“If the Fall of the City was a terrible and vanishing wound for Hellenism, then the Catastrophe in Asia Minor led to its death in the East. In this sacred place for the Greeks, Asia Minor, the ancient cradle of the Greek soul, in 1922 the Greekness of the East died out. The loss of Hellenism in the land of Asia Minor, where the Church Fathers harmonized classical Greece with Christian discourse, became final in 1922. , submit. It has kept its cultural preeminence alive and prosperous.”

This is emphasized, in particular, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Jerome in his article published today in the newspaper “Democracy”, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the destruction of Smyrna.

The future of each place is inextricably linked with its historical memory. And this memory, if we want to have a future, we must keep it indelible. Be able to create the present and come with claims the next day. Having as material even those who hurt us. Let’s keep these traces of the soul alive, no matter how they harm us. Because they teach and guide.

Historical memory is the “material of the soul” that binds and preserves the integrity of the Greek identity. The catastrophe in Asia Minor is not an anniversary opportunity to share pain and sow the fruits of disagreement with neighbors. This is an occasion to reflect on the “up to now” of Hellenism. How will we act in “from now on” and preserve what can unite two peoples. For this world that is no longer taken for granted these days.

If the Fall of the City was a terrible and vanishing wound for Hellenism, then the Catastrophe in Asia Minor led to its death in the East. In this sacred place for the Greeks, Asia Minor, the ancient cradle of the Greek soul, in 1922 the Greekness of the East died out. The loss of Hellenism in the land of Asia Minor, where the Church Fathers harmonized classical Greece with Christian discourse, became final in 1922. , submit. He kept his cultural superiority alive and well.

It took a lot of pain and blood to uproot the Greek roots watered for centuries from the soil of Asia Minor. From this soil, which the Greeks soaked with their blood and sweat. Until Turkish hands cut them off from their ancestral homes and deported them to Greece. Greece, which they have loved and adored for centuries.

1922 is a significant year of tragedy for Hellenism. But it is also a springboard for these Greeks to move with their skills and creative spirit to the other side of the Aegean, to the land of the Greek metropolis. Refugees from Asia Minor and Pontus were admittedly the driving force behind the “prosperity” of the Greek metropolis. In a small bag they carried the only possessions they had left. Greek soul and traditions. They never forgot their traditions. Even today a century has passed. In every refugee quarter, refugees from Asia Minor do not extinguish the candle of tradition. He keeps yesterday alive to go into tomorrow.

At first, these refugees did not receive a warm welcome. They were accused of being “Greeks” when they lived across the street. They were called “Turks” when they arrived in our country. Despite the difficulties they faced – which should worry and teach us today – they managed to be the catalyst that got Greece off the ground. Thanks to their ingenuity, diligence and skill. Our brothers in Asia Minor have made a significant contribution to the formation of today’s Greece and its identity. They brought up new saints, preserved the Orthodox faith and traditions. Because they carried Greece in their souls.

The last 100 years have caused us a lot of pain. But they offered us knowledge and experience. How should we teach the history of this place to those who are ready to accept this place as refugees from other cultures and traditions. Traditions, our Church and European thinking. It is not necessary to assimilate them, but at least respect them. To fulfill a new, modern mission, showing those who come to Greece the way of thinking of Europe and the love for the Christian tradition.

As he respected local traditions, so did every Greek who arrived as a refugee in any corner of the earth and contributed his stone to the development of this place, wherever he moored. A Greek who kept his identity intact, his traditions alive and his cultural starting point prosperous, and in the end never lost. This is what history teaches us, and this is what we must keep as a compass for our future course.