The Island of Lovers

Milos (Greek: Μήλος), is one of the islands in the Cyclades group.  It is known as the” island of lovers” because in 1820 the statue of the Greek Goddess of love Aphrodite “Venous de Milo” was discovered on the island. In the historical times, the Dorians settled the island.  In the summer of 416 BC the Athenians landed an army of 3,000, and took the city that winter. In the aftermath, as was common in antiquity, with cities that resisted sieges, the men were killed, and the women and children were sold to slavery. When Athens was defeated by Sparta at the end of the Peloponnesian War, the survivors returned to their homes.  During the Latin period the island formed part of the Duchy of Naxos.  In 1566, the Venetians handed over the island to the Ottomans who ruled it until 1830 when it joined the independent state of Greece. 

Plaka the main town on the island is located at the top of a hill.

Two young tourists, John and Chloe, visiting the catacombs of Milos.  The catacombs date back to 1-5^th century AD and were used a burial site and a place of worship by early Christians.  Visitors of the main chamber of the elders “Presbyters” can see inscriptions of Christian symbols as the word “ΙΧΘΥΣ” a monogram for Jesus Christ.

The fishing village of Klima with its characteristic houses perched at the sea’s edge.

Traditional fishing boats in the harbor of Milos.

Spring Equinox at Porto Rafti

When is the first day of spring?  Traditionally, in the northern hemisphere, we celebrate the beginning of spring on March 21.

For astronomers and calendar makers spring starts one day earlier on March 20^th when daytime and nighttime are approximately of equal duration.  The word for this day is Equinox, derived from the Latin aequus for equal and nox for night. 

When Julius Caesar established his calendar in 45 BC he set March 25 as the spring equinox.  Because the Julian calendar is slightly longer than actual, the dates drifted and by 1500 AD the spring equinox occurred on March 11.  Pope Gregory XIII created the modern calendar to restore the edicts of Nicaea’s Council regarding the date Easter is celebrated.  As a consequence the date of equinox was moved four days earlier.  Incidentally, the English word Easter comes from the celebration of Vernal (spring) by the Germanic tribes for the season that brings more daylight, increasing temperatures and the rebirth of animals and plants alike. The Spring Equinox is also referred to as Vernal Equinox.

Poets, photographers and romantics have found the reflection of moonlight on the waters irresistible.  Spring is the season humans regain, albeit briefly, the innocence of children and the season we fall in love.

The full moon occurred on March 16^th this year.