Posted by: DG MARYOGA | 31/03/2018

Spring & Easter Reflections


When the Gregorian & Julian Calendar don’t Align …

 

*Easter 2018 in the Gregorian calendar is on Sunday, April 1, and,in the Julian calendar on Sunday, April 8.

** Passover (Pesach) begins at sundown on Friday, March 30, 2018 and ends at sundown on Saturday, April 7, 2018.

*** Confused ? Me too ; so many Easters & different aspects of Faith about the celebration of Life and Love.The spiritual force of faith is activated only by love and unites the natural with the ethereal world,the name makes no difference at all.Easter is an archetypal spring celebration in all cultures.It signifies new life.

For Greeks,Easter is the biggest religious holiday of the year.Many of the celebrations have roots to pre-Christian times.The Eleusinian Mysteries in ancient Greece were also a celebration of rebirth after death.In winter everything dies and is reborn in spring again.

Today in  Greece,Easter celebrations have a direct connection with the Eastern Orthodox Church and the arrival of Spring.Being near Nature or in some old monasteries and churches,I tend to redifine myself and reflect on the anthropology of religion.It makes me feel closer to the path of the return to being,to the Universe of Light and beyond the Physical Realm and the Twelve Dimensions … .

There are some retreats for the soul,where you discover the Esoteric Path and the Road towards Completeness.

The road to the highest parts of Heaven is long,but not tiring,the soul by its nature desires to Live inside the Light …

The old Patmos Bells Under the Splendour of the Empyrean are ready to transmit the Glory of Easter.Their Sound will Resonate over Humanity …

 

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Bells above the Holy Cave of the Apocalypse,the Cave of the Revelation,where John of Patmos received his visions that he recorded in the Book of Revelation.A point of reference not only of Patmos,but of Christianity worldwide.

In 1999,the Cave along with the Monastery of Saint John the Theologian,founded in the late 10th century,were declared a World Heritage Cultural Site by UNESCO.

Here the monks live in peace and pray for love,health and happiness for all human beings under the cerulean Empyrean,the highest part of heaven,where the soul is a step closer to the Divine.

Pilgrims from all over the world,regardless of their religion,swarm into the monastery to seek the spirit of the faith and their heavenly destiny.

Atheists,,heretics,sceptics,agnostics,free thinkers,nihilists,or pilgrims seeking Τω Αγνώστω Θεώ,the “unknown God”,they all find peace as soon as they get inside these Holy grounds.

Easter nears,time to be at peace with our thoughts in our own temples ; to reflect on the Infinite in Nature,in Man,and in the Self …

Here is The Nea Moni (New Monastery),another spiritual retreat, on the Provateio Oros (mountain) in the island of Chios.

 

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Ascending to the Empyrean …

Mosaics beneath a man-made Empyrean from the Golden Age of Byzantine Art.The mosaics of the Nea Moni (New Monastery) date back to the 11th century.They are among the finest examples of “Macedonian Renaissance” Art and one of the three remaining collections of the mid-Byzantine period,left in Greece.

The golden background occupies a large portion of the surface and as the light reflects on it,it enhances the transcendency of the depictions to a supreme,spiritual world.

The Monastery is listed in the monuments protected by UNESCO’s World Heritage.

The flowers in the surrounding area of the monastery are also ready to celebrate Easter.Spring has arrived and Nature has built her own Temples.What a great blessing!

Here is a Greek Orthodox Church in a Mastic village of Chios.

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Koimisis Theotokou is a church in the Greek island of Chios,in Pyrgi medieval village,known as the “painted village” because of the decorative motifs on the facades of churches and houses.Most elaborate facades with fantastic geometrical patterns and mathematical motifs.

The Daffodil Golden Harvest outside the church shines like the Gold Icons inside.

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Nearby,there is a flowered field bathed in magical,bluish light.

It reminds me of another old,historical church,a Cathedral in my second home,where I feel the same awe.

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Dublin’s oldest building,a place of pilgrimage for almost 1,000 years.Its origins date to about 1038 when the Viking settlers constructed a cathedral on this site.

Christ Church Cathedral or The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
Dublin – Ireland – founded in 1030 & rebuilt from 1172.

In the monastery gardens,a beautiful peacock is gathering flowers to celebrate Easter.

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The old Byzantine Monastery in Preveli of the island of Crete and the spring flowers in its back yard,are ready to glorify Easter too.

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 Divine Illumination from a Cretan Monastery

The Golden Age of the Byzantine Empire in the Monastery of Preveli  and 10-century-old Heirlooms of Faith …

 

Looking at Easter from a diffenent angle & wishing you a Happy Easter & a Joyous Spring Season.

 

* Soon with you to enjoy your recent posts ; post & run? No, it is not me …

 *Easter Love to all of you ♥

 

 


Responses

  1. oh I so remember Xristos Anesti in Greece! Thank you for transporting me to the mystical Splendour and also back to Dublin!!

    Liked by 3 people

    • I’ve a tendency to relate and connect things and situations even when they are miles away or miles apart,but still share some fundamental values … Glad I stirred up some treasured moments,Cybele dear,and,so many thanks for always remembering me.I’ll pop in for a visit to your place to see how life treats you and also to enjoy your exhilarating photography 🙂 xxx
      PS:Feel embarrassed it took me ages to reply …

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Lovely to be here, Doda, soaking in the beauty and peace of these majestic cathedrals, glowing Cretan monastery, and ancient meeting places. I love the integration of hallowed manmade creations with glorious nature in her bright colors and vibrant life. Also enjoyed hearing about the Greek celebration of Easter. I hope you are enjoying your Easter break, and have no doubt you are, for you have the gift of embracing all of life in its many glories. Thank you for sharing your gift here, my friend–

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    • Jet dear,you might think that I didn’t notice your beautiful comment and your brilliant response to my Spring-Easter post.Believe it or not,I’ve read it many times,and,enjoyed it,since I came back from Götheborg and UK,but I didn’t answer it because I wanted to find some quiet moment to visit you first before I post again.

      Can’t thank you enough for such a well-written and comprehensive comment,it clearly shows what a gifted writer you’re!You,too,fondly embrace life in all its expressions,that’s why you appreciated it.Off to your place to check out your new posts and see if nature around your property has started showing her new,refreshed face to you & Athena … 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      • I’m beaming with a big smile, Doda, and sending you lots of love….:D

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        • Keep that beaming,big smile for ever 🙂 Love & hugs of friendship back to you 🙂

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  3. I don’t really celebrate Easter in a “religious” sense but i do like the idea of new beginnings or being born again which can happen several times in a lifetime. I celebrate spring because it holds promise of redemption from a cold, hard winter in a spiritual sense. I love daffodils as they are (to me) the visual essence of a new chance to start over… and who doesn’t love yellow flowers?

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    • Different worlds or different words?At least,we both agree that Nature is a Temple.Your love for daffodils and for spring is sort of a religion.I hate being dogmatic and fanatical,the philosophical viewpoint about “Free Thought” is in human nature,we should not permit to be manipulated by anybody.Thank you so much for your kind visit and for freely expressing your own beliefs,I do appreciate the interaction we had 🙂 xxx

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      • I still remember my visit to Patmos and was amazed to see the cave where John lived, including the stone where he rested his head. It certainly brought that story to life for me.

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        • I am glad to know that you managed to visit the beautiful island of Patmos and the Cave of the Apocalypse.I’d posted about it,here is the link.

          Divine Light …

          Btw,I’m looking forward to reading all parts of your recent travel to UK- Sussex.I’ll first post something to be reconnected with my WP friends and come over to enjoy them.Thank you,dear Roslyn 🙂

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          • Thanks for the link… great photos… brings back memories. I’m sorry to admit that one of my most vivid memories of Patmos (aside from buying a t-shirt!) is of a cat enjoying a breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast in the street! Didn’t see any coffee though!

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            • I just found the photo of the cat!

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              • Did you?Where can I see it?Is it uoloaded somewhere?

                Liked by 1 person

                • Maybe I’ll use the photo for a Feline Friday entry. Stay tuned!

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                  • That’s a brilliant idea,Roslyn,It’ll be a Greek cat-friend from past times.I’ll stay tuned 🙂

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  4. Oh what a delight as was you last post including those two beautiful paintings.
    I love the images you presented here Doda and Easter is a wonderful time of year.. As we remember it is about renewal and Life..
    Seeing how the Spring flowers in your photos are out, while many of ours are in tight bud.. The Rhododendrons especially..

    My Daffodils are out in my pots but the ones in my garden are in bud still.. But the birds are nesting and I have some of my spring flowers out at last..
    The snow of Easter Sunday now gone.. And we have made a start in our allotments over the last two days.. We both felt well enough to start..
    As my hubby had a nasty flu virus and I just, well, I just felt awful for the last three weeks, But what ever ailed me mentally and physically is passing,
    though I am taking things at a slow pace and not rushing head long into anything.. As I rest each afternoon, and sleep the deep sleep.. Like I have never slept before.. A weird sensation, this fatigue which sweeps up and knocks you side ways.. But I am listening to my body Doda and One step forward at a time.. 🙂

    Many thanks for your lovely visits, I apologise for not getting here sooner..
    I hope you had a wonderful Easter Break.. And I wish you a wonderful Happy Spring.. As you enjoy your Spring weather..

    I agree with you about the weather, its been abnormal in many parts, from freezing and snow one moment to balmy warm the next.. to plunge back again to cold.. Poor nature has been struggling and I felt so sorry for the nesting birds who were building their nests as the snow came..

    Yet yesterday I took a photo of a Red Admiral butterfly upon my daffodils,, Strange this time of year also given its been so cold.. It is only 12C today yet a friend from Denmark said it was 20C there.. Practically our Summer temps Lol 🙂

    Many thanks again for your wonderful friendship Doda.. I so very much appreciate you..
    Love and Blessings my friend..
    Take care.
    Sue ❤

    Liked by 4 people

    • At long last I am officially back,lol,and ready to answer your long,long and multisided comment on my Spring-Easter post,my English Angel,Sue!So glad my sunlit photos warmed your heart and your cold days during Easter.Now,all the flower buds are open and so are your doors and your windows to receive the belated spring sunshine 🙂 No more suffering from flu viruses and such things,it’s time to enjoy your springtime.
      I’m taking things out at a slow pace too,I don’t sacrifice my night sleep any more for posting regularly and catching up,but I’ll try to keep contact with all my wonderful WP bloggers & friends.

      Enjoy more deep sleep when needed to recharge your energy levels and lead a healthy life.Blogs and any other social media sites can wait.Family and health above all 🙂

      Can’t thank you enough for your beautiful and newsy comment,and,for your sincere and unconditional friendship ❤ Love & warm hugs to you,my good friend Sue 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤

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      • The pleasure I assure you is all mine.. And yes the weather much improved, and I am doing some reshuffling of those I follow, As I attempt to make my inbox a little easier to follow.. 🙂
        Just about getting sorted now in the allotments.. And today’s day of rain gave me the excuse to catch up on WP a little more..
        LOVE and Blessings and very large Hugs.. xxx

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        • I envy you of your rainy day,our summer temperatures since April are so unseasonable,imagine what is going to happen when summer begins in a month … Glad I’m having you here again and having this “warm up” reconnection 🙂 xxxx

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          • LOL.. Hi dearest Doda.. LOVEly to have you back and be chatting again.. And yes, now our weather too is very warm.. Hope this is not IT though as in other years we have had a warm start to them be followed by rain and more rain.. Though I fully understand how rain is welcoming.. We are welcoming it too… And it saved us watering the allotment the other day when it rained none stop all day.. ❤ Sending Love and Hugs your way Doda.. xx

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            • Hope warm weather lasts,you’ve had enough of rain.Let rain come down here to quench the thirst of the dry land and cool our hot days.Love & kisses to you sweet friend Sue ❤ xxx

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              • More rain today Doda.. Can’t your guess, that is why I am here today .. ❤

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                • Lucky you 🙂 It’s summer today in Athens;imagine what the summer months will feel like … sending you sunshine ❤ xxx

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    • Hello Sue and Doda,

      We have cold and wet weather here now. I enjoyed reading Sue’s “long,long and multisided comment on {Doda’s] Spring-Easter post”!

      Thank you, Doda, for your “*Easter Love to all of [us] ♥” and for “Looking at Easter from a diffenent angle & wishing [us] a Happy Easter & a Joyous Spring Season.” I would like to reciprocate your Easter spirit with the special contents of my Easter post at https://soundeagle.wordpress.com/2015/04/11/easter-in-modern-multimedia-perspective/

      Liked by 2 people

  5. Truth is only one. Therefore, it is probably absolutely fine that we celebrate Easter at different times. I used to celebrate it more, right now, we are keeping it simple.
    The ancient Latvian gods advise to add Mara’s day on April 24 for a good start of all spring undertakings. Latvian hierarchy of god’s and goddesses takes its origin in pagan rituals and especially admiration of the Sun many thousands years ago. Did you know that Latvian has maintained some words that match the same words in Sanskrit? I am also surprised how similar Latvian symbols appear to North American native symbols. I found out that the Earth was really having one large continent at first, and I believe we moved on foot from North America to Europe and vice versa.
    Easter is a big celebration for everybody who believes in resurrection and eternal living.
    The egg is certainly a suitable symbol and the round shapes of Easter foods (traditional in many places) mean the Sun. The return of it.
    Wishing you happy spring!

    Liked by 4 people

  6. So much beauty 🙂

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  7. What a beautiful post celebrating the spirit of Easter, dear Doda! Your thoughts and wonderful images bring peace. I wish you a Happy Easter next Sunday.

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    • Thank you for your kind visit and your feedback,dearHelen!
      And,thanks for reading … Yes,we celebrate Easter next Sunday.Thankful for your wishes 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Oh, dear Doda, what a magnificent post. I just love all of the history you have provided. Your photographs are to take one’s breath away. I couldn’t help but chuckle at your “New” Monastery from the 11th Century. It’s hard for me to even imagine a structure lasting that long! I do sincerely hope that you and yours had a beautiful Easter weekend. Spring is such a glorious time of year when everything begins to come alive again. May the good Lord bless and keep you and yours, my friend! 😀 ❤

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    • Thanks a million times over for your beautiful comment and your Easter wishes,dear Linda!When the New Monastery was built,there were some other older ones in Chios,that’s why it is named New …
      There is a very old monastery quite near our seaside house,which was built in 362 AD,next time I go there,I ‘ll take some photos to show you.

      Tomorrow is the holiest day of the Passion week.Holy Friday is a day of mourning.A Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion is held in the afternoon,flags are hung at half-mast and church bells ring all day in a slow, mournful tone.Enjoy a beautiful,spring day,my friend.Hugs & kisses 🙂 ❤ xxx

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  9. Thank you for this post and photos. I hope you had a very wonderful Easter celebration.

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    • Not had,Easter in Greece is on the 8th of April,I have mentioned it in my introductory paragraph.Thanks for calling in.

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  10. Happy Easter (a bit belated, sorry!) Dear Doda, your post and photos are as wonderful and lovely as ever. I was really knocked out by the church on Chios… “Koimisis Theotokou is a church in the Greek island of Chios,in Pyrgi medieval village,known as the “painted village” because of the decorative motifs on the facades of churches and houses.Most elaborate facades with fantastic geometrical patterns and mathematical motifs.”
    Wow, that is a very elaborate and wonderful facade, isn’t it?! I’ll have to put Chios on my bucket list to see that and the other buildings in person!
    xoxoxo warm hugs and greetings, dear friend! – Kathleen Aisha

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    • Not belated at all.It’s on the 8th of April,just have a quick look at my introductory paragraph … Thank you for appreciating Xista of Chios.If you ever visit the mastic village,you’ll love it.There are references that Homer was born in Chios,one more reason to visit the island,one more ” Shield of Memory” …. Thank you Kathleen ❤ Aisha 🙂 spring hugs & sunlit kisses 🙂 xxx

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  11. Spring with monasteries and flowers in bloom, and probably warmer temperatures. It’s ideal. Thank you, Doda, for bringing it to us through this post.

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    • Thank you,Hien.Definitely warmer temps,we’re enjoying beautiful spring days with plenty of sunshine.Glad you enjoyed the warmth of my Spring-Easter post,my friend 🙂

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  12. Beautiful, spiritual post, dear Doda, perfect for the season. Awesome atmosphere and photos and your talk about the Infinite resonated with me.
    So you still have your Easter ahead of you? I wish you a wonderful time.
    Thank you for your visits and the kind words, which are always a joy.
    Easter hugs. ❤ 🙂

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    • Thank you for your interpretation on my post and for appreciating what I shared with you,dear Aditi.The transformative power of Easter sets us free from the limited living and from the narrow-minded societal notion.Yes,Easter in Greece is ahead and spring has brightened our days.Easter love & hugs to you ❤ xxx

      Liked by 1 person

  13. You’ve created a visual narrative. Well done, especially the field bathed in light.

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    • Thank you so much for your response,Sally!The bluish light on the field was otherworldly,truly,it’s a beautiful nature image.Enjoy your holidays.See you soon 🙂

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  14. A post to my heart Doda, nothing like living at the cradle of civilizations, and the crossroads to so much rich History, to open, and widen us in understanding, and reflect on the myriad ways of Wisdom.

    Happy Easter for you and your family! 🙂

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    • Humbled,my friend.Thankful for your laudatory comment and for appreciating my approach to Easter from a different perspective.I always try to keep my country’s cultural heritage alive and to communicate it to the new generations.National Identity is crucial for a country.Thanks also for your Easter wishes.All the very best to you 🙂

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  15. Happy Easter to you, dear Doda! Thank you so much these gorgeous photos and story is eloquently told. I appreciate the photos of these glorious churches and cathedrals.
    Thank you! 🙂 xxx

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    • Delighted you appreciated what I shared with you,dear Amy!Thank you so much for your Easter wishes and your response.Have a joyous springtime 🙂 xxx

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  16. Great post Doda and the anthropology of religion is very revealing too. The relationship with historical monuments is fascinating.

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    • Thank you so much for seeing the Big Picture behind my photos and my thoughts,Maria.All the best to you 🙂

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  17. Your post for Easter is so beautiful. The words about the spring in nature, life, habits and soul of people who desires to live inside the Light show me how wonderful it is when spring coming. Easter Love to you and family !

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    • Can’t thank you enough for your beautiful and generous comment,my friend!If I judge from your sublime posts,I think we share the same values and principles.Easter Love to you & your family;enjoy your springtime 🙂

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  18. Beautiful contemplative words and images my dear friend. My very best wishes to you at this time of celebration.

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    • Many thanks Su dear!Glad you appreciated what I shared with you.Enjoy a beautiful autumn day,my friend 🙂 xxx

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  20. The flowers at the monastery delight, as does your post for Easter, Doda ♥ May your Easter be delightful xo

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    • Many thanks sweet friend Christy for your pleasant comment!Enjoy your springtime.Looking forward to your stories …. 🙂 xxxx

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  21. Easter love to you my darling, darling Doda. A beautiful post of a beautiful place xxxxxxx

    Liked by 5 people

    • Thaaaaank You Sweetheart,Shey!Sending you lots of sunshine and sunlit kisses for your cold and rainy days 🙂 Presumably,spring has forgotten some places in our beautiful world xxxxxxxxxx

      Liked by 2 people


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