I ordered ‘The Great Lie’ through the author΄s website. I had heard much about the book and was aware of the cowardly attacks made against him. I wanted to see for myself what all the fuss was about. ‘Modern’ Greece is a theocratic state that monitors the movements of 'heathens' like Kalopoulos. For example, comments made on the net questioning the authority of the Orthodox Church, a multi-billion dollar industry, are monitored closely and personal details ‘passed on΄, with the blessings of senior clergy of the Synod's Committee for Heresies. Unable to respond to the author΄s arguments in a rational, objective manner, those that his books have 'rattled' have sponsored a coordinated yet childish attack involving spam, and libelous comments posted on web pages and chat rooms. Before readers chuckle, they should remember that the author lives in a state whose 'Intelligence Agency' (modeled on the CIA) includes a division for the monitoring of heresies; a sort of Christian mutawaeen*. The exposure of a simple scam involving self-combusting candles has caused much anxiety for the Church. This 'modern-day miracle' occurs annually in Jerusalem and is welcomed by the neo-Byzantine State with the military honours usually reserved for visiting heads of state. Michael Kalopoulos can perform this miracle on cue, and although the establishment is happy for him to bend spoons, alla Uri Geller, the reproduction of this more divine party-trick causes great offence. Kalopoulos’ Holy Light miracle was even censored by a parliamentarian on a Greek talk show. The poor man must have feared for the consequences on his political career, having been seen on TV with such a well-known skeptic. This is the mediaeval environment in which the author has undertaken his research.

In his book ‘The Great Lie΄, Kalopoulos exposes the ancient Patriarchs as liars and murderers. He makes statements that make one΄s head spin, before expanding on his findings and providing compelling evidence for his conclusions. His style as an author evolves as he embarks on a journey that shows us how the world has been swindled for centuries by the performances of savage con artists. In retrospect, it becomes obvious that the original miracle-workers were much more sophisticated and malignant than most of their modern-day counterparts, hustlers like Geller, the dude with the magic candles and Miranda (a telephone clairvoyant who can predict your future for $4.35 per minute). Serious people already suspected this, but thought it below them to seriously study the superstitious nonsense that continues to put food on priestly plates. The Bible has only recently become available to the general public and the riots that followed the Modern Greek translation of the NT weren't that long ago. The Orthodox Church has never really wanted its money-spinner to be available to the parishioners, let alone studied in such detail. They would much rather the 'feeders' heard it in churches, whilst nodding in unison and adding a few coins to the collection tray.

I only have some minor criticisms. Parenthetical addresses to the reader and assumptions about what they “…must be wondering by now”, come across clumsily in English. The book takes a while to warm up, but by the end its pages become riveting. I found myself reading a page here and there for some days, before the book became more and more difficult to put down. The English edition of ‘The Great Lie’ may benefit from some minor ‘structural’ changes to the text.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the neo-Byzantine theocrats must be pining for the island concentration camp (Makronesos) where the "godless communists" used to be tortured. Today's inmates would certainly include "… heretics, atheists, pagans and crypto-pagans (sic)". After all, Democracy is the Civitas Diaboli** and times are tough.

Angelos Giannakoureas

Australia

* (Editor΄s note): Mutawa'een n : religious police in Saudi Arabia whose duty is to ensure strict adherence to established codes of conduct; offenders may be detained indefinitely; foreigners are not excluded

**  (Editor΄s note): From the work of St. Aurelius Augustine (AD 354-430) Among his 93 works the best known are the Confessions (Confessiones), comprising reflections on his life and conversion, and The City of God (De civitate Dei). In the 22 books of the City of God, history is presented as a conflict between two opposing cities: the city of God (civitas Dei)-consisting of Christians-, and the city of Satan (civitas diaboli)-consisting of pagan unbelievers.

Thank you very much, for your constructive criticisms, which will be taken into account during future editions of the “Great Lie” and future translations of the rest of my works in English.

My latest book, “Theatre of Salvation” is currently in the final stages of publication, and I promise it will provide an even more riveting experience for our religious institutions because it΄s tackling sensitive subjects such as the deeds of later Prophets Elija, Daniel, King Saul, David, the tale of Esther and her role in Xerxes' invasion of Greece, the retaliation and death of Alexander the Great, King Solomon and demon possession as well as the “untouchable” Christ from a totally original perspective. It will be available (in Greek) by late February.

Thank you for your efforts and for your interest in my work.

Best wishes

Michael Kalopoulos