On 28/12/08 13:11, Agathoklis D. Hatzimanikas wrote:
> 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.
Yeah, the way I understand it (from my Classical Greek schooling and
knowing no Modern Greek beyond kalimera, kalispera, kalinikhta,
evkharisto and parakalo), Agathocles means "glory to the good" or
something like that. A name to be proud of, like Abdeslam
(`abd-es-salaam, Servant of the Peace) in Arabic. As for names not
meaning much, my elder nephew was named "Victory of the Proletariat"
(Nicholas) shortly after my then-Communist brother-in-law wed my sister;
his younger brother was named "The LORD is God" (Joel) by his atheist
parents, who thought it was a Breton name. :-)
Best regards,
Tony.
--
Oregano, n.:
The ancient Italian art of pizza folding.
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