by Protopresbyter Dr Georgios Lekkas, priest of the Holy Metropolis of Belgium
What kind of King is this, born in poverty, and what kind of subjects are these, living in luxury?
What kind of King is this, with no armed guard to escort him, and what kind of subjects are these, with trained dogs to guard them?
What kind of King is this, who does not impose his own will by force, and what kind of subjects are these, who exterminate anything that threatens them as a matter of course?
What kind of King is this, who cares for good and bad alike, and what kind of subjects are these, who fear good and bad alike?
What kind of King is this, whose will is that of his Father in heaven, and not his own, and what kind of subjects are these, when the only good they seek is their own?
What kind of King is this, who does not sacrifice others so that he himself may live, and what kind of subjects are these, who kill each other so that he may live?
What kind of King is this, who chooses to endure evil rather than repay it, and what kind of subjects are these, who seek to conquer evil by committing another far greater?
What kind of King is this, who dies for the sake of those who crucify him, and what kind of subjects are these, who crucify their King – as though they could ever live without him?
Christmas 2022.
Fr Georgios Lekkas is a priest of the Orthodox Archdiocese of Belgium. He studied Law, Philosophy and Theology at the University of Athens. He has a PhD in Greek Studies from the Sorbonne (Paris IV) and was a postdoctoral researcher at the French National Research Agency (2000-2005). He taught Greek philosophy in Greek Higher Education (2005-2017). His latest poetry collection, PROSECHOS ANAGENNISI (IMMINENT REBIRTH) was published by To Koinon ton Oraion Technon (Athens, 2021, 79 pages), while his essay THE SECOND WORLD. ODYSSEAS ELYTIS AND GIORGOS SARANTARIS was published recently by Ekati publications (Athens, 2022, 171 pages).
