 20:11-18

: Early Sunday morning, Mary of Magdala went to the tomb and discovered that the large stone covering the entrance had been rolled away.

An angel announced: ❝Don't be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen.❞

At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realise that it was Jesus.

He asked her, ❝Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?❞

Thinking He was the gardener, she said, ❝Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get him.❞

Jesus said to her, ❝Mary.❞

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ❝Rabboni!❞ (which means “Teacher”).

Jesus said, ❝Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to My brothers and tell them, ❛I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.❜❞

Mary then went to the disciples with the news: ❝I have seen the Lord!❞ And she told them that He had said these things to her.

🙏🏻🤍


#ΧριστόςΑνέστη

15/04/2023

❤️‍🔥
Christ IS Risen!
Truly HE IS Risen!
✙
ΧριστόςΑνέστη!
Αληθώς Ανέστη!
✙
Christos Anesti!
Alithos Anesti!

❛𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙃𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙙, 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙪𝙥𝙤𝙣 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙪𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙙 𝙪𝙥𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙛𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚; 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚.❜

Amen 🙏🏻


#ΧριστόςΑνέστη

14/04/2023

☦️ The Still Point

✙ Celebrating for Hellenic people around the world 🇬🇷 Καλώς ήρθατε! 💙🤍

14/04/2023

☦️ The Stations of the Cross / Οι Σταθμοί του Σταυρού

Art by Demetz Studios

13/04/2023

🫓🍷 Holy Thursday / Μεγάλη Πέμπτη

: From Bethany, Jesus sent disciples Peter and John ahead to the Upper Room in Jerusalem for Passover Feast preparations. After sunset, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples as they prepared to share in the Passover. This humble act of service demonstrated, by example, how believers should love one another.

During this Last Supper, Jesus established the Lord's Supper, or Communion, by instructing His followers to continually remember His sacrifice by sharing in the elements of bread and wine. As the Lamb of God, Jesus was about to fulfil the meaning of Passover by giving His body to be broken and His blood to be shed in sacrifice, freeing us from sin and death. - [Luke 22:19-20]

After Jesus and the disciples left the Upper Room, they went to the Garden of Gethsemane. There, Jesus prayed to God, the Father. Even before He went to the cross, He prayed in agony over what He was about to go through. Those drops of blood falling from Him were just the beginning of what He would go through for you and for me. He could have changed His mind at any time, but He loved us too much to leave us all bound for Hell.

Meanwhile, Judas Iscariot had told the arresting officials that they would know who Jesus was when he kissed Him on the cheek. Much later that evening, Jesus was betrayed by his own disciple, Judas, when he signalled to the soldiers kissing Jesus on the cheek. Jesus was then taken to the home of Caiaphas, the High Priest. There, the whole council had gathered to begin making their case against Jesus.

Read more about Thursday's events in the following gospels >>
26:17–75, Mark 14:12-72, Luke 22:7-62, and John 13:1-38.