Rhodes Island: Legendary island of Helios the Sun God and Rose of the Aegean. is famous worldwide for the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and, for the World Heritage listed, medieval Old Town of the Crusader Knights.Rhodes is an island paradise, brimming with a rich variety of sightseeing delights and surprising contrasts where you will find the modern co-existing with the medieval and the ancient and, the cosmopolitan with the traditional.
Charm of a Bygone Era: One thing I know about the traditional village life of Southern Rhodes is that there were so many things to love of how it was in the past in all its variety and vitality, through values based on God and family and beautiful traditions that have been handed down through the centuries. Its hilly slopes provide a sanctuary of a bygone era; people living the self-sufficient way of life that is tied to the changing seasons of the year that shapes life differently and where its people have labored for centuries from morning till night. Southern Rhodes is known for its history, culture and for its rich spiritual heritage. It is uniquely blessed with many fine churches, remote hilltop monasteries and for their wonderful village festivals. These little monasteries may be plain and simple on the outside but inside, their spiritual energy provides inspiration, peace of mind and the Love of our Lord in the midst of their few icons. On its quiet, winding country roads and dirt tracks you will find its spiritual trails with their picturesque little monasteries that beautify the rugged landscape.
Mesanagros: Located about 89km south-west from the capital of Rhodes Island, already existed by the 5th Century AD. Set in unspoiled surroundings, this tiny village with its white-washed homes and narrow streets, its two historic churches and its many wonderful little monasteries has a legacy of goat herding and farming. In days gone by, goat bells once tinkled in the nearby hills, its farmers paths led to wheat fields, olive groves, watermelon and honeydew melon patches and there are vegetable gardens and chicken coops.
Immigrants From Southern Rhodes: Social, political and economic upheaval in the first half of the 20th century devastated Greece. There was the refuge crisis of 1922 which created instability during the inter-war years when countless thousands were expelled from their homeland in Asia Minor by the Turks, the Great Depression of the 1930's with its high unemployment and social unrest, the power struggle between monarchists and republicans, the destructive two world wars and the bitter Civil War that followed. Many Greeks struggling with the aftermath of the Second World War and the bitter Civil War that followed were drawn by the economic conditions in Australia. With the Greek government struggling with post-war reconstruction, the uncertainty and economic instability of Post-War Europe thousands of Greeks migrated to the Lucky Country of Australia hoping for a more stable future. Many of the early immigrants were overwhelmed by homesickness for Greece, their homes, their villages, their families, their church and they were handicapped by language difficulties.
Serving God Serving Community: Service is central to Christian belief because we follow a God Who Loves and a Christ Who came to serve. Faith exercises a power over a Christian's life in a remarkable way to manifest a Christian spirit in all they do.
Festive Greek Christmas: The Orthodox faith is based on the historical traditions of the Byzantine Empire (AD 330-1453). A Greek's year is based on the seasons and religious festivals of the Greek Orthodox Calendar providing them opportunities to experience the services and celebrations throughout the year of the Mysteries of our Lord's Birth, Life, Death and Resurrection.
