10 top Greek inventions

 
Just saying… 10 great contributions of Ancient Greece ⚙️
 

🧮 Pythagorean Theorem
⚙️ Antikythera Mechanism
🏛️ Athenian Democracy
📐 Systematic Geometry
⚖️ Citizen Jury Courts
💧 Archimedes’ Screw
🎭 Theatre
🏃 Ancient Olympic Games
🌍 Aristarchus’ Heliocentric Model
⚓ Trireme Naval Engineering
 
From mathematics and science to politics, sport, and theatre, ancient Greek ideas helped shape the world we know today. A heritage that continues to make Greece proud. ✨

The Peloponnese

 
The Peloponnese gave rise to more than legendary warriors. Ancient tradition places the ancestral roots of the Macedonian Argead dynasty in Argolis, while Arcadia is remembered in Roman legend as the homeland of Evander, who settled the future site of Rome before Aeneas arrived.
 

From these mountains and valleys, stories emerged that shaped 6 of history's greatest civilizations. Makedonia, Rome, Mycenae, Sparta, Pontos and Cyprus. ⚔️

Κυριακή τῶν Ἁγίων Πατέρων

 
Συναξάριον
Τῇ αὐτῇ ἡμέρᾳ, μνήμην ἐπιτελοῦμεν τῶν Ἁγίων ἑξακοσίων τριάκοντα θεοφόρων Πατέρων τῆς ἐν Χαλκηδόνι Ἁγίας καὶ Οἰκουμενικῆς τετάρτης Συνόδου.
Ταῖς τῶν ἁγίων Πατέρων πρεσβείαις, ὁ Θεός, ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς. Ἀμήν.
 

Κοντάκιον τῶν Πατέρων.
Τῶν Ἀποστόλων τὸ κήρυγμα, καὶ τῶν Πατέρων τὰ δόγματα, τῇ Ἐκκλησίᾳ μίαν τὴν πίστιν ἐκράτυνεν· ἣ καὶ χιτῶνα φοροῦσα τῆς ἀληθείας, τὸν ὑφαντὸν ἐκ τῆς ἄνω θεολογίας, ὀρθοτομεῖ καὶ δοξάζει, τῆς εὐσεβείας τὸ μέγα μυστήριον.

The Minister and the Roofer

 
The poem of this post is titled "No One Mentioned the Roofer" by the acclaimed Irish poet and playwright Rita Ann Higgins. It gained prominent attention as part of the Poems on the Underground series, which brings poetry to commuters on the London Underground network.
 

The poem is a sharp, satirical commentary on political indifference, focusing on a government official visiting a community. While the locals fawn over the Minister and his nice suit, the titular roofer -who has lost his job and seen his hours and benefits cut- is completely ignored.

Animals on the wall

 
At the beginning of the Staple Hill Road, Bristol BS16, we find the following painting on a front house wall. Nice designs, bright colours, friendly animals, are radiating warmth and positive vibes.
 

The artist is Oxo Illustrator, who is based in Bristol. He is a British visual artist and muralist known for bold, black-and-white animal and nature illustrations.

124 Revolutions from 1481 to 1821!

 
It was in 1481 when Krokodeilos Kladas and the Maniot fighters revolted. They reached as far as Epirus and liberated the region of Himara. Unassisted by the West, which had encouraged him, Kladas was captured nine years later and flayed alive.

In 1489, the last of the Byzantine imperial house, Andreas Palaiologos, raised the revolutionary flag in Ottoman-occupied Greece. From 1492, the revolutionary wind took the form of a crusade, allied with Charles VIII of France. Five thousand revolutionaries liberated Epirus and a large part of Thessaly. The struggle was so powerful (writes Konstantinos Sathas) that the Turks "withdrew from the coasts and prepared to abandon Constantinople." However, a coalition of Christian states allied against Charles, who was forced to return to France. Left helpless, the Greeks were mercilessly slaughtered. By 1496, the revolution had died out.
 
New revolutionary movements from 1525 to 1533 resulted in the slaughter of Greeks: In Rhodes, of Metropolitan Efthymios and the notables. In the Peloponnese, of the revolutionaries abandoned in Methoni by the Knights of Malta. And, in 1565, the uprising in Epirus—triggered by the devshirme (the forced levy of Christian children)—was drowned in blood.
 
The Battle of Lepanto in 1571, which resulted in the destruction of the Ottoman fleet, gave new hope to the rayahs (oppressed subjects). The alliance of the Venetians, Spaniards, and the Pope prompted a new revolution. The insurgents were abandoned once again. Slaughters followed in Parnassida, Thessaloniki, and the Aegean. The Metropolitans of Patras and Thessaloniki were burned alive.
 
A new uprising broke out in Acarnania and Epirus in 1585: The armatoloi (local Christian militia leaders) Theodoros Bouas Grivas of Vonitsa, and Poulios, Drakos, and Malamos of Epirus liberated Vonitsa, Xiromero, and Arta, and marched toward Ioannina. However, they were defeated, and many were killed.
 
From 1609 to 1624, the Duke of Nevers of France and the Greeks organized an ambitious plan to drive the Turks out of Greece, creating a Christian army that would join the revolutionaries. The plan was never put into effect. However, during these fifteen years, the Maniots revolted several times, while the Metropolitan of Trikala, Dionysios, stirred up the peasants and, in 1616, campaigned against Ioannina and captured the city. He was ultimately defeated, captured, and flayed alive.
 
In 1659, a new Maniot revolution broke out, lasting until 1667. Three years later, the Stefanopoulos family and other Maniots fled to Corsica. Consecutive uprisings of the Greeks, starting from 1660, were instigated by the Venetians. Morosini fought naval battles and waged war against the Turks, reinforced by enthusiastic Greek revolutionaries.
 
From 1711, another great power became involved in Greece: the Tsar of Russia, Peter the Great, issued a proclamation calling on the Greeks to revolt. He named himself "Emperor of the Russo-Greeks," fuelling their imagination. In the churches, they commemorated his name, and the text of Agathangelos prophesied the salvation that "the blonde race would bring." Fifty-five years later, the world-dominating plans of Catherine the Great led to the revolution of 1766 and the Orlov Revolt of 1770. The revolutionaries were abandoned once again. They endured until 1779, when peace was restored to the Peloponnese.
 
The very next year, in 1780, the Turks set out to wipe out the klephts (anti-Ottoman insurgents) of the Peloponnese. The Kolokotronis clan resisted for twelve days and nights in Mani and then made a heroic breakout. Most were lost. The ten-year-old Theodoros Kolokotronis, his mother, and one of his sisters were the only ones who survived.
 
In 1788, the Souliotes revolted. That same year, the small fleet of Lambros Katsonis appeared at sea. He was a chiliarch (colonel) in the Russian army. The warlord Andritsos, with 500 klephts, manned the ships. Until 1790, they smashed the Turks multiple times in naval battles. That year (1790), in a terrible clash between Andros and Euboea, he soundly defeated the Turks at sea but was left with only seven ships. The next day, he found himself between two enemy fleets and was defeated. Lambros Katsonis and Andritsos continued to fight.
 
In 1792, Russia and Turkey signed a peace treaty. Katsonis refused to lay down his arms and issued a proclamation, the famous "Manifesto of Chiliarch Lambros Katsonis," in which he denounced Catherine and declared that the Greeks would gain their freedom on their own. Katsonis and Andritsos were defeated at Cape Tainaron and parted ways. Katsonis retired. Andritsos with his 500 men, fighting for forty days and nights, managed to reach Preveza.
 
The Souliote revolution ended on December 12, 1803, with a treaty that allowed them to leave with their weapons. Ali Pasha, however, broke the truce and pursued them. On December 23, a group of Souliotes found themselves in Riniasa, between Preveza and Arta. Hordes of Albanians fell upon them and slaughtered them. Despo Botsi, with ten daughters, granddaughters, and grandchildren, managed to fortify herself in the Dimoulas tower. The Albanians besieged her. She resisted as long as she could. In the end, they all blew themselves up so as not to fall alive into enemy hands. Kitsos Botsaris managed to reach Agrafa, where the Albanians caught up with him. He fortified himself in a monastery and held out until the following April. Only eighty managed to escape.
 
A new revolutionary wave swept through Greece in 1806, from the Peloponnese to Macedonia, as the Russians and Napoleon's French competed to win over the Greeks. Once again, the insurgents were left to their fate, and the Turks took their revenge out on them. In the Peloponnese, the Turks wanted to finish off the Kolokotronis clan. Theodoros Kolokotronis's companions did not want to leave. They fought for months before being forced to cross over to Kythira and, from there, to Zakynthos. This was followed by the epic exploits of Nikotsaras in Macedonia and Yiannis Stathas in the Aegean, which forced the Sublime Porte to negotiate with the revolutionaries.
 
In 1814, the Filiki Eteria (Society of Friends) was founded. Seven years later, the 124th uprising broke out, leading to freedom.
 
The Greeks struggled and shed blood for centuries for their freedom. It is the best answer to the revisionists of our history who try to convince us that the Greek Nation was "manufactured."

Greece vs Turkey

 
Greece may be smaller in size and population, compared to Turkey, but its Armed Forces are built on professionalism, advanced technology, exceptional training, and unwavering determination. Throughout history, Greece has repeatedly shown that courage, preparedness, and national unity outweigh numerical superiority.
 

With its modern air power, strong naval tradition, and highly capable personnel, Greece remains a reliable guardian of peace, freedom, and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. When it comes to defending its sovereignty, the spirit of the Hellenic nation has always been its greatest strength.

Με μια φυσαρμόνικα να δοξολογεί τον Θεό

 
Κρατώ τα μάτια σφαλιστά.
Κύριε Ιησού Χριστέ ελέησόν με.
 

Όλα πιο καθαρά μπροστά μου. Την ομίχλη του ο Άθωνας την στολίζεται μονάχος. Και κείνη δεν παραπονιέται… Στην κορυφή της Μεταμόρφωσης προτιμά να παραμένει σαν άλλος μετανοημένος μαθητής… Καλόν ημάς εστί ώδε είναι…
 
Βήματα απαράλλαχτα, μετρημένα τώρα στο μονοπάτι του Ουρανού… Πατήματα στο χώμα, σκαμμένοι οδοδείκτες για το κελί του Αγίου. Η γη κρατά στο φόρεμά της, μονάχα όσα με φιλότιμο πόνο και πίστη χαράχτηκαν απάνω της. Για τα άλλα βρίσκει χώμα ξερικό και τα απαλείφει  στη στιγμή.
 
Κρατώ τα μάτια σφαλιστά.
Κύριε Ιησού Χριστέ ελέησόν με.
 
Δεν λοξοδρομούν οι ψυχές όταν ελπίζουν. Προσμένει ο Όσιος κεραστής με γλύκα και δροσιά να τις φιλέψει. Φτάνω ξανά στην αυλή της Παναγούδας. Οι αισθήσεις, ακονισμένες ψάχνουν για ακήρατες πλευρές του Δεσπότη Χριστού να τον ψηλαφίσουν. Οι μνήμες  ερημήτικα πουλιά ταξιδευτές, σαν τον Όλετ τον φτερωτό προσκυνητή που άφοβα ακόμα τρώει και πίνει απ’ τη χούφτα του Αγίου. Θαύματα και θαυμάσια ίχνη του Γέροντα τόσα χρόνια μετά. Σαν να μην κύλησε ποτέ ο χρόνος. Όλα όπως τα άφησε, όλα όπως τα ευλόγησε. Όλα όπως τα οικονομεί.
 
Κρατώ τα μάτια σφαλιστά.
Κύριε Ιησού Χριστέ ελέησόν με.
 
Τώρα στην αγιόκαρπη γη τυπώνονται ίχνη από γόνατα. Μυριαρίθμητα ζευγάρια γόνατα, που στέκουν στην μεγάλη σειρά της ευγνωμοσύνης, καρτερώντας με υπομονή και δάκρυα, λίγο-λίγο να φτάσει η ώρα που θα τον συναντήσουν, μετανοίζοντας  στο μέρος της καρδιάς του, που εκείνος έλεγε πως είναι πολύ μικρή για να χωρέσει την απέραντη αγάπη του Κυρίου. Κι όμως αυτήν την καρδιά την πλάτυνε τόσο ο Χριστός, που πάνω της ανάπαυσε και λύτρωσε έναν Παράδεισο ψυχές…
 
Ζήλεψαν τώρα τα χείλη τα ευλογημένα γόνατα. Πόθησαν κι αυτά να συναντηθούν με το ευωδιαστό χώμα στο ταπεινό του  κιβούρι, στη σκιά του Παρθένου μαθητή, στου Θεολόγου το μοναστηράκι.
 
Κρατώ τα μάτια σφαλιστά.
Κύριε Ιησού Χριστέ ελέησόν με.
 
Ξανά στην ταπεινή καλύβη του Γέροντα. Παραμονές της Αγίας Ευφημίας. Μαζί κάνουν στρωτές   μπρος στη χάρτινη εικονίτσα της Αγίας Τριάδας, όπως εκείνο το πρωινό  μετά την ενάτη στο κελί, στον Τίμιο Σταυρό ήταν τότε. Και ύστερα ξανακάθονται, εκείνη στο σκαμνί κι αυτός στο μπαουλάκι του, να μιλήσουν για τα φριχτά μαρτύριά της και  το αντιδόξασμα του Ουρανού.
 
Δεν σταματά του θέρους η καμπάνα να διαλαλεί την Αγία μνήμη.  Δεν σταματά το συναξάρι να αφήνει χώρο για νέους αθλητές, για νέες παρηγορίες, νέους στρατιώτες παρακλήτους. Γεμάτος από κορυφές και ψηλώματα λιόχαρα ο Ιούλης. Στις έντεκα η Αγία Ευφημούλα! Μια μέρα ύστερα ο ασκητής της Παναγούδας, του Θεού ο ασυρματιστής, ένσαρκος Άγγελος κι αυτός σαν τον Θεσβίτη. Χωρίς πύρινο άρμα όμως στο δρομολόι του Ουρανού… Παναγούδα –Σουρωτή.
 
Με μάτια σφαλιστά και στα χείλη η ευχή του Ιησού δια πρεσβειών του.
 
Τόσο βαστάει τούτη η διαδρομή…
 
Νώντας Σκοπετέας
 
Το βίντεο είναι εδώ

Η Ναυτική Παράδοση του Ελληνισμού

 
Στην Ελληνορθόδοξη Κοινότητά μας, των Απ. Πέτρου & Παύλου στο Bristol, διανύουμε την 5^η χρονιά των Πνευματικών Συνάξεων. Η τέταρτη ομιλία για φέτος, μέσα στο πλαίσιο των Πνευματικών Συνάξεων, δόθηκε χθες, Κυριακή 12η Ιουλίου 2026, με μεγάλη επιτυχία.
 

Ομιλητής ήταν το διακεκριμένο μέλος της Κοινότητας Σοφοκλής Zανός, Ναυπηγός, ο οποίος παρουσίασε -με επιστημοσύνη και γλαφυρότητα- το εξαιρετικά ενδιαφέρον θέμα: «Η Ναυτική Παράδοση του Ελληνισμού».
 
Το βίντεο της ομιλίας είναι εδώ

The first European alphabet

 
The Ancient Greeks were the first Europeans to invent an alphabet, paving the way for all modern European languages!
 

Their writing evolved from mysterious origins - some say it began with Proto-Greek speakers as early as 2500 BC, others believe it came even earlier!
 
Imagine how this ancient alphabet shaped the way we communicate today!

Η Ναυτική Παράδοση του Ελληνισμού

 
Η Ελληνορθόδοξη Κοινότητα των Αγίων Αποστόλων Πέτρου και Παύλου στο Bristol συνεχίζει και φέτος τον επιτυχημένο θεσμό των Πνευματικών Συνάξεων, προσφέροντας ευκαιρίες πνευματικής καλλιέργειας, γνώσης και δημιουργικού διαλόγου. Την Κυριακή 12 Ιουλίου 2026, στις 12.15 μ.μ. (ώρα Αγγλίας) και 2.15 μ.μ. (ώρα Ελλάδος και Κύπρου), έχουμε τη χαρά να φιλοξενούμε τον κ. Σοφοκλή Ζανό, Ναυπηγό, ο οποίος θα αναπτύξει ένα ιδιαίτερα ενδιαφέρον και ακραιφνώς ελληνικό θέμα. Όσοι δεν έχουν τη δυνατότητα να παρευρεθούν στον Ιερό Ναό θα μπορούν να παρακολουθήσουν τη σύναξη ζωντανά μέσω της διαδικτυακής μετάδοσης της Κοινότητάς μας.
 

Η ομιλία με θέμα «Η Ναυτική Παράδοση του Ελληνισμού» θα αναδείξει τη διαχρονική σχέση του Ελληνισμού με τη θάλασσα, από την αρχαιότητα έως τη σύγχρονη εποχή. Μέσα από ιστορικές αναφορές, ναυπηγικά στοιχεία και πολιτισμικές προσεγγίσεις, θα παρουσιαστεί ο καθοριστικός ρόλος της ελληνικής ναυτοσύνης στη διαμόρφωση της ιστορίας, του εμπορίου, της επικοινωνίας των λαών και της διάδοσης του ελληνικού πολιτισμού. Πρόκειται για μια ιδιαίτερα επίκαιρη και ενδιαφέρουσα εισήγηση, η οποία αναδεικνύει μια από τις σημαντικότερες πτυχές της ταυτότητας και της διαχρονικής προσφοράς του Ελληνισμού στον κόσμο.

+ The Revd Canon Dr William Taylor

 
A distinguished theological, ecumenical and ecclesiastical personality, namely The Revd Canon Dr William Taylor, an Anglican Priest and eminent scholar, has died in Guy's Hospital at around 11:00 am on Tuesday 7th July.
 

The Revd Canon Dr William Taylor was the Chairman of the Anglican and Eastern Churches Association and Vicar of St John Notting Hill. He had worked and lived in Jordan, Cairo, and Turkey; served in parishes in England, as a Chaplain in the Middle East, on the ecumenical staff of the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace, and as Dean of Portsmouth Cathedral.
 
He had travelled and lectured extensively throughout the Middle East and Central Asia. A linguist by training and inclination, his languages included Syriac, Arabic, and Turkish. 
 
His publications include Light from the East, Christians in the Holy Land (ed), Ahl al Dhimmi: A Study of minorities in Islam, Christianity in Iraq, Antioch and Canterbury, and Narratives of Identity - a copy of which was presented to HRH The Prince of Wales in 2013 - and Turkey, Looking Behind and Before (ed).
 
His Ph.D, from SOAS, is on the dhimmi system of the Orthodox Churches in the late Ottoman Empire.
 
Fr William requested that his body be donated to The London Anatomy Office for anatomical examination.
 
May his memory be eternal.
 
Photo: Fr. William (on the left) on Friday 1^st February 2019 at his Church of St. John in London, during the official presentation of the publication of Dr. Demetris Salapatas’ Doctoral Thesis.

Ο προστάτης του γάμου

 
Ίσως κάποιος αναρωτηθεί. Γιατί ένας ασκητικός Μάρτυρας, ο σήμερα εορταζόμενος Άγιος Προκόπιος, που δεν παντρεύτηκε ποτέ, να είναι ο προστάτης του Γάμου;
 

Η απάντηση κρύβεται στην ίδια την ουσία του γάμου. Ο γάμος απαιτεί θυσία. Για να ζήσουν δύο άνθρωποι αρμονικά κάτω από την ίδια στέγη, πρέπει να «πεθάνει» το εγώ τους και να γεννηθεί το «εμείς». Ο Άγιος Προκόπιος, που θυσίασε τη ζωή του από αγάπη για τον Χριστό, διδάσκει στους συζύγους αυτό ακριβώς το θυσιαστικό πνεύμα. Χωρίς αμοιβαίες υποχωρήσεις, χωρίς συγχώρεση και χωρίς το μαρτυρικό φρόνημα της υπομονής, ο γάμος δεν μπορεί να ριζώσει.
 
Η Μνεία στην Ακολουθία
 
Κατά την αφαίρεση των στεφάνων, ο ιερέας εύχεται:
 
«...ο ευλογήσας τον εν Κανά της Γαλιλαίας γάμον... παράλαβε τους στεφάνους αυτών εν τη Βασιλεία σου... διά των πρεσβειών... του αγίου ενδόξου μεγαλομάρτυρος Προκοπίου...»!
 
Είναι η στιγμή που τα στέφανα της γης -που συμβολίζουν τη δόξα αλλά και το μαρτύριο της κοινής ζωής- παραδίδονται στα χέρια του Θεού για να γίνουν αιώνια. Ο Άγιος Προκόπιος στέκεται εκεί ως εγγυητής, πρεσβεύοντας στον Κύριο να κρατήσει την αγάπη του ζευγαριού άσβεστη, προστατεύοντας το σπιτικό τους από κάθε κλονισμό.
 
Ας επικαλούμαστε τον Άγιο Προκόπιο όχι μόνο την ημέρα του γάμου, αλλά σε κάθε δύσκολη στιγμή της οικογενειακής ζωής. Στις ώρες της παρεξήγησης, της κόπωσης ή της δοκιμασίας, η προσευχή στον Άγιο της «προκοπής» μπορεί να φέρει τη γαλήνη, θυμίζοντάς μας ότι ο γάμος είναι ένας κοινός αγώνας που με τη χάρη του Θεού πάντα οδηγεί στην ανάσταση.

Ο Οδυσσέας στην Αγγλία

 
Σε λίγες ημέρες ένα κανούργιο έργο θα προβληθεί στους κινηματογράφους στην Αγγλία. Είναι η Οδύσσεια του Ομήρου.
 

Η εν λόγω ταινία διαφημίζεται πολύ τελευταία. Μια έμμεση διαφήμιση είναι και ο πίνακας της παρούσας ανάρτησης, από σταθμό του μετρό στο Λονδίνο.

Αγίου Παϊσίου καρδία καιομένη

 
Αξεθύμαστο το άρωμα της μνήμης όλων των Αγίων προστατών μας. Όσο ανασαίνουμε το οξυγόνο τούτου του κόσμου, τόσο θα εισπνέουμε και το άρωμα της Αγιότητάς τους. Ξανά θα το ανασάνουμε λοιπόν, με ακόμα μια εκπομπή-προσευχή για μεσιτεία στον Άγιο Παΐσιο τον Αγιορείτη.
 

Στο κέντρο η καρδιά του, πάντοτε φλεγόμενη από θυσιαστική αγάπη. Όλο και όλα για τους άλλους. Πόσο ταιριαστό το όνομα Κηρυναίος για αυτόν τον ταπεινό γίγαντα! Πόσους Σταυρούς δεν έπαιρνε στους δικούς του ώμους! Δεν δάνειζε, μα χάριζε έλεος και οικτιρμούς. Αναλωνόταν ολόκληρος. Δαπανούσε και την ελάχιστη ικμάδα της δύναμής του μη κρατώντας τίποτα για τον εαυτό του. Πονούσε πολύ και την πατρίδα μας! Λαχταρούσε για μια Ελλάδα Θεοβλόγητη και όχι εγκαταλελειμμένη από θεομάχους και αθεόφοβους ηγήτορες. Θρηνούσε για την πνευματική μας κατάντια η καιομένη καρδιά του.
 
Νώντας Σκοπετέας
 
Το βίντεο είναι εδώ

Constantinople Lecture

 
On Tuesday 24th of June 2026, the AECA held its Annual Constantinople Lecture at St John’s Notting Hill. This year’s lecture was given by Dr Sharon J Kaithavana, who is a medical doctor and a member of the Malankara Orthodox Church, on ‘“Your faith has saved you” Medicine, Faith and Healing – Insights from Indian Orthodoxy and the Ayurvedic Tradition.
 

The evening began with a Choral Evensong, led by our Treasurer, Fr Alan Trigle. Before the main Lecture, The Bishop of Southwark Christopher Chessun, who is also our Anglican President, greeted everyone to this year’s event.
 

The Treasurer, Fr Alan Trigle, introduced our speaker. Dr Sharon J Kaithavana shared his lecture with the participants, so everyone could follow the interesting and engaging talk, linking practice and theory to cultural and religious beliefs found within Indian Orthodoxy.
 

After the Lecture, Fr Will Gibbs thanked the speaker and gave final remarks and comments. The evening ended with a wonderful reception where everyone was able to enjoy the warm weather with a glass of wine and some nibbles. The Lecture will be published in our journal, Koinonia, for our members to read.
 
Dr. Dimitrios Salapatas

Orthodox Monasticism

 
Thursday 3-Saturday 5 December 2026*
IOCS Winter School 2026:
Monastic Tradition and Orthodox Theology Today
At Westminster College, Cambridge
 

*3-4 December will be full days of lectures and discussion, with a full day visit to The Stavropegic Monastery of St John the Baptist, Essex, on Saturday 5 December.
 
Our 2026 Winter School will look at profound and sometimes unexpected ways in which the monastic tradition and theologians formed by it play a vital role in the rediscovery of 'theology as a liturgy of the Church' (Archimandrite Vasileios of Iviron), expressed alike in our teaching and in all facets of life. 
 
We will explore how monastic experience informs, perhaps transforms, our understanding of Scripture and of the human being; how it underpins pastoral service to 'the world'; and its powerful witness to contemporary spiritual seekers hungry for the sacred.
 
Speakers to include:
 
His Eminence, Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London
Archimandrite Antonios Kakalis, Senior Lecturer in Architecture, Newcastle University
Hieromonk Nikolai Sakharov, The Stavropegic Monastery of St John the Baptist, Essex
V Revd. Dr Bogdan Bucur, Associate Professor of Patristics at the St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary (Yonkers, NY)
Mother Sarah, Parish of St John of Kronstadt, Bath
Mr Aidan Hart, The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts
Dr Kyriacos Markides, Prof. Emeritus of Sociology, University of Maine
More details to follow soon

Όψεις επταλόφου

 
Οι πιο σημαντικές πόλεις του κόσμου είναι κτισμένες πάνω σε επτά λόφους, εξ ου και ονομάζονται επτάλοφες.
 

Το κτίσιμο πάνω σε επτά λόφους, όπως υποστηρίζεται, γίνεται κατά το πρότυπο της αρχαίας Ρώμης.
 

Πολλές πόλεις -σε ολόκληρο τον κόσμο- χρησιμοποιούν αυτόν τον τίτλο για λόγους κύρους ή ιστορικής σύνδεσης.
 

Μια τέτοια επτάλοφη πόλη είναι κι εκείνη που ονομάζεται Clevedon στο North Somerset, στα ΝΔ της πόλης του Bristol.
 

Το όνομα της πόλης αυτής αντανακλά την τοπογραφία της.

 
Προέρχεται δε από τα αρχαία Αγγλικά: cleve (cleave / συνδέομαι στενά) και don (hill / λόφος).

 
Ένα χαρακτηριστικό στοιχείο της πόλης είναι η προβλήτα της, που άνοιξε το 1869 και θεωρείται διατηρητέο μνημείο.

 
Ο Sir John Betjeman περιγράφει την εν λόγω Βικτωριανή προβλήτα ως ‘the most beautiful pier in England’.

Adam and Eve in Islam

 
The story of Adam and Eve is one of the foundational narratives in Islam. Muslims believe that Adam was the first human being and the first prophet, while Hawwa (Eve) was the first woman and his wife. Their story appears throughout the Quran and carries important lessons about free will, temptation, repentance, forgiveness, and humanity's relationship with God.
 

The Creation of Adam
 
Islam teaches that God created Adam directly. The Quran describes Adam as being created from clay or dust, and then God breathed into him a spirit created by Him. Adam was given knowledge that distinguished him from other creatures. One of the first gifts God gave Adam was the ability to learn and understand the names and nature of things. This knowledge became a symbol of humanity's unique capacity for learning, reasoning, and responsibility.
 
The Angels and Adam
 
After creating Adam, God informed the angels of His intention to place a representative (khalifah) on Earth. God then commanded the angels to honour Adam. All obeyed except Iblis. Iblis refused because he considered himself superior. According to the Quran, he said he was created from fire while Adam was created from clay. His arrogance and pride led to his downfall. This event is considered the origin of Satan's rebellion.
 
The Creation of Eve
 
Islam teaches that Eve (Hawwa) was created as Adam's companion. The Quran does not provide extensive details about her creation, but Islamic tradition identifies her as the first woman and Adam's wife. Together they lived in Paradise.
 
Life in Paradise
 
God permitted Adam and Eve to enjoy Paradise freely. They could eat and benefit from everything except one specific tree. The Quran does not identify the type of tree. The emphasis is not on the tree itself but on obedience to God.
 
The Temptation
 
Iblis sought to mislead Adam and Eve. He whispered to them and tempted them to eat from the forbidden tree. Eventually, both Adam and Eve made the mistake of eating from it. A notable difference between the Islamic and some traditional Christian interpretations is that the Quran does not place the blame solely on Eve. Instead, both Adam and Eve share responsibility. The Quran presents them as partners in both the mistake and the repentance.
 
The First Repentance
 
After realizing their error, Adam and Eve immediately turned to God in repentance. They prayed: "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves. If You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers." Islam teaches that God accepted their repentance. This is one of the most important lessons of the story. Unlike the concept of inherited sin found in some Christian traditions, Islam teaches: Adam sinned. Adam repented. God forgave him. The sin was not passed on to future generations.
 
Descending to Earth
 
After their repentance, Adam and Eve were sent to Earth. Islam views this not merely as a punishment but as part of God's plan for humanity. Earth became the place where: Humans exercise free will. People are tested. Good and evil are distinguished. Spiritual growth occurs. Adam became the first prophet, teaching his descendants about God and worship.
 
No Original Sin in Islam
 
One of the most significant differences between Islamic and many Christian beliefs concerns original sin. Islam teaches: Every child is born pure. No one inherits Adam's sin. Every person is responsible only for their own actions. God's mercy is available through repentance. This principle is central to Islamic theology.
 
Adam as the First Prophet
 
Adam was more than the first human. He was also the first prophet. Islam teaches that God guided humanity through a long line of prophets beginning with Adam and continuing through: Nuh Ibrahim Musa Dawud Sulayman Isa ibn Maryam Muhammad Muslims view all prophets as carrying the same core message: worship the One God.
 
Similarities With Judaism and Christianity
 
All three Abrahamic faiths share several beliefs: Adam was the first human. Eve was the first woman. They lived in Paradise. They were tempted. They ate from a forbidden tree. Humanity descends from them. These common elements form part of the shared heritage of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
 
Key Lessons From Adam and Eve in Islam
 
1. Human Beings Make Mistakes
Even the first humans made mistakes. Perfection belongs only to God.
 
2. Pride Is Dangerous
Iblis fell because of arrogance. Islam repeatedly warns against pride and self-righteousness.
 
3. Repentance Is Always Possible
Adam's story demonstrates that sincere repentance can lead to forgiveness.
 
4. Men and Women Share Responsibility
The Quran presents Adam and Eve as jointly responsible for their actions.
 
5. Every Person Gets a Fresh Start
There is no inherited guilt. Each person is accountable for their own choices.
 
Why the Story Matters Today
 
For Muslims, Adam and Eve are not merely historical figures. Their story explains fundamental questions about human nature: Why humans are imperfect. Why temptation exists. Why forgiveness is possible. Why life on Earth is a test. Why hope should never be lost after making mistakes. The story begins not with humanity's failure, but with God's mercy. Adam and Eve's repentance and forgiveness remain powerful reminders that no matter how great a mistake may be, the door to repentance and God's mercy is always open.
 
SOURCE: MSN