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SUPERSTITIONS!

As I was composing this week’s message, I was sent a text message that really disturbed me. So I decided to put off my original writing and focus on the issue I found most upsetting. What I read is something that has been with us for centuries and has become part and parcel to our Greek way of life. It is something that is engrained in our DNA, and is very difficult to get rid of its power, since it has such a hold on our psyche. 

Growing up in Brooklyn, New York I had many opportunities to experience what so many in the rest of the United States did not have a chance to experience. One aspect of life as a teenager living in Brooklyn was taking part in the music of the day. We went to the Fox and Paramount Theaters to see and hear our idols sing. It was Murray the “K” who inspired many of us to sing and form singing groups all around Brooklyn. At one of Murray the “K’s” music presentations we saw a blind young man who inspired all of us.

On September 4, 1963, at Murray The K's Holiday Revue at the Brooklyn Fox Theater we were blessed to hear so many hit singers in one place. Ben E. King, The Drifters, The Miracles, The Tymes, The Chiffons, Randy & Rainbows, Angels, Jan & Dean, Ronettes, Jay & Americans, Gene Pitney, Dovells, Dionne Warwick, Dick & Dee, along with this young man of thirteen who sang and played the piano named Little Stevie Wonder. His song “Fingertips” became a hit at the age of twelve years old.

From his meager upbringings Stevland Hardaway Judkins, born on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan was now singing in one of the largest venues of its time. He progressed so far that he achieved the honor of receiving so many Gold and Platinum records. One song in particular that he recorded in 1972 was entitled “Superstition.” The lyrics tell a story of how superstition can rule and ruin one’s life. However, the songs chorus reinforces the fact that: “When you believe in things that you don't understand, Then you suffer, Superstition ain't the way.”

This song is reflective of how so many of us Greeks still see the world around us. The Church believes the some way Stevie Wonder understands the destructive nature of superstitions. We were all raised with superstitions at home and in our society. Some run their life according to horoscopes, tea leaf and coffee cup reading, numerology, and superstitions. One in particular is the ability of someone to affect another by means of the “Mati.”

The belief in the “Mati” is so prevalent in our communities that every time someone does not feel well or suffers from a few telling signs they right away believe they have the mati. Even the “Huffpost” wrote a blog article entitled, “How To Get Rid of The Evil Eye.” She explains the headache and ill feelings she felt at work one day. Ms. Penny Phillips eventually calls her mother and grandparents to evaluate whether she was cursed by the evil eye.

Furthermore, she lists the ways someone could have cursed her. 1) An old woman we saw at church on Sunday who they had witnessed hugging and kissing me a bit too tightly. 2) One of the waitresses at our favorite Greek restaurant who complimented my long hair. 3) My boss. 4) Any female colleague I had come into contact with within the last two hours, and finally, 5) My next door neighbor. All this may seem strange to many, but many in our community still believe in this very destructive superstition and that the only protection we have from it is by a Blue Eye Talisman.

On the other hand, many say that the Church has prayers for the relief of the Mati. This is true, but the prayers include more then those for the evil eye. They are prayers not incantations over a glass of water and oil in hopes of relieving the trouble one is experiencing. They are directed at our Lord invoking His power over all that is, to help and free us from the suffering. Here is only part of the prayer that priests read over the person suffering.

“Remove, drive away and banish every diabolical activity, every satanic attack and every plot, evil curiousity and injury, and the evil eye of mischievous and wicked men from your servant (Name); and whether it was brought about by beauty, or bravery, or happiness, or jealousy and envy, or evil eye, do you yourself, O Lord who love mankind, stretch out your mighty hand and your powerful and lofty arm, look down on this your creature and watch over him(her), and send him(her) an angel of peace, a mighty guardian of soul and body, who will rebuke and banish from him (her) every wicked intention, every spell and evil eye of destructive and envious men; so that, guarded by you, your supplicant may sing to you with thanksgiving: The Lord is my helper, and I shall not be afraid; what can man do to me? And again: I shall fear no evil because you are with me.”

As you can see, the prayer is asking God to remove whatever is afflicting the person and granting him/her peace “under the shadow of His wings.” To truly understand evil and its ability to hurt us, we must realize that it has no power over an individual unless one agrees with it! I have been in houses that had evil eye talismans all around the house. Before I started the prayer of Agiasmos, I asked them to remover all of them from the house. Many strange things were happening there, and I had to eliminate those things that are evil. After the Agiasmos service there came a calm within the house that was palatable. A few days later I received a phone call from the person and was told that things were getting better. 

Finally, the reason I changed this weeks message was because of the email I received from a friend who directed me to an app that is specifically for people who have no one to perform the cure of the evil eye. Unlike Penny who could call upon her family to cure her of the evil eye, many do not have that option. So now there is an app in order to take the place of grandmother who can relieve one of the evil eye.

As a result, you are making the power of the Cross impotent and inferior to the talisman that can repel the evil eye. Stevie Wonder was correct in proclaiming “Superstition ain't the way, no, no, no.” Believe in Him who came into the world in order to overcome the power and grip of evil over His beloved people. AMEN!

If you are interested in reading Penny’s article here is the link! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/penny-phillips/how-to-get-rid-of-the-evi_b_7758772.html