Stogiannos Vassilios, Analecta, P. Pournaras Press: Thessaloniki, 1988. pp. 243.

This volume is a collection of eleven studies and lectures to the students. According to the prologue of the publishers in all these studies the reader can recognize “the serious scholar, who under his biblical presuppositions lightens current theological issues”.

            In the first study “the origins of Christianity according to the Marxists^. a critical approach”, the writer presents the ideas of Engle, Kalthoff, Kautsky, Kryvelev, Lenin, Kordatos etc, who tried to understand and analyze the origins of  Christianity.

            The second study is a speech which was given during the week of prayer and friendship. The speech is dealing with the meaning of the term ‘perfection’ in Greek philosophy and in biblical tradition.

            The third study is dedicated to the life and offer of venerable Theona, Bishop of Thessalonica in 16th century.

            The next study is a lecture about the role of the Christian educator in modern society. According to the author, the Christian educator should behave towards every pupil as he or she is an “icon of Christ”, offering through the necessary psychological and pedagogical approach, the right Christian education and faith.

            The fifth study is a lecture about homiletics and the problem of preaching in memory of the saints. The next study is a praise to St. Athanasios.

            The seventh study is also about homiletics and the preaching of miracles. According to Stogiannos the preacher can speak and preach about a miracle only if he examines the miracle hermeneutically, dogmatically and with an apologetic spirit.

            The next study is about the problem of homiliary that is the collection of sermons arranged according to the ecclesiastical calendar and their contribution to the propagation of the Gospel in Church of Greece.

            The ninth study is dealing with the theme of idols. At the begging, Sogiannos is analyzing the term “idol”, taking into consideration Bacon’s understanding, and then he presents different kinds of idols in human history, either physical or spiritual - even in Christianity.

            The tenth study presents the history of religious education in modern times. The author is dealing with the theme not only historically but critically as well, emphasizing on the role of orthodox tradition in the formation of modern Greek identity.

            The last study is about the meaning of freedom in Nikolaos Kabasilas’ writings. At the beginning Stogiannos is referring to the life, ethos and personality of Kabasilas and later analyses his fundamental ideas, as they are expounded in his work “To life in Christ”. In the heart of this work is, according to the author, the reborn of the person through Holy Spirit.