The Ancient Greek Inscription on the Bust of James Dean

 

A few years ago I visited Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, not only to capture the spectacular views, but as a film buff, to also see where dozens of scenes from Hollywood movies were filmed, including one of my all time favorites, Rebel Without a Cause, in which Griffith Observatory played a pivotal role. I had known there was a bust of James Dean set up in his honor there, so I made it a priority to visit the bust and try to get a photo with it. It was then that I noticed something that surprised me, and confused me a bit, that prompted me to do a little research in an attempt to figure out why I was looking at an ancient Greek inscription on his right shoulder. Since today is the 65th anniversary of the premature and tragic death of James Dean on September 30, 1955, I thought I would post the story behind this ancient Greek inscription.

 

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Television Series on the Life of Saint Paisios the Athonite Begins Filming

 

Press Release of the Municipality of Konitsa

 

Last week shooting began for the TV series about the life of Saint Paisios, who lived most of his life in Konitsa and was a monastic in the Holy Monastery of Panagia Stomiou.

This is a large production of the company GREEN OLIVE FILMS. The shootings are taking place in various locations of our Municipality, utilizing and promoting the incomparable natural beauty of the place, with leading Greek actors and with the participation of several of our fellow residents.

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Mickey Rourke Prays at the Church of Saint Nektarios in Kamariza

Upon the completion of filming for his role in the upcoming film "Man of God", which is about the life of Saint Nektarios, in which he plays the role of a paralyzed man healed by Saint Nektarios, Mickey Rourke together with the film's director Yelena Popovic paid a special visit to a popular shrine dedicated to Saint Nektarios.

While still in Greece the actor wanted to visit the Church of Saint Nektarios in Kamariza of Attica, where the late Elder Nektarios Vitalis (+ 2018), who was miraculously visited and healed by Saint Nektarios, had been the parish priest.

During his visit the actor was visibly moved and prayed as he entered the church with tears in his eyes. He stood alone by himself for a some time, holding in his hand a prayer rope.

Mickey Rourke Interviewed by CNN Greece About His Role in the Film "Man of God"

Mickey Rourke Interviewed on his Role in the Film "Man of God"

Hollywood actor Mickey Rourke recently sat down for an interview with the Orthodoxia News Agency to discuss his role in the film, Man of God, on the life of the great 20th-century wonderworker St. Nektarios of Aegina, which is currently begin filmed in Greece, and miracles he has experienced in his own life. Filming for the film Man of God is scheduled to wrap up on September 21, with a hopeful release in early December 2020. 

 

French Actor Gerard Depardieu Sort of Converts to Orthodox Christianity

Famous French actor Gerard Depardieu, who has had multiple religious conversions in his life, has now been baptized an Orthodox Christian.

The 71-year-old star was baptized in a ceremony last Friday, 4 September, at the Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Paris. There were 30 people present at the ceremony. Media reports also state that he became godparent of a girl baptized on the same day as himself.

“Under the solemn chants of the choir and the prayers of the officiants, Gerard Depardieu had his body and head sprayed abundantly with water, failing however to be fully submerged, as is the custom,” Valeurs Actuelles reported. From photos taken during the ceremony, it looks like the actor had to sit for most of the service.

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Legendary Lebanese Singer Fairuz Seen as a Symbol of Unity in the Aftermath of the Beirut Disaster

On September 1st French President Emmanuel Macron met the legendary Lebanese singer Fairuz on his second visit to Lebanon after the devastating explosion at the Beirut port last month.

Fairuz, born Nouhad Haddad, is one of the most celebrated singers in the Middle East, and a devout Greek Orthodox Christian.

Many see the 85-year-old artist as a symbol of unity, amidst the disastrous aftermath of the 4 August port blast which claimed the lives of at least 190 people and left over 300,000 displaced.

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