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mastichas09

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I am trying to learn more about the history of the Orthodox Church in Greece. I know that there are some Bible passages that mention the Apostle Paul being in Greece, but I am not clear on the actual history.

For example, Ephesians was written about "Ephesus", which was part of Greece at that time. But, when I read the Bible I like to have more of an historical context. I am sure this information exists, I am just not sure where.
 
I am trying to learn more about the history of the Orthodox Church in Greece. I know that there are some Bible passages that mention the Apostle Paul being in Greece, but I am not clear on the actual history.

For example, Ephesians was written about "Ephesus", which was part of Greece at that time. But, when I read the Bible I like to have more of an historical context. I am sure this information exists, I am just not sure where.
The Orthodox Study Bible, the one with the OT and NT, has a good synopsis of the history of each of the gospels and the epistles. It is available from Amazon. There is a cheaper on line version. I didn't see it on Amazon but you can check. I find navigating within the on line version difficult.
 
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I agree about the Orthodox Study Bible. Koine Greek was the main language of the New Testament, so Greece was important. Off the top of my head, Ephesians was written in "Greece" (it's in Turkey now, but at the time it was part of Greece), I and II Corinthians (written in Corinth), and the book of Revelations was written in a place called the Cave of the Apocalypse in Patmos, Greece. There could be more, but I am not sure.
 
The Orthodox Study Bible, the one with the OT and NT, has a good synopsis of the history of each of the gospels and the epistles. It is available from Amazon. There is a cheaper on line version. I didn't see it on Amazon but you can check. I find navigating within the on line version difficult.
All of you, Above Writers, do well in pointing out that, for example, Letters in the NT were addressed to newly formed Xian communities/churches [Ephesus, Corinth, etc.], but unfortunately did not refer to sources about the other half of the organized religion, namely the liturgy -- e.g., the Eucharistic Service which was also copied and developed in Rome as the Mass. Some Greek phrases-- were left untranslated and are still used in the Latin liturgy. [This new Pope --a communist and a heretic -- is about to eliminate the use of Latin....] Some church music -- antiphonal -- was fruitfully brought to Italy in the 4th century.
 
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Hmmm... does anyone know of a book I can read besides the study Bible that could give some information? There really isn't much online! Thank you to those who have chimed in so far!
 

My Top Favorite Greek Philosophers

There are too many philosophers to count, but these are the ones I am studying at the moment. It's fascinating to me how influential the Greek philosophers are. Here's some things I am learning:

#1 Socrates

If philosophy had a poster boy, Socrates might very well be it. The father of Western philosophy, Socrates was a gadfly to Athenian society, questioning everything and Master to Plato. Known for the Socratic Method and his unflinching commitment to truth, Socrates' influence is immeasurable despite never having written a word.

#2 Plato

Rightly succeeding his mentor on this list, Plato's Academy saw him birth the first "university" of its kind. His unabashed idealism, immortal Forms, allegories like the Cave, and the pursuit of 'The Good' in moral philosophy set the stage for much intellectual discourse.

#3 Aristotle

Aristotle, another of Plato's students, had a more grounded approach to philosophy than his predecessor. With establishing principles of logic and reason, and contributions to virtually every field of academia, from poetry to physics, Aristotle's body of work remains foundational.

#4 Heraclitus

Heraclitus, famed for the idea that "change is the only constant," viewed the cosmos through a lens of process, flux, and an everlasting Logos that governs the world. Although little of his work survives, his influence on ancient and modern thinkers is profound.

#5 Epicurus

Known for his eponymous philosophy, Epicurus taught that the greatest good is to seek modest pleasures in order to attain a state of tranquility, freedom from fear (ataraxia), and absence of bodily pain (aponia). Often misunderstood, Epicureanism is starkly different from the modern use of 'epicurean' - it's much less about a luxury lifestyle and more about ethical considerations regarding personal fulfillment.

Learning about Greek Independence Day

March 25th marks a significant celebration in Greece, but I realize my knowledge on its historical context is quite limited.

From what I understand, this day commemorates the start of the War of Greek Independence in 1821, where Greece sought to end several centuries of Ottoman rule. However, I'm eager to learn more about the intricacies of this period, the key figures involved, and how the struggle for independence unfolded over time.

Additionally, I'd be interested in understanding how this day is celebrated across Greece today and whether any particular traditions are tied to it. For example, are there specific ceremonies, parades, or family traditions that uniquely mark this day in Greek culture?


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Family Trees

Hey fellow members,

As we traverse the rich tapestry of Greek culture and history on this platform, I've been pondering something quite fascinating: our family histories. How many of us have delved into the intricate branches of our family trees?

Genealogy, the study of family history and lineage, often unveils captivating stories, connections, and traditions passed down through generations. Whether you're just beginning to trace your ancestry or have been meticulously documenting it for years, I'd love to hear about your experiences.

Here are a few questions to spark our discussion:

  1. What inspired you to start researching your family history?
  2. Have you encountered any unexpected discoveries or fascinating tales along the way?
  3. What resources or tools have you found most helpful in your genealogical journey?
  4. Do you have any tips or advice for someone interested in starting their own family tree?
Feel free to share your insights, anecdotes, or even questions you might have about genealogy. Let's embark on this journey together and unravel the stories that shape our identities!

Looking forward to our discussion,

RizeGen

Athens and the creation of democracy

I've been thinking about Athens and how it's the birth of democracy. I wondered if other societies had experimented with the concepts or if Athens was unique? Does anyone know? I know that there's been some evidence that other societies experimented with community leadership, but none had a true democracy like what Athens developed.

It was unique in developing a system where a significant portion of its inhabitants could participate directly in decision-making processes. This early form of democracy was largely initiated under the leadership of Cleisthenes in 508/507 BC. His reforms reorganized the population into ten tribes based on their residence rather than lineage, promoting a broader and more inclusive political engagement.

In this Athenian democracy, citizens had the right to attend the Assembly (Ekklesia), where they could speak and vote on legislation and executive decisions. The Council of Five Hundred (Boule), selected by lot for each of the ten tribes, proposed legislation and handled daily affairs. This lottery system for public office sought to prevent power monopolies and encourage civic participation.

I know that this work truly influenced other democratic governments through the world!

Feel free to chime in with your thoughts- I find this stuff interesting.
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