The 29th of May undoubtedly marks a vivid and shocking milestone for both Orthodox Hellenism and culture in general. It is the day that marks the end of a glorious empire, but not the end of our spiritual and national conscience. The conquest of the city was a painful historical, cultural and spiritual event. However, out of this loss not only was devastation born, but also an indomitable flame of faith, patience and hope emerged. The enslaved Hellenism did not disappear. On the contrary, through the centuries of slavery, it brought forth shining examples of faith and virtue: Martyrs and New Martyrs, fathers of the Nation, enlightened teachers, clergy and laity, who kept the flame of the Gospel, language, history and our native tradition unquenched, cultivating the hope of the resurrection of the Nation and its freedom…
The memory of the conquest of the City is certainly not a memory of intolerance or revenge, but a memory of reflection and responsibility. Let us, therefore, preserve our spiritual and moral foundations, so that the sacrifice of our ancestors does not become an empty memory, but a seed for the regeneration and renewal of our people…
Today, we may not be besieged by armed enemies, but we are in danger of a more insidious “conquest”, internal and spiritual. The family, youth, the truth of the Orthodox faith and the sanctity of life are under siege. This is the modern “conquest”, against which we are called to build a wall of faith, prayer and repentance. The struggle to defend our spiritual strongholds requires stability of faith, unity, vigilance and love for God and our fellow man…
Finally, as we recall the memory of the conquest of the City , we cannot help but turn with pain in our hearts to the timeless symbol of Hellenism and Orthodoxy, the Church of St. Sophia of God in Constantinople, this great Christian monument of faith, art and culture, which for centuries has been the cradle of Orthodoxy and a symbol of the theophany of Byzantium…
Unfortunately, today, instead of being a holy shrine of Christian civilization, St. Sophia functions as a mosque, a fact that deeply hurts the heart of every Orthodox. Its conversion into a Muslim mosque not only marks its spiritual and cultural alteration, but is also a sad indication of the modern world’s alienation from holiness and truth…
St. Sophia is not just a historical building; it is an experience, prayer, praise and memory of centuries, connecting earth to heaven. The desecration of its sacred character calls us to a spiritual awakening; to a conscious return to the confession of Orthodoxy, which cannot be silenced. For even if we are silent St. Sophia will continue to bear eternal witness to the truth of Christ, even in her silence…
Let us pray that the Supreme General, the Most Holy Theotokos, will protect our Nation, cover our country and enlighten its rulers, so that they may rule with justice, wisdom and fear of God, defending the eternal values of the Gospel, our historical, national and cultural identity and our spiritual heritage.
† Didymoteichos, Orestiada and Soufli Damaskinos
