It’s Greek Independence Day, celebrating the end of nearly 400
years of tyrannical rule by the Ottoman Turks that ended on March 25,
1821.
As George W. Bush declared in his Proclamation for “Greek
Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American
Democracy, 2003”:
“Bound by history, mutual respect, and common ideals, America and
Greece have been firm allies in the great struggles for liberty. Our
countries fought together in every major twentieth-century war, and
today, we remain united in the war against terror that threatens the
future of every nation.”
In my 21 April 2006 Blog titled “Holy Friday and Christian Orthodoxy”
I wrote:
“I have always marveled at the ability of the Greeks to remain true
to Christianity, after being cruelly enslaved for approximately 400
years by the Ottoman Turks! The horrific tortures these Greeks
suffered defy description. Imagine being skewered and roasted alive in
an effort to make you denounce your faith! This is why I have chosen
to write about Christian Orthodoxy today.” *
Greek children would recite a little poem that expressed hope that
they could find their way to school in the evening by moonlight so that
they could learn the things of God. They did this at great risk. I
memorized that poem when I was a child and I still remember it.
I wonder how many of today’s people would retain their language and
Christian faith after 400 years of slavery?
* For the complete text of this Blog, see:
http://www.all-creatures.org/heart/blog-20060421.html
