The celebration of Saint Eleftherios in Corfu on Monday, December 15, 2025, transcended a mere religious observance, transforming into a poignant commentary on the essence of freedom and faith in an increasingly complex world. His Eminence Metropolitan Nektarios of Corfu, Paxoi and Diapontia Islands, officiated and delivered a compelling sermon at the historic Church of Saint Eleftherios, drawing parallels between the early Christian martyr’s struggle and contemporary challenges.
The Enduring Legacy of a Young Bishop
Metropolitan Nektarios’s address centered on Saint Eleftherios, a figure from the early Christian centuries in the Illyrian region, who served as a bishop at the tender age of 20. This seemingly audacious appointment was a testament to the discernment of the Bishop of Rome, who recognized Eleftherios’s profound spiritual maturity despite his youth. The Metropolitan highlighted the concept of ‘paedariogeron’ (child-elder), a term used by the Church Fathers to describe individuals possessing wisdom beyond their years.
The Metropolitan explained that the people of that era, thirsting for knowledge and seeking divine understanding, did not scorn Eleftherios’s youth. Instead, they embraced his teachings, respecting him as they would an elder, and readily embraced the true faith. This widespread acceptance, however, ignited opposition, ultimately leading Saint Eleftherios to martyrdom. His sacrifice, staining his episcopal vestment with his blood, solidified his place as a great saint, revered by both the Eastern and Western Churches during a time when Christianity was unified.
East vs. West: Different Paths to God
In a thought-provoking analysis, Metropolitan Nektarios delved into the historical divergence of Eastern and Western Christianity. He posited that the East preserved the fervor of God’s spirit in the heart of faith, perceiving God’s presence through His uncreated energies, making it a living experience. Conversely, he suggested that the West adopted a more mechanical approach to worship, seeking to perceive God visually. The Metropolitan emphasized that for Orthodox believers, the miracle of faith and divine knowledge is experienced internally, within the heart, without the need for physical sight.
Freedom: God’s Greatest Gift and Humanity’s Challenge
The core of Metropolitan Nektarios’s sermon resonated with the theme of freedom, an intrinsic gift bestowed upon humanity by God. He stressed that this inherent free will, or ‘autexousion,’ is fundamental to fulfilling the ‘image of God’ within us, leading us towards ‘likeness to God,’ or sanctity. Without freedom, he argued, individuals cannot spiritually cultivate themselves; they are not robots but free images of God, voluntarily striving against their passions to achieve ‘likeness.’
The Metropolitan lamented that in modern society, there is a pervasive pressure to conform to a narrow path dictated by a ‘new order’ system. This, he contended, stifles human freedom, directly contradicting God’s will. He recalled how God respected the freedom of even the first-created, Adam and Eve, guiding them between good and evil, unity with God and separation from Him. Their misuse of this freedom led to the drama of the Fall, which in turn necessitated the world-saving plan of the Incarnation – a plan soon to be commemorated, reminding us of the potential for freedom, holiness, and deification.
Saint Eleftherios: A Beacon of Resistance
Metropolitan Nektarios asserted that today’s system, through its instruments and individuals who usurp God’s role, seeks to confine humanity within restrictive molds and unfree bonds. In this context, Saint Eleftherios emerges as a powerful inspiration, urging us to reclaim the good of freedom and use it as a weapon against worldliness, atheism, and the will of men. Although the Saint suffered martyrdom by choosing a God-centered life, his spirit found eternal life and remains spiritually present among us.
The Metropolitan underscored the paramount importance of faith, which generates strength and hope. He declared that only the Lord can offer hope amidst the current societal gloom. He acknowledged the intercessory power of the Saints, whom we implore to mediate with God for our freedom and salvation. Saint Eleftherios, therefore, encourages us to follow his example, embracing God’s freedom and shedding worldly inclinations. This path, he concluded, leads us towards the mystery of the Incarnation, through which the Son and Word of God assumed human nature, save for sin, to save humanity.
Metropolitan Nektarios concluded by extending his best wishes to all celebrants, praying that Saint Eleftherios would intercede with the Lord for all who seek to live their lives with the God-pleasing gift of freedom, striving for true life. He also wished everyone a blessed and joyful Christmas.
Source: https://www.ekklisiaonline.gr/nea/i-eorti-tou-agiou-eleftheriou-stin-kerkyra-foto/
