no baptism

No orthodox baptism after all. Watashi-wa’s godparents were not able to travel to Crete from Athens, owing to the limitations on movement still in place in Greece, at least for Greek passport holders.

In addition, my van was broken into, in plain sight, at midday, opposite some apartment buildings beside the beach. Two bags were stolen from it. They contained nothing of any value to a thief, but things of significant value to me: passport, travel permits, residency permit, books, notebooks, the bilingual translation of the Holy Week services that was lent to me by the nuns of the Convent of the Golden Font, my Athonite prayer beads, some special pencils, a well sharpened Austrian hunting knife with stag horn grip, picnicking equipment, my favourite meditation cushion from a Japanese shop in Munich and the accompanying mat…

What thoughts come to mind?

Firstly, that I had gained a false sense of security about crime in Crete. I spent 6 weeks here during the first lockdown, in the van, sometimes leaving it unattended for a period of days with all my stuff inside, and it was never broken into. But admittedly that was in the countryside, and also, a lot of people are really suffering economically right now because of the pandemic.

Secondly, that even when I had all the things I now no longer have, I still often felt stressed or ill at ease. So really, they didn’t secure happiness or peace. Replacing them will be difficult and boring, and the thought of it fills me with a sinking feeling. But that’s just it: the thought of it. Who knows, the actuality might be quite fun, if I approach it with that attitude.

Thirdly, a good reminder that obstacles do not block the path; they are the path.

Finally – and this may come to the same thing – this may all be part of some grand design. I may not know what that design is, but that does not justify me in concluding that there is no such design. Only agnosticism is epistemically defensible, in this instance. But in fact, given other recent experiences, I feel that the balance of probability inclines towards some kind of purposive bigger picture.