Blog 1
Throughout history, symbols of acceptance and respect have mended nations at war, bridged differences between opposing cultures, reunited families that were once divided, and fixed severed relationships. Finding common ground and coming together strengthens us as people and provides protection to what we hold dear. However, some cultures’ ways of showing respect don’t always translate the same way into others. Through comparing and contrasting the Grecian moral of xenia with the Judeo-Christian moral of service, we gain greater understanding of not only other kinds of people, but also ourselves, on an even deeper level. Xenia is known to be the ancient Greek practice of serving a stranger, or person who has traveled far from home. This type of service can include serving food, giving space in one’s home to sleep, gift giving, and more. In the text several examples of xenia, such as the interaction between Telemachus and Athena in The Odyssey when he said to her, “G...
