Happy "OXI" DAY! (Day in 1940 when Greece told axis powers "no", Nov 7 2006 lesson)

The magnificent Greek holiday Oxi Day is celebrated every year in Greece on October 28th and mostly remembered for General Ioannis Metaxas' strong reply of 'OXI' (no) to Mussolini's request to allow Italian troops to come into Greece at the beginning of WWII. The result of this stern message was powerful, and in the end, helped to maintain Greece's course of neutrality for generations to come. Nevertheless, the Italians did invade Greece, but were subsequently driven back into Albania.

On that cherished day in Greek history, Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas not only rejected Italy's ultimatum, he chose the road of resistance, and thus saved his reputation as a dictator. Cypriot countrymen also drew inspiration from Greece's refusal to let Italian troops invade in 1940 in the face of continued Turkish agression.

In 1940 when most countries of Europe had surrendered, Hitler had the continent of Europe in his grip and the democracies were at the lowest point, Mussolini decided to take over Greece anticipating an easy victory based on his superior numbers and mechanized forces. He attacked Greece from Albania.

The Greeks stood up and said "OXI!!!" (No, you shall not pass) and fought fiercely, hurling back the stunned and bleeding aggressors. Mussolini’s divisions were soon back in Albania and for six months were fighting to maintain a hold on the seacoast, desperately calling for help.

When Germany entered the war against Greece with the most powerful army in Europe, the Greeks continued to fight both of these great empires, although reason must have told them that their position was hopeless. Alongside their British comrades they continued to resist stubbornly on the island of Crete.

Greece had fallen, but it had cost Hitler thousands of his finest youth and delayed his attack against Russia by months. German troops ran into the dreadful Russian winter and the Russians imposed such appalling losses that it contributed to the ultimate defeat of Germany. The occupation, Great Famine, resistance and subsequent liberation of Greece followed, and then came "December Movement" in which Greeks fought brother Greeks.

Greece, with the help of England first and, later, of the United States, remained in the Western Alliance.

Today in Greece, celebrations of Oxi Day culminate in a large, lavish military parade down the main boulevards of Athens and Thessoloniki. Soldiers, tanks, armoured vehicles and students parade through most Greek cities with an air of pride, and politicans in reviewing stands have an opportunity to show their own spirit to Greece and the resistance and how in future generations it should be continued.

The essence of Greece's contribution to the allied victory is due to Mussolini's humiliating defeat by the Greeks in Albania. Hitler was compelled to capture the Balkans, mainly Yugoslavia and Greece, thusly, delaying his Barbarossa plan to invade and capture the Soviet Union before the winter of 1941. The Greek resistance, both in Albania and in the other famous battle in Crete altered, favorably for the allies, his Barbarossa time table by at least three months (and possibly six). Having at least half of his 9000 outstandingly-trained paratroopers destroyed in Crete was another fatal blow for Hitler; with a decision never to use the paratrooper approach again in the war, for this element of surprise he had hoped to use in the USSR. These elite paratroopers were eliminated by the defending Cretan peasants who showed no mercy on them during and after landing to the point that the exasperated Führer said that it is illegal for civilians to fight our soldiers ... only to receive the Cretan commentary of "Who says so? This is our country and we have no room for the savage Huns!"

(more links will be posted below)

On this day General Metaxa sent a simple message to the Axis powers. "No." On this day, Musolini demanded Greece surrender to the semingly unstoppable axis war machine.

The Greeks took the battle to the Musolini military and pushed him back. This was the first defeat to the Axis powers. This caused Hitler to divert his military from the Russian front and divert to Greece.

It is also the reason he used the paratroopers in Crete. (http://www.the11thday.com)

In this time when we have the MSM telling us the left is unstoppable. There is no way conservatives can beat the left. When they tell us we must surrender, I say we must stand firm and say "no" we will not surrender. We will not just go quietly. We will fight. We will fight harder than in 2000, harder than 2004, and yes even harder than 1994.

There are no "cut and run voters" on November 7th. Let that be our "OXI" day.

(feel free to ping this out)

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Order of St. Andrew, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, the members of our Parishes and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Once again we greet with joy the arrival of the Twenty-Eighth of October. As Greek Orthodox Christians, we know this day as "OXI Day," a reference to the defiant "NO" (or "OXI") that the Hellenic nation boldly proclaimed in 1940 to the demands of Mussolini to surrender to the dark forces of Fascism that were sweeping across Europe at that time. This day is important because of the example that the nation of Greece set for the rest of the world. Greece's defiance to the demands of a hostile fascist aggressor stood for the undeniable, moral claim that there are certain values in this world that are so precious and so sacred, that they cannot be compromised at any cost.

These values are those of liberty and freedom. The Hellenic nation knew then, as the world knows now, that God out of His love for all humankind has bestowed liberty and freedom as inalienable rights to people of every culture, race, and religion the world over. The right to live in conditions of liberty and freedom represents the product of a beautifully rich synthesis of Hellenism and Christianity. It speaks directly to us as Greek Orthodox Christians, who are the proud bearers of this cherished and unique legacy, which we have the responsibility to share with our neighbors.

In reviewing the history of October 28, OXI Day, it is natural for us to look first and foremost to our fathers and their noble actions in Greece in 1940. Interestingly though, if we look deeper into our own American history, we find a notable connection with the date of October 28; for on that day, in 1886, another important event that stood for liberty and freedom took place, namely, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island, a safe harbor for hundreds of thousands of immigrants to America. Much in the same way, this event too confirmed the fundamental rights of liberty and freedom, and today the Statue of Liberty stands as a monument that continues to herald these ideals to people throughout the world.

Thus, as we commemorate the Twenty-Eighth of October, we first bring to mind the events of Greece in 1940 and the courageous "OXI" which the brave Hellenic nation uttered in the face of fascist aggression. We remember the stand of our Hellenic fathers for liberty and freedom at all costs, which was a stand mandated by their Orthodox Christian faith. Second, we take this opportunity to probe deeper into notable events in American history that also occurred on the Twenty-Eighth of October, specifically the dedication of the Statue of Liberty in 1886, which stood for the very same principles. In so doing, we re-discover precious symbols and events in history which bring unique import to us as Greek Orthodox Christians who are citizens and residents of America, our beloved second home.

We are thankful to God for giving us important events in history which serve to remind us of the precious gifts of liberty and freedom. It is my heartfelt prayer that as we reflect upon the significance of this date, we may direct our hearts and minds to reflect upon the conditions of liberty and freedom which are essential to our identity as Greek Orthodox Christians and which rightfully belong to all human beings, especially in places where these conditions are lacking. May the abiding love and peace of our gracious and merciful God be with you always.

With paternal love in Christ,

+ DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

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