300th Birth Anniversary of Cosmas of Aetalia is marked in Greece
In the year of the 300th anniversary of the birth, and 235th anniversary of the martyrdom of St. Cosmas of Aetalia, Equal-to-the-Apostles, academic conferences, exhibitions, concerts of spiritual music, and other events are taking place in Greece and some other countries.
On March 9 in the Aetolian town of Thermo a new postal stamp was launched. The stamp was issued by "the postal service of Greece" on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the saint's birth. The hall where the event was held was full, reports AgionOros.Ru.
The mayor of Thermo said, addressing those gathered: "Our region is proud of the fact that St. Cosmas of Aetolia was born, raised, and began his activities here... It cannot be described in words, what great services he performed: St. Cosmas, Equal-to-the-Apostles, saved our people from islamization and the total loss of our identity".
Metropolitan Cosmas of Aetolia stressed: "All of us feel gratitude to the holy man. St. Cosmas restored our motherland spiritually, and saved us from death. He continues to give us ideals and values today. St. Cosmas of Aetolia is bringing the light of Christ to society, families, and young people. His heritage is especially relevant now, when contemporary Greek rulers are acting contrary to his precepts".
The chairman of the "Post of Greece's" public council related why it was decided to commemorate the saint by issuing the postal stamp: "The heritage of Cosmas of Aetolia is still relevant nowadays. He was a genuine patriot who did not lose heart even under pressure from enemies both internal and alien, and thus "laid down his life for his friends" (John 15:13)".
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In November and December 2014 an international academic conference dedicated to St. Cosmas of Aetolia will take place in Moscow. All reports will be published by the "Svyataya Gora" ("Holy Mountain") publishing house. Applications for speaking at the conference can be sent to the e-mail address: zoaf@yandex.ru.
Source: pravoslavie.ru
