About Romiosyni
EDITORIAL NOTE OF THE E.RO. MAGAZINE ISSUE 3
Perhaps the most frequent question of those who learn about our Association is “why does it have this name?” So why “United Romiosyni”? And why now “United Romiosyni”? Almost all those who have this question also have a blurred image of what “Romiosyni” means. Unfortunately, “Romanism,” for which our ancestors have given their blood and their lives, for which our poets have written, for which our people have sung, our pride, the distinctive element of our identity, is now a “contradictory sign” or simply, an unknown word.
“My child asks me what Romanism is and I don’t know what to answer him,” a father commented a while ago on a website. As has been aptly commented, “Modern Greeks who know something about Socrates but know nothing about St. John Chrysostom are like children who know something about their grandfather but know nothing about their father.”
This note is not intended to analyze the reasons that led to this state of “orphanage.” However, one understands that ultimately the very name of “United Romanism” is in itself a proposal for introspection and spiritual rebirth. And only the awakening of the inner questioning “what is Romiosyni” constitutes an occasion for one to search, to read, to reflect and ultimately to realize. A small help in this effort, we hope, will be the publishing and not only activities of our Association which over time, God willing, are increasing and embraced by more and more people.
One cannot, of course, claim that these efforts alone are enough. He also wants a personal struggle, a change of attitude, Love for God and for his fellow man, he wants Hope, he wants "a strong meltemi, born in Tinos, which will come with the prayer of the Virgin Mary and cleanse the place of all the remnants of the teachings of Turkey and old Europe" (Elytis).