Facing East Podcast #25 is now in the feed and online:
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Thursday, July 31, 2008
New Skete Monastery annual pilgrimage -- August 9, 2008
CAMBRIDGE, NY [New Skete Monastery] -- The Monastic Communities and Chapel Community of parishioners of New Skete Monastery, Cambridge, NY, invite all to join them for a day of prayer and reflection celebrating their feast day on Saturday, August 9, 2008 (rain or
shine). The theme of the pilgrimage is "Healing: New Life in Christ."
As is the rule of monastic life, the day will begin and end with prayer with Matins at 8:30 am, followed by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am, and Vespers and Vigil at 5:30 pm.
A special healing service will be held at approximately 4:15 pm.
Two main presentations will be held in the afternoon -- "Perspective on Healing" with Dr. Demetra Velisarios Jaquet and Fr. Steven Voytovich and "Holy Unction: Human Illness, Healing, and Wellness" given by Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Calivas.
In addition, the day will include tours of the monastery Churches, a demonstration of the monks' dog program, as well as time for hiking, conversation, reflection and quiet. Activities for children and teens are also planned. Traditional ethnic and American style food will be available for purchase.
The Monks, Nuns, and Companions of New Skete are a Stavropegial monastery of the Orthodox Church in America.
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shine). The theme of the pilgrimage is "Healing: New Life in Christ."
As is the rule of monastic life, the day will begin and end with prayer with Matins at 8:30 am, followed by the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at 9:30 am, and Vespers and Vigil at 5:30 pm.
A special healing service will be held at approximately 4:15 pm.
Two main presentations will be held in the afternoon -- "Perspective on Healing" with Dr. Demetra Velisarios Jaquet and Fr. Steven Voytovich and "Holy Unction: Human Illness, Healing, and Wellness" given by Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Calivas.
In addition, the day will include tours of the monastery Churches, a demonstration of the monks' dog program, as well as time for hiking, conversation, reflection and quiet. Activities for children and teens are also planned. Traditional ethnic and American style food will be available for purchase.
The Monks, Nuns, and Companions of New Skete are a Stavropegial monastery of the Orthodox Church in America.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Orthodox Catholic Priest Asked to Leave Massachusetts' Courtroom
Told - "Judge does not like Priests"
EAST BROOKFIELD, MA - July 28, 2008: This past Monday, The Rev. Father Kenneth M. DeVoie of Emmanuel Orthodox Catholic Church in Warren, MA was asked to leave the East Brookfield District Court because he was a Priest. Father DeVoie was requested to be present in court by a family in his Parish for moral and spiritual support as their son was facing criminal charges - later dropped. According to Fr. DeVoie, and prior to the Judge being seated, the Assistant Clerk of the Court, Charles King, asked one of the Court Officers to inquire as to why a Priest, Fr. DeVoie, was in the Courtroom. Being called to the rail, Fr. DeVoie indicated that he was present, at the open hearing, at the request of his parishioners for moral and spiritual support. He was further asked who the parishioner/defendant was. Upon finding out why Fr. DeVoie was in the Courtroom, the Asst. Clerk, Mr. King, notified the parishioner/defendant's Attorney, David Cataldo of Worcester, that Judge Charles A. Abdella "did not like Priests." Fr. DeVoie was asked to step outside the Courtroom by Atty. Cataldo who confronted Fr. DeVoie as to why he was wearing his collar (clerical black suit) in the Courtroom, was told that Judge Abdella did not like Priests and that his presence in court jeopardized the defense of this case. Atty. Cataldo, yelling angrily and making a visible scene in the Court Building foyer, told Fr. DeVoie he had no business being in Court and to "do his thing at Church but not here in court."
"It was really amazing", recounts Fr. DeVoie. "I have been to court with parishioners on numerous occasions throughout the years, nothing like this has ever happened before," he said. Fr. DeVoie said; "I was asked by others filing into the Courtroom, for their cases, if I would say a prayer for them - which I privately and gladly did." "I really felt badly for those I was there to support. It was absolutely criminal to be asked to leave a public courtroom that was in open session because the judge did not 'like Priests.' I thought justice was suppose to be blind?"
Father DeVoie has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) with honors from the University of Massachusetts, has worked with juvenile offenders in State custody, is a 9 and 1/2 year Veteran of the United States Coast Guard - a Federal Law Enforcement Agency (4yrs. Enlisted & 5 1/2 yrs. as a Commissioned Officer), has been married for 21 years and has two children. He pastor's Emmanuel Orthodox Catholic Church in Warren, MA and is Supervising Priest to St. Stephen's Orthodox Church in Springfield, MA.
Complaints are in the process of being filed with Commission on Judicial Conduct, the Committee on Professional Responsibility for Clerks of Courts, and with the Office of the Bar Council.
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EAST BROOKFIELD, MA - July 28, 2008: This past Monday, The Rev. Father Kenneth M. DeVoie of Emmanuel Orthodox Catholic Church in Warren, MA was asked to leave the East Brookfield District Court because he was a Priest. Father DeVoie was requested to be present in court by a family in his Parish for moral and spiritual support as their son was facing criminal charges - later dropped. According to Fr. DeVoie, and prior to the Judge being seated, the Assistant Clerk of the Court, Charles King, asked one of the Court Officers to inquire as to why a Priest, Fr. DeVoie, was in the Courtroom. Being called to the rail, Fr. DeVoie indicated that he was present, at the open hearing, at the request of his parishioners for moral and spiritual support. He was further asked who the parishioner/defendant was. Upon finding out why Fr. DeVoie was in the Courtroom, the Asst. Clerk, Mr. King, notified the parishioner/defendant's Attorney, David Cataldo of Worcester, that Judge Charles A. Abdella "did not like Priests." Fr. DeVoie was asked to step outside the Courtroom by Atty. Cataldo who confronted Fr. DeVoie as to why he was wearing his collar (clerical black suit) in the Courtroom, was told that Judge Abdella did not like Priests and that his presence in court jeopardized the defense of this case. Atty. Cataldo, yelling angrily and making a visible scene in the Court Building foyer, told Fr. DeVoie he had no business being in Court and to "do his thing at Church but not here in court."
"It was really amazing", recounts Fr. DeVoie. "I have been to court with parishioners on numerous occasions throughout the years, nothing like this has ever happened before," he said. Fr. DeVoie said; "I was asked by others filing into the Courtroom, for their cases, if I would say a prayer for them - which I privately and gladly did." "I really felt badly for those I was there to support. It was absolutely criminal to be asked to leave a public courtroom that was in open session because the judge did not 'like Priests.' I thought justice was suppose to be blind?"
Father DeVoie has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) with honors from the University of Massachusetts, has worked with juvenile offenders in State custody, is a 9 and 1/2 year Veteran of the United States Coast Guard - a Federal Law Enforcement Agency (4yrs. Enlisted & 5 1/2 yrs. as a Commissioned Officer), has been married for 21 years and has two children. He pastor's Emmanuel Orthodox Catholic Church in Warren, MA and is Supervising Priest to St. Stephen's Orthodox Church in Springfield, MA.
Complaints are in the process of being filed with Commission on Judicial Conduct, the Committee on Professional Responsibility for Clerks of Courts, and with the Office of the Bar Council.
What Is Your Vote Based On?
By Brian McLaren
All of us who choose to vote must base our vote on something.
For some people, it's party. They're Democrats or Republicans and from election to election, they support whomever the party serves up. For others, it's a litmus-test issue -- abortion, homosexuality, war, whatever. For others, it's fear or hope or some other "gut-level" appeal -- whoever scares or inspires them the most gets their vote. And for still others, it's a "group thing" -- they belong to a group (a race, a religion, an interest group, trade union, a social class, or whatever) that issues a statement on which candidate is most attractive to their group, and that's who wins their vote.
For many of us, none of these factors are satisfying.
My faith and commitment as a follower of Jesus won't let me decide based solely on party, litmus test, emotional appeal, or group affiliation. Rather than voting along party lines, I evaluate each candidate on his or her merits. I don't have a single litmus-test issue -- I see a wide range of issues that are all in play with varying degrees of weight. (More on this in a future post.) While I realize that both hope and fear have a role in all my decisions ... I don't want to be swayed by emotion alone. And because my faith commits me to a concern for "the common good," I can't simply let the interests of the groups I am part of determine my vote, but I must have a special concern for the poor and vulnerable, and must even take the needs of my enemies into account.
That, by the way, means I can't simply vote on what's best for Christians, or Protestants, or evangelicals, or whatever. My Christian commitment obligates me to ask what's best for Muslims, Jews, atheists, Buddhists, and others. And my understanding of environmental stewardship obligates me to ask what's best for birds of the air, flowers of the field, and fish of the sea too. Since they don't have a vote, I need to try to speak on their behalf. And as a citizen of God's kingdom, which transcends all national boundaries, I can't simply vote based on what's best for U.S. citizens: My vote has to have in mind the good of Mexicans, Canadians, Iraqis, Iranians, Chinese, and Burundians as well.
In this way, my faith doesn't make my voting easier ... it calls me away from a broad and easy highway to the voting booth to a rough and challenging path. Harder, yes, but for me, better by far.
Brian McLaren is an author and speaker and serves as Sojourners' board chair. You can learn about his books, music, and other resources at brianmclaren.net.
Originally Posted Here
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For some people, it's party. They're Democrats or Republicans and from election to election, they support whomever the party serves up. For others, it's a litmus-test issue -- abortion, homosexuality, war, whatever. For others, it's fear or hope or some other "gut-level" appeal -- whoever scares or inspires them the most gets their vote. And for still others, it's a "group thing" -- they belong to a group (a race, a religion, an interest group, trade union, a social class, or whatever) that issues a statement on which candidate is most attractive to their group, and that's who wins their vote.
For many of us, none of these factors are satisfying.
My faith and commitment as a follower of Jesus won't let me decide based solely on party, litmus test, emotional appeal, or group affiliation. Rather than voting along party lines, I evaluate each candidate on his or her merits. I don't have a single litmus-test issue -- I see a wide range of issues that are all in play with varying degrees of weight. (More on this in a future post.) While I realize that both hope and fear have a role in all my decisions ... I don't want to be swayed by emotion alone. And because my faith commits me to a concern for "the common good," I can't simply let the interests of the groups I am part of determine my vote, but I must have a special concern for the poor and vulnerable, and must even take the needs of my enemies into account.
That, by the way, means I can't simply vote on what's best for Christians, or Protestants, or evangelicals, or whatever. My Christian commitment obligates me to ask what's best for Muslims, Jews, atheists, Buddhists, and others. And my understanding of environmental stewardship obligates me to ask what's best for birds of the air, flowers of the field, and fish of the sea too. Since they don't have a vote, I need to try to speak on their behalf. And as a citizen of God's kingdom, which transcends all national boundaries, I can't simply vote based on what's best for U.S. citizens: My vote has to have in mind the good of Mexicans, Canadians, Iraqis, Iranians, Chinese, and Burundians as well.
In this way, my faith doesn't make my voting easier ... it calls me away from a broad and easy highway to the voting booth to a rough and challenging path. Harder, yes, but for me, better by far.
Brian McLaren is an author and speaker and serves as Sojourners' board chair. You can learn about his books, music, and other resources at brianmclaren.net.
Originally Posted Here
Sunday, July 27, 2008
All Saints of Scotland
I am so happy that I found this information. This is a very important work and I am glad it is now available.
Christ is shown at the top center of this icon stretching forth His arms with a blessing. In the center of the icon, standing to the left and right of the altar, are Ss. Joseph of Arimathea and Andrew the Apostle. Immediately to St. Joseph's left are St. Paulinus, St. Palladius, St. Ternan, and St. Ninian holding a scroll that reads: "The sound has gone forth into all the earth." In the tier above them are Ss. Moluac, Machar, Kentigern Mongo, and the fifty-two monk martyrs of Eloc with St. Donnan. Immediately to St. Andrew's right are Ss. Fintan, Aidan of Lindesfarne, Colman, and Cuthbert wearing the bishop's garments. In the tier above them are Ss. Cedd, Chad, Eata, Wilfrid, Ceolwulf, Eadfrith, Felgila, Ethilwald, Eadberht, and the Saints of Lindesfarne Monastery. At the front and center of the icon are the three kings and passionbearers of Deira: Ss. Edwin, Oswin, and Oswald. Immediately to their left is St. Bede of Jarrow portrayed as a scribe or historian. To St. Bede's left is St. Columba. Behind St. Columba are Ss. Adamnan, Cummenea Ilbe, Ernan, Baithene, Sagine, Odran, Brescal, Eithne, and Patrick. Above St. Patrick is St. Kenneth. Immediately to the right of the passionbearers is the monastic St. Maelruba and Ss. Colm, Fergus, Drostan, Findlugan, Medan, and St. Donald with his nine daughters. To the right and above St. Colm is St. Cormac. The women to the right of St. Cormac are Ss. Hilda of Whitby, Ebba, Heiu, Baga of Bee, and Ethelreda. The inscription on the bottom reads: "All Saints of Scotland, Pray to God for us."
This icon is by the hand of Paul Drozdowski of New Jersey.
This Icon can be ordered here
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Christ is shown at the top center of this icon stretching forth His arms with a blessing. In the center of the icon, standing to the left and right of the altar, are Ss. Joseph of Arimathea and Andrew the Apostle. Immediately to St. Joseph's left are St. Paulinus, St. Palladius, St. Ternan, and St. Ninian holding a scroll that reads: "The sound has gone forth into all the earth." In the tier above them are Ss. Moluac, Machar, Kentigern Mongo, and the fifty-two monk martyrs of Eloc with St. Donnan. Immediately to St. Andrew's right are Ss. Fintan, Aidan of Lindesfarne, Colman, and Cuthbert wearing the bishop's garments. In the tier above them are Ss. Cedd, Chad, Eata, Wilfrid, Ceolwulf, Eadfrith, Felgila, Ethilwald, Eadberht, and the Saints of Lindesfarne Monastery. At the front and center of the icon are the three kings and passionbearers of Deira: Ss. Edwin, Oswin, and Oswald. Immediately to their left is St. Bede of Jarrow portrayed as a scribe or historian. To St. Bede's left is St. Columba. Behind St. Columba are Ss. Adamnan, Cummenea Ilbe, Ernan, Baithene, Sagine, Odran, Brescal, Eithne, and Patrick. Above St. Patrick is St. Kenneth. Immediately to the right of the passionbearers is the monastic St. Maelruba and Ss. Colm, Fergus, Drostan, Findlugan, Medan, and St. Donald with his nine daughters. To the right and above St. Colm is St. Cormac. The women to the right of St. Cormac are Ss. Hilda of Whitby, Ebba, Heiu, Baga of Bee, and Ethelreda. The inscription on the bottom reads: "All Saints of Scotland, Pray to God for us."This icon is by the hand of Paul Drozdowski of New Jersey.
This Icon can be ordered here
Foot in Mouth
I have blogged in the past about the Lambeth Conference presently underway in Canterbury England. It seems that last Sunday during the homily at the Liturgy, the preacher, a bishop from India, used a Buddhist type chant to end the homily.
At first I did not give this much thought and then it got loose in the blogosphere and the people who are rather less conservative then myself got hold of the thing and went wild. Well I guess that was before the bothered to get a translation of what was said. Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh said the inclusion of the chant was "very, very troubling" since it was an "invocation of something other than the God we know." So if we turn to another bishops blog we get a translation of what was actually said:
At first I did not give this much thought and then it got loose in the blogosphere and the people who are rather less conservative then myself got hold of the thing and went wild. Well I guess that was before the bothered to get a translation of what was said. Bishop Robert Duncan of Pittsburgh said the inclusion of the chant was "very, very troubling" since it was an "invocation of something other than the God we know." So if we turn to another bishops blog we get a translation of what was actually said:
I take refuge in God the Father
I take refuge in God the Son
I take refuge in God the Holy Spirit
I take refuge in the One Triune God.
I am not sure what god Bishop Duncan believes in but I, with my limited understanding of Trinitarian Theology, find nothing wrong with this!
This is another case of people not listening. We hear something that sounds a little bit off and we have to jump on whatever we think it is without having all of the facts. Now I have done this myself and have felt very foolish after the fact.
I am not very surprised however that Bishop Duncan has made no statement regrading this since!
I take refuge in God the Son
I take refuge in God the Holy Spirit
I take refuge in the One Triune God.
I am not sure what god Bishop Duncan believes in but I, with my limited understanding of Trinitarian Theology, find nothing wrong with this!
This is another case of people not listening. We hear something that sounds a little bit off and we have to jump on whatever we think it is without having all of the facts. Now I have done this myself and have felt very foolish after the fact.
I am not very surprised however that Bishop Duncan has made no statement regrading this since!
h/t to Huw and Bishop Alan Sphere: Related Content
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Shepherd of Souls #22
Monday, July 21, 2008
Sabbath
Yesterday during our festival we had four priests in attendance. At one point we were all gathered around and we started talking about how much we missed out PLN (Post Liturgical Nap). It seems all clergy use most or part of their Sunday afternoon for their PLN. Yesterday I obviously missed mined but by 8:30pm I was fast asleep.
So it brings up the subject of Sabbath and how we live that out. This morning while reading the blogs I came across a posting by the Prior of Holy Cross Monastery in New York on this very subject. Here is a link to the Priors Column.
He has given me some things to think about on this post festival day. Sphere: Related Content
So it brings up the subject of Sabbath and how we live that out. This morning while reading the blogs I came across a posting by the Prior of Holy Cross Monastery in New York on this very subject. Here is a link to the Priors Column.
He has given me some things to think about on this post festival day. Sphere: Related Content
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Berkshire Town Sends Giant Cheese Ball to Washington
On this day in 1801, the Berkshire County town of Cheshire made a 1235-pound ball of cheese and shipped it to Washington, D.C. as a gift for the newly-elected President, Thomas Jefferson, who was a popular figure in western Massachusetts. When news of the "mammoth cheese" reached the eastern part of the state, it caused consternation. Jefferson had won the presidency by defeating John Adams, Massachusetts' native son. Westerners were more in sympathy with Jefferson's vision of a nation of independent yeoman farmers than they were with the strong central government advocated by Adams and his supporters in the Federalist Party. Cheshire's cheese was a sign of the tensions over ideology, economics, and politics that long divided the state's eastern and western regions.
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Festival Day
Well the day has arrived and there is nothing more to do to make this a success. All the food is ready and the place looks good now all we need is people. We never know how many will come and the weather needs to cooperate as well. The weather says 50% chance of rain today, let's hope that we are on the good side of the 50% at least until after 6pm.
So I hope to take some snaps and will report tomorrow if I survive!
Pray for us!
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Pray for us!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Lambeth Conference
Well I do not usually comment on things going on in other churches but I thought I would comment on the Lambeth Conference in the Anglican Communion. This is the once every 10 years gathering at Canterbury Cathedral in England. Almost all of the bishops in the communion have been invited and I understand there are about 650 of them with another 200 or so that did not go for various reasons.
One of the interesting if not disturbing points is that some bishops have come from Africa against the wishes of their, I guess the term is, provincial. They have come to join their brothers and sisters but may face retribution when they return. So bad is it that they have changed the way to procession on Sunday will be done. Usually the bishops process by province, but this year they will not so it is harder to identify who is there. How nice! They will know we are Christians by our love.
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One of the interesting if not disturbing points is that some bishops have come from Africa against the wishes of their, I guess the term is, provincial. They have come to join their brothers and sisters but may face retribution when they return. So bad is it that they have changed the way to procession on Sunday will be done. Usually the bishops process by province, but this year they will not so it is harder to identify who is there. How nice! They will know we are Christians by our love.
Lack of Blogging
One of my regular readers remarked yesterday that she missed my blog posts. It's not that I have nothing to say it's just that things have been very crazy around here this week. Work continued on the windows and finished yesterday, thanks be to God. An work on the festival was in full swing yesterday. The big day is on the morrow so if you are in the area stop on by. If you do, and I don't already know you, say hey and let me know you read the blog. I will be the one running around like a chicken with my head cut off.
I hope to take some snaps tomorrow and post them this week. I am also going to try and sneak away for a few days this week and go camping but the weather does not look good so I might just hide out here and get caught up on all that I have been neglecting for the last week.
Here is a picture of what goes on to get ready for the festival.
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I hope to take some snaps tomorrow and post them this week. I am also going to try and sneak away for a few days this week and go camping but the weather does not look good so I might just hide out here and get caught up on all that I have been neglecting for the last week.
Here is a picture of what goes on to get ready for the festival.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Weekend Round Up
Well Sunday was another glorious day here in New England. Had the usual round of liturgical events and it was nice to have our cantor back from the Congress in Chicago. Nice group at church and then a nice coffee hour after. Years ago the folks used to all live in the same neighborhood so they saw each other everyday or so. That is not the case now a days so the coffee hour is the social time in the parish.
After church I rolled on over to St George Greek Orthodox Church here in the Village for their church picnic. This is the once a year blow out that all three Orthodox Churches here in town have. Ours in next week so this week will be full of activity around here. Small crowd but the food was good and the company was pleasant. Rest of the day was spent on just that, rest!
So today I have a sign to put up for the picnic and some other details to see to. Raining here right now but it is supposed to clear up.
I will attempt to post my homily from yesterday and also try and get a podcast done as well. Oh ya, doing laundry as well...
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After church I rolled on over to St George Greek Orthodox Church here in the Village for their church picnic. This is the once a year blow out that all three Orthodox Churches here in town have. Ours in next week so this week will be full of activity around here. Small crowd but the food was good and the company was pleasant. Rest of the day was spent on just that, rest!
So today I have a sign to put up for the picnic and some other details to see to. Raining here right now but it is supposed to clear up.
I will attempt to post my homily from yesterday and also try and get a podcast done as well. Oh ya, doing laundry as well...
Titles
While reading the blogs this morning I once again am amazed by the way we pigeon hole people. I am an avowed church geek and love anything that has to do with large gatherings of bishops or people like the Catholic World Youth Day in Sydney and the Lambeth Conference in England. I also love anything British so this is a bonus.
Anyway, why is it that we have to refer to people by a title? I don't mean titles like bishop, pope, priest, etc. But rather, liberal, conservative, gay, etc. For example, yesterday Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire spoke at a church in England. All of the headlines were something like Gay Bishops Speaks in Church. However some 100's of bishops spoke yesterday but I did not see anything like Heterosexual Bishops Speaks in Church! Why is that? Does the word Gay sell papers? The other thing I was thinking about today is why is it that if you do not agree with the person you have the right to make fun of them? I have notices that people who would lay down their life to defend their image of the church quickly throw it all out the window when someone who is canonically elected or appointed disagrees with them. If one of their own says something, no matter how stupid it is, they will refer to them as His High Mucky Muck Holiness kiss his hand and listen to every word that he has to say no matter how stupid it is bishop, but if someone like the Present Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the US, who happens to be a woman, says anything they refer to her simply as Kate or Katie? So you love the church and her traditions but only as you see them.
The same goes for titles like liberal and conservative. Someone asked me yesterday is Jesus was to be here right now would he be a liberal or a conservative. Well, I said, I think he would just be Jesus and his words would speak for themselves. Why do we have to refer to people this way. If they don't agree with you then they are the opposite of you. I guess George Washington and John Adams were right when they said political parties would divide the nation. We are red and blue, liberal and conservative, gay and straight, etc. Let's just try being, Oh I don't know, friends, love one another, maybe Christian!
Sphere: Related Content
Anyway, why is it that we have to refer to people by a title? I don't mean titles like bishop, pope, priest, etc. But rather, liberal, conservative, gay, etc. For example, yesterday Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire spoke at a church in England. All of the headlines were something like Gay Bishops Speaks in Church. However some 100's of bishops spoke yesterday but I did not see anything like Heterosexual Bishops Speaks in Church! Why is that? Does the word Gay sell papers? The other thing I was thinking about today is why is it that if you do not agree with the person you have the right to make fun of them? I have notices that people who would lay down their life to defend their image of the church quickly throw it all out the window when someone who is canonically elected or appointed disagrees with them. If one of their own says something, no matter how stupid it is, they will refer to them as His High Mucky Muck Holiness kiss his hand and listen to every word that he has to say no matter how stupid it is bishop, but if someone like the Present Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the US, who happens to be a woman, says anything they refer to her simply as Kate or Katie? So you love the church and her traditions but only as you see them.
The same goes for titles like liberal and conservative. Someone asked me yesterday is Jesus was to be here right now would he be a liberal or a conservative. Well, I said, I think he would just be Jesus and his words would speak for themselves. Why do we have to refer to people this way. If they don't agree with you then they are the opposite of you. I guess George Washington and John Adams were right when they said political parties would divide the nation. We are red and blue, liberal and conservative, gay and straight, etc. Let's just try being, Oh I don't know, friends, love one another, maybe Christian!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Google Reader
I am not what one thinks of when they think of a techno geek. I blog, I podcast, I email, I use the web, but that is about it. So I discovered google reader last week and I have struck gold! If you read blogs on a regular basis as I do then you need to use this thing. I had been using the blog reader on Internet Explorer but if you go to a different computer then your blogs are not there. Google allows you to travel and keep up with the reading it is a great thing. So go to google.com and sign up it is free.
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Friday, July 11, 2008
11 July ~ St. Drostan
A Scottish abbot who flourished about A.D. 600. All that is known of him is found in the "Breviarium Aberdonense" and in the "Book of Deir", a ninth-century manuscript now in the University Library of Cambridge, but these two accounts do not agree in every particular. He appears to have belonged to the royal family of the Scoti, his father's name being Cosgrach. Showing signs of a religious vocation he was entrusted at an early age to the care of St. Columba, who trained him and gave him the monastic habit. He accompanied that saint when he visited Aberdour (Aberdeen) in Buchan. The Pietish ruler of that country gave them the site of Deir, fourteen miles farther inland, where they established a monastery, and when St. Columba returned to Iona he left St. Drostan there as abbot of the new foundation. On the death of the Abbot of Dalquhongale (Holywood) some few years later, St. Drostan was chosen to succeed him. Afterwards, feeling called to a life of greater seclusion, he resigned his abbacy, went farther north, and became a hermit at Glenesk. Here his sanctity attracted the poor and needy, and many miracles are ascribed to him, including the restoration of sight to a priest named Symon. After his death his relics were transferred to Arberdour and honourably preserved there. The "Breviary of Aberdeen" celebrates his feast on 15 December. The monastery of Deir, which had fallen into decay, was rebuilt for Cistercian monks in 1213 and so continued until the Reformation.
Wikipedi Entry on St. Drostan
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Wikipedi Entry on St. Drostan
Feast of St. Benedict
Today on the Roman calendar is the feast of St. Benedict. As some of you may know I spent several years in a Benedictine monastery as a professed member, hence the name of this blog by the way. The Orthodox Church celebrates this feast on March 14th. I wish all of my Benedictine friends a happy feast day.This Saint, whose name means "blessed," was born in 480 in Nursia, a small town about seventy miles northeast of Rome. He struggled in asceticism from his youth in deserted regions, where his example drew many who desired to emulate him. Hence, he ascended Mount Cassino in Campania and built a monastery there. The Rule that he gave his monks, which was inspired by the writings of Saint John Cassian, Saint Basil the Great, and other Fathers, became a pattern for monasticism in the West; because of this, he is often called the first teacher of monks in the West. He reposed in 547.
Apolytikion in the Plagal of the Fourth Tone
The image of God, was faithfully preserved in you, O Father. For you took up the Cross and followed Christ. By Your actions you taught us to look beyond the flesh for it passes, rather to be concerned about the soul which is immortal. Wherefore, O Holy Benedict, your soul rejoices with the angels.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
O sun that shinest with the Mystic Dayspring's radiance, who didst enlighten the monastics of the western lands, thou art worthily the namesake of benediction; do thou purge us of the filth of passions thoroughly by the sweat of thine illustrious accomplishments, for we cry to thee: Rejoice, O thrice-blessed Benedict.
John Adams
I just finished watching the HBO mini series John Adams based on the book by the same name. I have to say it was masterfully done and I am glad I was able to watch it. I grew up in Quincy, Massachusetts a stones throw from the Adam's houses and never spent much time there. I guess that is always the way we never see what is right in front of us. Anyway I was amazed by how the founding father's felt about what they were creating and how apprehensive Adams was to break away from England. It was not until the law was violated that he felt it was his duty to protest. And protest they did. I was also amazed by the way Washington and Adams felt about political parties they were against them. In fact Washington was quoted as saying political parties would divide the country. Well... I also like the fact that those nominated for high office did not campaign they felt that was beneath them.
Anyway a very good series and I would recommend it highly for your viewing pleasure.
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Anyway a very good series and I would recommend it highly for your viewing pleasure.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Book Review: In the Eye of the Storm
In the Eye of the StormGene Robinson
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Seabury Books (April 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1596270888
ISBN-13: 978-1596270886
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Seabury Books (April 1, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1596270888
ISBN-13: 978-1596270886
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
I will admit from the very beginning of this review that I was a reluctant reader of the book In the Eye of the Storm by Gene Robinson. I guess I was swayed by all of the press about him and his lifestyle and I assumed that it was going to be another book by a gay man telling the rest of us that we need to accept gay people in the world. I was wrong and I am glad I was wrong. This by far was the best book I have read in a long time.
Bishop Robinson talks about what it is like to be a gay man in our society today and also in the church but he speaks from his heart about what he believes we should be as a people but also what we should be as a church. “We are called by the One who made us merciful, loving, and compassionate – not judgmental.” With these words bishop Robinson begins a discussion of what we are called to be as Christians. “Loving our neighbor begins – and perhaps is only possible – when we love ourselves.” I wrote these words down when I read them and each of us should have these words written on our hearts.Bishop Robinson reminds us again and again, that we need to go where God is calling us not just where we want to go, and to minister to His people and not just the people we want to minister too. “We must go where the Gospel tell us with the poor, the dispossessed and the marginalized.” This is what Jesus did and Bishop Robinson reminds each of us that this is the great commission. “We are about changing the world – we are about loving those who Jesus loved those on the margins.” These are words for each of us in this world that has gone mad.
I was surprised that the theology of Bishop Robinson is not what I expected. Time and time again the book Bishop Robinson calls us to look at what we believe and how we practice our faith and constantly asks us what would Jesus do? He calls us back to the early church teaching of working with those on the edge and not judging people for how they dress, act, or think just love them. He reminds us that before we can love others we need to love ourselves.
Throughout this book he weaves his own experiences with those of Scripture to perhaps shine a light down the dark path that we all need to follow. He speaks of visiting the women’s prison after his election and the vestments that they made for him and now he cherishes those vestments above all the others that he has. He speaks of visits to parishes and the struggles of the people not from a gay straight point of view but from a very human dare I say pastoral place. Bishop Gene, if I may be so bold to call him that, teaches us what it truly means to be a pastor to God’s children.
Towards to end of the book he writes about the Anglican Communion and about the coming Lambeth Conference that he has not been invited too. About his feelings of not having a seat at the table even though his is a canonically elected and consecrated bishop. I get the sense from his words that he is less concerned about himself then his is about his people. By him not being at the table with his brother and sister bishops the people of his Diocese are not represented. Bishop Gene truly loves his flock, all of them, not just the ones that agree with him.
Gene Robinson is bishop of the tiny, rural Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, but he's at the center of a storm of controversy raging in the Episcopal Church and throughout the worldwide Anglican Communion involving homosexuality, the priesthood, and the future of the Communion. This book offers an honest, thoughtful portrait of Robinson, the faith that has informed his life, and the controversy that continues to rock his Church.
Sphere: Related Content
Bishop Robinson talks about what it is like to be a gay man in our society today and also in the church but he speaks from his heart about what he believes we should be as a people but also what we should be as a church. “We are called by the One who made us merciful, loving, and compassionate – not judgmental.” With these words bishop Robinson begins a discussion of what we are called to be as Christians. “Loving our neighbor begins – and perhaps is only possible – when we love ourselves.” I wrote these words down when I read them and each of us should have these words written on our hearts.Bishop Robinson reminds us again and again, that we need to go where God is calling us not just where we want to go, and to minister to His people and not just the people we want to minister too. “We must go where the Gospel tell us with the poor, the dispossessed and the marginalized.” This is what Jesus did and Bishop Robinson reminds each of us that this is the great commission. “We are about changing the world – we are about loving those who Jesus loved those on the margins.” These are words for each of us in this world that has gone mad.
I was surprised that the theology of Bishop Robinson is not what I expected. Time and time again the book Bishop Robinson calls us to look at what we believe and how we practice our faith and constantly asks us what would Jesus do? He calls us back to the early church teaching of working with those on the edge and not judging people for how they dress, act, or think just love them. He reminds us that before we can love others we need to love ourselves.
Throughout this book he weaves his own experiences with those of Scripture to perhaps shine a light down the dark path that we all need to follow. He speaks of visiting the women’s prison after his election and the vestments that they made for him and now he cherishes those vestments above all the others that he has. He speaks of visits to parishes and the struggles of the people not from a gay straight point of view but from a very human dare I say pastoral place. Bishop Gene, if I may be so bold to call him that, teaches us what it truly means to be a pastor to God’s children.
Towards to end of the book he writes about the Anglican Communion and about the coming Lambeth Conference that he has not been invited too. About his feelings of not having a seat at the table even though his is a canonically elected and consecrated bishop. I get the sense from his words that he is less concerned about himself then his is about his people. By him not being at the table with his brother and sister bishops the people of his Diocese are not represented. Bishop Gene truly loves his flock, all of them, not just the ones that agree with him.
Gene Robinson is bishop of the tiny, rural Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, but he's at the center of a storm of controversy raging in the Episcopal Church and throughout the worldwide Anglican Communion involving homosexuality, the priesthood, and the future of the Communion. This book offers an honest, thoughtful portrait of Robinson, the faith that has informed his life, and the controversy that continues to rock his Church.
Unification
Word has reached us here in the Village of the vote at the Congress of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas and the Romanian Episcopate to reunite after almost 50 years of separation, well maybe.
As my loyal readers will not I was not at the assembly this year but the vote was taken and from all accounts it was unanimous on both sides. So the Romanian Patriarchate released this press release and then it would seem someone got mad and then they published this one. Thanks to ocanews.org for this information.
I have blogged about this proposal before and what it will mean to Romanians in this country and to Orthodoxy as a whole in the US and Canada. Sometimes people are just looking for an excuse to derail everything, as happened three years ago when we voted on the same proposal. I hope this retraction of the earlier statement does not signal the end again. We shall see.
So you ask why was I not at the Congress this year. Several reasons but the most glaring was language. I serve as a priest in the Romanian Archdiocese. I knew when I came in that many of the people spoke Romanian. I am not one of those by the way and neither are the 70 members of my church. Consistently however at church meetings we are excluded from debates because of language. Oh yes we get a summary of what is said but we do not get all of what is said. In my mind we are treated as second class citizens. Now keep in mind that most if not all of the people at these meetings speak and understand English so that is not the issue. So I chose not at attend another three day event that would all be in Romanian and waste precious church funds by sending me to meeting that we would not be represented at. I also understand that the entire Liturgy was done in Romanian even though we had visitors from many other Orthodox Jurisdicitons in attendance because we consecrated our new cathedral.
Until the Orthodox church wakes up and realizes that they are loosing entire generations because of the language issue we will also be a small, insignificant, immigrant church. I think it is fine to use some of the language of the people in the church services but the majority of the service should be done in English. Everyone speaks English in their place of employment and the children speak English in school so why do we speak other languages in Church.
one thing my trip north taught me was that we need to hang on to our culture and traditions, but not to the detriment of a generation or two of faithful. Gaelic, the language of my ancestors, is almost a dead language. More people speak Gaelic outside of Scotland than inside. How many other languages have met that same fate. It bothers me that my people here do not speak the language of their ancestors. I am not advocating going back, but we need to find a compromise.
Sphere: Related Content
As my loyal readers will not I was not at the assembly this year but the vote was taken and from all accounts it was unanimous on both sides. So the Romanian Patriarchate released this press release and then it would seem someone got mad and then they published this one. Thanks to ocanews.org for this information.
I have blogged about this proposal before and what it will mean to Romanians in this country and to Orthodoxy as a whole in the US and Canada. Sometimes people are just looking for an excuse to derail everything, as happened three years ago when we voted on the same proposal. I hope this retraction of the earlier statement does not signal the end again. We shall see.
So you ask why was I not at the Congress this year. Several reasons but the most glaring was language. I serve as a priest in the Romanian Archdiocese. I knew when I came in that many of the people spoke Romanian. I am not one of those by the way and neither are the 70 members of my church. Consistently however at church meetings we are excluded from debates because of language. Oh yes we get a summary of what is said but we do not get all of what is said. In my mind we are treated as second class citizens. Now keep in mind that most if not all of the people at these meetings speak and understand English so that is not the issue. So I chose not at attend another three day event that would all be in Romanian and waste precious church funds by sending me to meeting that we would not be represented at. I also understand that the entire Liturgy was done in Romanian even though we had visitors from many other Orthodox Jurisdicitons in attendance because we consecrated our new cathedral.
Until the Orthodox church wakes up and realizes that they are loosing entire generations because of the language issue we will also be a small, insignificant, immigrant church. I think it is fine to use some of the language of the people in the church services but the majority of the service should be done in English. Everyone speaks English in their place of employment and the children speak English in school so why do we speak other languages in Church.
one thing my trip north taught me was that we need to hang on to our culture and traditions, but not to the detriment of a generation or two of faithful. Gaelic, the language of my ancestors, is almost a dead language. More people speak Gaelic outside of Scotland than inside. How many other languages have met that same fate. It bothers me that my people here do not speak the language of their ancestors. I am not advocating going back, but we need to find a compromise.
Women and the Church
For far too long women have taken a back seat in the church. For years we, men that is, have required women to jump through all sorts of hurdles to gain entrance in to the church. In our own Orthodox Church the tradition is that women should not take communion while menstruating (obviously a man came up with that word) and after child birth there is the ever insulting service called the churching of women. It was not that long ago that in my own Archdiocese women were not given the right to be members of the church and women sat on one side and men on the other.
I have heard all of the arguments out there,mainly from men by the way, and I think they are all bunk. Yes Jesus had only men as his apostles, why? Because in the culture to which he came women were treated worse then slaves so to have women apostles would not have been a good thing for him to do. But who did he appear to first? Who was with him at the Crucifixion when most if not all of the men had run away? Who washed his feet? Who gave him life?
In our modern culture women have a place at the table, not just putting the food on it, and it is time the church caught up with that. Recently the General Synod of the Church of England has approved the ordination of women as bishops of the church. I say good for them, and the rest of us need to hang our heads in shame for not following suit. Why is it women are not allowed to lead our congregations? While in seminary, the Roman Catholic seminary that is, we were not even allowed to speak of such things as women priests and optional celibacy. It's okay ladies you can clean the church but you cannot serve at the altar!
Jesus did what he did because that was the culture of his time the culture of our time is full inclusion of all of God's people in the ministry of the church. Some in the Church of England are saying this is end and will be leaving and heading for Rome or elsewhere. So in other words I am taking my ball and leaving. Very adult by the way! That's the way we Christians handle things. If we don 't like a decision we threaten to leave and go find greener pastures that's why the church is splintered in so many ways!
What would Jesus do? If Jesus were to come today to England or the United States, his apostles would include women and, I hope you are sitting down, people of alternate life style! Yes I said it! Just look at scripture, who did Jesus hang with but the dregs of society, not the learned or the clean, but, wait for it, SINNERS! None of us are perfect and as soon as we realize that fact the better our life will be.
So ladies welcome to the table. It has taken more than 2000 years but you hung in there and slowly you are coming into the place you deserve. We honor Mary as the birth-giver of God, but if she were alive today we would not let her celebrate the Eucharist or preach in one of our churches. The church needs to atone for how it has treated women over years. This is just the first step.
Sphere: Related Content
I have heard all of the arguments out there,mainly from men by the way, and I think they are all bunk. Yes Jesus had only men as his apostles, why? Because in the culture to which he came women were treated worse then slaves so to have women apostles would not have been a good thing for him to do. But who did he appear to first? Who was with him at the Crucifixion when most if not all of the men had run away? Who washed his feet? Who gave him life?
In our modern culture women have a place at the table, not just putting the food on it, and it is time the church caught up with that. Recently the General Synod of the Church of England has approved the ordination of women as bishops of the church. I say good for them, and the rest of us need to hang our heads in shame for not following suit. Why is it women are not allowed to lead our congregations? While in seminary, the Roman Catholic seminary that is, we were not even allowed to speak of such things as women priests and optional celibacy. It's okay ladies you can clean the church but you cannot serve at the altar!
Jesus did what he did because that was the culture of his time the culture of our time is full inclusion of all of God's people in the ministry of the church. Some in the Church of England are saying this is end and will be leaving and heading for Rome or elsewhere. So in other words I am taking my ball and leaving. Very adult by the way! That's the way we Christians handle things. If we don 't like a decision we threaten to leave and go find greener pastures that's why the church is splintered in so many ways!
What would Jesus do? If Jesus were to come today to England or the United States, his apostles would include women and, I hope you are sitting down, people of alternate life style! Yes I said it! Just look at scripture, who did Jesus hang with but the dregs of society, not the learned or the clean, but, wait for it, SINNERS! None of us are perfect and as soon as we realize that fact the better our life will be.
So ladies welcome to the table. It has taken more than 2000 years but you hung in there and slowly you are coming into the place you deserve. We honor Mary as the birth-giver of God, but if she were alive today we would not let her celebrate the Eucharist or preach in one of our churches. The church needs to atone for how it has treated women over years. This is just the first step.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Ancient Hebrew tablet sparks debate on Messiah
JERUSALEM - A 3-foot-tall tablet with 87 lines of Hebrew that scholars believe dates from the decades just before the birth of Jesus is causing a quiet stir in biblical and archeological circles, especially because it may speak of a messiah who will rise from the dead after three days.
If such a messianic description really is there, it will contribute to a developing reevaluation of both popular and scholarly views of Jesus, because it suggests that the story of his death and resurrection was part of a recognized Jewish tradition at the time.
The tablet - probably found near the Dead Sea in Jordan, according to some scholars who have studied it - is a rare example of a stone with ink writings from that era - in essence, a Dead Sea Scroll on stone.
Read the rest of the story Here
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If such a messianic description really is there, it will contribute to a developing reevaluation of both popular and scholarly views of Jesus, because it suggests that the story of his death and resurrection was part of a recognized Jewish tradition at the time.
The tablet - probably found near the Dead Sea in Jordan, according to some scholars who have studied it - is a rare example of a stone with ink writings from that era - in essence, a Dead Sea Scroll on stone.
Read the rest of the story Here
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Clergy and Politics
Recently I priest that I went to seminary with sent out an email blasting Senator Obama and saying we, as Christians, Should vote for Senator John McCain. I disagree with this email. Not on who to vote for but that clergy should be sending out such things.
Clergy should not preach politics from the pulpit, email, or blog. Now I may cross the line from time to time but we need be careful in this regard. We are supposed to preach what the church teaches and that is it. We can teach what the church teaches and inform the people so they can make up their own minds on who to vote for without ever mentioning a candidates name or a political party. I also disagree with the phrase I am saying this as a private citizen. We are not private citizens, we gave up that right when we were ordained to the holy priesthood.
I am planning a call this fall on ethics and I have asked my parishioners to suggest topics that we can discuss not from a Democrat or Republican position but from an Orthodox position. If there is not Orthodox position well we will cross that bridge when we come to it. Our bishops have spoken on topics such as abortion, stem cell research, homelessness, poverty, the environment, etc. We do not need to know what the Dem or Rep position is just what the church position is and then vote accordingly.
I will say this about politics as well and I believe I have said this before. We need to be informed about what the candidates say. Not what others say about what they say but about what they say, no spin as Bill O'Riley is fond of saying. Read the speeches for yourself and inform yourself.
On another note, I believe the IRS has some pretty strong opinions on what we can and cannot say from the pulpit.
Now back to our regular program.
Sphere: Related Content
Clergy should not preach politics from the pulpit, email, or blog. Now I may cross the line from time to time but we need be careful in this regard. We are supposed to preach what the church teaches and that is it. We can teach what the church teaches and inform the people so they can make up their own minds on who to vote for without ever mentioning a candidates name or a political party. I also disagree with the phrase I am saying this as a private citizen. We are not private citizens, we gave up that right when we were ordained to the holy priesthood.
I am planning a call this fall on ethics and I have asked my parishioners to suggest topics that we can discuss not from a Democrat or Republican position but from an Orthodox position. If there is not Orthodox position well we will cross that bridge when we come to it. Our bishops have spoken on topics such as abortion, stem cell research, homelessness, poverty, the environment, etc. We do not need to know what the Dem or Rep position is just what the church position is and then vote accordingly.
I will say this about politics as well and I believe I have said this before. We need to be informed about what the candidates say. Not what others say about what they say but about what they say, no spin as Bill O'Riley is fond of saying. Read the speeches for yourself and inform yourself.
On another note, I believe the IRS has some pretty strong opinions on what we can and cannot say from the pulpit.
Now back to our regular program.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Anniversary
Today is my 4th anniversary. I was ordained to the holy priesthood 4 years ago today in Chicago. It seems like it was only yesterday.
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Prayer for the Nation
Bishop, John Carroll of Baltimore:
We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.
We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope Benedict, the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, n., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.
We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.
We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state , for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.
We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.
Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.
We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.
We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope Benedict, the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, n., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.
We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.
We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state , for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.
We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.
Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.
In Congress, July 4, 1776
WHEN IN the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience heth shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the People.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States, for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners, refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our People, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislature.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their acts of pretended Legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislature, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
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We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience heth shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the People.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States, for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners, refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary Powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our People, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislature.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their acts of pretended Legislation:
For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislature, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations which would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the Protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Middle of the Year
Well I am back in the office today trying to make some sense out of all the mail and catching up on the work going on around the church. Things have been busy whilst I was away. It is nice to see the folk of the church getting involved again. The ladies of the parish have planted a little garden on one side of the rectory it is beautiful and I think I will be spending some time out there relaxing and doing some writing this summer.
As the title suggests today is the middle of the year. We are now on the other side heading towards all of the hustle and bustle of the coming season. Let us try and not rush things this year and get tied up in all the stuff that goes along with the holidays.
I am working on several projects and essays for the blog and other things that I will post soon, and I also realized that I have not been keeping up with the Scottish saints so that will begin again as well. I am also way behind on podcasts so look for one of those coming soon as well.
As I posted this morning in an article from Zenit, the Ecumenical Patriarch is calling on us Orthodox to pray for the Pope during this Pauline Year. I think this is a wonderful thing for us to do, and I wonder if we can work him in to the litanies during the liturgy somewhere. This will take some thought.
This weekend my diocese gathers for the semi-annual congress of the diocese. Many things will be discussed one of which is a proposal for unity with the other Romanian Diocese in the US. This is a big step and one that will change the face of Orthodoxy in the US if it goes through. We have been down this road before so I approach very slowly to see what will happen. I will try and post some thoughts on that as well as the weekend progresses.
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As the title suggests today is the middle of the year. We are now on the other side heading towards all of the hustle and bustle of the coming season. Let us try and not rush things this year and get tied up in all the stuff that goes along with the holidays.
I am working on several projects and essays for the blog and other things that I will post soon, and I also realized that I have not been keeping up with the Scottish saints so that will begin again as well. I am also way behind on podcasts so look for one of those coming soon as well.
As I posted this morning in an article from Zenit, the Ecumenical Patriarch is calling on us Orthodox to pray for the Pope during this Pauline Year. I think this is a wonderful thing for us to do, and I wonder if we can work him in to the litanies during the liturgy somewhere. This will take some thought.
This weekend my diocese gathers for the semi-annual congress of the diocese. Many things will be discussed one of which is a proposal for unity with the other Romanian Diocese in the US. This is a big step and one that will change the face of Orthodoxy in the US if it goes through. We have been down this road before so I approach very slowly to see what will happen. I will try and post some thoughts on that as well as the weekend progresses.
Orthodox Patriarch Says Dialogue Is Progressing
Notes That Church Will Also Celebrate Pauline Year
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The Orthodox patriarch of Constantinople says dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches is going forward, despite "considerable difficulties that exist and the well-known problems.
"Patriarch Bartholomew I affirmed this in his homily Sunday at St. Peter's Basilica for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
The Mass, held in St. Peter's Square, formed part of the celebrations for the inauguration of the Pauline Jubilee Year. The Holy Father inaugurated the Pauline year at Saturday's vespers in the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls. The jubilee runs through June 29, 2009.
Bartholomew I affirmed that the Orthodox have also declared the jubilee. He said the Church is "planning, among others things, a sacred pilgrimage to some of the monuments of the apostolic activity of the apostle in the East: Ephesus, Perge and other cities in Asia Minor, but also Rhodes and Crete, the places called 'good ports.'
The patriarch stated that the Orthodox "honor and greatly venerate Peter -- he who made his salvific confession of the divinity of Christ, as much as Paul -- the vessel of election, who proclaimed this confession and faith to the ends of the universe in the midst of the most unimaginable difficulties and dangers. […] To strongly emphasize their equal importance, but also their weight in the Church and her regenerative and salvific work through the centuries, the East honors them in an icon in which they either hold a little ship in their hands, which symbolizes the Church, or they embrace and exchange the kiss in Christ.
"It is indeed this kiss that we have come to exchange with you, Your Holiness, emphasizing the ardent desire and love in Christ, things which are closely related to each other."
Bartholomew I then turned his attention to the progress toward unity between the two Churches.
"The theological dialogue between our Churches 'in faith, truth and love,' thanks to divine help, goes forward despite the considerable difficulties that exist and the well-known problems," he said. "We truly desire and fervently pray that these difficulties will be overcome and that the problems will disappear as soon as possible so that we may reach the desired final goal for the glory of God.
"We know well that this is your desire too, as we also are certain that Your Holiness will neglect nothing, personally working, together with your illustrious collaborators, through a perfect smoothing of the way, toward a positive fulfillment of the labors of dialogue, God willing.
"The patriarch affirmed that in the context of the Pauline year, the Orthodox will pray for the Pope.
"And now," he concluded, "venerating the sufferings and the cross of Peter and embracing Paul's chains and stigmata, honoring the confession and martyrdom and the venerable death of both for the name of the Lord, which truly leads to life, we glorify the Thrice-Holy God and we supplicate him, so that through the intercession of Sts. Peter and Paul, […] he will, here below, grant us and all his children of the Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Church throughout the world 'union of faith and communion in the Spirit' in the 'bond of peace' and there above eternal life and great mercy. Amen.
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VATICAN CITY, JUNE 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).- The Orthodox patriarch of Constantinople says dialogue between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches is going forward, despite "considerable difficulties that exist and the well-known problems.
"Patriarch Bartholomew I affirmed this in his homily Sunday at St. Peter's Basilica for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.
The Mass, held in St. Peter's Square, formed part of the celebrations for the inauguration of the Pauline Jubilee Year. The Holy Father inaugurated the Pauline year at Saturday's vespers in the Basilica of St. Paul's Outside the Walls. The jubilee runs through June 29, 2009.
Bartholomew I affirmed that the Orthodox have also declared the jubilee. He said the Church is "planning, among others things, a sacred pilgrimage to some of the monuments of the apostolic activity of the apostle in the East: Ephesus, Perge and other cities in Asia Minor, but also Rhodes and Crete, the places called 'good ports.'
The patriarch stated that the Orthodox "honor and greatly venerate Peter -- he who made his salvific confession of the divinity of Christ, as much as Paul -- the vessel of election, who proclaimed this confession and faith to the ends of the universe in the midst of the most unimaginable difficulties and dangers. […] To strongly emphasize their equal importance, but also their weight in the Church and her regenerative and salvific work through the centuries, the East honors them in an icon in which they either hold a little ship in their hands, which symbolizes the Church, or they embrace and exchange the kiss in Christ.
"It is indeed this kiss that we have come to exchange with you, Your Holiness, emphasizing the ardent desire and love in Christ, things which are closely related to each other."
Bartholomew I then turned his attention to the progress toward unity between the two Churches.
"The theological dialogue between our Churches 'in faith, truth and love,' thanks to divine help, goes forward despite the considerable difficulties that exist and the well-known problems," he said. "We truly desire and fervently pray that these difficulties will be overcome and that the problems will disappear as soon as possible so that we may reach the desired final goal for the glory of God.
"We know well that this is your desire too, as we also are certain that Your Holiness will neglect nothing, personally working, together with your illustrious collaborators, through a perfect smoothing of the way, toward a positive fulfillment of the labors of dialogue, God willing.
"The patriarch affirmed that in the context of the Pauline year, the Orthodox will pray for the Pope.
"And now," he concluded, "venerating the sufferings and the cross of Peter and embracing Paul's chains and stigmata, honoring the confession and martyrdom and the venerable death of both for the name of the Lord, which truly leads to life, we glorify the Thrice-Holy God and we supplicate him, so that through the intercession of Sts. Peter and Paul, […] he will, here below, grant us and all his children of the Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Church throughout the world 'union of faith and communion in the Spirit' in the 'bond of peace' and there above eternal life and great mercy. Amen.
Papal Greeting to Patriarch Bartholomew I
"Men and Women Feel a Growing Need for Certainty and Peace"
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Benedict XVI's address upon receiving Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople in audience Saturday on the occasion of the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul and the opening of the Pauline Year.
Holiness,
With profound and sincere joy I greet you and the distinguished party accompanying you, and I am pleased to do so with the words expressed in the Second Letter of St. Peter: "To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (2:1-2).The celebration of Sts. Peter and Paul, patrons of the Church of Rome, as well as that of St. Andrew, patron of the Church of Constantinople, offer us annually the possibility of an exchange of visits, which are always important occasions for fraternal conversations and common moments of prayer. Thus reciprocal personal knowledge grows; initiatives are harmonized and hope increases, which animates everything, to be able to attain full unity soon, in obedience to the Lord's mandate.
This year, here in Rome, to the patronal feast is added the joyful occasion of the opening of the Pauline Year, which I wanted to call to commemorate the second millennium of the birth of St. Paul, in the hope of promoting an ever more profound reflection on the theological and spiritual heritage left to the Church by the Apostle to the Gentiles, with his vast and profound work of evangelization.I learned with pleasure that Your Holiness has also called a Pauline Year. This happy coincidence highlights the roots of our shared Christian vocation and the significant harmony of feelings and pastoral commitment we are experiencing. For this I give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ, who guides our path to unity with the strength of His Spirit.
St. Paul reminds us that full communion between all Christians has its foundation in "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5). May the common faith, the one baptism for the remission of sins and obedience to the one Lord and Savior, be able to express themselves fully as soon as possible in the communal and ecclesial dimension."Only one body and one Spirit," affirms the Apostle to the Gentiles, and adds: "As only one is the hope to which you have been called" (Ephesians 4:4). St. Paul indicates to us, moreover, a sure way to maintain unity and, in the case of division, to repair it.The decree on ecumenism of the Second Vatican Council, has taken up the Pauline indication and proposes it again in the context of the ecumenical commitment, making reference to the weighty and always current words of the Letter to the Ephesians: "I exhort you, therefore, I who am a prisoner of the Lord, to conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the vocation you have received, with all humility, meekness and patience, enduring events with love, seeking to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (4:1-3).
To the Corinthians, among whom discord had arisen, St. Paul does not hesitate to address a strong call for them all to remain in agreement, for there to be no divisions among them, and for them to unite in the same mind and purpose (cfr1 Corinthians 1:10).In our world, in which the phenomenon of globalization is being consolidated, yet, despite this, persistent divisions and conflicts continue, men and women feel a growing need for certainty and peace. However, at the same time, they remain lost, as if ensnared by a certain form of hedonist and relativist culture which casts doubt upon the very existence of truth.The apostle's guidance in this matter is extremely helpful in encouraging efforts aimed at seeking full unity among Christians, which is so necessary in order to offer mankind of the third millennium an ever more resplendent witness of Christ, way, truth and life. Only in Christ and in his Gospel can humanity find the answer to its deepest hopes.
May the Pauline Year, which will begin solemnly this evening, help Christian people renew the ecumenical commitment, and may there be an intensification of joint efforts on the journey to the full communion of all Christ's disciples. And as part of that journey, your presence here today is certainly an encouraging sign. For this I express again to all of you my joy, while together we raise our grateful prayer to the Lord.
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VATICAN CITY, JUNE 30, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the Benedict XVI's address upon receiving Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople in audience Saturday on the occasion of the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul and the opening of the Pauline Year.
Holiness,
With profound and sincere joy I greet you and the distinguished party accompanying you, and I am pleased to do so with the words expressed in the Second Letter of St. Peter: "To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours in the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (2:1-2).The celebration of Sts. Peter and Paul, patrons of the Church of Rome, as well as that of St. Andrew, patron of the Church of Constantinople, offer us annually the possibility of an exchange of visits, which are always important occasions for fraternal conversations and common moments of prayer. Thus reciprocal personal knowledge grows; initiatives are harmonized and hope increases, which animates everything, to be able to attain full unity soon, in obedience to the Lord's mandate.
This year, here in Rome, to the patronal feast is added the joyful occasion of the opening of the Pauline Year, which I wanted to call to commemorate the second millennium of the birth of St. Paul, in the hope of promoting an ever more profound reflection on the theological and spiritual heritage left to the Church by the Apostle to the Gentiles, with his vast and profound work of evangelization.I learned with pleasure that Your Holiness has also called a Pauline Year. This happy coincidence highlights the roots of our shared Christian vocation and the significant harmony of feelings and pastoral commitment we are experiencing. For this I give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ, who guides our path to unity with the strength of His Spirit.
St. Paul reminds us that full communion between all Christians has its foundation in "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5). May the common faith, the one baptism for the remission of sins and obedience to the one Lord and Savior, be able to express themselves fully as soon as possible in the communal and ecclesial dimension."Only one body and one Spirit," affirms the Apostle to the Gentiles, and adds: "As only one is the hope to which you have been called" (Ephesians 4:4). St. Paul indicates to us, moreover, a sure way to maintain unity and, in the case of division, to repair it.The decree on ecumenism of the Second Vatican Council, has taken up the Pauline indication and proposes it again in the context of the ecumenical commitment, making reference to the weighty and always current words of the Letter to the Ephesians: "I exhort you, therefore, I who am a prisoner of the Lord, to conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the vocation you have received, with all humility, meekness and patience, enduring events with love, seeking to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (4:1-3).
To the Corinthians, among whom discord had arisen, St. Paul does not hesitate to address a strong call for them all to remain in agreement, for there to be no divisions among them, and for them to unite in the same mind and purpose (cfr1 Corinthians 1:10).In our world, in which the phenomenon of globalization is being consolidated, yet, despite this, persistent divisions and conflicts continue, men and women feel a growing need for certainty and peace. However, at the same time, they remain lost, as if ensnared by a certain form of hedonist and relativist culture which casts doubt upon the very existence of truth.The apostle's guidance in this matter is extremely helpful in encouraging efforts aimed at seeking full unity among Christians, which is so necessary in order to offer mankind of the third millennium an ever more resplendent witness of Christ, way, truth and life. Only in Christ and in his Gospel can humanity find the answer to its deepest hopes.
May the Pauline Year, which will begin solemnly this evening, help Christian people renew the ecumenical commitment, and may there be an intensification of joint efforts on the journey to the full communion of all Christ's disciples. And as part of that journey, your presence here today is certainly an encouraging sign. For this I express again to all of you my joy, while together we raise our grateful prayer to the Lord.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
Home Safe
Greetings all. I made it home safe last night but I was so tired I did not feel like blogging. I drove over 800 miles in about 13 hours. Thanks for all the prayers and I will post some snaps soon.
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