District 6 Hellenism Blog

*Below is a wonderful homily *
*that has special meaning for me*
*I’m passing it on as *
*a reflective Easter gift*
*I hope you enjoy it*
*and find it as powerful as I do*
*Wishing you your loved ones *
*and familes a truly blessed *
*Happy Easter! *
**
EASTER

If anyone is devout and a lover of God, let him enjoy this beautiful and
radiant festival.

If anyone is a wise servant, let him, rejoicing, enter into the joy of his
Lord.

If anyone has wearied himself in fasting, let him now receive his
recompense.

If anyone has labored from the first hour, let him today receive his just
reward.

If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let him keep the
feast.

If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let him have no misgivings; for he
shall suffer no loss.

If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let him draw near without
hesitation.

If anyone has arrived even at the eleventh hour, let him not fear on account
of his delay.

For the Master is gracious and receives the last, even as the first;

He gives rest to him that comes at the eleventh hour, as to him who has
labored from the first.

He has mercy upon the last and cares for the first;

to the one he gives, and to the other he is gracious.

He both honors the work and praises the intention.

Enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our Lord, whether first or
last, receive your reward.

O rich and poor, one with another, dance for joy!

O you ascetics and you negligent, celebrate the day!

You that have fasted and you that have disregarded the fast, rejoice today!

The table is rich-laden; feast royally, all of you!  The calf is fatted; let
no one go forth hungry!

Let all partake of the feast of faith.  Let all receive the riches of
goodness.

Let no one lament his poverty, for the universal kingdom has been revealed.

Let no one mourn his transgressions, for pardon has dawned from the grave.

Let no one fear death, for the Saviour’s death has set us free.

He that was taken by death has annihilated it!

He descended into hades and took hades captive!

He embittered it when it tasted his flesh!

And anticipating this Isaiah exclaimed, “Hades was embittered when it
encountered thee in the lower regions.”

It was embittered, for it was abolished!

It was embittered, for it was mocked!

It was embittered, for it was purged!

It was embittered, for it was despoiled!

It was embittered, for it was bound in chains!

It took a body and, face to face, met God!

It took earth and encountered heaven!

It took what it saw but crumbled before what it had not seen!

“O death, where is thy sting? O hades, where is thy victory?”

Christ is risen, and you are overthrown!

Christ is risen, and the demons are fallen!

Christ is risen, and the angels rejoice!

Christ is risen, and life reigns!

Christ is risen, and not one dead remains in a tomb!

For Christ, being raised from the dead, has become the First-fruits of them
that slept.

To him be glory and might unto ages of ages. Amen.   — EASTER Homily of St.
John Chrysostom

Reflections on Greek Independence 

by Dionysios Dionou

This month Greeks around the world will be celebrating on March 25th, the anniversary of Greek Independence. After centuries of oppression at the hands of the Ottoman Turks, the Greek people were able to successfully revolt against their Muslim over lords.  It would take nearly a decade of brutal fighting, until after centuries of living without a nation state, the Greek people, could achieve their dreams of an independent Greek nation. At long last the Greek people could openly cherish what was so dear to their hearts. Their culture, and faith, long maintained in secret could now be celebrated. 

Most Greeks know the history of our struggle for independence. To detail it here, would be redundant. What is important is that we Greeks, in Greece, and in the diaspora continue to remember, and most importantly pass on to our future generations, Greek culture, the legacy of our homeland’s struggles, and faith. For as easily as it can be had, it can also be lost. I’m reflecting often these days, on a personal issue I will share with my readers. Last week my beautiful daughter Sophia at age fourteen, had her gallbladder removed. She had been in agony for some time, and the operation was imperative. Naturally as any loving father I was extremely concerned for her. Suffice to say, the operation was a complete success, and Sophia an MMA fighter is doing great. I’m naturally relived and thank God for hearing my many prayers. However, I learned something throughout this temporary crisis. What I have been reminded of once again, is that everything in life can be so fleeting, That even someone so strong, and so healthy, as Sophia can be easily struck down. Thank God in my situation temporarily. While this is on a personal level, on a larger level, it is to my way of thinking, the same with one’s cultural heritage. Often it is taken for granted, that it is here, and that it will last forever. It is this self satisfied, attitude that we must always be on guard against. For if we take our heritage, culture, and faith for granted, if we do not cherish it and preserve it, we can surly loose it. Just as even a beautiful, very strong fourteen year old girl, can be stricken, so can a nation and a people be stricken too. As we near March 25th, we all should reflect on this, and realize that it is up to us to preserve, and pass on our cultural heritage, and faith to the next generation. We are the heirs of our exceptional ancestors, who so many years ago determined that the Greek people would live in freedom, and independence.The torch of liberty has been been passed, to all of us, from generation to generation. May we keep it burning forever.

Dionysios Dionou is the vice president of AHEPA chapter 170. He was born in Greece, and raised in the Untied States. A former college adjunct lecturer, turned business man. Dionysi is also a part time actor, and can be seen in both film and TV. Recently he has established his own production company, for writing and screen plays. His memoir of his life and travels, will be released this month. He is president of the Solon Society, the oldest Hellenic Historical and Cultural Society. When not writing or lecturing Dionysi trains in MMA, and he holds a blue belt in Muay Thai kick boxing, and Brazilian jiu jitsu. 

Hellenism, History, Faith, Culture, and People

by Dionysios Dionou

 This month I bring you, what I call fact finds. When I was a graduate student, and doing research, I would often find little known yet interesting knowledge that often was little known. Opening my column this new year 2011, first let me wish all my AHEPAN brothers, a very blessed, healthy, prosperous  Happy New Year! Now for your entertainment, general knowledge, and amusement. Let me begin.

 

Many people when they think of various martial arts, Asia is what comes to mind. Why not? Many of the modern martial arts, have origins in Asia. Many of my brothers may not have known, but my entire family trains in what is called MMA or mixed martial arts. In fact my daughter Sophia, has been training since age four, and now at age fourteen, is preparing for her black belt test. My very own Bouboulina! I’m often asked why didn’t the Occident produce it’s own forms of martial arts. Actually there was a martial art, and it was invented in Greece! 

 

Called Pankration founded circa 648 BC, this martial art out dates many of the Asian martial arts. Tai kwan do for example, one of the most popular martial arts, dates from 57 BC. What is Pankration? It is a mixed martial art. Designed for both standing, and ground fighting. Similar in this respect, to Muay Thai kick boxing, and Japanese/Brazilian jiu jitsu. It entailed, punching, blocking, kicking, but also take downs, submissions and joint locks. A feature of the ancient Olympic games, there were neither rules, nor rounds. Fighters fought until one of the fighters, could no longer continue, or there was a risk of death. After the Roman conquest of Greece, the Romans adopted Pankration, calling it Pancractium. The sport became the rage in Roman arena’s. In 393 AD the Roman Emperor Theodosius I, along with the Olympics, and gladiatorial games, abolished Pankration fighting. Although the regular mentioning of wrestling in later Byzantine sources, may be an indication that Pankration continued as a sport. 

 

With the reinstating of the modern Olympic games, Pankration was excluded from the gaming events. However, a form of Pankration is practiced within the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles. Present day mixed martial arts, are a close relative of Pankration.

 

 

Dionysios Dionou was born in Patras Greece, raised in New York City, and is vice president of AHEPA Chapter 170. He is also the president of the Solon Society. Long Island’s premier Hellenic Historical and Cultural Society. Dionysi  has worked as a chef, high school teacher, college adjunct lecturer, and a small business owner. A part time actor, he can be seen in the films, “Fighting”, “Starship Dave”,  “Definitely Maybe, and Phoebee in Wonderland”. On TV in episodes of  “The Sopranos”, and “Law & Order Criminal Intent”. Dionysi’s first book will be released early this year. A memoir of his life, and travels.