On Sun, Dec 28, at 10:07 Tony Mechelynck wrote: > > On 28/12/08 07:29, Ben Schmidt wrote: > > > > By the way, the spelling of Christ is χριστος; certainly in biblical and > > classical Greek, and by the look of it also in Modern Greek (a quick > > glance at a Modern Greek Bible translation tells me). χρηστος is a > > different word meaning (at least in Koine Greek) generally 'useful' or > > 'beneficial' (in a concrete, or an abstract moral sense). > > > Well, χρηστος is the classical, pre-iotacism spelling of a word which > used to mean "anointed" (as does the Hebrew Mashiakh, transliterated as > Messiah in the Gospels) and is related to the word "chreme" (χρημα) > which means the consecrated oil used for pouring over a new priest's or > king's head.
If that is true (I can't find any references), it's kind of funny, since χρήμα means money. Now. Chrism 'χρίσμα' or 'άγιο μύρο' means holy/consecrated oil, 'xρί(ζ)ω' means anoint. In a similar context 'χρισμένος' means the nominative. On another note, here is a small contradiction. We usually say 'Χριστή διαχείριση' (where 'διαχείριση' means administration) to describe a prudent/wise administration. In that context, while it has a very positive meaning (as expected), it doesn't really mean something unique and exciting, but rather means a conservative and static administration (maybe a period which enforces the order and the law but rather boring). But. We've grown up (at least my generation - born in '67) with an image of a rebel Jesus. A figure that came to earth, to turn around the world, to re-bring the human kind (back) to the path/road to the homeland (paradise), where is believed that is the kingdom of the order and law. At least that is what I have in mind for the meaning of Christianity, (I could be wrong as I don't think I am believer). In a broader sense is the way back to evolution (hence the (re)volution), where evolution is an eternal exploration, probably a world with no borders and limitations but only those that we decide to set to ourselves based to our past experiences and our wisdom. Hence this a movement and not something static. I think the difference in the meanings, based in the history and some facts, is that the established society have tried to use the life of Jesus for its own good, whatever that means, but I think this is not something new, and something that we have to be surprised. > > Many words have also changed meaning between Classical and Modern Greek. > For instance, the ideal of the classical Greek hero was the καλος > καγαθος ανθρωπος, the "beautiful and good man", where καγαθος is a > contraction of και αγαθος; but then I was surprised to learn that in > Modern Greek, καλος means good rather than beatiful, and αγαθος stupid > rather than good! So a modern Greek would feel insulted rather than > complimented if named a "good and stupid man", unless maybe he had > pursued classical studies. > In modern greek, 'αγαθός' doesn't really mean exactly stupid, otherwise my parents wouldn't ever think to give me that name, but rather 'naive' or someone who is so good that hasn't the ability to see the 'cruel world' around him. We use that word to describe lambs or donkeys. :) Anyway names means absolutely nothing. For example and because people use to call me Laki (which sounds like lucky), I used to say in foreign ladies, when I was young and pretty. "I am the unlucky lucky, but I was so lucky that I was unlucky". And guess what? Girls loved that. Happy New Year to all you Vimmers, the best newsgroup around. :) > Best regards, > Tony. Regards, Αγαθοκλής. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message from the "vim_use" maillist. For more information, visit http://www.vim.org/maillist.php -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
