Voice of Greece, ERT’s international radio service, marks Assumption Day with a special program dedicated to the Virgin Mary, presented by Stavroula Karali. The guest on “Remarkable Personalities” is Sotiris Despotis, professor at the School of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a distinguished scholar of the New Testament.
In a thoughtful and highly engaging discussion, Professor Despotis approaches the Virgin Mary not only as a sacred figure of the Christian faith, but also as a woman of remarkable strength and courage. He highlights the resolute character of the young Mary, who accepted God’s will at the Annunciation despite the danger to her life, since, according to the social conventions of the time, an unmarried pregnant woman could face death by stoning.
Professor Despotis also explores the human dimension of the Virgin Mary and her role as the mother of Christ through the accounts of the Evangelists. Guided by the New Testament, the program follows the defining moments of her life, from the Nativity to the Crucifixion of her Son. We encounter her not only in moments of sorrow, but also in moments of joy, such as the Wedding at Cana, where her discreet intervention leads to Christ’s first miracle.
The program also examines the role of Joseph and the women who stood beside the Virgin Mary. Special attention is given to her life after the Crucifixion, her Dormition, and the enduring place she holds in the life of the Church and its faithful.
The tribute also explores Assumption Day, one of the major feasts dedicated to the Mother of God in the Orthodox Church. The program discusses the significance of fasting, examines the many titles given to the Virgin Mary, and presents the rich traditions surrounding her celebration throughout Greece and among Greek communities abroad.
Produced and presented by Stavroula Karali
Sound engineer: Nikos Savorginakis