DEALING WITH MODERNITY: HOW TO ACQUIRE THE GREEK ATTITUDE?

Of course the upsurge of predominantly young men finding their way to Orthodox Church is a source of joy and optimism (link). However, it is almost inevitable this will be accompanied by misunderstandings and a degree of ignorance about the Orthodox phronema (world view, attitude, paradigm, conceptual framework or however you want to define it). It is a fact that the Orthodox have different understandings about the nature of the universe and human beings and their place in it. The featuring meme of the day is typical for the secular point of view of Greece we see very often, and it is a very good illustration of what we are talking about here. 


Westerners looking with envy at the Greek world and how differently it is paced and how the main things are prioritized over the nonsensical fringe. Given that their own life is entirely separated from (any) religion, they think the individual Greek has so much inherent wisdom of his own that he is able to calibrate his life to perfection.

Far from rejecting the individual Greek's wisdom in that regard, it must be stated that in Greece it is the Church's liturgical calendar that sets the agenda for most people most of the time. If not outright, it does so indirectly.

If people do guiltless naps in the afternoon, it is because they get up at the break of dawn from their night's sleep, that is, if the heat allowed them to sleep at all. 

Social media platforms are rife with instructions how to best partake in the Greek summer and how to enjoy the panagiri and other local customs and festivals to their heart's content.

To the outsider it looks like a total 'la dolce vita'... until you realize that these apparent indulgences and hedonisms are in essence religious celebrations that are often preceded by extensive periods of fasting and Church attendance.

Second generation American Greek Orthodox professor Eugenia Constantinou has posted interesting videos on exactly the subject Orthodox phronema. Check part 1, part 2, interview with Father Josiah of Patristic Nectar. Interview with Kyler Miller. 

Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary has recently posted  an interview with Metropolitan Kyprianos II of Oropos and Phyle where he talks about the widely-held belief that humanity is currently living in the end times.

He explains the Orthodox view on history is quite different and not a reason for despair and anxiety. On the contrary. Especially despair is very unorthodox. 


Aug, 13, 2024 Saint Photios Orthodox Theological Seminary: Fear of the End Times | Metropolitan Kyprianos II of Oropos and Phyle.

Watch the entire interview at this link.


March 22, 2020 Yannis Kotsiras - Η μεγάλη αποκάλυψη - (The Great Apocalypse) - Lyrics. 

If you are one of those seculars -- with or without faith -- that is yearning for a better balance, you're welcome to have a look at the blessings and benefits of the Orthodox way of life!


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