The arrival of our annual GLBTQ+ Pride Month celebrations encourages many within our community to experiment with the contemporary phenomena of selfie photography and/or posing. This engagement not only satisfies the curiosity and desire to explore the current obsession but to also provide them with a resource as to their appearance “in the eyes” of others.
This process offers them not only self-assurance but self-confidence as well. It affords them the opportunity to analyze their image but also judge themselves without making a public spectacle of their efforts. The privacy of their home environment enables them to comfortably express themselves as they have witnessed celebrities posing.
Creating these selfie pictures gives the self-photographer images to share with close friends to gain their thoughts on his posing. This additional insight often increases the number of poses a person may consider sharing with others and/or saving.
For those selfie creators who are unfamiliar with posing and photographing their nakedness, this presents them an ideal opportunity capture themselves in the bare practitioner mode (environment, setting). While gaining confidence with exposing their nakedness, it affords them the chance to share themselves with others through sharing their images.
This enables familiarity with body and clothes freedom. It no longer is a distant and foreign concept or practice but one that comes closer to comfort and reality – a sense of “normal” and routine. Another step in the journey towards bare practitioner! The process of exploration awakens knowledge and understanding.
This experience affords to some all that is necessary to pursue the lifestyle of an active bare practitioner. For the majority, it offers insight – a glimpse – into the community and culture and what it entails and promotes. This introduction does, hopefully, give birth to a respect and a tolerance towards all persons who are or become bare practitioners!
Advice!
My spouse, Aaron, offers the thought below:
“Same gender loving and nakedness are compatible and natural. They compliment one another; like a rose blooming on a bush.” ~ Aaron Michael Peterson-Poladopoulos ~ 28 March, 2022
In a more exemplary manner, I offer the following summation for today’s theme here on ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! for pondering:
“Man designs fashions. Man makes clothes. Man makes mistakes! The measure of a man isn’t based on the clothes that he wears. The true measure of a man is determined by the clothes that he is not wearing! Bare is the perfection of the human body without the mistakes.” ~ Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos ~
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Thursday, June 19, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “USA: Juneteenth Holiday!”
Bare Practitioner:same gender loving and embracing nakedness as both community and culture. An enthusiastic advocate of the right to love and of body and clothes freedom.
Body and clothes freedom!
Naked is defined as without clothing on the body. Without addition, concealment, disguise or embellishment. Nude.
Nude is defined as without clothing or naked. The condition of being unclothed.
Introduction:
Mutual body and clothes freedom!
Bare! Body! Clothes free! Naked! Natural! Naturist! Nude! Nudity! Nudist! All of these terms/words refer to the fact that we are uncovered (without clothing)! We are completely visible without even a single thread concealing any part of our natural body. Identical to the state of our birth. Not a single one of us were born wearing anything! Hallelujah!
Yours truly at a local park in Arlington, Virginia, USA!
My name is Roger Peterson-Poladopoulos. As many of you already know, I am the co-author and the creator of this site: ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! I am a same gender loving (SGL) man – gay – Deaf and of direct Greek heritage (both of my parents were born in the Kingdom of Greece).
Aaron, my spouse!
This is Aaron M. Peterson-Poladopoulos, my spouse. He is also the co-author and photographer of this site. Obviously, he is also SGL and is of African-Canadian descent. Aaron’s family is of the Yoruba ethnic tribe from the city of Ibadan, located in western Nigeria. Both Canada and Nigeria are Commonwealth entities. We have been legally married since 2015, a year after marriage equality was officially adopted here in the USA, our country of residence.
The both of us are confidently and proudly bare practitioners (SGL and naturist/nudist). We wear clothes when necessary but both of us prefer being without any garment whatsoever! As enthusiastic bare practitioner advocates, we are equally responsible for the theme of today’s post entry here.
Honest and simple advice!
We sincerely encourage all of you here today to join with us in nakedness and pride whenever possible!
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Bare Practitioners:
Bare practitioners!
As an integral component grouping of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer+ community and culture, bare practitioners often encounter awkward and discomforting situations not only because of our SGL status, but also due to our textile (clothing) – or our lack thereof. We are neither forcing nor intimidating anyone into our body and clothes freedom world, instead we are celebrating the enablement to just be ourselves: SGL and nakedness!
Progress Pride Flag body painted on himself!
Our man in the above photograph is very confident and proud of his bare practitioner identity. He has our SGL Progress Pride rainbow flag body painted on his nakedness while he’s participating in the London, UK, World Naked Bike Ride (WNBR)! His smile demonstrates his comfort and joy in being honest and open about his body freedom and his sexuality! Both Aaron and I salute his brotherhood, reality and sincerity! Take care and stay bare, our friend!
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Our Confidence Is Evident:
Bare under the bridge!
Our man in this series of pictures here is not only proud of his sexuality, he’s also assured and bold in sharing publicly his bare practitioner affiliation!
Submerged bare practitioner pride!
He combines his SGL nature and his body and clothes freedom preference and skinny dips (swims naked) without a care in the world!
His rainbow pride colours raised high!
He confidently flaunts both his bare body and his sexuality while posing and promoting his message: “I am my own man without guilt and/or shame!”
Bottoms-up! near the underwater bottom!
A philosophy that many of us who are bare practitioners endorse and proclaim wholeheartedly!
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Confidence and Pride!
Compatibility!
Being a bare practitioner isn’t an obligation to publicly reveal one’s personal character and identity. Each person determines their own comfort level in presenting themselves to others. The majority of us, bare practitioners or otherwise, are more amenable to others who we perceive as most like us and similar to ourselves. This is a human instinct that most of us believe, feel, nurture and share among ourselves.
Our bare practitioner affinity and appreciation aren’t based on or defined solely by our willingness to allow others to interpret or judge our nakedness and/or our sexuality. Our being what and who we are is determined completely by our private discretion, personal emotional capacity, and self-acceptance. If we need to confide in another, it is our choice, and we need to engage in the dialogue when we are comfortable. Otherwise, we await on our respective decision to proceed.
For everyone!
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Poetic Justice:
An important message inked on his genital area!
Reign is the stage name of our bare practitioner brother welcoming us here. Just above his pubic hairline, he has “unashamed” tattooed on his skin. His meaning is obviously visible for all. There is no embarrassment, guilt or shame associated with either his nakedness and/or his sexuality!
He prefers nakedness over clothing and has no issue in publicly endorsing both body and clothes freedom and his exclusive same gender loving sexuality. Reign is a very honest and open man who lives his life being himself and “unashamed!”
My Naked Life
by Roger Poladopoulos
I am naked and I am me.
I am the man the man I want to be.
When I am naked, I am nude,
Living life with a positive attitude.
I am naked and I am me.
I am the man I want to be.
When I am nude, I am also proud,
Whether alone or among a crowd.
I am naked and I am me.
I am the man I want to be.
When I am nude, I am living free,
I know that clothes are not for me.
I am naked and I am me.
I am the man I want to be.
When I am nude, I clear my mind,
Gone are the clothes that hide and bind.
I am naked and I am me.
I am the man I want to be.
The End. Composed on 5 July, 2011 at a clothes free beach.
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Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, June 9, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Swinging It All: Bat and Buttocks!”
His Majesty, King Charles III, addresses the Parliament in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada!
With all the dignity befitting his Royal station in life, His Majesty King Charles III of Canada and the Commonwealth Realms opened Parliament in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on this past Tuesday, 27 May. This was his initial Speech from the Throne since his coronation. He was accompanied by Queen Camilla.
This was the first session of the new Parliament following the recent election of Mr. Mark Carney, Liberal Party as prime minister earlier this month. Prime Minister Carney announced His Majesty’s attendance at Buckingham Palace days after winning the election.
The purpose of the Royal Visit was to appropriately address Canada’s concerns and indignation over the temperamental outbursts from the current USA’s clown of state trumpster-dumpster, and his childish stunts such as the trade war and threatened annexation of Canada among other belligerent actions. The Prime Minister felt His Majesty’s presence and Speech from the Throne would help calm Canadians angered and offended by the arrogance and downright rudeness of trumpster-dumpster and his clueless, criminal crew.
A very wise move by Prime Minister Carney! The Sovereign afforded tradition and respect instead of a selfish tantrum. The situation was best served by keeping those thoughtless antics and behaviours south of the border and out of Canada. The proverbial adage, “two wrongs do not make a right,” proved to be all too true!
Involving His Majesty at least temporarily silenced the U.S. clown of state. Awed by the Royal yet entirely ceremonial role, it elevated the official event into international attention. On the world stage, the Crown eclipses the mouthy idiot, no discussion needed. In addition, all of his years as Prince of Wales (as heir) rewarded King Charles III the recognition and respect that clearly outranks and surpasses the infantile and obnoxious stereotypical immaturity of a peon.
God save the king!
Aaron, my spouse, has valid passports for both Canada and Nigeria – Commonwealth Realms. His Majesty, upon his coronation, was proclaimed Head of Commonwealth. Aaron adds: “The king was born being prepared for his duty. Donald grew up with a name synonymous with Duck. And Donald Duck is far more likeable!”
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for tomorrow, Friday, May 30, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! May, 2025!”
Canadian stamp honouring King Charles III and his Ascension to the Throne of Canada in 2023!
Alternate Title: Majesty Versus Arrogance!
Today, 27 May, 2025, His Majesty, Charles III of Canada and Commonwealth Realms, will open and address the Canadian Parliament from the Throne of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He makes history as the second reigning sovereign to address the politicians from the Throne. The first was his mother, the beloved, gracious and late Queen Elizabeth II who delivered her first address on 14 October, 1957, and her second celebrating her Silver Jubilee on 18 October, 1977.
Queen Elizabeth II delivering Throne Speech, 1957!
The newly elected Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Mark Carney, announced the occasion earlier this month upon his audience with the King at Buckingham Palace in London, UK. The Royal Speech will outline the Liberal Party’s priorities as it stares down the USA’s clown of state, trumpster-dumpster’s (a dumpster is a commercial container for trash) trade war and remarks regarding the annexation of Canada to the USA. The idiot is also known as “Vladimir Putin, Jr.” Footnote: Any disrespect, direct and/or implied, towards the USA’s corrupt, deceitful, MAGA-lomaniac tyrant is deliberately intentional. He has yet to earn any respect from either my spouse, Aaron (who is African-Canadian) and/or me.
Aaron and I both apologize for any offence taken by those reading here.
His Majesty, King Charles III (left) and Mr. Mark Carney (right) in Buckingham Palace!
God save the King and bless all Canadians and Commonwealth subjects! In this day and age, our planet needs all the help that is available!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, May30, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Bottoms-Up! May, 2025!” Reminder: note the new date for this monthly posting series.
Simply: the choice is yours. Please read and act responsibly.
A sunny beach stroll!
Introduction:
Hopefully, the title of today’s post entry here on ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! has caught your attention and curiosity as to the content. If not, the equation covered in the Prologue was intended to eliminate all and any doubt. The purpose and theme are to remind us of the importance of sunscreen in our health needs and especially our skincare.
This hopefully serves as a serious reminder to all of us of the need to incorporate protection strategies into our nakedness. We are all born body and clothes free. That fact allows us an option in determining how we pursue our lives. The intent of this X-Factor component is to reinforce our healthy, honest and informed choices.
This photo-essay offering concludes with an accessible link to my most recent posting on this topic. If anyone needs detailed information on the concerns of sunscreen, please use the linkage featured prior to the signature below.
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Sunscreen!
For those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, our season of “natural bare living” is in the process of happening now! As our Springtime unfolds, our opportunities for natural revelation increase daily. The need for clothing diminishes at an accelerated rate and the freedom to express our bare practitioner inclinations expands considerably! The necessity for the aid and protection of sunscreen grows beyond imagination.
For persons living in the Southern Hemisphere, even though the season of intense solar exposure is months away, sunscreen protection is always warranted for any sun exposure, regardless of sunray intensity. A secondary purpose of this post entry is to refresh everyone’s memory: sunscreen is essential for our health and well-being all year long, no matter where we live!
Application!
Each sunscreen is available commercially in a variety of containers, formats and styles. It is a topical product specifically designed to protect skin from the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV rays from the sun can cause premature skin aging, sunburn and skin cancer – including melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. Wearing sunscreen daily is essential in reducing these harmful effects.
The goal of any sunscreen product is to shield the skin from sun exposure and a broad-spectrum formula that helps block UVA and UVB sunrays is basic for all skin types, ethnicities and races.
Reapply as per instructions!
The length of time for the purpose of sunscreen is recommended for each product. Everyone is encouraged to follow the commercial instructions as closely as possible and to individually decide the effectiveness. Variations are based on personal needs and the products overall rating. Not every product is identical. It is highly encouraged to all persons that when purchasing a new type of sunscreen product to apply a little to a small area of the body to test the product and individual reaction to it.
When applying the sunscreen, numerous bare practitioners – Aaron and myself included – recommend a “dual application” process. This involves rubbing the product into the skin and awaiting time for the product to be absorbed and then repeating the process. This reduces the chance of any area of skin being accidentally uncovered and unprotected.
Sunscreen application!
If at all possible, having an acquaintance, family member or a friend helping to spread the protection is advised. Their assistance helps to cover areas difficult to reach if applying alone and also guarantees thorough coverage of the entire body with protection. This cooperation also encourages us to share experiences and problems with others that we otherwise would not be able to exchange.
The growing market of sunscreen products offer many different varieties. This interaction gives us an opportunity to gain experience, knowledge and a sampling of products that we might not have accessibility to or reason to try.
Sunscreen is for everyone!
Despite extensive outreach efforts, there is still a significant number of persons who are of the erroneous mindset that Black people (persons of African descent) do not need to use sunscreen. This misconception is based on the false belief that their melanin-infused skin completely eliminates the need for sunscreen for protection. Yes, darker skin does protect from some UV sunrays, but all persons, regardless of their skin tones, need the protection of sunscreen.
Darker skin tones indeed have a greater genetic protection than fairer skin tones, however, humans have no natural blockage of all ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. Everyone has a natural deficiency.
For a more detailed information offering on sunscreen, please visit the post entry linked below:
There’s no better way to have fun than to cast off the burdensome clothing and engage in refreshing and rejuvenating nakedness!
Lose your inhibitions and play!
The conducive weather, the sun, the water, the companionship! What else is necessary for amusement, fun, humour and laughter? Our nakedness offers us a chance to have it all together for variety and pleasure! Add a good book, food and/or fun and games to make recreation complete!
Oh, that’s right! I forgot one of the essential elements of fun, joy and pleasure. Our being completely and totally bare! Freedom from all and any clothing whatsoever!
Whatever is fun is game!
Unlimited access to leisure (without the baggage of covering and/or garments) is one of the many benefits of being a bare practitioner! It is not limited to just the seasons of Spring and Summer, but those two seasons do afford us the best time and the most time to enjoy and experience life as we prefer it!
Clothes free in nature!
One of the most popular and most frequently engaged bare activities/events is swimming naked/nude. Actually, swimsuits only came into popular fashion during the mid-Victorian era, not even 200years ago. Up until that period, humanity and water were almost always clothes free. If anything, modesty concerns were addressed primarily through gender segregation.
“Skinny-dipping” is a colloquial word in use for swimming naked. The “skinny” is in reference to the skin – no swimsuit, just skin – and the “dipping” refers to a jump or immersion into a body of water. The term is widely used throughout the southern USA.
Discarding their underwear (briefs)!
Of course, we all understand that while aquatics may be fun, they are not a primary choice of leisure living for everyone, no matter their clothing preference. As bare practitioners, we are experienced in that aspect of our community and culture. As the adage informs us: variety is what entices life!
There are unlimited undertakings that are enjoyed while naked/nude. The scope isn’t restricted based on our status as clothes free. Practically every activity that is available while wearing clothes is also available without wearing them.
Games and competitions!
Activities such as games and competitions are played for enjoyment and fun. There are numerous commercial games that are both suitable for involvement either inside and/or outside the home. Above, the game of “twister” is very popular with both bare practitioner and with the textile (clothes wearing) communities. When engaged outside, the players get plenty of attention from not only the competitors but the general public as well.
Football/soccer!
Athletics and sports, whether individually played or as a team, are very engaging as either a participant or as a spectator. In some of the larger metropolitan areas, there are even leagues for amateur teams to compete. Teams that welcome persons and their nakedness exist and are popular among enthusiasts – although some do have very restrictive spectator policies.
Basketball!
There are sports that encourage a very competitive spirit among players and then there are those that are geared towards individual involvement and allow the players to schedule their own times of play according to their schedules.
Tennis!
Games, sports, skinny-dipping: activities that consume energy! Where will we garner all this required energy? From our bare practitioner chefs, of course! There are some of us who are quite skilled with creating delicious and nutritious feasts while entirely naked, my spouse, Aaron, being one of them! To be honest, his meals taste best when he cooks them wearing less!
Grilling the meal!
No matter if the meal preparation is outside in nature or inside in the kitchen, Aaron and our talented cooks waste no time in offering to all the “fruits of their labours!” Their gifts are truly appreciated and enjoyed by all who partake!
Passive bare endeavours!
Not every bare activity requires effort and energy. There are some pastimes that allow the individual to relax and not expend efforts. Reading, writing, art (drawing, painting) and related undertakings are enjoyed by many no matter the season of the year. Board games and card games also are appreciated by nude persons.
Life is indeed short! Enjoy the time available and play naked whenever possible!
Vintage sunscreen promotional image.
The above graphic was popular during the 1950s decade promoting a particular brand of sunscreen. It conveys the message of a young child playing with her pet dog. Her canine accomplice, pulling off this friends swimsuit, is endorsing playing naked!
Contemporary rendition of vintage classic!
Above are to men who are replicating the original commercial although they are by no means playing naked!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, May 16, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Bare Rhythm!”
Mayhem: A state of disorder or riotous confusion. Havoc or uncertainty.
That is absolutely a description of the theme of this month – unfortunately, today is only the fifth day of a thirty-one-day May! What will happen next? This month is usually one that is relatively predictable and set. It is the ending of the Spring semester at university and allows me the commencement of my “all-too-brief” Summer holiday!
Notation: The above situation was presented by a colleague of mine to her class. With her permission, I “borrowed” the theme and developed the post entry here today.
What is happening?
Is 2025 destined to be a totally unfortunate and completely unlucky year? The reason I question this is that the final days of our academic year are nothing except chaos and confusion—beyond any sane expectation! The official ending of this semester doesn’t occur until 15 May, so the madness isn’t even over yet!
Normally, the ending of the scholastic year brings no “last minute” changes in our routine. As faculty, our final month is fairly routine: grades due and plans due. This year, the last month contained one surprise after another and all with the due date of 15 May – no exceptions.
This year, there was an outstanding exception to every expectation of normal and routine. And not just in my school, but throughout the entire university. It was as if the administration was giving awards to which school, department or division could render the most disruption possible!
The school where I’m a professor implemented a review of curricula and evaluations during the month of September 2024. Fine. Not a problem. The goal, as explained to all of us, was to revise, update, and modify the offerings within a three-year period. There were no complaints from any of us as the process was most definitely long overdue. That was the last the subject was addressed with us.
Then, the end of March, 2025, it was announced that the entire revision of our school was due by the end of the academic year! The middle of May of our current year! What happened to our timely and coordinated efforts? Why the rush?
Totally clueless!
Needless to add, pure pandemonium followed. That, in turn, was then followed by anger, more anger, frustration, then anger (again) to be followed by fury! Those were the reactions on the “good” days!
Flexing and fists!
That issue was slowly resolved by the end of the month of April. No one is actually certain as to how all hell came into being, simply that the original resolution deadline of September 2027, implementation was returned. The threat of fist fighting on the faculty level was diminished!
We’re continuing to wait for a more detailed explanation as to what precisely caused the serious mismanagement of the change process. Someone blatantly miscalculated their professional position and the professional reaction to their error.
Celebrating a return to normalcy!
In the meantime, the “rank and file” of the university – us, the educators – have resumed our anticipation of a summer of freedom and fun, maybe not in that order!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, May 9, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Canada and USA: Mother’s Day, 2025!”
This is observed annually on the very first Saturday of the month of May. It was first celebrated in 2005 on 10 September and the following year on 9 September, 2006. After the second event, it was decided to change the date to the month of May. The first Saturday of the month was determined to be the best time for gardening.
Since the beginning, it has always been identified as World Naked Gardening Day – a simple and self-explanatory title. Now, it has evolved to International World Naked Gardening Day. Redundant? Yes! Necessary? No!
Aaron, my spouse, and I have hosted a WNGD “planting” for indoor houseplants in our condominium since we began living together. We didn’t hold them during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in 2023. Initially, we invited acquaintances and friends, and our small condo unit would be quite congested. Since the coronavirus concerns, we now only ask a few other bare practitioner couples to join us. Aaron serves as chef, and I take responsibility for cleaning afterwards.
Indoor gardening!
World Naked Gardening Day maintains a website and the link is:
Visit the site for additional information on World Naked Gardening Day. When I was composing this post entry, the site the last update as being 2017. The webpage does contain links to other naked gardening applications.
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The Evolution of a Bare Gardener!
Based on the poem: “Seasonal Interchange” by Michael Aitkin, World Naked Gardening Day webpage.
In Winter, when the trees are bare,
We mortals don our winter wear.
In Spring, when trees begin to dress,
We mortals then start wearing less,
Until, for some, with Summer’s heat
The role reversal is complete.
Happy World Naked Gardening Day!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, May 5, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Mayhem!”
The Feasts of Great and Holy Easter in the Orthodox Churches and Western Easter in the Protestant Churches are observed simultaneously on Sunday, 20 April, 2025.
Kala Pascha!
Happy Easter!
The joint celebration of the Easter Holy Day is not a regular event as the churches all follow different calendars. Easter is a moveable feast day – always celebrated on Sunday however, it changes dates annually. There is no designated date for the observance of the Easter feast.
Aaron, my spouse, is Roman Catholic. I am Greek Orthodox. Our Easter celebrations are usually on different dates. Unfortunately, this year, we have only one single Easter observance. A reduction by half of all our Easter treats!
The Epitaphios: the tomb of Jesus in the Greek Orthodox Church!
Throughout Greece, in the larger cities and ports, the Army, Navy and Air Corps provide the bearers of the Epitaphios to churches. The state church is legally allowed to demand this duty from local military personnel. The only time such a request may be denied is during time of war. I imagine the military attendance is representative of the Roman guards lining the route of Jesus as he carried himself and his cross to the scene of the Crucifixion.
The Easter Ikons!
The ikon is a representation (mural, mosaic or a painting on wood) depicting sacred events or a sacred individual (Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary or a saint). It is used as an object of veneration and prayer or as a visible tool of instruction. In western churches, statues are used. Ikons are found predominately in Orthodox Churches. For the Orthodox people, ikons remind us of our duties and obligations.
The ikon of the Crucifixion of Jesus!
At the noon hour on Great Friday (Good Friday in the Western Church) – which happens to be today, – the ikon of the Crucifixion is placed inside the Epitaphios (Tomb) and carried around the church a total of three (3) times. The Ikon rests inside the Epitaphios until the hour of midnight on Great Saturday. It is then replaced with the Ikon of the Resurrection of Jesus and then encircles the Church three times for the jubilation and veneration of the peoples. Easter is the Feast of the Resurrection!
The Ikon of the Resurrection!
For the Eastern Orthodox faithful (Greek, Russian, Bulgarian, Roumanian, Armenian, Syrian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Palestinian, Serbian, etc.), Easter is the paramount feast of the liturgical (church) year. My paternal papou (grandfather) always noted that in Greece, even the communists were in church on Easter Sunday!
Flowers and “Happy Easter” (Greek)!
Easter Eggs!
In Greece and throughout much of the Eastern Orthodox Church world, egg dying is very popular and involved. In our culture, all eggs are dyed red – the colour that represents both rebirth and renewal. Red is also symbolic for the blood of Christ which was shed during the Crucifixion. The elaborate decorations of eggs used in Russia and the Ukraine are not popular with the remainder of the Orthodox communities.
There are many contests and games utilized with the red eggs and related to the Easter holy day. The four weeks prior to the arrival of Easter is known as the Great Lent, a period of fasting and prayer, during which the consumption of eggs is restricted. It is customary to eat all of the festive eggs prior to the arrival of Easter Monday.
There are numerous ways of dying eggs for Easter. The majority of dying is done within the individual homes and households. Commercially, for large groups, dyed eggs can be purchased in advance. There are dyes available for families to shop. My mother recalls using a very traditional method of dying. They would peel the skins off of red onions and boil the skins mixed with some olive oil and vinegar. We dyed eggs this way growing up, the colour was not as bright as the manufactured dyes but a hard-boiled egg tastes the same, regardless of how it is dyed!
Commercially dyed Easter eggs!
Bare Practitioners!
For those of us who are committed and devoted bare practitioners, our observance of the Easter holiday includes the colourful decorating of our bodies in addition to eggs. Using various varieties of body paint, we are not restricted to simply using the red option.
Body painted adornment!
In celebrating the holiday, many decide to have their buttocks painted to resemble the eggs decorated for the occasion. This process also involves the cooperation of friends and talented (artistic) acquaintances in creating festive images. The most popular anatomical “canvas” (object painted) of course are the buttocks! For many, they do resemble an egg!
Detailed expression!
Some of the hand painted eggs are very awesome and intricate in the creativity and design employed. We can only wonder what is awarded to the first place winners and their artists! Imagine the crowds in line if the buttocks were displayed live in a museum!
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Tsoureki!
“Tsoureki” – Easter bread!
The Easter Bread – a sweetened and renowned baked treat that is a significant tradition of Greek Easter – is baked in the home according to family recipes, passed from generation-to-generation. I have my paternal yiayia (grandmother) recipe. My culinary skills are practically nonexistent so in our home, Aaron prepares our bread, and it is praised by all who eat it. My copy of the recipe was made in my own handwriting when I spent Easter with yiayia and step-by-step we made a total of nine loaves.
Yiayia’s recipe was her very own version of the one given to her by her mother. These recipes are guarded as family treasures and as a rule not shared with others. Frequently, each family has a slight variation in the traditional recipe due to the individual cooks.
The preparation of the bread takes between 18-24 hours and yiayia never used an alarm to remind her of the time. The preparation, after adding all the ingredients, involves allowing the dough to sit for eight hours to rise before punching down, then repeating the same process again before the final rise of six hours, another punch down time and then baking. She loved making this treat and everyone loved devouring her finished product! Aaron enjoys mixing and baking the tsoureki just as much as yiayia did!
Although Aaron never met her, his following her recipe brings back many special memories!
Happy Easter to all!
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Monday, April 21, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “April Environment!”
A selfie with a complete view of his being bare! The response to the Posing Bare series here on ReNude Pride has been both rewarding and surprising for both Aaron, my spouse, and me! Originally planned as simply a two-post segment for January, 2025, it grew and developed beyond our imaginations! The results energized us both to expand the series; Aaron now is addicted to finding new photographs/prints to add to his collections.
Today’s offering is focused on the “selfie” – self-photography that increases in popularity with personal phone usage – and some issues resulting from selfie posing. Selfies present their own challenges but they do involve “fun” while posing! The fun continues after posing when sharing the images with acquaintances and friends.
A facial selfie!
Today’s offering is focused on the “angle-pose” (our term to describe the pose which includes the face plus enough of the body to show nakedness). Aaron’s selection of the selfie is based on the ever-increasing number of selfie photographers, especially within the bare practitioner community, even though cameras remain “officially” discouraged if not outright banned from the majority of clothing optional facilities and properties.
The prevalence of the cell phone with its camera in our current society is causing many of those stalwart camera opponents within the naturist/nudist world to threaten the growing number of cell phone proponents. This situation isn’t resolving itself amicably. Soon, one of the two groups will demand the wearing of clothes as a just punishment! Seriously, I am being facetious here but who knows?
The differences of opinion between the two groups have not reached the conflict level at this time. However, hostilities can erupt without any warning!
A tongue becomes involved
The facial features obviously enhance and enrich the distinction this type of appearance contributes to both the audience that views the photo as well as the subject/photographer. It adds “personality” to the image that otherwise would possibly be routine. It adds quality of life and allows the viewer to question the thought processes of the selfie creator!
We chose the recommended pose for today because not everyone, even the most enthusiastic and seasoned bare practitioner is entirely comfortable with their male anatomy being publicly featured. The uncertainty of where the pictures will be shared enters into the concern and it is a valid consideration. This particular pose that is featured is popular but one of the most difficult to capture as a selfie.
It is a complexity to achieve the angle and depth to exemplify the nakedness of the subject and the completion of the pose itself. The discretion of the subject increases the appeal of this particular pose while simultaneously delivering the message of being bare without being blatant!
The selfie-style photo within arms reach provides the user with immediate image taking choices, while at the same time it does offer some restrictions. It limits the options available and it also reduces the depth and expansion of the pose. The inclusion of the face along with the image removes the possibility of bare body freedom.
The wearing of glasses in general, sunglasses in particular, presents the possibility of reflections being visible to viewers. Being aware of this may be reasons for abandoning any visual enhancement while creating selfie images.
Lounging!
The use of a tripod or a unipod with a camera device mounted resolves some of the limitation challenges encountered with selfies. The tripod offers options that expand both depth and nakedness being featured in the images. The only caution is the self-timing ability and returning to the intended pose. An often unmentioned advantage is the fact that all unwanted pictures can be deleted!
Tripod advantage: depth and body visibility!
The use of a unipod and/or tripod helps to expand the range of selfie photography and offers options for capture. It also enables the appearance of acquaintances, family and friends in the images. This expands the subjects and allows an increase in the posing possibilities. These improve the messages and the situations the photos convey to viewers.
A note of warning: any support that you provide for your camera also increases the “background” likely to show in any pictures. Keep in mind what may be visible to your viewers!
Posing options!
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The Dilemma!
Disappointment!
My spouse, Aaron, and I were both equally excited about the upgrades that we announced this past Friday here for ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! We were eagerly awaiting the reactions, both bad and good, to the home page! However, since last Friday, it has been disappointment and frustration all the way.
The deletions of some of the secondary pages here was denied. Some of the photo “widgets” were unable to be deleted and a new “header” image was denied.
I have tried for several hours during Saturday to amend and/or to substitute the intended alterations. Nothing seems to work towards our satisfaction.
Therefore, it appears that for at least now, the revised Home page here is what is already visible.
Naked hugs!
Roger Poladopoulos/ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers!
Author’s Note: The next post entry here is planned for Friday, April 18, 2025, and the proposed topic is: “Great and Holy Easter, 2025!”
ReNude Pride: Guys Without Boxers! 