dear sophia,

TODAY IS GOOD FRIDAY. IT IS ALSO THE DAY WHERE THE EPITAPHIO IS TAKEN OUT FROM THE CHURCH AND WALKED THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE EPITAPHIO IS THE REPRESENTATION OF CHRIST TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS AND BROUGHT FROM BURIAL. TODAY IS THE DAY YOU SHOULD AT LEAST TRY TO EAT LENTILS.

TRADITIONS ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR US BYZANTINE GREEKS. I AGAIN REMIND YOU THAT YOU ARE A DAUGHTER OF THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE WITH ALL OF ITS TRADITIONS AND DEEP AND RICH HISTORY. ONE DAY I WILL TAKE YOU TO THE PHANAR WHERE THE PATRIARCH SITS AND YOU WILL HAVE A PERSONAL AUDIENCE WITH HIM. THAT’S A PINKY PROMISE.

I WILL SHOW YOU ALL THE SITES AND THE HISTORY THAT YOU WILL HAVE IMMENSE PRIDE IN. THEY DON’T REALLY SAY IT IN THIS COUNTRY BUT THE FACT IS THAT THE BYZANTINE ORTHODOX CHURCH AND THE PATRIARCH IS THE LEADER OF THE CHRISTIAN WORLD. THE POPE WHO LEADS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IS REALLY NUMBER 2. SO WHEN YOU CELEBRATE EASTER UNDER THE ORTHODOX TRADITION, IN YOUR HEART YOU SHOULD FEEL EXTREMELY PROUD AND REMEMBER OUR TRADITIONS ARE THE BASIS FOR ALL THE OTHER CHRISTIAN CHURCHES. WE ARE THE MOTHER CHURCH. EVERYONE ELSE IS EITHER A SISTER OR A DAUGHTER CHURCH. I WILL EXPLAIN THAT WHEN I SEE YOU. BUT I THINK YOU ARE SMART ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND THE ANALOGY.

I HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON. I WISH SO MUCH THAT I COULD TELL YOU WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH MY SITUATION BUT I JUST CAN’T GIVE YOU ANY DETAILS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IF SOME ENEMIES ARE READING THIS – I DON’T WANT THEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING.

I WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER POST TOMORROW.

143.

LOVE,

DAD