Yesterday as it was Sunday, ah that Sunday, we went to visit some ancient unique churches. As usual in these occasions the talk with the priest started. He, Pater Theodoros, born Bogdan from Romania and currently serving at the Monastery of St. John Lampadistis of Kalopanayiotis village in Cyprus, shared a brief history of this holy place. It is one of the most exciting churches as it shows”the curious custom of apportioning a church between the Latin and Orthodox rites.”Latin Chapel is in the north and Orthodox church south, and both are under the same roof!

After the visit, I went to the nearby village of Prodromos to see the ruins of the, once very famous, Berengaria Hotel named after Berengaria of Navarre, the wife of King Richard the Lion Heart, where some decades ago, Kings and other dignitaries enjoyed unique climate and surroundings.

As I walked towards the hotel, a car stopped by, and the lady, with a genuine smile, asked me where the village of Prodromos is. Surprised, but returning the smile, I told them that it is here. “Is there anything else to see here?” she asked, having the same beautiful, disarming smile to accompany her question.

Well, I said, there is a Prodromos dam nearby. And when asked where it is, I cross my hands’ opposite way showing left and right and said -There!

I did not know the direction, and even if I knew I thought that it would be nice to meet the lady with such genuine, wholehearted smile in person. Actually, there were two of them( one driving and one smiling), not only with an exceptional smile but with wide open, curious, smart eyes. My inspiration doubled.

To cut the story short, we met, had a coffee, and talked about life in general. As I spoke about my philosophy of good news, I mentioned a respectful friend of mine living at the same city where they come from, giving his pseudonym “Velendis”! I explain to them that Velendis comes from the Greek word Leventis (brave man) which my friend as a boy permutate and came to Velentis which from there on was his nickname known only to his close friends. He is a passionate poem reader, poem writer, successful businessman, father, and grandfather, the man with a beautiful heart and deep thoughts!

The day passed and today in the morning, ah that Monday morning, my dear friend “Velendis” called after many months! It looks like that the vibrations work and send thoughts to the people you mention wholeheartedly.

As usual we exchanged greetings and talked about our families and about the situation in the world. We analysed how things are changing, faster then before. Then, I think we came to the reason he called me. He wanted to share and award me with me the following short real story.

Namely, his very close friend had a close friend who decided to become a monk. He left for Mount Athos, where he became a hermit. Hermits are monks living in caves, avoiding contact with other people, dedicating their life to God, and praying.

After sometime, his friend went to Mount Athos to visit him in his cave and find out how is he doing.

He obtained the position of the cave from one of the monasteries and went to see him.

Approaching the cave he spotted outside some vegetables, onions, and water. He saw his friend from the back and just said “Yia Sou” (hello). With the face still turned towards the cave, the monk replied: Welcome you, Cypriot! He understood his voice after a long time without looking at him!

“I am praying for you all this time,” he said.

Emotionally touched, his friend said: “Do you want me to bring you something?” thinking to bring some juices, water and more food.

And then, as it happens in life, the sentence came out of the hermit, profound and straightforward that  represents all life!

“SO, WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT I DO NOT HAVE?“

Now, at this moment, while I am writing these words, some tears visit me. It is a message that I need, we, who are living in “civilization” need to clean our souls from time to time, just not to forget that the real wisdom and meaning of life is stored inside of us. When we realise it, we will acknowledge that there is nothing around! All we need is already stored inside. What we need only is to initiate it!
So dear friends, then when you find yourself inside yourself, you will be able to ask the same question. The question that is setting you free. “What do you have that I do not have?“

July 16, 2025

Darko Richard Lancelot

Philosophyofgoodnews.com

Connect and Respect