October 28: OXI Day

October 28th is a national holiday in Greece called "Oxi" Day ("No" Day) to celebrate when the Greek Prime Minister rejected the ultimatum made by Mussilini on October 28th 1940 to surrender the country to Mussolini.

The Greeeks are, with rightful cause, very proud of their part in WWII and every year on this day, and though our history books probably don't mention them, they played a major part in changing the course of WW2.

Though they were a small country, and all the rest of Europe (minus neutral countries, Russia and Great Britain) had fallen swiftly to the Axies powers, Greece fought for its liberty. And to the surprise of dismay of Hitler they were able to hold off the Italians from October 1940 until April of 1941. Finally, Hitler had to send in reinforcements to help out the Italians. The Greek army was too small to defend its large northern border, and with the German reinforcements fell under the German occupation.

However, the Greco-Italian War did two major things for the world:
1. For the first time the Axies had been successfully resisted. This showed that they could indeed be defeated, and gave much needed courage to the Allies.

2. Hitler was mad. He was planning on attacking Russia in the spring of of 1941, and instead he had to first go take care of the Greeks. Having access to the Aegean Sea was crucial to him. This postponed the German invasion into Russia into the fall and winter months which most definately helped lead to their defeat on this front.

And in conclusion, this is what Churchhill said of the Greeks, ""Greeks don't fight like heroes, heroes fight like Greeks".

So, on this day every year, let us celebrate the bravery of men who risked their lives and who trusted themselved to the protection of Christ and the Theotokos.