[bornacatholic]

Me buddy from So. Portland, Me. was vacationing with his Bride in Greece. He cant exactly remember the name of the small hilly town. In any event,they got back from hiking REALLY late and were making their way to their rustic base when me buddy John said to his Bride, "let's wait around for awhile, something is up"

To make a long story short, unbeknownst to them, this was the Eve of Easter and the Greeks, as you well know, were making preparations.

he and his Bride told me that was the best night they have ever had overseas.

"I couldn't believe it," said me buddy,"the whole town suddenly came alive and families lit fires all OVER the place and they were hauling out lamb and wine and one family asked us to join them."

So, they spent the night with that fam and had, accrd to me Buddy, THE best lamb he has ever had, and great wine, and they had the time of their lives.

"We talked about Jesus and the Resurrection"

And, if an Orthodox family, somewhere in the hills of some small town in Greece, could make my never-go-to-church American buddy and his bride feel at home and welcome and religious all in one night, then that is ALL I ever need to tell me they are me brothers in the same Church. Amen.

P.S. Never underestimate the importance of lamb, wine, love, welcoming strangers and words about Jesus as THE best way to evangelise :)

[Kolokotronis]

Ah, now see, that's a wonderful story. :) I don't doubt the story for a moment. That's the way it is in our villages, especially at Pascha.

[kosta50]

That is truly a great story and I am incredibly happy for your best buddy and his wife, as well as for you.

Not to put a damper on this, unbeknownst to your buddy and his wife, the Greeks were starving and couldn't wait to have something substantial to eat, as Paschal Sunday marks the end of our our Great Lent! :)

Those holy among us will spend the entire 40 days on nothing but greens boiled in water. "Regular" Orthodox sinners, chief among us the Greeks :), will fast rigorously for 40 days, abstaining from any meats and fish, olive oil, dairy products and so on.

Last Easter, our parish was grilling hot dogs at 3 AM! And people were walking around with huge chunks of cheese, bottles of wine and slabs of meat offering the blessed food to everyone.

Your freinds couldn't have picked a better time to be welcome, as +John Chrysostom's Paschal homily says "those who fasted and those who didn't" are welcome.

You know, I don't care what Kolo says: the Greeks have a soft spot (but they will never amdit it!). :)