‘Christ is Born’ proclaimed from the Cave of Marathokefalas in Crete
Despite the intense, heavy rain and the bitter cold, crowds of pilgrims from all over Crete participated in the night-time Christmas Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated on the evening of the eve of Christmas, in the cave of Marathokefala, in the village of Marathokefala, of the Parish of Spilia Kissamos, in the Municipality of Platanias, which was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Amphilochios of Kissamos and Selinos, most of whom participated in the Immaculate Mysteries.
His Eminence Metropolitan Amphilochios after praising the deep faith of the numerous pilgrims, who despite the adverse weather conditions and the bitter cold, “experienced, in a mystical way, the mystery of the Birth of Christ, becoming communicants and sharers of His Body and Blood,” stated, among other things:
“However, no matter how much the over-illuminated wilderness of impersonal cities struggles to impose its own expression; no matter how much today’s human being tends to submit to the utilitarianism of celebration, the deep existential need of humankind, the deepest demand of its being and soul for the “inner person”; for redemption and freedom from decay, time, necessity and, ultimately, death, will never cease to pursue humankind and seek it. The human person is and will continue to seek its liberation from the bonds of self-idolization and egocentrism. This is precisely the possibility of self-transcendence that the great feast day of Christmas offers to humankind.
To overcome oneself, one’s closedness and one’s individuality, as Christmas orients us not to ourselves, but to God, since Christ is always the “One Coming” to us. This is the joy of liberation from ourselves, because it is that which binds us and imprisons us; let us live this joy, let us rejoice and savour it, beloved children of our Church, this Christmas. To overcome our fears and anxieties. To overcome our individuality and be able to love Christ and the other person, our fellow human being. So that we too may become a manger to receive Christ. So that our soul and heart may be filled with light and our life with Christ.
Metropolitan Amphilochios also thanked the Parish Priest, Father Ioannis Stylianoudakis, as well as the Parish Council “for their care and organisation”, the Municipality of Platanias, as well as the Chania Police Department and the Platanias Police Department, “for their contribution in facilitating the multitude of pilgrims”, wishing as follows: “That the star of Bethlehem illuminates our path, filling our winters with rays of sunshine”.
