You must surely have heard the proverb:
“A home without a Giannis (John) will never prosper!”
At the Holy Baptism of your own Giannis, share “Orthodox Favors” featuring the lives of all the Saints named John, included in your favorite “Little and Orthodox” series.
Especially if the Baptism is being held in Thessaly, introduce your loved ones to this model of a brave youth, yet another Saint of Larissa.
“Saint John was born in the region of Monemvasia, in the village of Geraki, Laconia, in the Peloponnese, during the truly difficult years of the enslavement of our nation. He was the son of a priest, and because he understood what a great honor and blessing this was, when asked his name, he would say with pride, ‘I am the priest's son.’
His father was a parish priest in the neighboring village of Gouves, Laconia. John's mother also came from this village.
In 1770, the Greek Orthodox had once again rebelled against the Mohammedans. The Sultan, in order to punish them, sent battalions of Turko-Albanians to all the rebellious villages. The battalion that attacked John's village killed the ...”
Read the rest in “Little and Orthodox 70.”
Fourth edition!
Printed in Thessaloniki, by Orthodox families.
*For orders under 40 pieces we can include a small biscuit treat (dairy or Lenten) for free, and for over 40 pieces free sugared almonds [Hatzigiannakis], 5 crispies or 3 Lenten sugared almonds per favor.