OrthodoxBlogs

The read-along is here! I am excited to begin reading Emma

Mimi — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:01:09 PST

The read-along is here! I am excited to begin reading Emma tonight (I read part of the Introduction last night).

As we begin - I am curious as to your impressions of the novel, either from previous readings, movies, or just in general.

I have never read it, or seen any of the movies (not even Clueless) so my initial impression is only the vague notion that the lead character is not endearing.

Onward! First set of questions will be posted by the end of the week!

Shaking up the basic premise of Christianity. Here we go again.

Justin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:58:40 PST

Sometime this week National Geographic will air a documentary called The First Jesus. I don't have cable so I will probably not have the opportunity to see it.

According to National Geographic (NG), analysis of a three-foot-tall stone tablet from the first century B.C. may speak of an early Messiah and his resurrection. But it wasn't Jesus Christ. [insert ominous musical motif here] It was Simon of Peraea, a Messiah who died four years before Christ was born. Did his life serve as the prototype of a Messiah for Jesus and his followers? And could this tablet shake up the basic premise of Christianity? If Dr. Israel Knohl's translation of the "Gabriel stone" is correct, The National Geographic a web site goes on to say:

... it would imply that the idea of a Messiah who rises from the dead after three days predates the time of Christ — providing a missing link between Judaism and Christianity, since it suggests Jesus’ death and resurrection were not unique... Dr. Knohl believes that Jesus knew the story of Simon’s death and from it had learned that a Messiah must die to fulfill his destiny.

Keeping mind this show has not aired yet, so the only information we have to go on is the promotional language on the NG website and reactions by scholars. So I can only speak to what has been given publicly thus far. I'm sure NG will attempt to be objective in presenting such a sensational find. But one reason why this show's reliability comes into question is not so much its treatment of the artifact or its translation, but rather its representation of Christianity itself.

Someone unfamiliar with Christianity (or someone who learned about Christianity from The Judas Gospel) would be given the impression that Christianity's entire premise is built on its uniqueness and "separateness" from Judaism. This is a gross misrepresentation. Yes, Christianity is unique and separate. It and Judaism grew apart very quickly in the early centuries as the rhetorical polemics between them attest to. But I know of no Christian who tries to minimize their faith's Judaic origins or deny the common roots of the two. In fact, it is a point of pride for many.

More specifically, Judaic messianic prophecies and Messiah candidates pre-dating Christ do not pose a problem for Christianity, nor have they ever. In fact, the import of Christianity's foundation was not its "separateness", but its anticipation of a Messiah and the fulfillment of pre-existing prophecies. I admit, as I write this, I am still having difficulty figuring out how NG thinks Knohl's interpretation will "revolutionize and destroy the heart of Christian belief", as April DeConick says.

In Jewish Messianism and the Cult of Christ, William Horbury (Cambridge) shows that Messianic beliefs were a central and powerful theme that extended through Jewish history into the second temple period. Christianity's core belief concerning the personhood and role of Christ (as opposed to other messiah candidates) was an organic outgrowth of these Judaic messianic expectations. The messianic language found in the Old Testament, Targums, and deutero-canonical books profoundly influenced early Christianity. In other words, Christianity sees its own belief as the acceptance of Judaism's messianic tradition. Nothing within Christian scholarship or theology will be upset by this, even though it is being reported as such within the Jewish media (here). If Simon of Peraea had been widely accepted as the one Messiah, then NG and others would today simply point to Jesus of Nazareth as the smoking gun. Of course there were other "messiahs" running around Judea. We knew that.

This being said, NG's promotional language will leave even the most unread Christians scratching their heads in confusion. More likely this documentary will "shake up the basic premise" of NG's own reliability. My favorite response is from Mike Heiser, Ph.D, who says

So, let me see if I understand your claim, NG. The fact that there is an earlier reference to a third day resurrection undermines Christian theology . . . when that same idea is in the Old Testament . . . which is the Jewish Bible . . . and Christianity came out of Judaism . . . huh? What dopes.

April DeConick, Professor of Biblical Studies at Rice University, is an expert on gnostic writing and by no means a defender of traditional Christian beliefs. It is on her blog that we find an initial reaction to the documentary here and more importantly it is here we find a letter written by Israel Knohl himself, the professor whose research National Geographic uses for its documentary:

I have not seen yet the NG film, but if this is indeed what they say, it is ridiculous. In my view, my reading and interpretation of the inscription supports the historicity of the Gospels story about Jesus predictions of his death and resurrection rather than 'destroy the heart of Christianity'. (Emphasis mine. Read Israel Knohl's response in context here:

I feel the larger issue at hand, and the more important lesson to be learned, is the use of mass media to frame an issue in order to push public dialogue and public attitudes in a desired direction. Whoever influences the interpretation of history (American Civil War history by the left, and Middle Eastern history by the religious right come to mind) will have the upper hand in influencing modern politics, maybe even ethics. Professor DeConick writes:

One of the things I have been trying to communicate on this blog is that the media spins us and we need to be concerned about it. The media is taking our work and spinning it to whatever sensation the media thinks will sell... My real concern is that all these "new" finds and the scholars working on them are going to appear sillier and sillier, and what could be very significant to our understanding of the history and formation of Judaism and Christianity will be further marginalized and neglected by other scholars and the broader public who have become confused and numbed.

If you see a "documentary" that claims things like "it will revolutionize Christianity", etc., beware. New finds usually don't overturn established religions...

OCMC Invites Families to Experience an Orthodox Mission Team

ocmc — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:49:04 PST

For the first time, OCMC is offering families the opportunity to participate together on Orthodox Mission Teams. Four 2010 OCMC Mission Teams are open to parents and youth who are prayerfully seeking exposure to the important work of making disciples.

Family Teams allow youth (13 and above) to travel with a parent to offer their time and talents as living witnesses to the Orthodox Christian Faith. If you want your teen to have an opportunity to serve others around the world and to be involved in missions, then consider joining a 2010 Orthodox Family Mission Team. This year’s Family Team destinations are: Eklutna and Old Harbor, Alaska; Shen Vlash, Albania; and Cluj, Romania.

The Eklutna Team will travel to the oldest continuously inhabited Athabaskan Indian settlement to work on light general maintenance to the church of St. Nicholas (cutting shrubs, trimming grass, painting the cemetery, and fence and walkway repairs,) and by offering historic tours of the Church. The Albania Team will assist in the daily activities and ministries of the Children’s Home of Hope in Albania. The Romania Team will join ASCOR (the Student Association of Orthodox Christians in Romania) in offering a Youth Camp outside of Cluj to middle school-aged youth. The Team to Old Harbor will participate in the annual Family Camp offered to youth and adults on Sitkalidak Island. The theme of the camp will be “Christ in the Eucharist, Truly a Subsistence Food.”

All of the 2010 Family Teams have been carefully chosen to allow youth to develop relationships with their Orthodox peers and learn about new cultures. Language barriers melt and horizons are broadened as families put their faith into action and share their Orthodox faith.

An Orthodox Mission Team can be a life-changing experience. Family Teams are perfect if you have teens who love Christ and helping others and if your family is seeking spritual growth and a deeper understanding of the universality of the Orthodox faith. An OCMC Family Mission Team is a great way to begin a journey that will have a profound impact on your lives and the lives of others.

For more information or to apply for one of these Family Teams log on to http://teams.ocmc.org, or contact OCMC by phone at 1-877-GO-FORTH or by e-mail at teams@ocmc.org.

Did Not Our Hearts Burn

ocmc — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:45:08 PST

by Jesse Brandow

After spending nearly two weeks in Guatemala, I arrived back in the United States exhausted and inspired. I hoped to write sooner to share my experience, but I needed time to readjust to life here in the States. It has been nearly three months since I arrived home, and only now am I beginning to understand my trip to the Hogar Rafael Ayau (Hogar means "home" or "orphanage"). My time at the Hogar was so packed with sights, sounds, faces, and prayers that I have a difficult time truly sharing it. Yet it has meant so much to me that I have to share it with you! So I'm putting ink to paper as I begin to tell what God has done for me in Guatemala.

As the plane flew into Guatemala City, my eyes were glued to the window. The sprawling city had no massive skyscrapers to challenge the mountain peaks, which shot up on all sides. It was nothing like Chicago's huge apartment buildings or New York's jutting skyline. Here thousands of shacks littered the ground, and my team of ten was headed to the worst district.

Entering the orphanage felt like entering a small fort. It fills an entire city block, and its huge walls keep the children safe from danger. We had to be cleared by guards, who rolled back the gate for our van. Once inside it was easy to forget the world lurking outside those walls: gang fights, drunken parties, and prostitutes. The days in the Hogar were filled with so much joy, but sometimes at night I would suddenly hear the outside world: men arguing and a woman crying for help. On the first day we met the children in church. Each day began and ended in that same house of worship. The children came to services freely and sang all of the songs from memory. Although the boys and girls were a little mischievous in church (they’re kids after all!), they managed to stand for over an hour of services each day, singing in their native tongue. How I miss reciting the Lord’s prayer with them in Spanish, watching them carefully light beeswax candles, and walking up together to receive communion.

Our simple purpose was to love the children. Some of them were abused before coming to the Hogar, others never knew their parents. So what the children needed most was good role models who made them feel like unique and beautiful children of God. More practically, we were there to organize a week-long summer program called 'The Chocolate Train', which stopped at many “stations,” including the game room, pool, bakery, and art room. I find it hard to describe to you how full each day was, how special each moment. I played foosball and checkers in the morning and then baked cookies with a dozen children. I jumped in the pool before lunch, then juggled paints, pencils, and crayons in the art room. So many stories fill in the lines of this single paragraph, each one deserving to be told.

Before we left, Madre Ivonne asked each of us to write down the most memorable moment. I’d like to share what I wrote so you can hear one of the stories that crowded the lines of my journal. It was one of those rare moments when a person shines in all his inner beauty. One morning I was sitting on the grass when five or six of the cutest youngsters mobbed me, each one of them begging for attention. Then, with all of them climbing on top of me, one hand popped out in front of my face. I looked and saw Kevin. He has a healed cleft lip, some silver false teeth, and a hard time speaking. You might not guess how special he is. All the other kids desperately wanted me to devote my attention only to them, but Kevin just wanted to give me something. I looked into his hand and saw that he had found a little bug. I held it for a little while before giving it back. That was enough to make Kevin smile so big that I could see his silver teeth. He just wanted to share a little treasure, and the simplicity of his love melted my heart. Imagine 100 children like Kevin who want to know that someone has seen who they are and loved what they saw. Those 100 at the Hogar are part of the 370,000 orphans of Guatemala, all born to broken parents in a broken world. Some were neglected, others were actually tortured, and their scars remain with them forever. Thankfully, 100 children are protected from much of the world's evil by the Hogar's walls. Yet the line between love and hatred cannot be found in any physical barrier. That line runs through every human heart. The process of healing begins when the children are brought into the Hogar. As they grow, their hearts open up, and they begin to trust the nuns, staff, and Mission Team members who love them unconditionally. I thank God that I was a small part of their lives. Perhaps with God's grace I helped some of them to know how beautiful they are.

When my mission trip ended I did not want to return to the U.S. Here I find it difficult to keep focused on love when my vision is crowded by computer screens, hip clothing, and bold advertisements. There may be fewer orphans in the United States, but just as many people need love. Everywhere the world is broken. In Guatemala it is obvious, but here materialism plasters over the cracks. Sometimes I wish I could see the cracks plainly so it would be easier to focus on loving the people around me. But the love I shared at the Hogar still gives me hope that by focusing on Jesus Christ I will be able to heal others through love and to be healed myself.

We all need healing. What God showed me at the Hogar was how to live without despairing at human suffering. The world is dark, but that does not stop joy from shining through the Hogar. By putting Christ's love at the center of life, the nuns have built an amazing home for the children. In spite of all the painful stories I heard there, I have never felt so much joy anywhere else. More and more, I hope to live in the joy of Christ, for only he can heal our souls.

Please remember the children of the Hogar in your prayers.

P.S. You can find links to my picture albums at www.didnotourheartburn.blogspot.com

Актуальное от канадского фармацевта-химика

tammed_shrew — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:26:02 PST

Свинская карусель манипуляций

я читала по весне прогноз, в котором утверждалось, что данный штамм абсолютно идентичен тому, который выкосил изрядную часть мира во время эпидемии испанки 1918 года. Соответственно, к зиме «эксперты» обещали по всему миру несколько десятков миллионов трупов.

Епископ Домодедовский Евтихий (Курочкин) "О любви к Богу и ближним: как выражается наша вера"

Белоусов Петр — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:35:50 PST

О любви к Богу и ближним: как выражается наша вера

Дорогие братья и сестры, не только через притчи, а через саму жизнь, через само дело спасения человеков Иисусом Христом мы можем видеть величину и глубину Его любви к человеческому роду. Смирил Себя, «послушлив был, даже до смерти, смерти же крестной», которую Он принял среди малодушия своих учеников, среди зависти, среди оплевания, среди насмешек.Такова, дорогие братья и сестры, Его любовь к человечеству. И нам Бога любить — значит, просто ответить на эту любовь, на любовь Бога к нам. И ответить на любовь, дорогие братья и сестры – значит, делать то же, что делал Бог по отношению к нам. Его терпеливость к нам, человеческому роду, Его прощение к нам, многократно отступающим от Него, забывающим о Нем, Его любовь, которая привела на крест пострадать за тех, кого Он полюбил. далее>>

There were two brothers...

wfd — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:09:25 PST

…young in age, recently dividing their father’s estate among themselves. Their dispute was over a lake, each claiming the whole of it and neither willing to accept the other as joint owner. (Gregory the Wonderworker) became the judge of the case, and, arriving at the spot, he applied his own laws on their behavior, leading them to reconciliation and exhorting the youths to love, that they might set a higher value on concord than on profits; for peace abides forever among the living and the dead, whereas the enjoyment of profits is ephemeral, but entails an eternal judgment upon their wickedness. So he said what was suitable and repressed their ungovernable youth.

His exhortation, however, availed nothing. Youth was on fire and burnt in their hearts and was swollen with hopes of gain. Each one got ready an army of his people, a bloodthirsty multitude of servants governed by wrath and youth. The day of conflict was set. But on the day before the battle was to begin from both sides, man of God, abiding on the banks of the lake, enduring the night through in sleeplessness, wrought a miracle like Moses’ upon the waters. Not by a blow of his staff did he divide the deep in two; rather by prayer did he dry up the whole of it at once, and at dawn revealed the lake as dry land, parched and without moisture, having not even in its cavities any remnant of water, where before the prayer there had been a sea. And thus, giving judgment through God’s power, he returned again to his home, while between the young men the decision that emerged from the events ended the strife.

from St. Gregory of Nyssa, Life of St. Gregory Thaumaturgos (the Wonderworker),
commemorated 17 November

More on the City+ What is mission? +finally a joke

(author unknown) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:28:35 PST

Friends,
Notes and asides:

1. Notre Dame must fire Charlie Weiss and get a
new coach, Brian Kelly of Cincinatti would be my choice.
I mean with that name what can be bad?

2.Nabokov posthumous novel the original of Laura
is out and mine has shipped from amazon!

3.Yesterday's seeing the Chrysler
building with mist about its art deco spire reminded
me the the feeling that there is a certain glory in
the City (any city to be sure) that one sees or that
manifests , from time to time, here or there..

This is perhaps why I like the 1994 film of The Shadow
it seems to show a certain inwardness of the City appearing
out of the mist like its strange Hotel Monolith...

Or at a higher level the painting of the City by Jonathan
Drayton in All Hallows Eve. Read if you will and
if you have not or do not remember
From All Hallows Eve Charles Williams

It was of a part of London after a raid-he thought, of the City proper,
for a shape on the right reminded him dimly of St. Paul's. At the back
were a few houses, but the rest of the painting was of a wide stretch of
desolation. The time was late dawn; the sky was clear; the light came,
it seemed at first, from the yet unrisen sun behind the single group of
houses. The light was the most outstanding thing in the painting;
presently, as Richard looked, it seemed to stand out from the painting,
and almost to dominate the room itself. At least it so governed the
painting that all other details and elements were contained within it.
They floated in that imaginary light as the earth does in the sun's. The
colours were so heightened that they were almost at odds. Richard saw
again what the critics meant when they said that Jonathan Drayton's
paintings "were shrill" or "shrieked", but he saw also that
whatprevented this was a certain massiveness. The usual slight
distinction between shape and hue seemed wholly to have vanished.
Colour was more intensely image than it can usually manage to be,
even in that art. A beam of wood painted amber was more than that;
it was light which had become amber in order to become wood. All
that massiveness of colour was led, by delicate gradations almost
like the vibrations of light itself,towards the hidden sun; the eye
encountered the gradations in their outward passage and moved inwards
towards their source. It was then that the style of the painting came
fully into its own. The spectator became convinced that the source,
of that light was not only in that hidden sun; as, localized, it
certainly was. "Here lies the east; does not the day break here?"
The day did, but the light did not. The eye, nearing that particular
day, realized that it was leaving the whole fullness of
the light behind. It was everywhere in the painting-- concealed in
houses and in their projected shadows, lying in ambush in the cathedral,
opening in the rubble, vivid in the vividness of the sky. It would
everywhere have burst through, had it not chosen rather to be shaped
into forms, and to restrain and change its greatness in the colours of
those lesser limits. It was universal, and lived.

Richard said at last: "I wish you could have shown the sun."

"Yes?" said Jonathan. "Why?"

"Because then I might have known whether the light's in the sun or the
sun's in the light. For the life of me, I can't be certain. It rather
looks as though, if one could see the sun, it would be a kind of
container... no, as if it would be made of the light as well as
everything else."

4."made of light as well as everything else" cf the medieval
Robert de Grossteste "De Luce" on the universe as expansion
of a point of light.

5.Preparing brief address for OCMC(Orthodox Christian Mission Center)
Banquet. It would seem, and it may be, that my qualification for
addressing you is in my years in Japan, after that perhaps trips
to Russia in recent years, but it seems to me that when I say a prayer
before making a phone call or writing an email or talking with a clerk
in a store, that this encounter becomes mission and that what was real
mission--sharing of life and faith and hope--in those foreign works
was not different in kind from this.

This strikes me as a good paragraph? I will put it in.

6.Simple Joke remained in my simple mind from a friend.
A man goes into a chinese bar
"I want a stoly."
bartender looks at him says
"alright--'a man goes into a chinese bar...'"

we all have pronunciation limits and I know mine, any sound not
american, so I hope this is not somehow politically incorrect but
what amuses me is not that but the circular quality of it...
a stoly is of course a shot of stolichnaya.

7.Traditionally here there is a picture...Let us put one more
of the Chrysler building Saturday night seen from in front of
Grand Central. Composition from this angle lacks the leaves in
the upper right but it can go with at least part of this entry,
as always I invite all your response, yours
+Seraphim
.
Another angle of Chrysler Building, Saturday night.

Daily Reading:

nycxmcd@gmail.com (nyc_xenia) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:49:00 PST

Monday

LITURGY

1 Thessalonians 2:20-3:8

For ye are our glory and joy. Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone; And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto. For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know. For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain. But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

Luke 11:29-33

And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet. For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

+ + +

HOLY MARTYRS AKEPSIMUS, BISHOP; JOSEPH, PRIEST; AND AETHALAS, DEACON, OF PERSIA
ST WINEFRED

Troparion of the Martyrs Tone 3

O servants of godliness/ you were pillars of the Church/ and humbled the proud fire-worshipers./ O much-afflicted Hierarch Akepsimus, Joseph and Aethalas,/ pray to Christ our God to grant us His great mercy.

Troparion of St Winefred Tone 8

Caradog's anger struck off thy head, O pious Winefred/ but by the prayers of the Wonderworker Beuno thy mutilated form was miraculously made whole and restored to life./ As thou didst dedicate thy life to God's service in thanksgiving for His abundant mercy,/ pray that we, never forgetting His mercy towards us,/ may live only for Him that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion of the Martyrs Tone 2

Thou didst serve the Divine Mysteries blamelessly/ and was thyself an acceptable sacrifice,/ for thou didst drink Christ's chalice./ O Akepsimus, together with thy fellow martyrs,/ pray unceasingly for us all.

The Book, The Pen, and a Friend

ragamuffin diva — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:40:19 PST

Everything is harder for me in November. I have Seasonal Affective Disorder, so much of this has to do with the shortening of days. Unfortunately, I don't usually benefits from the gift of the morning sun daylight savings time offers, either. In November it's common for me to go to sleep around sunrise. If God passes out new mercies with the rising of the sun, I tuck them into bed with me; they're my best chance for rest and a modicum of relief from pain.

The rest of why this particular November has been hard has to do with my nagging anxiety that despite the huge amount of rewrites I've done--it's taken me more time to revise God Alone is Enough than it took to write the first draft--I still won't be turning it in until later today. And every day past my deadline--weeks ago--has felt like an albatross around my neck.. I couldn't stop myself from worrying: about the deadline; about the work; about whether or not Paraclete Press, or anyone else for that matter, will ever want me to do another book. And I've been crushed by unrelenting sorrow. Y'all know what I do when I'm sad: eat and languish. So, yeah. I look and feel, like a beached whale.

I just wanted to do well. I want God Alone is Enough to be witty and insightful, and draw people to Jesus, but I haven't been sure I've accomplished that at all. Often Teresa's ever shifting terminology confused me, or concepts that are just plain hard to describe refused to yield to my efforts to simplify them. The stuff in her books are totally counter cultural, too, Christian culture included! I've had moments in which I begged Jesus to help me, and I've earnestly asked Teresa for her intercession. But more than a few times I've collapsed into bed with my personals vices, sweets and despair. I don't know how many times I've asked myself, why I'm doing such a crazy thing as writing a book about St. Teresa. What have I, a 45 year old, sick, tired, black woman to do with a sixteenth century mystic?

Do you ever wonder why you were chosen to do some task that soars about your head? And believe me, I was chosen. This book deal dropped out of the sky and landed on me. Sometimes I think Teresa hand-picked me.

She was part Jewish, you know, and knew all about racial discrimination. She was also chronically ill. Amid persecution, she clung to the knowledge that Christ was her Beloved, and at times, no one took her seriously for this. She was a woman, writing in a man's world. Hmmm. Looking at all that makes me wonder if maybe it was God who threw us together after all.
But that doesn't the work easier.

So, the night before last I went to sleep at a wicked early hour, only to awaken to the sounds of an argument that had no business happening in a house full of love. I confess my response was less than charitable to, which gave me another reason to feel bad. My rule is, if I don't get to sleep before 5 a.m. I don't go to Mass, but despite this, and the fact that I resembled an angry zombie ready to eat the brains of the family members I had to referee, I got my stormy pair back to their respective corners and fled to Mass.

Oh, but lovies! The sun shined so very brightly yesterday. Temps were in the upper sixties, and the walk warmed me so I had to shed my lightweight coat. Because I moved slowly, however, I missed some of Mass. St. Peter Claver's is growing exponentially. Unless you like to sit in the back, you don't want to get there late. But I dutifully sat where the usher led me: a chair behind the back pew, right beside a magnificent stained glass window.

We have several stunning stained glass windows at St. Peter Claver's, which represent the usual suspects. There's Jesus, St. Peter Claver, St. Martin de Porres, and a few I haven't figured out yet. I happened to sit at the feet of one I didn't know, a nun, based on her clothing. But her face was radiant, and so beautiful, and strangely, sitting so close to her made me feel like I was in the comforting presence of a motherly ally. It felt as if she were hugging me.

Mass was lovely. We really have a great parish and remarkable priest. Somewhere after communion, at the time when my soul is happiest, I glanced at the window again. And that's when I noticed something about my new friend. In her right hand was a feathery quill pen. In her left was a book. There's only one saint I know of who is always pictured with a pen and a book. My new friend was St. Teresa of Avila.

God is kind to give us little signs all around us to let us know we're exactly where we should be. If only we had eyes to see them. I my "coincidence" was His providence letting me know that He'd indeed placed me in the circle of her prayers, and as she was fond of sayings, I was to let nothing upset me.

I'm going with God this morning, and turning the book in with radical trust. May you too see signpost that point you to the grace you've been given, and you have been given it, in your own day.

Love,
mair

P.S. Here's a little Teresa for inspiration today:

Let nothing upset you,
let nothing startle you.
All things pass;
God does not change.
Patience wins all it seeks.
Whoever has God lacks nothing:
God alone is enough.

One Week Left

Alana — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:59:25 PST

I've only got one week left on my brown dress experiment. I need to sit down with myself and ferret out all the goodies I've learned about myself during this process. There has been some self discovery, or at least some clarity. Folks, I have me some ISSUES. Ha! like you all didn't already know that.

Will I be glad when it's over? Yes. Will I still wear my brown dresses often? Oh, yes! Will I go through my wardrobe ruthlessly and cull? Definitely.

Mostly, I'll be very glad to wear something dressier to Church again. I feel dressed down and too comfy there. Like I'm wearing sweat pants to Church. That's how cozy the brown dresses are. I understand the concept of "Sunday best" now, like never before.

I'll blog more about it later.

pravoslav_ru @ 2009-11-14T21:29:00

Вадим Квятковский — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:28:57 PST

Многие, наверное, получили в последние дни СМС-сообщение, примерно такого содержания:
"В Афганистане исламисты сегодня собираются казнить 22 христианские миссионерские семьи. Пожалуйста, распространите это сообщение настолько быстро, насколько возможно"

Это не просто "утка". Подобные события имели место быть, только не сегодня, и не вчера.

Англоязычный вариант этой информации распространялся в США уже очень давно:
http://blinkministries.org/?p=348 Ссылка, естественно, не на исходную смс, этот американец тоже получил информацию по рассылке (в феврале 2009 г.), которая началась в Европе и США гораздо раньше.

Приведенная в этих смс информация указывает на события 2007 года, когда талибы в Афганистане захватили в заложники корейских миссионеров (в большинстве своем это были пресвитериане) и собирались их казнить. Казнь действительно намечалась, но была отложена, в т.ч. благодаря общественному резонансу в США и Европе. То, что в рассылках говорится о миссионерских семьях, а не об отдельных миссионерах, можно, например, объяснить или эффектом "испорченного телефона", или тем, что автор исходного сообщения в день предполагаемой казни, просто не имел абсолютно точной информации. Потом миссионеры были освобождены.

Подробности можно посмотреть по ссылкам:
http://www.vsesmi.ru/news/873775/1725307/ - 22 южнокорейских миссионера, удерживаемые талибами, живы
http://old.topnews.ru/news_id_13524.html - Талибы начали убивать заложников
http://www.nakanune.ru/news/2007/08/31/292121 - Злоключения южнокорейских миссионеров окончены

Подобные события находят очень сильный оклик у христиан во всем мире, и, как мы видим, СМСки по цепочке передаются до сих пор, из страны в страну, будучи переведенными на разные языки. Сейчас они получили распространение и в России.

Теоретически, тем не менее, конечно, можно предположить, что это сообщение изначально было чьей-то своеобразной злой или глупой шуткой.

Остается добавить, что по первой приведенной мной ссылке автор призывает молиться за христиан, которых часто казнят в исламских странах.

UPD
Появилась информация, что одна неопротестантская организация харизматиков якобы взяла на себя ответственность за распространение этих СМС, объявив тем самым "учебную молитвенную тревогу". Все может быть, но это очень похоже на то, как террористические организации ради саморекламы "берут ответственность" за громкие теракты.

Manic Monday

Elizabeth @ The Garden Window — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:16:46 PST

Well, I hope it will prove to be calmer than the weekend !

Friday, the builders came with a wonderful mini-digger to rip up the drive and the pathway to the house, prior to resurfacing. And then the rain came. And it rained. And rained. The drive and the path were reduced to gloop. And that was the only access point to the house. We ended up tottering along planks of wood, LOL.

Then the 80mph winds started to howl around the house like Wuthering Heights. With even more rain. As an added bonus, we had hailstones and lightning. I have to say, it was good to be safely holed up indoors, with the wood-burning stove alight, listening to the elements battling outside !

In the midst of the dramatic weather, DoomHamster and fiance arrived to ponder over seating plans for the wedding reception, which is now less than two weeks away. Much was agreed, but we do still have a few problems to iron out, namely where to sit one fundmamentalist Christian, one outspoken unreconstructed pagan and a scattering of same-sex friends whose lifestyle is not in keeping with the Church, and we have both our wonderful Parish priest and my equally wonderful godbrother who is a priest-monk attending too.

On Sunday, we had two sets of rainbows, much to the delight of the littlies and me.

It was also the 87th birthday of my mother's wonderful neighbour and friend, John. He is alert, active and an inspiration to us all, and we all love him dearly. He has no children of his own, is widowed, and we made a special point of getting him a really nice card proudly emblazoned with "To a very special Uncle" from DD3&4, and Mum said that he was tickled pink with it. He also had cards from DD1, DD2 and us, of course.

Oh, and NaNo ! Just when you thought you might escape without an update, I am now up to 40,029 words. I nearly killed off my hero's wife but thought better of it at the last moment. :-)

An Advent Hmyn

Matt — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:18:48 PST

Orignailly compsed in Latin by St. Ambrose of Milan (340-397).
Translated into English by J.M. Neal in 1862.

Come, Thou Redemer of the Earth

Come, thou Redeemer of the earth,
and manifest thy virgin birth:
let every age adoring fall;
such birth befits the God of all.

Begotten of no human will,
but of the Spirit, thou art still
the Word of God in flesh arrayed,
the promised fruit to man displayed.

The virgin womb that burden gained
with virgin honor all unstained;
the banners there of virtue glow;
God in his temple dwells below.

Forth from his chamber goeth he,
that royal home of purity,
a giant in twofold substance one,
rejoicing now his course to run.

From God the Father he proceeds,
to God the Father back he speeds;
his course he runs to death and hell,
returning on God's throne to dwell.

O equal to thy Father, thou!
Gird on thy fleshly mantle now;
the weakness of our mortal state
with deathless might invigorate.

Thy cradle here shall glitter bright,
and darkness breathe a newer light,
where endless faith shall shine serene,
and twilight never intervene.

All laud to God the Father be,
all praise, eternal Son, to thee;
all glory, as is ever meet,
to God the Holy Paraclete.

Un enseignant de l'Institut Saint-Serge intervient à l'École supérieure de journalisme de Lille

Jivko Panev — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:48:00 PST

Pour la quatrième année consécutive, l'École supérieure de journalisme de Lille (ESJ) a organisé une session de formation permanente, destinée à des journalistes de France 3, sur le thème « Les religions en France ». Cette formation a pour objectif de donner ou de rappeler des points de repère fondamentaux à des journalistes professionnels désireux d'approfondir et d'actualiser leurs connaissances sur le fait religieux en France. Le père Jivko Panev a été invité à intervenir le 19 octobre dernier, pour la troisième fois, sur le thème suivant : « Les orthodoxes en France (organisation, importance, défis) ».

I just came accross this on another blog.

Matt — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:03:41 PST

I just read what follows at Mystagogy.

In a village of Romania there was no priest and the residents often went to the Patriarch with the problem in order to fill the empty spot. However the Patriarch did not have the means of satisfying the demand. The villagers often went to the Patriarch, but he would say the same thing, that he did not have a priest to send to the village.

Meanwhile people died unread (no funeral service), others had relationships and children without marriage vows, and the children and adults alike were unbaptized.

Then one day, outside of the church, a car stopped and out stepped a priest. The village was astonished and yelled out that a priest had come.

The villagers went to the church to greet him and asked him, "How did you come to the village after our Patriarch had said that he doesn't have a priest to send us?"

The priest answered, "Isn't this what you wanted? Did you not want a priest? Here I am."

All the villagers were glad in the presence of the new priest.

The priest began immediately working. He went to all the graves and read the funeral service. He baptized and married everyone in the village and administered Holy Communion.

One day he invited all the villagers to church and told them, "I will leave now, my mission is done."

The villagers were confused and asked, "Now that you came, you are leaving?"

However the priest did not listen to the villagers and proceeded with his decision.

When the villagers realized that their wasn't anything they could do, they thanked him for his offering.

After a few days, the villagers went to the Patriarch and they thanked him for sending them a priest and to let him know that they would appreciate it if he could send them another priest soon, but the Patriarch didn't know anything.

He said to them, "I didn't send a priest because I don't have one, however let me check with the chancellor to see if he had sent a priest to you to serve your needs."

He phoned the chancellor, but he too didn't send anyone.

The Patriarch inquired, "What did this priest do in your parish?"

The villagers answered, "He married us, baptized us, performed funerals for our parents, he did what any other priest would have performed for us."

Then the Patriarch asked, "Well, didn't he gave you any papers or log the Mysteries.

"Of course," said the villagers, "he gave us papers and he wrote them in the church's books."

"Then did anyone see what he wrote? And with what name he signed?"

"All the documents were written in Romanian and we are not well educated and the signature he signed in a language we have not seen before."

The Patriarch requested they go bring the books in order to see who was this clergyman.

When they returned with the book the Patriarch remained speechless. He couldn't believe his eyes.

Indeed all the documents were written in Romanian while his name was written in Greek with the name of his signature,

Nektarios, Bishop of Pentapolis

Feast of St. Matthew

Matt — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:50:43 PST

Today, 15 November is the first day of the Nativity Fast, which is often called Advent. It is a fast during which the Orthodox prepare for the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus.

Beginning at sundown today (or the start of Vespers if you were able to get to the service tonight) today and running until Sundown (or the start of Vespers on the 16th) is the Feast of the Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, my heavenly patron and intercessor. In honor of the day, tonight at supper my wife gave me an Icon of the Synaxis of the Saints who have Shown Forth in America. Depicted in the Icon are all of the American Saints standing together, around the edge of the Icon are smaller Icons depicting partsof the Saint's lives. It is very beautiful and has been placed in the Icon Corner.

Anselm Samuel had a fever of 100 so he stayed home with Athanasia, but Basil and I went for a walk after supper. Every day when the sunsetshe says,"Can we go fora night time walk?" He loves them. I don't know why. So most nights, as we did tonight, we go for a walk through our neighborhood in the dark.

Everyone is in bed now but me. It cold out. I think I'll mull some cider and finish this paper I am writing for school.

Patriarch Pavle of Serbia falls asleep in the Lord

fatherstephen — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:44:16 PST

This morning (November 15), Patriarch Pavle of Serbia fell asleep in the Lord. May his memory be eternal! Pray for the Church in Serbia as it mourns one of the holiest men to have been a successor to St. Sava. His simplicity and uncompromising commitment to the truth in Christ, resisting every force of politics or worldliness, will always be living examples of what it means to serve the flock of Christ. Memory eternal!

There are many news stories available on the Patriarch’s death, with brief biographies. However, if you are unfamiliar with this wonderful living saint (for he was often called this by many), I would recommend three articles, translated by Fr. Milovan Katanic, by the Patriarch on prayer. They are a blessing. They may be read here, here and here.

Как закон защищает жизнь. Польский опыт

Без фанатизма! — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:27:26 PST

Как только не запугивают российское общество сторонники легальности детоубийств (абортов)! По их мнению, в случае делегализации абортов - и количество нелегальных "прерываний" невероятно подскочит, и материнская смертность возрастет, и все общество деградирует и чуть ли не погибнет - все это они нам обещают в ситуации, если государство законодательно отвергнет право родителей убивать своих детей.
Доводы сторонников детоубийств - ЛОЖЬ.

Уже второй десяток лет в другой восточноевропейской, посткоммунистической, славянской стране - Польше - действует закон о защите жизни, остановивший сатанинскую оргию массовых детоубийств. Как же это законодательство отразилось на жизни современного польского общества?
Предлагаем вашему внимание важнейшее исследование, посвященное данному вопросу (публикуется с незначительными сокращениями).

Как закон защищает жизнь

Польша: путь к правовой защите жизни

(доклад по материалам Польской Федерации Движений в Защиту Жизни)

В течение длительного периода, с 1956 по 1993 гг., польское законодательство разрешало совершение абортов по желанию. В результате длительной борьбы активистов, деятельность которых связана с Польской Федерацией Движений в Защиту Жизни, ситуация изменилась. Был принят статут «О планировании семьи, охране человеческого плода и критериях допустимости прерывания беременности». Новое законодательство запрещает аборты, кроме так называемых «исключительных случаев».

Вступление.

Говоря о польском Статуте о защите жизни от 1993 года, необходимо отметить следующее:
- Польша — первая страна, в которой в условиях демократии законодательство, допускающее аборты, было заменено законодательством, защищающим право на жизнь. Этот прецедент доказывает, что легальность абортов — не критерий цивилизованности страны; и может положить начало изменению законодательств об абортах во всем мире.
- Отмена легальности абортовявляется одним из достижений общественного движения «Солидарность», которое инициировало процессы, повлиявшие на всю Европу. «Солидарность» боролась за фундаментальные гражданские права, в том числе за важнейшее из них — право на жизнь.
- Польское законодательство по защите жизни — в том числе результат деятельности Католической Церкви, которая уделяет значительное внимание борьбе за права слабых и беззащитных.
- Польский опыт последних 10 лет, демонстрируя широкое благотворное влияние законодательной защиты жизни на общество, является весомым аргументом для защитников жизни во всем мире.

История абортов в Польше.

Стоит отметить, что первый раз аборты в Польше были легализованы при нацистах в 1942 году. Постановлением от 09.03.1942 польским женщинам позволялось совершать аборты по желанию. В то же время для немок аборты были строжайше запрещены — вплоть до смертной казни за это. После Второй Мировой Войны легализация абортов была отменена в соответствии с предвоенным законодательством. Второй раз аборты по желанию матери были разрешены 27 апреля 1956 года парламентариями, членство которых в Сейме было навязано советским диктатором Иосифом Сталиным. Этот закон действовал до 7 января 1993 года когда, в результате длительной борьбы защитников жизни, был заменен статутом «О планировании семьи, охране человеческого плода и критериях допустимости прерывания беременности».
Новый закон запрещал аборты, кроме так называемых «исключительных случаев». Но борьба за дело защиты жизни в Польше на этом не закончилась: в 1996 году посткоммунистический парламент изменил законодательство, разрешив прерывание беременности «по социальным показаниям». Эта редакция закона была подписана президентом Александром Квасьневским 20 ноября 1996 года. Однако Конституционный Суд Польши постановил, что новый закон не соответствует Конституции, и в декабре 1997 года, после годичного бездействия, Статут о защите жизни от 7 января 1993 года снова вступил в силу.

Аргументы Конституционного Cуда:

В соответствии с польской Конституцией, Польша — демократическое правовое государство.
Это означает, что в Польше все люди имеют равные права, и в особенности — фундаментальное право на жизнь.
Нет достаточных оснований считать, что нерожденный ребенок не является человеком.
Будучи человеком, нерожденный ребенок имеет право на жизнь с момента зачатия.
Аборт по социальным показаниям (или по желанию) нарушает право нерожденного ребенка на жизнь.
Закон, который допускает прерывание беременности по социальным показаниям или по желанию, противоречит Конституции Польши.

Содержание Статута.

По Статуту аборты признаются нелегальными за исключением трех случаев: при угрозе для жизни или здоровья матери, при тяжелой болезни плода и при наличии оснований считать, что беременность наступила в результате противоправного деяния. По закону ответственность за аборт несет совершивший его врач, а не женщина, которая на это решилась.

Последствия действия Статута.

Статут действует уже более 10 лет. За этот период произошло много позитивных перемен. Важнейшим результатом законодательной защиты жизни стало кардинальное снижение количества абортов, совершаемых в Польше. Важно отметить, что количество регистрируемых абортов начало снижаться в начале 80-х, когда стала развиваться деятельность движения в защиту жизни, а социальная активность Польской Католической Церкви стала набирать обороты.

Более того, улучшилось состояние репродуктивного здоровья женщин: сократилась материнская смертность, связанная с беременностью, родами и послеродовыми осложнениями (в то же время, зафиксирована только одна смерть, наступившая в результате нелегального аборта); повысилась грамотность населения в репродуктивных вопросах (уменьшилось количество беременностей у несовершеннолетних); также снизилась смертность новорожденных и детская смертность в результате выкидышей.

Влияние Статута на общество.

В сознании польского общества возросло неприятие абортов: если в 1992 году 26% респондентов ответило, что аборты должны быть доступны без каких-либо ограничений, то в настоящий момент только 16% поляков одобряют аборты. Абсолютное большинство польских граждан считает, что аборты должны быть запрещены в тех случаях, которые описаны в Статуте.
К сожалению, не было отмечено значительного спада популярности убеждения, что в некоторых случаях аборты должны быть разрешены. Это подтверждает, что ныне действующее законодательство оказывает значительное влияние на отношение к абортам.

Ниже представлены результаты одного из исследований:

Источник: Центр Исследования Общественного Мнения, ноябрь 2006

Каким образом Статут защищает жизнь?

Пришло время подробнее рассмотреть влияние антиабортного законодательства. Надеемся, что этот короткий доклад, основанный на официальных правительственных данных, даст ответ на наиболее часто задаваемые вопросы.

-Уменьшилось ли количество абортов в Польше после принятия антиабортного законодательства?

Да, уменьшилось. В Таблице 1 отражено количество легальных абортов, совершавшихся в течение каждого года. Данные говорят о быстром снижении уровня абортов, за исключением 1997 года, когда действие Статута было частично приостановлено. В основном, количество абортов снижалось от года к году.

- Каковы масштабы проблемы нелегальных абортов в Польше? Правдивы ли сообщения об их огромном количестве?

Очевидно, что официальная статистика по количеству совершенных абортов отличается от действительности. Правительственные доклады говорят о нескольких десятках ежегодных случаев нарушения закона. Например, за 2005 год зафиксировано 56 нелегальных абортов.
Достаточно трудно оценить истинное количество нелегальных абортов в Польше, и тем не менее, нет никаких аргументов в пользу того, что это количество возросло. Напротив, отсутствие связанных с абортами побочных явлений, таких как гинекологические осложнения, указывают на то, что аборты не относятся к острым социальным проблемам Польши.
Все вышесказанное позволяет сделать обоснованное заключение о том, что хоть подпольные аборты по-прежнему практикуются, они все же не являются таким широко распространенным явлением, как это пытается представить отделение Международной Федерации Планирования Семьи (International Planned Parenthood Federation) в Польше. Подобные утверждения не имеют под собой никаких убедительных оснований и делаются с целью дезинформации общества для возбуждения недоверия к антиабортному законодательству, его эффективности и целям, которым это законодательство служит.

- Возросло ли количество гинекологических осложнений, которые могли бы быть связаны с нелегальными абортами?

Наоборот, как видно из Диаграммы 1, количество смертей, связанных с беременностью, послеродовым периодом и самими родами, снизилось. Эти данные, вкупе с уменьшившимся количеством выкидышей, говорят о всеобщем улучшении репродуктивного здоровья женщин. Если бы информация о большом количестве подпольных абортов соответствовала действительности, наблюдался бы рост женской смертности и количества выкидышей в результате последствий подпольных абортов.

Диаграмма 1

Источник: Правительственные доклады на тему соблюдения статута «О планировании семьи, охране человеческого плода и условиях допустимости прерывания беременности». 2001 и 2005 гг.

Еще одним благотворным последствием действия Статута в Польше стало принятие Программы улучшения ведения беременностей. Одним из ее результатов стало снижение смертности новорожденных с 1,62% в 1993 г. до 0,64% в 2005 г.

- Не спровоцировала ли делегализация абортов рост количества детоубийств, совершенных матерями сразу после родов?

Наоборот: как следует из Диаграммы 2, их количество постоянно уменьшается. Публикации на первых страницах газет о единичных случаях детоубийств в сочетании с предположениями, что эти детоубийства спровоцированы антиабортным законодательством, являются ничем иным, как циничным использованием человеческой трагедии для манипуляции общественным сознанием и установления контроля над ним.

Диаграмма 2

Источник: Правительственные доклады на тему соблюдения статута «О планировании семьи, охране человеческого плода и условиях допустимости прерывания беременности». 2001 и 2005 гг.

- Как часто матери оставляют своих новорожденных детей в больницах?

Количество детей, оставленных в больницах не по причине заботы об их здоровье составляет около 1000 человек в год. Важно также отметить, что количество оставленных в больницах детей, многих из которых потом забирают опекуны или приемные родители, не является острой социальной проблемой. Сторонники абортов утверждают, что если бы не Статут, эти дети никогда бы не родились. Но это означает лишь то, что этих детей убили бы, не дав появиться на свет, что у сторонников абортов считается лучшим выбором.

- Влияет ли антиабортное законодательство на позицию молодежи?

Определенно, да. Доказательством может служить снижение количества беременностей у несовершеннолетних, что отражено на Диаграмме 3.

Диаграмма 3

- Каковы перспективы на будущее? Что ждет Польшу в грядущие годы в отношении антиабортного законодательства?

Президент Лех Качиньский, как и правительство, возглавляемое Ярославом Качиньским из партии «Право и справедливость», — гаранты того, что действующее законодательство не будет изменено в течение нескольких ближайших лет. Большинство польских политических партий считают, что Статут является оптимальным компромиссом, и также не добиваются его изменения.

Как было сказано выше, возросло неприятие абортов в обществе. Абсолютное большинство польских граждан считает, что право нерожденного ребенка на жизнь должно быть законодательно защищено, и что законодательство об абортах должно продолжать действовать в нынешнем виде.

- Защищает ли статут «О планировании семьи, охране человеческого плода и критериях допустимости прерывания беременности» всех нерожденных детей в достаточной мере?

Он не защищает больных детей; детей, зачатие которых произошло в результате преступления, и тех, чье развитие во чреве матери представляет угрозу для ее здоровья. Это пример позорной дискриминации, особенно когда исключения касаются детей, которым требуется особая забота. Однако борцы за жизнь осознают, что для обеспечения полной юридической защитой всех нерожденных детей необходима большая просветительская работа, т.к. люди считают действующее законодательство достаточным. Для Польской Федерации Движений в Защиту Жизни именно целенаправленное просвещение общества, направленное на рост уважения к жизни каждого человеческого существа с момента зачатия до естественной смерти, является приоритетным направлением деятельности.

Выводы

Все вышеприведенные факты говорят о том, что Статут, защищающий жизнь, приносит пользу зачатым детям, женщинам, семьям и обществу в целом. Пропаганда, имеющая целью дискредитировать действующее законодательство и добиться расширения критериев допустимости прерывания беременности, должна быть признана исключительно деструктивной для общества. Дискуссии о законодательстве должны вестись для нахождения лучших способов защиты жизней нерожденных детей, их матерей и семей. Пересмотр неотъемлемого права человека на жизнь, подтвержденного Конституционным Судом Польши в 1997 году, не может быть целью таких дискуссий.

Составители:

Др. Павел Восицкий — председатель Польской Федерации Движений в Защиту Жизни, Польша
Др. Антони Зенба — вице-председатель Польской Федерации Движений в Защиту Жизни, Польша

Польская Федерация Движений в Защиту Жизни объединяет около 140 организаций со всей страны. Не будучи политическим образованием, Федерация занимается поддержкой политиков, которые, рискуя быть непонятыми или даже оказаться в изоляции, выступают в парламенте Польши за дело защиты жизни. Кроме того, мы имеем целью повлиять на общественное мнение так, чтобы возможно больше людей узнало и приняло истину о том, что каждый человек — только зачатый или новорожденный, молодой или старый, здоровый или больной — имеет одно и то же право на жизнь. Однако это не означает, что Федерация концентрируется исключительно на юридических аспектах защиты жизни. Большинство организаций, входящих в Федерацию, — это группы, занимающиеся оказанием непосредственной помощи беременным женщинам и их семьям.

Перевод с польского: Глеб Лихоткин, Инициативная группа "Азбука веры - Омега"

Нужно оставаться христианином на дороге

Саша Сопова — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:25:33 PST

Третье воскресенье ноября – Всемирный день памяти жертв дорожно-транспортных происшествий. Святейший Патриарх Кирилл призвал всех православных христиан молитвенно помянуть погибших.
Протоиерей Максим Козлов, настоятель храма св. мц. Татианы в Москве:
"Дорога – в ситуации конца ХХ века и начала XХI – это одна из лучших возможностей в школе молитвы. Собственно, где сейчас удобнее всего молиться и где каждый день, при всей нашей занятости, Господь дает человеку возможность молиться? Конечно, в дороге.
Элементарные вещи, которые называются правилами дорожного движения, на самом деле соответствуют делу воспитания нас в духе заповедей: пропусти другого человека."