An alien tree in the garden of Orthodoxytranslated

Protopr. Ioannou Giafis

Political Scientist-Theologian (MA)

Head of I. N. Agios Christoforos Agrinio

The acclaimed American author of children's books, Maria Gianferrari, in one of her poems compares man to a "tree". Specifically, he titles it: "Become a tree!" Strange and at the same time hyperrealistic as a title.

And yet wanting to emphasize the importance of everyone turning to nature, he makes this peculiar association. In particular, he writes that "we are all like trees: our spine, trunk. Our skin, bark. Our heart, which animates us, is like wood in the center of the trunk." We, like trees, get energy from the wind and the sun. But like humans they also share food and available resources. And the author concludes that people can become better if they are inspired by the beauty and harmony of the wonderful trees.

But the reasonable question will arise, what is the relationship between the tree and the Holy Great Martyr Kyriaki, which the Church honors every year on July 7? The holy hymn writer gives us the answer, when he likens her to a...