Lord Carey on the Pope & Islam

Lord Carey defends pope:
THE former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey of Clifton has issued his own challenge to “violent” Islam in a lecture in which he defends the Pope’s “extraordinarily effective and lucid” speech.

“We are living in dangerous and potentially cataclysmic times,” he said. “There will be no significant material and economic progress [in Muslim communities] until the Muslim mind is allowed to challenge the status quo of Muslim conventions and even their most cherished shibboleths.”

Lord Carey’s address came as the man who shot and wounded the last Pope wrote to Pope Benedict XVI to warn him that he was in danger. Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish gunman who tried to murder John Paul II in 1981 and is now in prison in Turkey, urged the Pope not to visit the country in November.

“I write as one who knows about these matters very well,” Agca said. “Your life is in danger. Don’t come to Turkey — absolutely not!”

Since the Pope quoted a Byzantine emperor as saying that the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad were “evil and inhuman”, a nun has been shot dead, a terrorist group linked to al-Qaeda has vowed to kill the Pope, churches in Palestinian areas have been attacked and security at churches and mosques in London and elsewhere has been stepped up.

Read the rest here.

The Party!!!

New York is a city that is used to celebrating baseball championships. But that’s usually in the Bronx. Division pennants over there are so routine they usually are observed with a firm handshake and a polite nod. Not so in Queens. Last night the Mets and their fans showed people how to whoop it up. Below are a few shots of the party from Newsday.

Paul Loduca & Billy Wagner after clinching

Jose Reyes takes a champagne shower

A soaked David Wright greets the fans while enjoying a stogy

Jose & David enjoying a drink and cigar

GM Omar Minaya joins the party

Fred Wilpon greets pitching coach Rick Peterson

Paul Loduca thanking the fans

The fans stayed long after the game ended

National League East Champions!!!

The Religion of Peace responds to B16

The Greek Orthodox Church of Tulkarm burned by Islamic gunmen.

Since I originally posted my quote of Pope Benedict's remarks at Regensburg while expressing concern that they might provoke a response from people not known for starting a petition drive when they are aggrieved events have sadly gone from bad to ugly. Many churches have been attacked and vandalized; Christians have also been attacked including a nun who was murdered. Ugly threats coupled with ugly demonstrations seem to be the preferred means to prove that Benedict was wrong to make use of a medieval quote calling Islam violent. The irony of this seems to be lost on many though. The editors of the New York Times recently ran a prominent demand for the Pope to recant. No word was printed about the obvious propensity for violence which exists in at least a significant part of the Islamic world towards Christians and Jews. Where are the hierarchs of the Orthodox Church?

CAIRO, Egypt - Al-Qaida in Iraq warned Pope Benedict XVI on Monday that its war against Christianity and the West will go on until Islam takes over the world, and Iran’s supreme leader called for more protests over the pontiff’s remarks on Islam...

“You infidels and despots, we will continue our jihad (holy war) and never stop until God avails us to chop your necks and raise the fluttering banner of monotheism, when God’s rule is established governing all people and nations,” said the statement by the Mujahedeen Shura Council, an umbrella organization of Sunni Arab extremist groups in Iraq...

Another Iraqi extremist group, Ansar al-Sunna, challenged “sleeping Muslims” to prove their manhood by doing something other than “issuing statements or holding demonstrations.

“If the stupid pig is prancing with his blasphemies in his house,” the group said in a Web statement, referring to the pope, “then let him wait for the day coming soon when the armies of the religion of right knock on the walls of Rome.”

Occidentalis is Resurected

It is with great joy that I note (somewhat belatedly) that the excellent blog Occidentalis (by Ben Anderson) has returned from the dead. I have always regarded this as one of the better and more thoughtful Western oriented Orthodox Blogs on the web. I know that I among many others was saddened by his decision in April to retire from blogging. Welcome Back!

B16 vs Islam: The lighter side

"Furthermore, the Pope infuriated Muslims, Jews, and PETA by delivering his entire speech in Pig Latin.
Fr. Joseph (Huneycutt)

Heard that whilst walking to the car in Regensburg after his sermon, he sang: "Yo I'm bu-bu-bu-bu-bad, bu-bu-bu-bu-bu-b-a-a-a-a-a-d to the bone." Then he got in the Benz and was whisked away. Vatican spokesmen on the scene were quick to quip, "...his Holiness was simply singin' with his I-pod. No more questions."
James the Thickheaded

Read the rest in Fr. Joseph's lighthearted take on the current controversy over at Orthodoxi. Also be sure to check out the comments.

Flash Bulletin: Homosexual ex Catholic joins Episopalians!

From the "and this is news because....?" files:

Rocco Palmo over at Whispers from the Loggia notes...

From the somewhat-local beat, if you live in the States, get ready to see Jim McGreevey everywhere you turn. The former governor of New Jersey -- who spun his scandal-induced fall from the nation's most powerful state office by declaring his (twice-married) self a "gay American" -- is prepping for the release of his tell-all memoir, The Confession, next Tuesday; the obligatory come-to-Oprah has already been taped, and word is that he'll also be appearing on Fox News. Expect some questions about his faith journey; in two gubernatorial runs, McGreevey made a lot of hay out of his up-from-the-bootstraps Irish Catholic ethic, being an NCR subscriber, etc. but was recently said to have "embraced" the Episcopal church.

Sigh

The Countdown

1

Tonight the NY Mets will clinch the National League East Division Pennant if either (or both) of the following occur.

1. The Mets win.
2. The Phillies loose.

The Reaction Begins

As I noted in an earlier piece, the Pope's comments at Regensburg were likely to provoke a response. That has now begun. The Pope is predictably being condemned in many quarters of the Islamic world with more possibly coming tomorrow when observant Muslims go to Mosque for their prayers. Some have even speculated that this could endanger the pontiff's forthcoming trip to Turkey and his planned meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch. We should all pray first for this man's safety and secondly that he will continue to have the moral courage to give voice to politically incorrect truths. I would also hope that the hierarchs of the Orthodox Church would step up to his defense.

Exaltation of the Holy & Life Giving Cross (Fast Day)

Thursday September 14 is the feast of the Elevation of the Holy and Life Giving Cross. It is one of only two days that are identified by the Church as feasts but are observed by strict fasting.

St John Maximovitch on The Exaltation of the Precious Cross

Before the time of Christ, the cross was an instrument of punishment; it evoked fear and aversion. But after Christ's death on the Cross it became the instrument of our salvation. Through the Cross, Christ destroyed the devil; from the Cross He descended into hades and, having liberated those languishing there, led them into the Kingdom of Heaven. The sign of the Cross is terrifying to demons and, as the sign of Christ, it is honored by Christians.

"O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victory unto Orthodox Christians over their adversaries, and by the virtue of Thy Cross, preserve Thy community."

The beginning of this prayer is taken from the twenty-seventh Psalm. In the Old Testament the word "people" designated only those who confessed the true faith, people faithful to God. "Inheritance" referred to everything which properly belonged to God, God's property, which in the New Testament is the Church of Christ. In praying for the salvation of God's people (the Christians), both from eternal torments and from earthly calamities, we beseech the Lord to bless, to send down grace, His good gifts upon the whole Church as well, and inwardly strengthen her.

The petition for granting "victory to kings" (Grant victory to Orthodox Christians over their adversaries) (ie: to the bearers of Supreme authority), has its basis in Psalm 143, verse 10, and recalls the victories of King David achieved by God's power, and likewise the victories granted Emperor Constantine through the Cross of the Lord.

This appearance of the Cross made emperors who had formerly persecuted Christians into defenders of the Church from her external enemies, into "external bishops," to use the expression of the holy Emperor Constantine. The Church, inwardly strong by God's grace and protected outwardly, is, for Orthodox Christians, "the city of God." Heavenly Jerusalem has its beginning. Various calamities have shaken the world, entire peoples have disappeared, cities and states have perished, but the Church, in spite of persecutions and even internal conflicts, stands invincible; for the gates of hell shall not prevail against her (Matt. 16:18).

Today, when world leaders try in vain to establish order on earth, the only dependable instrument of peace is that about which the Church sings:

"The Cross is the guardian of the whole world; the Cross is the beauty of the Church, the Cross is the might of kings; the Cross is the confirmation of the faithful, the Cross is the glory of angels and the wounding of demons." (Exapostilarion of the Exaltation of the Cross)

Whose Church Do I Belong To: My Church or the Orthodox Church of Christ?

Fr. George Morelli

In our day the predominant culture is secularist; a view that holds that religion and the moral precepts drawn from it should have no impact in public life. Secularism is closely tied to post-modernism which eschews the existence of moral universals or even a unifying narrative. Orthodox ethicist H. Tristam Englehardt wrote that postmodernism is "the absence as a matter of fact and in principle of a universal secular moral narrative." Postmodernism has replaced the Western European view of a "monotheistic, monocultural moral vision with strong commitment to faith ... " (Englehardt, 1996).

How is secularism evident in society? One example is the divorce of law from an underlying moral narrative and thus history. Language and concepts (fairness, justice, etc.) that were drawn from the moral tradition to grant civil laws their moral legitimacy are applied in ways that are highly pragmatic and utilitarian in nature.

For example, if abortion, birth control, cloning, sex education, stem cell research and other vexing moral issues produce a pragmatically desirable outcome they should be promoted. No reference to a larger body of moral teaching (and the psychological and spiritual consequences the moral prohibitions seek to avoid) needs to be made.

Read the rest here.

The Greek Orthodox Church, The NCC and Stem Cell Research: Just say NO

Often I refrain from specifically endorsing articles I post or link on here. However in this case I am going to make an exception. I strongly endorse this article and urge everyone to read it.

Greek Orthodox Church Should Say No to NCC Collaboration on Stem Cell Research
Rev. Johannes L. Jacobse

At first glance, the position paper on human biotechnology written by the Archdiocesan Advisory Committee on Science and Technology seems innocent enough. Titled "Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: A Policy on Human Biotechnologies," the paper correctly warns against the potential abuse of emerging biological technologies.

The paper, written in collaboration with other members of the National Council of Churches (NCC), was distributed at last months' Clergy Laity Congress in Nashville. Work began three years ago and the completed version will be presented to the NCC at its national conference in November for final approval. The advisory committee is eager to have the Greek Orthodox Church endorse the document.

And there's the rub. Despite awareness of the ethical problems raised by the advances in biotechnological research, the paper says nothing about the moral status of the embryo. At the point where moral clarity is need the most, the paper is silent. It's a critical failure and officials of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese should refuse to sign it.

Read the rest here.

Quote of the Day

Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.

- Pope +Benedict XVI quoting Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus during his speech of Sept 12 2006 in Regensburg Germany

As we used to say in the navy when approaching bad weather... "Stand by for heavy rolls." I got a feeling this comment is going to provoke a response.

Hieromartyr Autonomus the Bishop in Italy

Hieromartyr Autonomus the Bishop in Italy
12 September

The Hieromartyr Autonomus was a bishop in Italy. During the time of the persecution against Christians under the emperor Diocletian (284-305), St Autonomus left his own country and resettled in Bithynia, in the locality of Soreus with a man named Cornelius. St Autonomus did his apostolic duty with zeal and converted to Christ so many pagans, that a large Church was formed, for which he consecrated a temple in the name of the Archangel Michael. For this church, the saint at first ordained Cornelius as deacon, and then presbyter. Preaching about Christ, St Autonomus visited also Lykaonia and Isauria.

The emperor Diocletian gave orders to arrest St Autonomus, but the saint withdrew to Claudiopolis on the Black Sea. In returning to Soreus, he had the priest Cornelius ordained bishop. St Autonomus then went to Asia, and when he had returned from there, he began to preach in the vicinity of Limna, near Soreus.

Once, the newly-converted destroyed a pagan temple. The pagans decided to take revenge on the Christians. Seizing their chance, the pagans rushed upon the church of the Archangel Michael when St Autonomus was serving Divine Liturgy there. After torturing St Autonomus they killed him, reddening the altar of the church with his martyr's blood. The deaconess Maria removed the body of the holy martyr from beneath a pile of stones and buried it.

During the reign of St Constantine the Great, a church was built over the tomb of the saint. In the year 430, a certain priest had the old church pulled down. Not realizing that the martyr's body had been buried beneath the church, he rebuilt the church in a new spot. But after another 60 years the relics of the saint were found incorrupt, and a church was then built in the name of the Hieromartyr Autonomus.

From the web site of the OCA.

Lest We Forget...

September 11 2001
May Their Memory Be Eternal!

What About….Freemasonery?

Most Americans, as often as they see a dollar bill, are unaware that the strange pyramid on the reverse side is a Masonic symbol and that George Washington, the "father of our country" was a Mason. What is Masonry? Few people could give more than a vague (and not very accurate) answer. It is, in fact, the largest secret society in the world, numbering nearly six million members, among whom are many men prominent in business, politics and the arts.

Until quite recently I had never known a Mason. In the first six years of my pastoral activity in the missions I had never met an Orthodox Christian who was a Mason, or catechized anyone who had ever been one. Evidently Freemasonry has rarely been attractive to the average American convert to Orthodoxy, who sees the Masonic Lodge as a silly collection of "mumbo-jumbo" and "high pooh-bahs." My own acquaintance with it was purely academic. Until this year, when my "book-knowledge" on the subject had cause to take on a definite form. Let me relate.

One day I received a call from an older man of Greek background who wished to join our parish. He made an appointment to come and talk to me. Although I noticed that he wore a distinctive ring, I failed to recognize the emblem until he casually mentioned that he belonged to the "Blue Lodge." When I asked what this was, he said, "It's a local Masonic Lodge." "Demetrios," I replied, "I can't admit you to the Sacraments if you area Freemason." "Why not?" he asked. "Because Masonry is anti-Christian and has been condemned by both the Greek and Russian Churches in this century." "That's funny," he said, "because I know many Orthodox who are my 'lodge brothers,' even a bishop!"

Read the rest here.

The Countdown

4

St Declan of Ardmore

For Juliana:

St. Declan

Read the life of St. Declan of Ardmore here.
You may click on the icons for a full size image.

How Britain is turning Christianity into a crime

How long will it be before Christianity becomes illegal in Britain? This is no longer the utterly absurd and offensive question that on first blush it would appear to be.

An evangelical Christian campaigner, Stephen Green was arrested and charged last weekend with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

So what was this behaviour? Merely trying peacefully to hand out leaflets at a gay rally in Cardiff.

So what was printed on those leaflets that was so threatening, abusive or insulting that it attracted the full force of the law?

Why, none other than the majestic words of the 1611 King James Bible.

The problem was that they were those bits of the Bible which forbid homosexuality. The leaflets also urged homosexuals to "turn from your sins and you will be saved".

But to the secular priests of the human rights culture, the only sin is to say that homosexuality is a sin.

Admittedly, Mr Green is not everyone's cup of tea; other Christians regard him as extreme. But our society is now so upside-down that, by doing nothing more than upholding a fundamental tenet of Christianity, he was treated like a criminal.

And yet at the same time, the police are still studiously refusing to act against Islamic zealots abusing British freedom to preach hatred and incitement against the West.

Read the rest here.

Western Saints Icon Project

St. Dunstan Ab. of Canterburry

St. Hubert of Liege (Belgium)

St. Boniface Equal to the Apostles and Enlightener of Germany

The Western Saints Icon Project has an extraordinary number (432!) of icons of western (pre-schism) saints. Icons of most western saints are rare and often impossible to find. Enjoy this site.

Hat tip to Monk Aidan of All Merciful Savior Orthodox Mission (ROCOR)