All the religious practice that developed in the Mediterranean and Middle East regions, from the Osiris cult in ancient Egypt to Christianity and Islam, carried one way or another a central focus on the idea of rebirth, resurrection, Easter.
Since a few centuries back, Easter seems to have lost among Christian communities, its position as the leading festival to Christmas, which celebrates the initial birth rather than the “second” one. An ever growing secularisation then helped to commercialise the Christmas occasion, which led to a loss, across the board, of religous fervour in its celebration.
Today, I suspect that even what has remained of religious practice in Easter itself, is being fast secularised. For instance, I wonder what any other reason can be discovered to explain the popularity that the night walk “for” Puttinu cares has achieved. No matter how worthy are the aims which motivate that activity, they still amount to a devaluation of the religious and mystical symbolism that defines the second birth at Easter time. This is being superceded by a mobilisation meant to raise funds.
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Pilatus
Since the Pilatus Bank controversy took off, we have had no lack of mystification and melodrama. Actually, it all picked up over the months. Yet, there has been a dearth of new facts, even though so many magisterial inquiries are proceeding.
Perhaps, delays were to be expected. Apparently, many years were expended before FBI enquiries could be concluded concerning the prohibited recourse – as per US law – to American banks by the Pilatus bank’s chairman in order to finance an Iranian-Venezuelan project. It does not seem that the Pilatus bank itself was involved in this affair, although there are some who see some linkage to the activities in Malta a few years back of an Iranian shipping line.
Delays are tiresome. The truth is that time is needed to nail down all relevant data. We have as of now been told about few new relevant facts. Allegations and speculations were mostly the rule.
The claim being made that due investigative and regulatory processes must first be followed to the end is welltaken. Which is what happened at the Nemea bank. To be sure, on that matter, we did not have any blowup of innuendos and theatrics. Come to think of it, why so?
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Churches in Cyprus
Cypriot MEP Costas Mavrides sponsored an exhibition of photos at the European Parliament featuring Orthodox chapels situated in that part of Cyprus that has been occupied by Turkey. I am hardly the “religious” type and usually disagree with those who criticise Turkey indiscriminately.
Still, I was shocked by how churches in northern Cyprus were “converted” into mosques, vandalised or destroyed (cemeteries as well), turned into stables, or utilised as stores by the Turkish army. Some of them had historic value containing icons and statues of priceless significance.
Occupation of any territory by a foreign power always entails damages and destruction. In this case, Turkey had the duty to ensure that the churches of “others” were given full respect and protection. It does not appear that this has been done. And it also appears that meanwhile on the Cypriot side, mosques have been properly maintained and safeguarded.