Feast of the Holy Protection of the Theotokos
OXI (No) Day
The Encyclical of the Greek Orthodox Archbishop Demetrios of America for "No" Day (October 28, 1940)
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Our commemoration of OXI Day each year leads us to reflect on a very
challenging time in our world and for the people of Greece. As war was
spreading throughout Europe, the Axis forces demanded the surrender of
Greece on October 28, 1940. Bravely and honorably, the Greek people
replied, “NO.” Today, we honor the bravery and sacrifice of our fathers
and mothers who stood valiantly against the armies of the fascist
powers. They proclaimed a resolute “NO” to occupation. The people of
Greece affirmed their love of liberty and their right of
self-determination. They saw the evil and unchecked power of fascist
regimes, and in their response they committed their lives to protecting
their country. In faith they knew that no matter the outcome they were
willing to stand courageously in the face of this threat knowing that
ultimately nothing could separate them from the nobility of their
heritage and the love of God.
Today, we are inspired by our forbearers as we celebrate their courage
and honor their memory. They said “NO” to those who advanced power and
control at any cost. They stood firm against an ideology and its forces
that would only separate them from their freedom, their rights, and
their way of life. We find courage in their example and hope and
strength in the promise that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor
height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to
separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39).
Icon from here
The experience of God’s love and the promise that His love is always
with us helped the people of Greece in hope and faith to endure all
things (I Corinthians 13:7). They knew that the power of God’s love was
greater than the power of fascist regimes. They knew that the love of
God was essential to their freedom, and to their love for their families
and communities, and for their country.
With the assurance and truth of God’s love, we are able to stand firm
against any evil use of power or false ideology. As the people of Greece
in 1940 and as many witnesses of our faith have done, we can boldly
proclaim “NO” in the face of those who seek to destroy life and liberty,
those who use power to abuse and manipulate others, and those who try
to separate us from our faith and the love of God.
As we commemorate the valiant people of Greece on OXI Day, and we laud
their courage before the world, may we give thanks to God for the
witness offered to us and to generations to come. May we also pray for
the eternal memory and blessed repose of those who stood heroically for
their faith and their nation. May we be inspired to stand firmly in the
love of God, knowing that nothing can separate us from the great and
saving love we have in Him through Christ Jesus.
With paternal love in Him,
† D E M E T R I O S
Archbishop of America
See also
Theotokos vs Nazi - The Miracle of the Theotokos in Orchomenos on September 10, 1943
Saint Charalambos of Magnesia (vs Nazi)
The Miracle of Saint Menas in El Alamein in 1942
Orthodox New Martyrs in France vs Nazi
Saint Charalambos of Magnesia (vs Nazi)
The Miracle of Saint Menas in El Alamein in 1942
Orthodox New Martyrs in France vs Nazi
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