8/6/2019 Letter to the Greek People - Missionary Pelagia Yu - -
Yu
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TaTaTaTaiwanese Orthodox Missionarys Letter to theiwanese
Orthodox Missionarys Letter to theiwanese Orthodox Missionarys
Letter to theiwanese Orthodox Missionarys Letter to the
GreekGreekGreekGreek PeoplePeoplePeoplePeople
A letter from the first Taiwanese Orthodox missionary Pelagia Yu
to the GreekA letter from the first Taiwanese Orthodox missionary
Pelagia Yu to the GreekA letter from the first Taiwanese Orthodox
missionary Pelagia Yu to the GreekA letter from the first Taiwanese
Orthodox missionary Pelagia Yu to the Greek
people.people.people.people.
I am Chinese, born in Taiwan and my Christian name is Pelagia. I
was a ProtestantI am Chinese, born in Taiwan and my Christian name
is Pelagia. I was a ProtestantI am Chinese, born in Taiwan and my
Christian name is Pelagia. I was a ProtestantI am Chinese, born in
Taiwan and my Christian name is Pelagia. I was a Protestant
Christian, and it took me fChristian, and it took me fChristian,
and it took me fChristian, and it took me five years to become
Orthodox. I love to read the Holy Bibleive years to become
Orthodox. I love to read the Holy Bibleive years to become
Orthodox. I love to read the Holy Bibleive years to become
Orthodox. I love to read the Holy Bible
and have all of its publications in the Chinese language.and
have all of its publications in the Chinese language.and have all
of its publications in the Chinese language.and have all of its
publications in the Chinese language.I have visited Greece and
discovered that it is a truly unique country. While travellingI
have visited Greece and discovered that it is a truly unique
country. While travellingI have visited Greece and discovered that
it is a truly unique country. While travellingI have visited Greece
and discovered that it is a truly unique country. While
travelling
in your country, even before I arrived, on the plin your
country, even before I arrived, on the plin your country, even
before I arrived, on the plin your country, even before I arrived,
on the plane I saw how different inane I saw how different inane I
saw how different inane I saw how different in
temperament Greek people were, how cheerfully they conversed
with each other,temperament Greek people were, how cheerfully they
conversed with each other,temperament Greek people were, how
cheerfully they conversed with each other,temperament Greek people
were, how cheerfully they conversed with each other,
how they laughed and how they applauded the pilot after the
landing, somethinghow they laughed and how they applauded the pilot
after the landing, somethinghow they laughed and how they applauded
the pilot after the landing, somethinghow they laughed and how they
applauded the pilot after the landing, something
unheard of for us Asians, who are more conservative and do not
easily diunheard of for us Asians, who are more conservative and do
not easily diunheard of for us Asians, who are more conservative
and do not easily diunheard of for us Asians, who are more
conservative and do not easily displaysplaysplaysplay
emotion. I learnt after this experience that the expression of
freedom requiresemotion. I learnt after this experience that the
expression of freedom requiresemotion. I learnt after this
experience that the expression of freedom requiresemotion. I learnt
after this experience that the expression of freedom requires
passion and liveliness.passion and liveliness.passion and
liveliness.passion and liveliness.In Greece, I visited many
churches, I participated in the Divine Liturgy, and when IIn
Greece, I visited many churches, I participated in the Divine
Liturgy, and when IIn Greece, I visited many churches, I
participated in the Divine Liturgy, and when IIn Greece, I visited
many churches, I participated in the Divine Liturgy, and when I
received Holy Communion it reduced me to tears even though
Ireceived Holy Communion it reduced me to tears even though
Ireceived Holy Communion it reduced me to tears even though
Ireceived Holy Communion it reduced me to tears even though I did
not understanddid not understanddid not understanddid not
understand
the Greek language, because the Orthodox faith is the same, no
matter what thethe Greek language, because the Orthodox faith is
the same, no matter what thethe Greek language, because the
Orthodox faith is the same, no matter what thethe Greek language,
because the Orthodox faith is the same, no matter what the
language.language.language.language.I would have liked to be
born Greek, to have been born Orthodox, to have receivedI would
have liked to be born Greek, to have been born Orthodox, to have
receivedI would have liked to be born Greek, to have been born
Orthodox, to have receivedI would have liked to be born Greek, to
have been born Orthodox, to have received
Holy Communion and venerated holy icons from my years of infancy
rHoly Communion and venerated holy icons from my years of infancy
rHoly Communion and venerated holy icons from my years of infancy
rHoly Communion and venerated holy icons from my years of infancy
right up untilight up untilight up untilight up until
my death.my death.my death.my death.I cry for me and my
compatriots, because instead of Holy Communion, we eat andI cry for
me and my compatriots, because instead of Holy Communion, we eat
andI cry for me and my compatriots, because instead of Holy
Communion, we eat andI cry for me and my compatriots, because
instead of Holy Communion, we eat and
drink food sacrificed to idols.drink food sacrificed to
idols.drink food sacrificed to idols.drink food sacrificed to
idols.I would have liked to be born Greek, so my ears may be filled
with holy hymns.I would have liked to be born Greek, so my ears may
be filled with holy hymns.I would have liked to be born Greek, so
my ears may be filled with holy hymns.I would have liked to be born
Greek, so my ears may be filled with holy hymns.I cry for me and my
compatriots, whose earI cry for me and my compatriots, whose earI
cry for me and my compatriots, whose earI cry for me and my
compatriots, whose ears are filled with the noise of sutras ands
are filled with the noise of sutras ands are filled with the noise
of sutras ands are filled with the noise of sutras and
the screeches of those who worship the idols.the screeches of
those who worship the idols.the screeches of those who worship the
idols.the screeches of those who worship the idols.I would have
liked to be born Greek, so that I may smell the sweet aroma of
incense.I would have liked to be born Greek, so that I may smell
the sweet aroma of incense.I would have liked to be born Greek, so
that I may smell the sweet aroma of incense.I would have liked to
be born Greek, so that I may smell the sweet aroma of incense.I cry
for me and my compatriots, who are constantly assaulted by the
pungent smellI cry for me and my compatriots, who are constantly
assaulted by the pungent smellI cry for me and my compatriots, who
are constantly assaulted by the pungent smellI cry for me and my
compatriots, who are constantly assaulted by the pungent smell
of the smoke rising up from the sacrifices offered up to the
idols.of the smoke rising up from the sacrifices offered up to the
idols.of the smoke rising up from the sacrifices offered up to the
idols.of the smoke rising up from the sacrifices offered up to the
idols.I would have liked to be born Greek, so that my hands could
touch the holy icons,I would have liked to be born Greek, so that
my hands could touch the holy icons,I would have liked to be born
Greek, so that my hands could touch the holy icons,I would have
liked to be born Greek, so that my hands could touch the holy
icons,
the holy relics of the Saints and be filled with the love of
Christ.the holy relics of the Saints and be filled with the love of
Christ.the holy relics of the Saints and be filled with the love of
Christ.the holy relics of the Saints and be filled with the love of
Christ.
8/6/2019 Letter to the Greek People - Missionary Pelagia Yu - -
Yu
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I cry that we do not have beautiful icons. I cry because I feel
like Christ is weak andI cry that we do not have beautiful icons. I
cry because I feel like Christ is weak andI cry that we do not have
beautiful icons. I cry because I feel like Christ is weak andI cry
that we do not have beautiful icons. I cry because I feel like
Christ is weak and
naked here.naked here.naked here.naked here.Greeks, you think
you are poor due to the economic crisis you are going
through,Greeks, you think you are poor due to the economic crisis
you are going through,Greeks, you think you are poor due to the
economic crisis you are going through,Greeks, you think you are
poor due to the economic crisis you are going through,
but you do not know how truly rich you are.but you do not know
how truly rich you are.but you do not know how truly rich you
are.but you do not know how truly rich you are. TaiTaiTaiTaiwan is
a country with a huge amount of material development and progress,
andwan is a country with a huge amount of material development and
progress, andwan is a country with a huge amount of material
development and progress, andwan is a country with a huge amount of
material development and progress, and
yet it remains in the darkness of Satan and our spiritual life
is empty.yet it remains in the darkness of Satan and our spiritual
life is empty.yet it remains in the darkness of Satan and our
spiritual life is empty.yet it remains in the darkness of Satan and
our spiritual life is empty. In Greece, I saw a lot of people,
especially on Sundays, drinking and celebrating andIn Greece, I saw
a lot of people, especially on Sundays, drinking and celebrating
andIn Greece, I saw a lot of people, especially on Sundays,
drinking and celebrating andIn Greece, I saw a lot of people,
especially on Sundays, drinking and celebrating and
not going to churchnot going to churchnot going to churchnot
going to church. But here in Taiwan our fellow citizens, mainly
young people,. But here in Taiwan our fellow citizens, mainly young
people,. But here in Taiwan our fellow citizens, mainly young
people,. But here in Taiwan our fellow citizens, mainly young
people,
even if they wanted to, find it impossible to come to church,
because the onlyeven if they wanted to, find it impossible to come
to church, because the onlyeven if they wanted to, find it
impossible to come to church, because the onlyeven if they wanted
to, find it impossible to come to church, because the only
Orthodox church in the entire country is a small room on the 4th
floor of a hugeOrthodox church in the entire country is a small
room on the 4th floor of a hugeOrthodox church in the entire
country is a small room on the 4th floor of a hugeOrthodox church
in the entire country is a small room on the 4th floor of a
huge
apartment building on the outskirapartment building on the
outskirapartment building on the outskirapartment building on the
outskirts of Taipei. Many times, people cannot fit into thets of
Taipei. Many times, people cannot fit into thets of Taipei. Many
times, people cannot fit into thets of Taipei. Many times, people
cannot fit into the
church and remain outside for the duration of the
services.church and remain outside for the duration of the
services.church and remain outside for the duration of the
services.church and remain outside for the duration of the
services.My brothers and sisters in Greece, even though I am
spiritually handicapped, I stillMy brothers and sisters in Greece,
even though I am spiritually handicapped, I stillMy brothers and
sisters in Greece, even though I am spiritually handicapped, I
stillMy brothers and sisters in Greece, even though I am
spiritually handicapped, I still
have my legs active so that I can kneel before you and beghave
my legs active so that I can kneel before you and beghave my legs
active so that I can kneel before you and beghave my legs active so
that I can kneel before you and beg....I pray that you consider me
like the poor man Lazarus, so that you may throw to meI pray that
you consider me like the poor man Lazarus, so that you may throw to
meI pray that you consider me like the poor man Lazarus, so that
you may throw to meI pray that you consider me like the poor man
Lazarus, so that you may throw to me
some crumbs from the spiritual treasures you have, of the gifts
you give to yoursome crumbs from the spiritual treasures you have,
of the gifts you give to yoursome crumbs from the spiritual
treasures you have, of the gifts you give to yoursome crumbs from
the spiritual treasures you have, of the gifts you give to your
churches, of the many little churches you build on all corners
of your homeland.churches, of the many little churches you build on
all corners of your homeland.churches, of the many little churches
you build on all corners of your homeland.churches, of the many
little churches you build on all corners of your homeland. Our
OrthoOur OrthoOur OrthoOur Orthodox flock in Taiwan, as you know,
is smalldox flock in Taiwan, as you know, is smalldox flock in
Taiwan, as you know, is smalldox flock in Taiwan, as you know, is
small less than 100 people. We areless than 100 people. We areless
than 100 people. We areless than 100 people. We are
not wealthy. We do not have the means to buy a decent place in
the city that will benot wealthy. We do not have the means to buy a
decent place in the city that will benot wealthy. We do not have
the means to buy a decent place in the city that will benot
wealthy. We do not have the means to buy a decent place in the city
that will be
able to meet our needs for worship, catechism and teaching. Fr.
Ionas conductsable to meet our needs for worship, catechism and
teaching. Fr. Ionas conductsable to meet our needs for worship,
catechism and teaching. Fr. Ionas conductsable to meet our needs
for worship, catechism and teaching. Fr. Ionas conducts
lessons on a regullessons on a regullessons on a regullessons on
a regular basis, targeted mainly at the young people of our city
and ofar basis, targeted mainly at the young people of our city and
ofar basis, targeted mainly at the young people of our city and
ofar basis, targeted mainly at the young people of our city and
of
course, open to whomever wants to come and meet us in person;
those people thatcourse, open to whomever wants to come and meet us
in person; those people thatcourse, open to whomever wants to come
and meet us in person; those people thatcourse, open to whomever
wants to come and meet us in person; those people that
up until now have only had the opportunity to see the Orthodox
Church in Taiwanup until now have only had the opportunity to see
the Orthodox Church in Taiwanup until now have only had the
opportunity to see the Orthodox Church in Taiwanup until now have
only had the opportunity to see the Orthodox Church in Taiwan
through the Internet.through the Internet.through the
Internet.through the Internet.We do notWe do notWe do notWe do not
ask for help to build an Orthodox church building here. It would
costask for help to build an Orthodox church building here. It
would costask for help to build an Orthodox church building here.
It would costask for help to build an Orthodox church building
here. It would cost
millions. Please help us to buy a bigger place in the city
centre, which we will convertmillions. Please help us to buy a
bigger place in the city centre, which we will convertmillions.
Please help us to buy a bigger place in the city centre, which we
will convertmillions. Please help us to buy a bigger place in the
city centre, which we will convert
into a church, for the sake of our nation, our brothers and
sisters, who have neverinto a church, for the sake of our nation,
our brothers and sisters, who have neverinto a church, for the sake
of our nation, our brothers and sisters, who have neverinto a
church, for the sake of our nation, our brothers and sisters, who
have never
had the oppohad the oppohad the oppohad the opportunity to hear
about and know our Christ. We are a country of 23rtunity to hear
about and know our Christ. We are a country of 23rtunity to hear
about and know our Christ. We are a country of 23rtunity to hear
about and know our Christ. We are a country of 23
million people! And yet we have need of your help.million
people! And yet we have need of your help.million people! And yet
we have need of your help.million people! And yet we have need of
your help.My brothers and sisters in Christ, if the need arises, I
will do whatever is in my powerMy brothers and sisters in Christ,
if the need arises, I will do whatever is in my powerMy brothers
and sisters in Christ, if the need arises, I will do whatever is in
my powerMy brothers and sisters in Christ, if the need arises, I
will do whatever is in my power
to repay a little of your love. I will do whateverto repay a
little of your love. I will do whateverto repay a little of your
love. I will do whateverto repay a little of your love. I will do
whatever is needed with all my heart and foris needed with all my
heart and foris needed with all my heart and foris needed with all
my heart and for
the duration of my life.the duration of my life.the duration of
my life.the duration of my life.I thank you. Forgive me.I thank
you. Forgive me.I thank you. Forgive me.I thank you. Forgive
me.Pelagia Yu.Pelagia Yu.Pelagia Yu.Pelagia Yu.Source: Translated
by P.S.Z. This article was originally published in Greek in the
Periodicl Agios Kosmas o Aitolos (Issue 84 first quarter 2011)
and online at
http://www.iersyn.gr/pelagias_letter.php (Tuesday 22nd February
2011).
