• This evening was one of our designated coffee nights. Members of the youth discussed various issues amongst themselves over a cup of tea or coffee and a cake.

• On the 550^th anniversary of the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks on the 29^th May, the Romiosini Association presented the first of a two-part series on the Eastern Roman Empire (referred to by today’s historians as the Byzantine empire).

A lecture on the spirit of Romiosini was given followed by a short video on Constantinople (now referred to as Istanbul) and its monuments as they are today. Here are several points from the lecture:

• The 29^th May 1453 was a turning point in the history of Romiosini from imperial glory and outward culture to the spirit of asceticism and sacrifice.
• Romiosini is a fusion of Greek and Roman culture. It combined ‘a Roman body, a Greek mind and oriental mysticism’.
• The ancient Romans were hellenised and, at the same time, ecumenised. Christianity became a cause for Hellenism to be reborn (Eftaliotis, 1901).
• The entire empire served a Church. Orthodoxy, not racial origin, defined nationality.
• Byzantium is often an object of ridicule or ignorance today. Its culture is misunderstood. The use of the term ‘Byzantine’ was invented by 18^th century scholar Montesqieu. He saw the Byzantines as backward, because in a time of scientific revolution anything that was Christian, traditional and spiritual was considered backward. For this reason, he did not want to call them Roman. The west struggled to understand Eastern spirituality. However, the Byzantine Empire became a barrier which protected Europe from ‘barbarian attacks’ for 1100 years, and it was learned scholars from Byzantium who contributed significantly to the European renaissance and cultural revolution after the fall of Constantinople.
• Romiosini is an inseparable part of the identity of the modern Greek. It helps us to understand our links with other people, our place in history and how cultures change and fuse over time. The modern Greek who denies Romiosini denies their own identity. To be a ‘Romios’ is anything but shameful. It is uplifted by a martyr’s crown of thorns and the spirit of sainthood.

• Γερόντισσα Γαβριηλία lived from 1897-1992. Her life is an example of love and sacrifice. A very learned nun, she spent time in India, ministering to the needs of the poor. Her entire life and teaching revolved around the greatest of Christian virtues - unconditional love.

• A very stimulating and interesting discussion was held on the following topics: Karate, Yoga, Bασκανία (the ‘evil eye’) and Bioethics.