Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for OXI Day - October 28, 2018
Today, we honor the bravery and sacrifice of our fathers and mothers who
stood valiantly against the armies of the fascist powers. They proclaimed a
resolute “NO” to occupation.
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Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for OXI Day - October 28, 2017
Today as we commemorate OXI Day and the significance of the stand against
fascism demonstrated by the people of Greece on October 28, 1940, we are
aware that we live in a world where forces of hatred and violence still
threaten life and liberty. Just as the leaders of the Axis armies had no
respect for freedom, were consumed with a quest for power, and demanded the
surrender of Greece, we see movements and ideologies today that have no
regard for human dignity and no compassion for the life and well-being of
others.
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Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for OXI Day - October 28, 2016
Ελληνικά English Protocol Number 210/16 October 28, 2016 OXI Day As for me
and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 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 Ecumenical Patriarchate, the
Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the
Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in
America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On October 28 we
commemorate the courage of the people of Greece in 1940 when they stood
firmly against the forces of Fascism, facing threats of occupation, loss of
freedom, and even life itself. Boldly, the cry of “OXI,” of “NO!” was
exclaimed, as they refused to concede their sovereignty and submit
themselves to the tyrannical leaders of the Axis forces. Instead our
forbearers rallied to defend their ideals and to protect their liberty. In
confronting a power that was destructive of freedom and driven by evil
machinations, the people of Greece chose to serve freely what is just and
true. In the Holy Scriptures we find a comparably similar choice that was
made when Joshua called the leaders of the tribes of Israel together to
warn them of the dangers of following the gods of other peoples and
forsaking the Lord. He reminded them of their blessed heritage, of their
calling as the chosen people of God, and of how they had been led from
captivity to the land of promise. Joshua asked them to make a choice
between the true God of their fathers or the idols of the idolatrous
Amorites (Joshua 24:15). On that day and in answer to that call, the
people proclaimed, We will serve the Lord! (24:21) On October 28, 1940, and
in the hard days, months, and years that followed, the cry of “OXI”
resonated in the hearts and minds of the people of Greece. They made a
choice. They remembered their blessed heritage of freedom and the
centuries of hardship when liberty was lost. They chose timeless ideals
over temporal threats. They chose courage over fear, faith when the
immediate future was unknown, and resolve when asked to willingly acquiesce
to a stronger, ruthless power. When many others were submitting to false
ideologies and regimes of tyranny, the leaders and people of Greece chose
to stand and show to the world the true nature of heroism. As we
commemorate OXI Day in our parishes and communities, may we affirm the
value of this witness in our contemporary world. May our honoring of this
mighty stand engender inspiration from our heritage and a love of the
ideals of liberty, courage, valor, and all that is noble and true. In the
face of false ideologies and forces that profane and destroy life, may we
guide others to see the precedent of OXI Day, and may we choose this and
every day to serve the Lord of freedom, justice and love. With paternal
love in Christ, †Demetrios Archbishop of America
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Encyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2015)
Our annual commemoration of OXI Day this year marks the 75th anniversary of
a heroic stand against the forces of Fascism and an affirmation of the
values that are essential for human life and well-being. On October 28,
1940, faced with an ultimatum from Benito Mussolini to allow the Italian
army to occupy Greece, the Prime Minister of Greece Ioannis Metaxas and the
people of Greece responded with a resounding “NO.” Even before the time to
respond to the ultimatum had expired, Italian forces began entering Greece
over the border from Albania. However, in the spirit of the reply of “NO,”
Greek forces resisted fiercely, keeping the Axis forces out of Greece for
almost six months.
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Encyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2014)
As we commemorate OXI Day on October 28 and remember the valiant stand of
the people of Greece in 1940 against the advancement of the forces of
Fascism, we are aware that struggles for freedom and peace and against
tyranny are very much a part of our modern world. Just as some of us and
most certainly our fathers and mothers saw and experienced the brutality
and inhumane actions of an occupying force, so too we are witnesses today
of persecution, violence, and death.
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Encyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2013)
As Orthodox Christians, we are called to live and do justly, to confront
the machinations of evil, and to do so in the grace of God with a love for
life and for others who are created in His image and likeness. Our just and
holy ways should also be characterized by dignity and humility. True,
decent humility is not a sign of weakness, but of great strength and faith,
revealing a deep and abiding trust in the sacredness of the human person
and in the power and promises of God.
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Encyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2012)
The witness of OXI Day and of the valiant stand of the people of Greece
reminds us that we share in this heritage and faith, and that this
relationship offers us guidance in the midst of great struggles. While the
threats are not always the spread of fascism or of occupation, we often
face tremendous adversities that threaten us or the well-being, freedom,
and security of others. It is in this time that we must be resilient
through the power of our faith.
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Encyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2011)
The remembrance of October 28, 1940 through our annual observance of OXI
Day is our excellent opportunity to honor the courage of those who stood
firm in the face of tyranny and to cherish the freedom that we have
inherited due to their great sacrifice. This is a day of memorial for the
people of Greece who were unwilling to defile the liberty gained by earlier
generations by cowering under the threats of totalitarian regimes. The
response of “NO” to the demands of tyrants and their destructive agendas
was a true and exemplary act of courage for all humanity.
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Encyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2010)
On this annual observance of OXI Day we join with our brothers and sisters
of Greek descent around the world, with philhellenes and with all who
cherish freedom and self-determination in a commemoration that stands as a
witness to the necessity of unyielding adherence to universal values and
perseverance in faith. On the morning of October 28, 1940, the resounding
“NO” given by Greece to the fascist leader of Italy in response to the
demand to surrender without a fight and allow the occupation of Greece by a
foreign power, was a reply echoed in the streets by the people as they
recognized immediately a very real threat.
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Encyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2009)
With gracious hearts for our blessed faith and heritage, we observe the
annual commemoration of OXI Day once again. The significance of our
remembrance of this special day originated in a firm stand against the
forces of tyranny and oppression that threatened Greece and the world in
1940. It is also inextricably linked to our identity as Hellenes and
Orthodox Christians.
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Encyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2008)
Our commemoration of OXI Day, October 28, provides our Greek Orthodox
community with a special day to remember and affirm the unique relationship
between our heritage and our faith. This day marks a brilliant moment in
history when the nation of Greece responded through word and action to the
forces of fascism and occupation during World War II. The response of “NO”
(“OXI”) delivered by the Greek People to the demands of the Axis forces on
October 28, 1940, echoed in the bravery and sacrifice of many, and it
exemplified the deep Hellenic love of freedom and independence. It also
demonstrated the stalwart commitment of our Hellenic forebears to their
faith and their country.
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Encyclical for "OXI Day" (20/10/2007)
Each year on the Twenty-Eighth of October we give honor to our Hellenic
forefathers and mothers by commemorating their valiant stand against the
forces of tyranny and fascism that were sweeping across Europe during World
War II. For on that date in the year 1940, the nation of Greece took a
brave position by issuing a resounding “NO” -- “OXI” -- to the desire of
fascism to subjugate and occupy Greece.
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Encyclical on the Occasion of OXI Day (10/28/2006)
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.
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Encyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2005)
It is with thanks to God that we greet the arrival of the Twenty-Eighth of
October, "OXI Day." Each year on this day, we commemorate the resounding
"No" of the Hellenic nation in 1940 against the dark forces of Fascism that
were sweeping Europe at that critical time in the history of our world. We
commemorate on this day a lasting and universal demonstration of Christian
courage and faith over the brutish ideologies of hatred, racism, bigotry,
and violence.
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Encyclical for OXI Day (10/28/2004)
Each year on the twenty-eighth day of October we honor our Hellenic
heritage by commemorating a valiant stand that was made against the
tyrannical forces of fascist rulers and governments.
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Encyclical for October 28 - Oxi Day (10/28/2003)
It is with gratitude to God that we greet the arrival of the Twenty-Eighth
of October, “OXI Day.” This annual occasion commemorates a significant
event in the history and life of the Hellenic people; for on this day in
1940, the nation of Greece issued a resounding “No” - “OXI” - to the dark
forces of Fascism, revealing to a world at war the courageous character and
virtuous spirit of Orthodox Christian Hellenism.
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Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for October 28/OXI Day (10/28/2002)
By the grace of God, we commemorate once again the anniversary of the
twenty-eighth of October, “OXI Day”. On this day in the year 1940, the
world witnessed the valor of the Greek nation, which stood in defiance
against the forces of Fascism. Today, citizens of Greece and peoples of
Hellenic heritage all over the world celebrate in thanksgiving, doxology,
and prayer the enduring legacy of “OXI Day” bequeathed to them by their
forebears. This legacy however, far from being exclusive to a particular
nation or people is relevant to peoples of all nations who cherish freedom,
peace, and justice.
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Message of Archbishop Demetrios Commemorating OHI DAY (10/28/2000)
With celebration and song we greet once again the return of the
Twenty-Eighth of October, the anniversary of OXI Day. This is a day of rich
significance, not only for the people of Greece, but for Hellenes and
Philhellenes throughout the world. Surely it is a day for offering up in
our parishes the consummate act of thanksgiving, the Eucharist, along with
services of doxology and prayers for those who have fallen asleep on behalf
of the Faith and their native land.
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Encyclical Commemorating 'OXI Day'(10/28/1999)
Every year the spirit of Hellenism takes pride in the commemoration of
October 28, which we know as "OXI Day." As a people joined by belief and by
blood with those brave Greek patriots, we celebrate the steadfastness and
courage of a nation that said "NO" to fascism, "NO" to injustice, and "NO"
to slavery.
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