Archaeologists uncovered Roman burials with fine glass goods in France. Credit: C. Coeuret, Inrap
Archaeologists from the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) recently dug up some ancient artifacts in Nîmes, France.
They found many old objects buried underground on Rue de Beaucaire. These treasures date back to when the Romans were ruling from about the 2nd century BC to the 2nd century AD.
In the past, Nîmes was called Nemausus and prospered as a Roman colony around the 1st century BC. It is situated where the flat land of the Vistrenque River meets the hills of Mont Duplan to the northeast, Montaury to the southwest, and Mt. Cavalier and Canteduc Knoll to the west.
In old writings, Nîmes is mentioned as dede matrebo Namausikabo, meaning “he has given to the mothers of Nîmes,” and “toutios Namausatis,” meaning “citizen of Nîmes.” Nemausus was the god worshipped by the local Volcae Arecomici tribe.
The city was well-planned, with streets running north to south and east to west, meeting at a central plaza called the forum. One building from that time that stands out is the Maison Carrée, a fancy temple built in the late 1st century BC, according to Archaeology magazine.
Romans prohibited burials within city limits
The recent digs on Rue de Beaucaire uncovered many burial spots, such as locations where people were cremated and then buried as well as spots where people were reburied following cremation. These graves were in special areas, showing that Romans didn’t bury people within their cities.
Unearthing Roman Treasures: The Enchanting Glassware of Nîmes
In the heart of the ancient Roman city of Nîmes, a fascinating discovery has recently been made by INRAP archaeologists. A stunning collection of glassware dating back to the Roman period has been unearthed, offering… pic.twitter.com/i9dZoFn44f
There were about fifteen graves found, mostly with cremated remains, but some had bodies buried whole. One touching find was the burial of a small child with a clay jug and lamp, showing how the Romans honored their dead with special items, as reported by Archaeology.
In antiquity, cremation was a common way to handle funerals. They would burn the bodies on pyres made from rocks or bricks or just in holes dug in the ground. After burning, they would gather the ashes and put them in graves near the pyre or nearby spots. People often buried tools such as grooming tools, pots, ceramics, and lamps with the dead.
Well-preserved Roman artifacts including glass vases
Archaeologists found many well-preserved glass vases. Some of these were used in special feasts called the refrigerium, during which people honored the dead. These feasts, led by female priests, usually involved drinking wine from these glass vases.
They also discovered a well buried under modern buildings. Even though that well is not empty, there’s a chance for more discoveries if they dig deeper into it later on.
The excavation site opened up for everyone on Saturday, April 13th. Archaeologists will be there to guide tours and show people the amazing discoveries found under the streets of Nîmes.
Stefanos Tsitsipas was victorious at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters. Credit: Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters website
Stefanos Tsitsipas has been named Monte-Carlo Masters champion for the 3rd time in his career after defeating Norwegian Casper Ruud in the tournament’s final match on Sunday.
The Greek athlete dispatched his opponent 6-1, 6-4 in a one-hour, 36-minute game.
After clinching the title, Tsitsipas collapsed to the court before he rose to his feet to embrace Ruud. Visibly emotional, the Greek then embraced his team.
STEFANOS TSITSIPAS IS A 3-TIME ROLEX MONTE CARLO MASTERS CHAMPION!!!
— Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (@ROLEXMCMASTERS) April 14, 2024
In the lead-up to the final, Tsitsipas had defeated Top 10 stars Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner. By also beating World No. 10 Ruud, it is the first time since Toronto in 2018 that the Greek has earned three Top 10 wins at an event.
The win also makes Tsitsipas the fifth player to obtain three or more Monte-Carlo titles in the Open Era, alongside Borg, Muster, and Nastase, who have each won the title three times, and Nadal, who won the tournament a staggering 11 times.
Tsitsipas had previously won the Monte-Carlo Masters consecutively in 2021 and 2022, but “the third time is even more special than the first or second time,” he said, and called his achievement “an unbelievable win.”
“Capturing that win today was nerve-wracking. I really wanted this trinity. I am extremely happy today,” the Greek champion added.
Tsitsipas displays “ruthless tennis” at Monte-Carlo final
Tsitsipas played freely, taking large cuts on his heavy forehand to force Ruud deep, while he moved forward efficiently to expose the Norwegian’s deep-court position.
“I am glad I presented on court and showed some ruthless tennis. From the beginning to the end my play was cohesive and I was able to blend in a lot of different shots,” he said.
The Greek came out firing in his 28th tour-level final, regularly drawing roars from the crowd. After sealing the first set on his second set point, Tsitsipas saved one break point in his opening service game of the second set with a thunderous forehand to maintain control.
Ruud struggled to find the court with consistency on his forehand in the first set, frequently overhitting, and, while he improved in the second set, he was unable to find the required level to hurt the Greek.
In a tense 13-minute seventh game, Tsitsipas fended off three break points before holding. He then gained a decisive break himself to seal the victory, having struck 30 winners in the match and saved all eight break points he faced, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
Tsitsipas is now level at 2-2 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series, with his title triumph in Monte-Carlo his first since Los Cabos last year. The Greek, who has won 11 tour-level trophies, including three Masters 1000 titles, will return to the Top 10 for the first time since February on Monday when he climbs to No. 7.
Study says writing down your feelings can reduce anger levels. Credit: Re Jin Lee / Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
A team of researchers in Japan found that writing down how you feel about a bad situation on paper and then getting rid of it can help you feel less anger.
The head researcher, Nobuyuki Kawai, said, “We expected that our method would suppress anger to some extent.”
“However, we were amazed that anger was eliminated almost entirely,” Kawai added.
This study holds significance because managing anger both at home and work can prevent problems in our careers and personal relationships.
However, many methods for handling anger suggested by experts have not been thoroughly studied. Additionally, it can be difficult to remember these techniques when you’re upset, as reported by ScienceDaily.
The findings of this research, published in Scientific Reports, come after years of studying how writing can help lower anger levels.
Interactions with physical objects control a person’s mood
The study expands on previous research demonstrating how touching or interacting with physical objects can affect someone’s mood.
In their experiment, Kawai and his graduate student Yuta Kanaya from the Graduate School of Informatics at Nagoya University had volunteers write short opinions on significant social issues such as whether smoking in public should be banned.
🇬🇧 If You're Angry, Put It In Writing, But Be Sure To Throw It Away
Then, they were told their writing would be reviewed by a doctoral student from Nagoya University.
However, these reviewers were actually part of the experiment. No matter what the participants wrote, the reviewers unfairly rated them poorly on intelligence, interest, friendliness, logic, and rationality.
To emphasize their point further, the doctoral students also left a hurtful comment: “I cannot believe an educated person would think like this. I hope this person learns something while at the university.”
Writing down feelings on paper and getting it out
After receiving these harsh comments, researchers then prompted participants to write down their reactions to the feedback, concentrating on what upset them.
The researchers divided the participants into two groups. One group was instructed to either throw away the paper they wrote in a trash can or store it in a file on their desk. The second group was told to shred the document or place it in a plastic box.
After that, the students were asked to rate their anger first after receiving the insulting comments and then after either disposing of or keeping the paper.
As predicted, all participants felt angrier after getting the insulting remarks, according to the study.
But here’s the important part: those who tossed their paper in the trash or shredded it saw their anger levels go back to normal after getting rid of the paper.
On the flip side, people who kept a physical copy of the insult only saw a slight drop in their anger.
Kawai sees potential in using this research to assist businesspeople dealing with high-stress situations.
Hector and Andromache share one of the most tragic stories in Homer’s Iliad. Credit: Francesco Hayez / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
The words of the ancient Greek author Homer have echoed across the centuries. His magnum opus, the Iliad, which recounts the semi-mythical siege of Troy, is a tale of gods and demi-gods who tread the battlefield alongside larger-than-life mortal heroes.
Despite these features, which characterize the Iliad as a literary epic of divine proportions, Homer’s story is also profoundly human, and no story contained within it is more moving or tragic than that of Hector and Andromache.
Hector was a prince of Troy and no doubt the greatest hero among the Trojans during the decade-long war with the Greeks. Andromache was a princess of Cilician Thebe and the wife of Hector. They had an infant son named Astyanax.
Andromache bewailing the death of Hector. Credit: Gavin Hamilton / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
Hector and Andromache and the Iliad’s emotional resonance
Amidst the chaos of war and moments of divine intervention, Homer was able to capture the hopes and fears of a husband and wife in a brief moment of respite between the fighting.
The moment occurs when Hector returns to the battlements of Troy for a short rest after yet another hard round of fighting with the Achaean Greeks. His wife Andromache comes to meet him, accompanied by their infant son and his nurse.
By this point of the story, Andromache has already endured tremendous personal losses, with most of her family and loved ones having been slain by the Greeks. Her father and all seven of her brothers were killed by Achilles, the most skilled warrior in the Greek army.
Andromache, fearful that Hector will meet the same fate, pleads with her husband to pull away from the fighting. “Dearest, your own great strength will be your death, and you have no pity on your little son, nor on me, ill-starred, who soon must be your widow…Please take pity upon me then, stay here on the rampart, that you may not leave your child an orphan, your wife a widow.”
The Farewell of Hector to Andromache and Astyanax. Credit: Carl Friedrich Deckler / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
However, Hector is compelled by his honor and love for his fellow Trojans to continue fighting. He answers, “All these things are in my mind also, lady; yet I would feel deep shame before the Trojans, and the Trojan women with trailing garments, if like a coward I were to shrink aside from the fighting.”
Hector, who is much troubled by the future, then shares his fears with Andromache that Troy will fall and that she will be taken into captivity as a slave by the victorious Greeks.
The moment is given a light touch of humor when Hector reaches out to his son who is afraid of his father’s helmet and begins to cry. Homer describes it thus:
So speaking glorious Hector held out his arms to his baby, who shrank back to his fair-girdled nurse’s bosom screaming, and frightened at the aspect of his own father, terrified as he saw the bronze and the crest with its horse-hair, nodding dreadfully, as he thought, from the peak of the helmet. Then his beloved father laughed out, and his honored mother, and at once glorious Hector lifted from his head the helmet and laid it in all its shining upon the ground. Then taking up his dear son he tossed him about in his arms, and kissed him, and lifted his voice in prayer to Zeus and the other immortals: “Zeus, and you other immortals, grant that this boy, who is my son, may be as I am, pre-eminent among the Trojans, great in strength as I am, and rule strongly over Ilion; and some day let them say of him: ‘He is better by far than his father,’ as he comes in from the fighting; and let him kill his enemy and bring home the blooded spoils, and delight the heart of his mother.”
Unsurprisingly, the parting of Hector and Andromache has been the subject of many paintings. Credit: Angelica Kauffmann / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
A tragic fate
Homer’s depiction of this scene between Hector and Andromache bears an even greater emotional resonance given their eventual tragic fates at the end of the Trojan War.
Hector is indeed killed. After the death of Patroclus induces Achilles to return to the battlefield following a long period of sulking, he faces Hector in a duel and slays him.
Andromache reacts to her husband’s death with spontaneous and intense grief. She then leads the Trojan women in the traditional mourning and lamentation rituals. Her own fate, not long after Hector’s death, is not any less tragic.
There are various accounts as to the death of Hector and Andromache’s son Astyanax after the fall of Troy. The most famous, as recounted by the Little Iliad and Pausanias, is that Andromache attempted to hide the infant in Hector’s tomb. However, he is discovered by the Greeks who are nervous he will come of age and avenge his father.
To prevent this, the Greeks decide to murder the infant, and Neoptolemus (also called Pyrrhus) throws Astyanax off the walls of Troy. Neoptolemus then takes Andromache as a captive back to Greece, and she is forced to marry the man who murdered her son, bearing him three children.
Iran’s retaliation strike on Israel was 99 percent intercepted. Credit: AMNA
Iran’s early Sunday strike on Israel has been intercepted during the night and Iran’s representative to the United Nations said their retaliation attack on Israel for the April 1st Israeli strike on Iran’s embassy in Damascus has concluded.
The world is now watching whether Israel will decide to strike back at Iran, and the G7 are expected to convene on the situation.
The UN, EU, and USA have condemned Iran’s attack on Israel, as have several countries individually from Latin America to China as well as Greece, where the National Security Governmental Council (KYSEA) will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday evening “to assess the situation and to declare in every way our support for every effort to defuse the new tension,” according to Greek PM Mitsotakis.
🔴 Watch: Israeli defense systems intercept Iranian missiles over the Temple Mount pic.twitter.com/oEebzijEGI
Footage posted on social media showed Israel’s air defense systems intercepting over three hundred projectiles, including drones and missiles, launched from Iranian territory. Up to 99 percent of them were countered, and the ones that managed to reach Israeli grounds hit a military base, causing limited structural damage, according to Israel.
Crazy Footage from tonight showing what appears to be an Exo-Atmospheric Interception, an Interception which occurs Outside the Earth’s Atmosphere, of an Iranian Ballistic Missile over Israel; the Intercept was likely conducted by the Israeli “Arrow 3” Hypersonic Surface-to-Air… pic.twitter.com/yzjW7rtThK
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesperson, said the IDF has worked together with the US, UK, and France to counter the threat, adding that all three “acted tonight” during the Iranian strikes.
Calls for restraint after Iran’s strike on Israel
Countries across the world, including Canada, China, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, have called for restraint following the air raid and advised all actors against further escalation between Iran and Israel.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on “all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East.”
In a similar tone, President of the European Union Ursula von der Leyen said that “all actors must now refrain from further escalation and work to restore stability in the region.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that while the US does not seek escalation, they will continue to support Israel’s defense and defend US personnel.
President Biden did not make a televised address from the Oval Office as was previously announced but issued a statement on the incident. He said he planned to convene his fellow G7 leaders the following day “to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack.”
“My team will engage with their counterparts across the region. And we will stay in close touch with Israel’s leaders. And while we have not seen attacks on our forces or facilities today, we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people,” the statement concluded.
Iran’s warning to Israel and the US
Iran, however, has issued a warning to Israel that their response will be much larger than Sunday’s air strike if Israel retaliates against Iran. The warning was extended to the US for helping Israel in possible military actions in the future.
According to Sardar Bagheri, the Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, if the US cooperates with Israel in possible future attacks, US bases will “not have any security” and will “be dealt with.”
Speaking on Iranian state TV, Bagheri said that a “new equation” was created after this weekend’s attack on Israel and that it will now respond directly whenever Israel attacks its interests, assets, or people.
CNN reports that while President Biden reiterated to Israeli PM Netanyahu that the US’s commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies remains “ironclad,” the US would not participate in any offensive operations against Iran.
There is Christian symbolism in the ingredients that make kollyva, the food served in memorials. Credit: Pinterest
Kollyva, the boiled wheat-based sweet offered at Greek Orthodox memorial services for the repose of the souls of the dead is a superfood that has its roots in ancient Greece.
The word “kollyva” has its roots in the ancient Greek word “kollyvos” (singular) (Greek: κόλλυβος), meaning a coin of small numismatic value. The first documented mention of the word is in the play Eirini (Peace), by Aristophanes in 421 BC.
Kollyva symbolizes the association between life and death, between that which is planted in the earth and that which emerges from the earth and is embedded in the making and eating of kollyva. It is served during memorial services three, nine, or forty days after the funeral and in the first and third annual anniversaries of the death. They are also offered on All Souls Day.
During the memorial service (mnemosynon), the kollyva is placed in front of the memorial table or an icon of Christ. Afterwards, it is blessed by the priest who sprinkles it with holy water. The kollyva is then taken to the refectory and is served to all those who attended the service.
Greek Orthodox Christian Symbolism
The wheat in kollyva is the symbol of the human body because man is nourished and grows by eating foods made of wheat. Jesus Christ likened His divine body to a grain of wheat, thus saying in the twelfth chapter of the Gospel according to John: “The grain of wheat, if it falls to the ground and does not die, stays there and does not multiply. But if it dies, it bears plenty of fruit.”
Hence, the wheat symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of the bodies. Our dead will dissolve “into what they were composed of” and will rise again with the power of God in the Second Coming with an indestructible body like the grain of wheat.
Therefore, to commemorate our dead, we take the kollyva to the church at the memorial services and on All Souls’ Day and share them with the participants.
At the end of the memorial, the faithful say: “Eternal the memory, eternal the memory, eternal the memory.”
This is the prayer so that the memorial will be eternally effective after tens, hundreds, or thousands of years until the Second Coming.
It is very important that kollyva be made using nine specific ingredients, each symbolizing a religious concept:
Wheat: Symbolizes the earth and the body of the deceased
Sugar: The sweetness of Heaven and everlasting life
Raisins: The vine, Jesus Christ
Parsley: To rest “in a field of green”
Almonds: Fertility, perpetual life (walnuts can be used as well)
Pomegranate: The riches of Heaven, the splendor
Grated rusk or sesame: Let the dirt (earth) that covers the dead be light
Hard white candy: The bones that remain intact after the body disintegrates
Cinnamon: The fragrances, the myrrh that was put on the body of Jesus Christ
Roots in ancient Greece
Kollyva, the sweet made and offered in memory of the dead, has ancient origins. Ancient Greeks used the word “kollyvos,” which originally referred to a coin of small value that was placed on the grave of the deceased and given to the participants. Therefore, today’s kollyva, the sweet made and offered to commemorate the dead, has ancient origins.
Small vessel for wine, would have been given as a gift to a young boy during Anthesteria, celebrating the new wine. Such vessels depict children at play, often imitating adults. Here, a chubby Eros runs, pulling a child’s toy cart behind him. Credit: Public Domain
This memorial custom is connected to the ancient agricultural custom of panspermia, a mixture of wheat, nuts, and various fruits, which was prepared and offered on the last day of the feast of the Anthesteria, the celebration of spring.
The third day of the Anthesteria was the day in honor of the dead. As nature is dormant during the winter and is reborn in the spring, that day was in honor of the dead whose souls are eternal. On that day, ancient Greeks boiled wheat and various grains in large clay pots symbolizing the souls of the dead and dedicated them to Chthonius Hermes, god of fertility.
The Greeks, since ancient times, associated the commemoration of the dead with rebirth, as happens with the fruits of the earth. Persephone, the wife of Hades, was the daughter of the goddess of harvest, Demeter. Hence, to offer to the living in memory of the dead the sweetness of wheat, nuts, raisins, pomegranate, sugar, and parsley is something that connects us to our origin, our history, but also to earth, the soil, and the beginning and end of everything.
The beautiful port of Chania could be considered one of the most romantic in the whole of Greece. Credit: Greek Reporter.
Chania is a breathtaking city on the northwest coast of the island of Crete. The city is historically significant and a hotspot for young and modern Greeks, making it the perfect vacation spot. Chania is a city with something for every traveler!
History of Chania, Crete
In the town of Chania, ancient Greek, Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman buildings coexist in the landscape of the city. As far as Muslim architecture is concerned, one of the most emblematic corners of the city is the famous Mosque of the Janissaries.
The mix of architectural styles make for a stimulating but still largely harmonious skyline. However, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to Chania’s history; the town has likely been inhabited since the end of the Stone Age, or the “Neolithic period.”
Excavations near and within the city have revealed some of its history to modern-day Greeks, and archaeologists have been able to find evidence of the city’s Minoan history as well as its more distant past. The modern-day city lies on the site of the Minoan settlement named Kydonia in Linear B, from which the name of the fruit quince derives.
After the fall of many Minoan cities around 1,500 BC, Chania was repopulated by a wave of Dorian Greeks from the mainland around 1100 BC. The city and its inhabitants played a prominent role in the political and cultural world of Crete. Homer even mentions the Kydonians in the Odyssey.
Later, in 69 BC, the Romans took over the island, and granted Chania (or Kydonia), the status of an independent city-state.
The jaw-dropping Venetian harbor of Chania, Crete. Credit: Greek Reporter.
The first era of Byzantine rule lasted from 395 AD to 824 AD, and the city was briefly ruled by the Arabs for around a century. They renamed the city “Al Hanim” (the Inn) before it was retaken by the Byzantine Empire, which reverted back to calling the city by its Greek name, Chania.
After the Fourth Crusade (1204) and the fall of Byzantium in the Hellenic area, the city was once again conquered by foreign powers. This time, Venice began to rule over Chania, renaming it “La Canea” and strengthening its fortifications, giving Chania the form that it still has today.
Finally, the Ottoman Empire defeated the Venetians during the beginning of the Cretan War, taking over Chania. New mosques and public baths were built in the city, adding to the beautiful landscape that is still apparent today.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, after the island was liberated from Ottoman Occupation, much of the island’s local Muslim population moved to other Mediterranean islands or coastal cities. The population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1922 resulted in the deportation of most of the island’s remaining Muslim residents.
Best Beaches in Chania
The prefecture of Chania hosts some of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Crete.
Falassarna on the west side is well known for its privileged location, ideal conditions for water sports, and unique sunsets. The beach is about 50km west of the city and can be accessed by car or bus. However, the trek is worth it in order to experience one of the most beautiful and well-known beaches not only on Crete but in the entirety of the country.
The magical pink beach of Elafonisi. Credit: trolvag/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0
To the south of Falassarna, the world-famous Elafonisi beach can be found. The beach is about an hour and a half drive from the main city, but you would be hard-pressed to find any tourist who does not try to visit it. The beach features crystal waters and magical pink sand, making it look like it was conjured up in a fairytale—certainly not one to miss!
For the more adventurous type, the peninsula of Gramvousa and the unique landscape of Balos beach are well worth the trip over the dirt path.
Perfect for tourists
Chania is the perfect place for a family, romantic, or even solo trip. The town is diverse and has something for everyone, as well as being very convenient for travelers, with multiple direct international flights arriving daily.
Travelers to Chania can expect to have enough cultural and local activities available, with the option to fill multiple days worth of time with these pursuits. However, the town also has much to offer the more laid-back tourist, with beautiful beaches and world-class restaurants abounding in the town.
Several times a week, farmers’ markets take place on the streets of Chania, providing visitors the opportunity to shop for local produce of excellent quality while enjoying the atmosphere of a traditional outdoor market.
Olives, honey, spices, herbs, and cheese are among the Cretan products often purchased by tourists.
The stunning Mosque of the Jannisaries is nestled into the Venetian harbor. Credit: Bernard Gagnon/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 3.0
Furthermore, visitors can visit the historic and beautiful Mosque of the Janissaries. Located in the old Venetian Harbor, the mosque was built on the grounds of a former church with one nave. It no longer functions as a religious building, and it remains the oldest structure from the Ottoman period.
Also known as the “Kucjk Hassan Mosque,” the building dates back to 1645 when the Turks captured Chania; it’s the oldest Ottoman structure on the island.
The building stopped functioning as a mosque in 1923 and has, since then, been used as a café, restaurant, and tourist office throughout the years. In the recent past, the mosque was renovated, becoming a space dedicated to exhibitions.
Hiking the one-of-a-kind Samaria Gorge is another fun activity to do in Chania. The challenging seventeen kilometer (12 mile) long walk takes you through a stunning UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and some of the most unique scenery to be found in the entirety of Greece.
Where to stay in Chania on Crete
The brand new Chania Flair Hotel has a location that can’t be beat. Photo Courtesy of Corissia Hotels.
Besides some exquisite boutique hotels in renovated historic buildings in the Old Town, one of the best places to stay in Chania, is Hotel Chania Flair. The adults-only hotel is a new facility and was completed in 2020— making it perfectly modern. It offers every creature comfort you could possibly think of!
Its location and adults-only status make it very peaceful. Located in Nea Chora, Chania, Flair is in a quiet location while still within the city. It’s situated steps away from the beach, and the Venetian harbor is also easily accessible by foot. Chania Flair manages to be both centrally located and peaceful, making it perfectly placed in the city.
The five-star hotel impresses with its elegant design, high-quality furnishings, and privileged location between the sandy beach, city, and old town.
“Chania Flair is neither a typical city hotel nor a secluded holiday resort,” says Labros Tsiledakis, Executive Manager of Chania Flair. “It is the new approach to a relaxing holiday: to feel the pulse of a romantic Venetian harbor city and at the same time enjoy a relaxing, regenerating beach holiday! With the quality guarantee of Corissia Hotels.”
In the hotel building, you will find spacious lounges with a garden area, as well as a reception area which is open 24 hours a day.
In the lounge area and sun terrace on the top floor, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the bay of Chania and the White Mountains of Crete with a drink of your choice. In the Rooftop Fitness Studio, you will find state-of-the-art equipment where you can work out with a magnificent view of the sea free of charge.
Chania Flair is a CO2-neutral hotel with very high energy efficiency and climate-neutrality through state-of-the-art construction and use of sustainable, renewable energy sources.
Iran has reportedly launched an attack on Israel. Credit: Student News Agency / CC BY 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Iran has launched an attack on Israel with dozens of drones and cruise missiles, sources from both countries stated on Saturday evening, European time.
The drones are expected to reach Israel at around 2:00 a.m. local time. Hence, the airspace will close at half past midnight, Israel’s transportation ministry said.
“Iran launched UAVs from within its territory toward Israel a short while ago,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on X (formerly Twitter).
“The IDF is on high alert and is constantly monitoring the operational situation. The IDF Aerial Defense Array is on high alert, along with IAF fighter jets and Israeli Navy vessels that are on a defense mission in Israeli air and naval space,” the announcement added.
Iranian state media said the attack was in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, on April 1st, which killed a top Islamic Revolutionary Guards general and six other Guard officers.
As soon as the attack from Iran was confirmed, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation in a televised message, while the IDF’s Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari called on Israeli citizens to “remain calm and collected” as they “have been so far.”
BREAKING: Iran has launched "pilotless aircraft" at Israel, the Israeli military has said.
Earlier on Saturday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards captured an Israeli-linked cargo ship in international waters in the Strait of Hormuz, hours after US President Biden had said he expected an Iranian attack against Israel “sooner rather than later.”
Gatherings and educational activities planned for the coming days were called off in Israel, and beaches were closed to the public while the armed forces were placed on high alert.
The White House urged Iran to release the vessel and its 25-member crew while President Biden rushed back to Washington from Delaware to consult his national security team.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan later posted that he had reiterated “the United States’ ironclad commitment to the security of Israel” during a call with his Israeli counterpart Hanegbi.
President Biden is expected to address the nation from the Oval Office. In the meantime, Iraq and Jordan are also reportedly preparing to close their airspace as a precautionary measure.
Concerns for spreading conflict in the Middle East
Since Israel launched military operations in Gaza as a response to terrorist attacks conducted by Hamas on October 7th, defense and international affairs analysts have been worried about the latest round of the Israel-Palestine conflict spreading to the wider region.
Several regional actors, including neighboring Egypt and Jordan, which are the most concerned about a mass exodus of Palestinian refugees into their countries, are impacted by the fighting in Gaza. The governments of Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq are likewise nervously looking on.
Iran was seen by analysts as the most consequential potential participant in any regional widening of the conflict due to a blend of factors, including Iran’s strong rhetoric in support of the Palestinian cause, its long-term rivalry with Israel and the US, and an extensive network of proxy militias operating in the region.
The escalating tension between Iran and Israel has forced US President Biden to return to Washington to consult his national security team. [File photo] Credit: Facebook / White HouseUS President Joe Biden will cut his weekend trip to Delaware short and return to Washington on Saturday afternoon to consult his national security team as the Iran-Israel tension escalates, the White House announced.
A day after President Biden said he expected an Iranian attack against Israel “sooner, rather than later,” Iran’s Revolutionary Guards captured an Israeli-linked cargo ship in international waters in the Strait of Hormuz. The crew of the Portuguese flagged, British-owned MSC AIRES is comprised of Indian, Filipino, Pakistani, Russian, and Estonian nationals.
Earlier this week, Tehran said it could close the crucial shipping route and retaliate for an Israeli strike on its consulate in Syria.
Israel’s armed forces were placed on full alert on Saturday due to a possible attack. Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesperson, said in a televised briefing, in which he claimed that Iran is “the world’s biggest state sponsor of terror” and warned that “Iran will bear the consequences for choosing to escalate the situation any further.”
Gatherings and educational activities planned for the coming days were called off in Israel, and beaches will remain closed to the public, the IDF announced.
In light of the rising tension in the area, Qantas has rerouted its Perth-London flights, while Canada has warned citizens to avoid all travel to Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, upgrading its risk assessment of the region due to the increased threat of attacks on Israeli territory.
White House requests release of captured ship
On Saturday, the White House called on Iran to immediately release the captured ship and its international crew.
“Seizing a civilian vessel without provocation is a blatant violation of international law, and an act of piracy by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization,” White House National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“It must be condemned unequivocally, and we will work with our partners to hold Iran to account for its actions,” she added.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivar later posted that he reiterated “the United States’ ironclad commitment to the security of Israel” during a call with his Israeli counterpart Hanegbi.
Israel ambassador to Greece warns Iran against attack
Speaking at the 9th Delphi Economic Forum earlier on Saturday, the Israeli ambassador to Greece, Noam Katz, issued a warning to Iran not to launch an attack against Israel.
“Israel is a strong country; it has very strong defense measures and also the ability to react. I hope they won’t make this mistake. They received warnings from the entire international community, starting with the American president; they received the same messages from Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and also from us,” said Katz.
The Israeli ambassador advised that “democracies do not go to war lightly,” pointing out that “Israel was forced to go to war when the terrorist organization Hamas decided to launch a full-scale attack against it.”
He reiterated Israel’s goals to dismantle Hamas, release all hostages from the October 7th attack on Israel, and “create a new reality in Gaza that will no longer pose a threat to Israeli citizens.”
“The war is not against the Palestinians; it is against Hamas. Israelis, Palestinians, and all neighboring countries will benefit from this,” the Israeli ambassador stressed.
Asked about the international community’s reactions to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Katz pointed out that Hamas’ ideology is exactly like that of ISIS and observed that he did not see the international community negotiating with ISIS and leaving ISIS in place.
Greek Orthodox St. George’s Church in Christian Cairo. Photo Credits: Mr. Arunansh B. Goswami.
“Behold, the Lord rides on a swift cloud, and will come into Egypt.”
– Isaiah 19:1
On a Biblical tour of the Holy Land, one might visit Jerusalem, Nazareth, and the Sea of Galilee. One might also be interested in visiting the land where the Holy Family, including Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, lived after they fled Bethlehem for the protection of the newborn Jesus. That particular land, Egypt, has been a civilizational state for millennia, and it is where Joseph and Mary escaped with the Baby Jesus from the murderous intent of Herod, according to the Gospel of Matthew.
A board outside Abu Serga Church in Old Cairo, showing and describing the route the Holy Family took in Cairo. Photo Credits: Arunansh B. Goswami.
According to the gospel, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Mary and Joseph did as they were commanded and remained in Egypt until Herod died and the angel instructed them to return.
Where the Holy Family stayed
The cavern under the Abu Serga Church in Cairo, where the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, stayed while in the area. Photo Credits: Mr. Arunansh B. Goswami.
Under the Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church in Old Cairo near the Roman fortress of Babylon is a cavern which indeed is very special. During their time in Old Cairo, the Holy Family rested in this very cavern for three months. Like many other holy sites, a church was built on top of it. The Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church dates back to the late fourth to early fifth century AD.
Within the cavern is the stone on which Jesus slept as a child. It is similar to the one in Nazareth. One can also see the original flooring on which Jesus walked. This is protected by a glass covering. The particular church was built at the site during the Apostolic age. The cavern is indeed a special place for pilgrims and those who have studied Christian theology and history.
Holy icons and relics
Icon of St. George in the Hanging Church in Cairo. Photo Credits: Mr. Arunansh B. Goswami.
Near the aforementioned church in Cairo is also The Hanging Church, one of Egypt’s oldest churches, believed to have been built in 690 AD. This church has over a hundred icons. Among these are the icons of St. Mark the Evangelist (15th c. AD), St. Mercurius (18th c. AD), St. Theodore The Stratelates (18th c. AD), and St. Victor (18th c. AD). The Nativity Icon from the 18th century AD is also among these.
Various other icons and relics housed at The Hanging Church, including the Virgin Mary with Jesus as an infant, the Crowned Virgin Mary with the Child, also known as the Coptic Mona Lisa, and St. Theodora and Her Five Children, are dated to the 17th to 18th centuries. An 18th-century AD icon of St. George, a patron saint not only of England but also of Aragon, Catalonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Portugal, and Russia, can likewise be found there.
Relic of St. George the Martyr in The Hanging Church in Old Cairo. Photo Credits: Mr. Arunansh B. Goswami.
The church contains a wealth of other icons and relics, as well. Furthermore, not far from The Hanging Church is St. Barbara’s. Thirteenth-century documents at the Church of St. Barbara, which houses some of the rarest icons, reveal many of its relics were previously housed at The Hanging Church.
St. George’s Church and Nunnery
St George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Cairo. Photo Credits: Mr. Arunansh B. Goswami.
Nearby, the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George was built by Athanasius during the reign of Ibn Marwan, a leader of Egypt. The particular religious institution was mentioned in the History of the Patriarchs of the Coptic Church and Al-Maqrizi.
One of the largest Coptic religious festivals is held at this Greek Orthodox church annually on April 23rd. These are the words spoken by Jesus to St. George before his martyrdom as per the manuscript of St. George kept in St. George’s Convent in Old Cairo:
“I swear by myself, my beloved George, that as there was no one borne of woman greater than John the Baptist, also no martyr resembles you. You will have no counterpart among them. I made your name spread in my kingdom and gave it grace and made it a port of safety for all mankind. Whoever, in distress, calls on your name, either man or woman, I will quickly answer and give them their heart’s request.”
Greek Orthodox St. George’s church in Cairo. Photo Credits: Mr. Arunansh B. Goswami.
The Church of Saint George in Old Cairo is said to be built over the prison where St. George the Great Martyr is believed to have been imprisoned and tortured for a period of approximately two and a half months. Many related instruments can still be found in the nearby monastery.
In the vicinity of this church in Old Cairo is St. George’s Shrine, and located at the entrance of the ancient church is a well. Popular belief has it that healing miracles take place there through the blessing of its water by both Christians and non-Christians alike. The water tap in the corridor of the shrine allows for the availability of water to the public. According to tradition, it is the well from which the Holy Family drank during their journey to Egypt.
Author’s father Mr. D. B. Goswami holding the chains with which St. George was tied when he was tortured. Photo Credits: Mr. Arunansh B. Goswami.
In 2003, a part of St. George’s relics was placed in the shrine. These were made available for visitors during prayer. Legend has it that if worshippers ask for Jesus’ intercession and for answers from him, these would be granted to those making the request. The shrine houses the very chains with which St. George was bound up when he was tortured and beheaded for his Christian beliefs.
It is not the chains of St. Peter but of Saint George that are believed to possess miraculous powers to cure those possessed by demons and paralytics. In this shrine are also housed icons and relics of Saint Philomena, a virgin, martyr, and wonderworker, who was the daughter of a prince of one of the Greek states.
Christian Cairo
Christian Cairo is indeed very special for Christian pilgrims and travelers with a deep interest in Christian theology and history. Heavy police presence in the area shows that inter-communal relations are still not substantially harmonious.
It is, nonetheless, observable in Egypt that steps for the welfare of the Christian community have been taken and that relations between Christians and Muslims could become more harmonious.
