WHY FORGIVENESS IS HARD, BUT INESCAPABLE

Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou in a recent homily during the 29th "Lightening the Lighter of the Saints" meeting touched on the subject of forgiveness. It comes very timely, with Erika Kirk publicly forgiving the murderer of her husband during Charlie's Memorial Service (link). It shocked many people who witnessed this heart rending gesture. Many admired her for her courage. Forgiveness can be the hardest thing to do. But I noticed over the years that increasingly vengeance is considered the norm and an entirely justified reaction to injustices, real or perceived. It took the God-man Christ to make people understand that it leads to cycles of multi generational blood feuds. But that is not all! 

Oct. 4, 2025 Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou Homilies: Unless You Forgive, You Cannot Commune.

Having seen from personal experience where the inability to forgive can lead, the need to address this subject comes none too soon. The hatred a wronged person holds in his heart in the end leads to his own destruction. I've seen it happening from up close. It's not pretty. 

Of course, the ability to forgive psychologically is not the same for everyone. But it certainly helps to realize that we are all sinners in need of repentance and forgiveness. I'd like to urge anyone who is unable to deal with this problem on his or her own,  to seek help. 

Culturally an area of Greece that had its issues with multi generational blood feuds and vendettas was Crete. In this blog we have been posting quite a few translations of songs from the Alpha TV series "Sasmos" that dealt with this social issue.

Here's a link to a page with more information on "Sasmos" (meaning: conciliation), a playlist of the songs and how to watch episodes. The pieces that have been translated are tagged Sasmos. Posts on Sasmos.

Closing on a lighter note with a more recent popular Greek song that also presses against the culture of revenge. 

Aug. 1, 2025 Νίκος Πορτοκάλογλου, Γιάννης Κότσιρας - Φύγαμε (Remix). (Nikos Portokloglou, Yannis Kotsiras: Fygame - Let's go!). Translation. 

- More on Metropolitan Neophytos of Morphou, "Sasmos" -