Today marks the 199th Anniversary of Greek Independence Day. This is when Hellenes remember their long struggle against the Ottoman Empire, an effort that eventually leads to Greece's Independence.

The Ottoman Empire enslaved the Greek people for 400 years. Greece had been part of the Ottoman Empire since 1453. The Greek revolt was precipitated on March 25, 1821, when Bishop Germanos of Patras raised the flag of revolution over the Monastery of Agia Lavra in the Peloponnese. The cry "Freedom or Death" became the motto of the revolution.

When the Most Holy Virgin had lived and served in the Temple at Jerusalem for eleven years and was by then fourteen (14) years old -- when that is, she was entering on her fifteenth (15) year -- the priests informed her that, according to the Law, she could no longer remain in the Temple but must be betrothed and marry.

The Eternal Logos/Word--the beginning, and the end--came into time and redeemed all things. He turned our weeping into joy, our mourning into dancing, our hatred into love, and our time into eternity.

The Christian home, according to our Holy Tradition, is a sacred place. It is a holy place where God dwells and protects us. It is where our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is present and guides and leads the members of the family to ever greater spiritual heights. The Christian family is Christ-centered for everything revolves around our Savior. A Christian home is a place where the family prays together daily in front of their holy icon corner. The Christian parents teach their children by example and lead their children closer to our Christ God.

"So Jesus said to them, 'Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you" (St. Matthew 17:20).

"...God gave us the courage to boldly...even though we were surrounded by enemies..." (1 Thessalonians 2:1-3).

Beloved in Christ God fear of imprisonment did not keep Saint Paul from preaching the Good News. When God wants us to do something, He will give us the strength and courage to do it in spite of the obstacles that may come our way.