{ Zeus Xenios - Sociopolitical editorial illustration }
Greek history through the ages was and still is inescapably bound with Greek Mythology. Stories entangled in Myth and reality become one to form a fable and much more. In the heart of it all, the 12 all-mighty Gods of mount Olympus were holding the fate of men but at the same time were surprisingly human themselves.
The King of them all was mighty Zeus, father of God & Men, the God of Lighting & Thunder often used it as a weapon of doom. Overlooked the fact that Zeus was also the God of Philoxenia, meaning the Patreon of Hospitality, ready to avenge any wrong done to any stranger. Hesiod (one of the prominent poets in the period Homer) describes Zeus as a god who brings peace in place of violence. While referring to him as the Lord of Justice.
"Zeus Xenios" is Zeus the hospitable. Sometimes we Greeks tend to forget this. There are people of all races and colours that now, more than ever need our paramount help. Borders exist and for a good reason too. But these same borders should also be ready to open when the need arises. Especially when lives are at stake and people of all ages are desperate, mostly escaping death, including unimaginable torment.
Greece is my home. While we experience a terrible moment in our universal history, maybe it is up to us Greeks to lead by example (as we did back in 2015). Remind the rest of the world of the true meaning of Philotimo & Hospitality.
"The only way to save oneself is to save others. Or to struggle to save others - even that is sufficient"
Nikos Kazantzakis
