Weather in Skopelos
February 8, 2012, 6:05 am
Rain
Rain
4°C
real feel: -7°C
current pressure: 101 mb
humidity: 78%
wind speed: 8 m/s NNW
wind gusts: 11 m/s
sunrise: 7:26
sunset: 17:53
 
Our island, Our future
In an age of greater awareness of the negative impact pollution has on our planet, tourism is one of the main culprits: transportation, over-development and depletion of natural resources help to make sure it is not an environmentally-friendly industry. Skopelos relies on tourism and is faced with these issues -- while attempting to maintain its own cultural heritage and a clean living environment. Madro Travel has a policy of raising the awareness of holiday makers to things they can do here on Skopelos which can make a ‘real’, and positive, difference to the destination and the people living here. As an agency, we wish to actively encourage discussion on and participation in sustainable activities on Skopelos. Madro Travel aims to promote "sustainable tourism." (nature and wildlife activities), ecotourism (promoting yet protecting natural areas from mass-tourism and development), and agrotourism (educational holidays in agriculture and culture to sustain rural population). In these ways, tour operators, local businesses and visitors alike can genuinely appreciate and respect the culture and natural landscape of our island. A holiday spent exploring the countryside and villages, learning about the production of local cuisine and crafts can be a refreshing and rewarding break from city life. The informed traveller can also be directly contributing to the sustainable tourism effort by supporting the communities working to preserve their local traditions. Remember, if we all work together, our message will reach more people, change more minds, and touch more hearts.
Thought for the day
Honesty is the best policy. - Aesop (c.620-560 BC)

Lent

This year, Easter falls early. March is therefore a time for reflection, self-denial and abstinence as the population of Skopelos embrace Lent.

The Sacrament of Lent

Fasting plays an important part of the Orthodox Christian life. Orthodox believe that fasting can be the 'foundation of all good'. The discipline of training the body can enable a believer to concentrate the mind totally on preparation for prayer and things spiritual.

There are four main fasting periods:

  • · The Great Fast or the period of Lent
  • · The Fast of the Apostles: Eight days after Pentecost until 28th June. This ends with the Feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.
  • · The Dormition Fast which begins on 1st August and ends on the 14th August
  • · The Christmas Fast from 15 November to 24th December.

Also, throughout the year, all Wednesdays and Fridays are expected to be days of fasting.

Even though today the call to fast is not always strictly followed, nevertheless many devout Orthodox Christians do undergo a time of genuine hardship and it has been said that Orthodox Christians in the twenty-first century - laity as well as monks - fast with a severity for which there is no parallel in western Christendom.

The Sacrament of Alms-giving

Alms-giving" refers to any charitable giving of material resources to those in need. Along with prayer and fasting, it is considered a pillar of the personal spiritual practices of the Orthodox Christian tradition. It has not been formally united to the offertory in any liturgical action. However, either having a collection plate in the narthex or passing it unobtrusively during the service is not uncommon.

Alms-giving is an important part of the spiritual life, particularly important during periods of fasting, when the Orthodox believer is expected to share the monetary savings from his or her decreased consumption with those in need.

Alms-giving in the name of the deceased also frequently accompanies prayer for the dead. Those whose financial circumstances do not permit the giving of monetary alms may give alms in other ways, such as intercessory prayer and acts of mercy.

In addition, private acts of charity, considered virtuous only if not done for others to admire, are a Christian duty. Hoever, giving  should be performed out of Love and not out of duty.

As with fasting, bragging about the amounts given for charity is considered anywhere from extremely rude to sinful.




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