The paradox of this book is the quiet obvious fact: how can a brief text embrace all elements of the admiration for the greatest miracle that we call Mother Precisely for this reason poetry and images have been deemed the most adequate means in such a difficult task. Most of the poems were written personally for the late mother of the author. Yet, they are dedicated to all mothers in nature. Even from a 'pregnant' cloud and feminine figures in stone, trees, animals and birds, through to historical, dignified mothers of eternal memory, culminating in our pure Lady Theotokos, the Mother of God.' Archbishop Stylianos S Harriankis was born in Crete in 1935. He studied theology in Constantinople, did post graduate studies in Bonn, German (1958-1966) and received his Doctorate in Divinity from the University of Athens becoming associate professor of theology in Thessalonika (1969-75). In 1975 he was elected as Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia. Harrianakis has published 28 collections of poetry in the Greek language. In 1973 he was awarded the prestigious Herder Prize for his contribution to European culture. In 1980 he received the Academy of Athens Prize for Poetry. Many of his poems have appeared in international magazines. in 1994 his first Australian poetry collection was published.
