"Oh, footboy...put our three golf bags in the trunk, I'm beat after those 18 holes."

Небесно царство

So I watched Kingdom of Heaven last night... The first I knew of this movie was when I saw a poster in Russia...so I thought it was a Russian movie, especially with a title like "Kingdom of Heaven"; as usually when I see the Russian words "kingdom" and "heaven" it's in liturgical texts... But i digress from the scathing review... Going into the movie all that I knew was that it was about the Frankish crusades. From the get-go I learned that one went to Jerusalem to find forgiveness (through bloodshed) which Orlando's character desperately needed as he had just killed a priest for insulting his dead wife... [You can see the obvious failure of the Frankish itemization of sins and their following penances.] Throughout the movie we learn that the (good) main characters are more about 'spirituality' than 'religion'...In the words of my brother, "I didn't know they were such liberal thinkers..." As usual the portrayal of Islam is a conciliatory one; it comes out (over all) as truly peace-loving and merciful. Saladin in the end allows Jerusalem to surrender and all its occupants to be peacefully escorted to the sea. We read from history the true account:

Saladin had taken counsel and laid down these ransom terms for the inhabitants of Jerusalem: each male, ten years old and over, was to pay ten besants for his ransom; females, five besants; boys, seven years old and under, one. Those who wished would be freed on these terms and could leave securely with their possessions. The inhabitants of Jerusalem who would not accept these terms, or those who did not have ten besants, were to become booty, to be slain by the army's swords.

On the second disk of the movie there were several tv segments-one from the history channel and one from A & E. The history channel segment examined what was "history" and what was "hollywood". This cleared up the gist of the story (even with their annoying presentation). However, here are some gems from the A & E movie reel: [the crusades were] "about being bloodthirsty and not being tolerant at all" - Eva Green, co-star; from the narrator:

"Crusaders were the hero's of medieval Europe; but for modern audiences the crusades are far from a noble endeavor. For us they exemplify intolerance not virtue. [the movie is] about the triumph of dialogue over war, about the possibility for peace even in the most divided land. Ultimately it is a film that asks us to look to the distant past in order to imagine a different future."

From this I learned that intolerance is the opposite of nobility and virtue and tolerance is the highest virtue...hmm...lets have a word now from G.K. Chesterton: "Tolerance is the virtue of a man without convictions." We move through tolerance to the social gospel: "…the story of…men whose faith was tempered with tolerance. Noble men who sought a kingdom of heaven here on earth." What I find strange about both of these segments was that there were only about four instances when they talked about any Muslim aggression. The Islamic prerogative to kill infidels was never mentioned whereas the "Christian" prerogative was throughout. So in the end I liked it...because it gives me something to rant about.

To clarify your history books

[Ecumenical] Councils were convened by the Roman Emperor, beginning with Constantine the Great, in coordination with the Roman Patriarchates of Elder Rome, New Rome, Alexandria, Antioch and finally Jerusalem by 451. These Councils are (1) Nicea 325, (2) Constantinople 381, (3) Ephesus 431, (4) Chalcedon 451, (5) Constantinople 553, (6) Constantinople 680, (7) Nicea 786/7, (8) Constantinople 879 and (9) Constantinople 1341. We have here Eight Ecumenical Councils which were promulgated as Roman Law by the signature of the Emperor after their minutes had been signed by the Five Roman Patriarchates and their Metropolitans and bishops. Then we have the Ninth Ecumenical Council of 1341, whose minutes were signed by only Four Roman Patriarchates and countersigned by the Roman Emperor. Gone was now the Patriarchate of Elder Rome which had been forcefully captured by the Franks, Lombards, Germans and with the help of the Normans. This struggle began in intensity in 983 and was consummated in 1009-1046. After 1045 the Popes of Rome, except for Benedict X (1058-9), were no longer Romans, but members of the Franco-Latin nobility who enslaved the Roman population.
Fr. John Romanides

A slave to Sodom

The traditional family, the embodiment and expression of "the laws of nature and of nature's God," as the foundation of a free society, has become merely one of many "alternative lifestyles." But then a free society, as distinguished from a despotic one, itself becomes merely one of many "alternative lifestyles." A free people who succumbs to such a teaching cannot long endure. Those who choose sodomy are already choosing slavery, because whoever is an indiscriminate slave to his own unresisting passions will sooner or later become a slave to the passions of others.
Harry Jaffa

Love part III

Follows Love part II

Persons who are not yet pure, persons insofar as they are thinglike, fleshly, are capable of falling into the “similarity” of desire. But insofar as they are pure and have detached themselves from “thingness,” they are capable of achieving the “identification” of love.
But what is this thingness of a person? It is the vacuous self-equality of the person, giving to the person the unity of a concept that is self-confined in the combination of its attributes, i.e., the unity of a dead, fixed concept. In other words, it is nothing but the rationalistic “comprehensibility” of a person, i.e., the subordination of a person to the rationalistic law of identity. On the contrary the personal character of a person, this living unity of his self-building activity, the creative transcending of his self-enclosedness, constitutes his nonsubsumability in any concept, his “incomprehensibility,” and therefore his unacceptability for rationalism. It is the victory over the law of identity that raises a person above a lifeless thing and makes him a living center of activity. But it is clear that activity is essentially incomprehensible for rationalism, for activity is creativity, i.e., the addition to the given of that which is not yet given, and thus the overcoming of the law of identity.
St. Pavel (Florensky)

Christmas greetings on this third day of Christmas! - from your shapely Ambigu-claus

Apropos to the Nativity Feast

"Spiritual light," sometimes combined with spiritual "warmth" and "fragrance," is in fact the reasonable intuition we have been seeking, the intuition that includes the series of its own groundings. It is perfect beauty as the synthesis of absolute concrete givenness and absolute reasonable justifiedness. Spiritual light is the light of the Trihypostatic Divinity Itself, the Divine essence, which is not only given, but also self-given. Spiritual light is the "light of reason," the light that started to shine for the world at the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, as is sung in the Christmas troparion:

Thy birth, O Christ our God,

has shed upon the world the light of reason …

Spiritual light is the "Light of Christ" that illuminates everyone." Spiritual light is the "mental light" that makes "the soul vigilant before Thee," God, as the Holy Church tells us. It is the light of God's love, about which we pray:

With love illuminate me, I pray

that I may see Thee, Word of God

Spiritual light is the light whose seeing constitutes the contemplation of God and therefore our salvation, the salvation of us who cannot be without God. Does not the Orthodox believer pray: "Save me with Thy illumination"?
St. Pavel (Florensky)

Christ Is Born!

Rogue married Frankish priests...and the cure for the die hard ethnic "Catholic"

...these "priests without borders" provide a controversial remedy for the growing deficit of clerics in Catholic pulpits nationwide, albeit one decidedly not endorsed by the Catholic Church itself. ...more than 50,000 people have been served by the priests..."fallen" Catholics who haven't attended church for years, but want a Catholic baptism for their child or a Catholic wedding. Still others are divorced but want to wed again, even though their first marriage has not been annulled, as the church requires. Some want a religious service even though they are marrying non-Catholics, while others want to wed in locations not sanctioned for the ceremony, such as the beach or at home. And others have simply lost faith in the establishment church, judging it too hide-bound and conservative.

I just can't understand what the point of a "Catholic" service is if it's not performed by the "church" or in the "church". I guess it fits some people's "traditional" needs and that "symbolism means alot"...

Eternity is a long time...

Love part II

Follows Love part I

…love is a substantial act, going from the subject to the object and having support in the object, whereas knowledge and joy are directed toward the subject, and the subject is the point of application of their force. God's love goes over to us, but knowledge and contemplative joy abide in Him. For this reason it is not the Hypostasis of the Father or the Hypostasis of the Holy Spirit (Paraclete = Comforter, Giver of Joy) that became incarnate, but the Son-Word, the hypostatic Divine Love…
St. Pavel (Florensky)

Love part I

…love is a substantial act, going from the subject to the object and having support in the object, whereas knowledge and joy are directed toward the subject, and the subject is the point of application of their force. God's love goes over to us, but knowledge and contemplative joy abide in Him. For this reason it is not the Hypostasis of the Father or the Hypostasis of the Holy Spirit (Paraclete = Comforter, Giver of Joy) that became incarnate, but the Son-Word, the hypostatic Divine Love…
St. Pavel (Florensky)

A beautiful wedding of traditional American church design and neo-fascist revival architecture...

What if...

What if there were a religious philosophy that does not presume to declare universal religious truths? The meaning of your existence would be yours to determine.

Let me remind you, my dear reader, of the definitions of terms used in this asinine statement:
re·li·gious
1. Having or showing belief in and reverence for God or a deity.
2. Of, concerned with, or teaching religion: a religious text.
3. Extremely scrupulous or conscientious: religious devotion to duty.
phi·los·o·phy
1. Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline.
2. Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods.
3. A system of thought based on or involving such inquiry: the philosophy of Hume.
4. The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs.
5. The disciplines presented in university curriculums of science and the liberal arts, except medicine, law, and theology.
6. The discipline comprising logic, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology.
7. A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory: an original philosophy of advertising.
8. A system of values by which one lives: has an unusual philosophy of life.

Let me just say "fitting"

The "Merry Mish-Mash" holiday subversively melds symbolism from the Christian and Jewish holy seasons, dropping their associated faiths. What's left is a completely secular cultural celebration - a Decemberfest.

Like a broken record...

He had always disliked the people who encored a favourite air in the opera-"That just spoils it" had been his comment. But this now appeared to him as a principle of far wider application and deeper moment. This itch to have things over again, as if life were a film that could be unrolled twice or even made to work backwards … was it possibly the root of all evil? No: of course the love of money was called that. But money itself-perhaps one valued it chiefly as a defence against chance, a security for being able to have things over again, a means of arresting the unrolling of the film.
Ransom - Perelandra

I'm just at a loss for words...

Is your job worth the lie?

Teacher recants 'Santa is myth' story ... She told the students that in fact she had heard from Santa, and he wanted to reassure them that he is alive and well in the spirit of Christmas ... Tresia Eaves, whose son goes to the school involved, Richland Elementary, said teachers shouldn't touch the subject of Santa. "My son still believes, and by God he should be able to," she told the Morning News. "Reality comes soon enough."

I don't think that God would want someone to believe in a fake materialistic tycoon like Santa...

The fundamentals of agreed ecclesiology

…we cannot conceive how agreement can be made possible between two conceptions which agree that the existence of the ministry of the Church is by the will of Christ, but differ as to whether that ministry was instituted by Christ Himself in its three degrees of bishop, priest, and deacon. In the same way we judge there to be no practical value in an agreed formula as to the necessity of the sacraments in the Church, when there is a fundamental difference between the Churches not only in regard to their number but also as to their particular efforts. ... Nor can we here apply that principle of economy which in the past the Orthodox Church has applied under quite other circumstances in the case of those who came to her with a view to union with her.
Declaration On Behalf Of The Eastern Orthodox Church - Lausanne, 1927

…love is not an attribute of God…

…For then God's love would depend on conditional being and would thus be accidental…God, or the Truth, not only has love but, above all, "God is love"…That is, love is God's essence, His own nature, and not only His providential relationship, which is proper to Him. In other words, "God is love" (more precisely, He is "Love"), and not only "the Loving One," even if the "perfectly Loving One."
St. Pavel (Florensky)

‘Difficult’ children to be taught needlework

The Arkhangelsk regional public organization ‘Rassvet’ (‘Dawn’) works in the framework of the ‘Street Children’ project to help children from unsuccessful families. On the initiative of this organization, some teenage girls will attend a needlework club at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Arkhangelsk lead by a female parishioner. Pupils of Sunday school of the church attend the club. The children are taught the needlework and make items for charity fairs that are regularly held by the parish.

There is nothing greater than for difficult young ladies to be restored to their feminine selves...and what better way than through needlework? I would also support dishwashing, clothes laundering, cooking, house cleaning, child rearing, etc.

Of demons and dignities

Russian Archbishop Calls Lord Krishna an "Evil demon" ... Dr. Girdhari Bhan: "Archbishop Nikon should have considered the peaceful history of Hinduism before making such atrocious statements that will surely be rejected by people of common sense and dignity."

If calling a pagan god an "evil demon" goes against common sense and dignity then you can just call me non-sensical and un-dignified...

Dr. Balasubramaniam said, "I strongly condemn the outrageous and shameful behavior of the Archbishop of the Russian Orthodox Church in denigrating the oldest religion in the world..."

I'm tired of people calling Hinduism the "oldest religion" because we all know that Christianity was founded in Paradise...but on the other hand it's true because Christianity is the "cure for the sickness of religion" as Fr. John Romanides says.

And the story rages on...

Southland Christian Church senior minister Jon Weece yesterday lashed out at the media, the devil and "a handful of misguided and jealous Christians" for second-guessing his congregation's decision to close its doors on Christmas Sunday.

Yesterday, standing on a stage decorated with 15 artificial Christmas trees, Weece downplayed the significance of the day many Christians consider holy. ..."Christmas began as a pagan holiday to the Roman gods, and if we were to really celebrate the historical birth of Jesus, it would either be in early January or mid-April," Weece said. "I'm only pointing out the historical technicalities not out of intellectual arrogance, but again because of the illogical, ill-informed and even hypocritical arguments that were aimed at me this past week."

He went on to say, "Just like these artificial trees behind me Christmas is a fake holiday forced upon us by the Pope and his minions."

Referring to Christianity's Jewish roots, he said that Sunday begins at sundown on Saturday according to biblical tradition.

And with that he lays down the Jewish tradition card...we like to pick and choose Jewish traditions that fit our needs...

Weece noted that Jesus was also criticized for breaking tradition. "There were some whose zeal even in the days of Jesus was misguided," he said. "They emphasized religion over relationship."

...and your relationship with your family ("I've watched too many ministers in my life sacrifice their families on the altar of ministry, and ego and pride ...") is MUCH more important than your relationship with Jesus...forget about that little verse Luke 14:26...ah, yes...Jesus criticized for breaking tradition...the "What Jesus Did" card...He's playing his hand well!

Rx for nihilism

Nihilism is, most profoundly, a spiritual disorder, and it can be overcome only by spiritual means; and there has been no attempt whatever in the contemporary world to apply such means.
Fr. Seraphim (Rose)

That dang pernicious atheism

There are many kinds of atheism, but the worst is the so-called rational faith. It is the worst, for, besides the rejection of the object of faith ("things not seen" [Heb. 11:1]), it is hypocritical, accepts God but rejects His very essence, His "invisibility," i.e., His suprarationality.
St. Pavel (Florensky)

They create "green space" then they bungle it all up with their "public art".

A spirit yes...but who's spirit?

Add a unique new Spirit to your pre-New Years Eve celebrations by attending or creating a World Spirituality Day event. ...Think of World Spirituality Day as The Earth Day for the Spirit. ...World Spirituality Day also promises to expand into a boundless kaleidoscope of worldwide gatherings and events...The simple purpose of World Spirituality Day is to supercharge your New Year’s transition, celebrations and resolutions with the deepest power of your own spirituality.

They at first appear to be encouraging "spirituality" of any sort ("boundless kaleidoscope") in a 'spirit' of tolerance...but then their real 'spirit' (read: new age "spirituality") comes out:

Suggestions for "spirituality celebration":

• Any location or time during World Spirituality Day will work but if possible, it is better to pick a location and time of the day that is highly meaningful to you and/or your group.
• Before you start, spend a few moments getting into a relaxed, meditative or worshipful state.
• Remember in as much sensory detail as possible your single most profound and transformational personal spiritual experience. If you like, and you have more than one, go to your next most profound and transformational spiritual experience and so on until you naturally want to take a break. Many people soon begin to feel an amazing sense of overflowing wellbeing, strength and peace that for some, longs to be shared.
• Dance and sing following the reflections and resolution making if that feels authentic and right for you.

I'm wondering what the object of this "worshipful state" is...oneself?...other people?...or the "spirit of the air"? (if you get my drift...pun definitely intended)
"Sensory detail" of "spiritual experience"? ...'spirituality' i.e., things relating to the 'spirit' i.e., non-sensory...
I think shooting the creator of these ideas might be 'right for me'...so what do you think about that??

I have this passion...I may as well use it...wouldn't want it to go to waste...

The difference-by and large-between those who live moral those who live immoral lives, is that the former refuse to indulge their passions merely because they have them.
Harry Jaffa

Pope uses new Bethlehem passport to impersonate Jesus

The Pope accepted a Bethlehem passport from the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the weekend.

Once there was a time when churches were built to be beautiful...

"There is a growing demand to build new church buildings or to expand existing church facilities,” says Arnold Davis, President of Olympia Steel Buildings. “With Olympia’s pre-engineered metal church buildings, Churches can grow and meet their worship needs within a budget their congregations can afford. ...Our pre-engineered metal church buildings save time and money over traditional brick, wood or stone construction...they also conform well to postmodern architectural sensibilities...
(Ok, so I added that last bit...but you have to admit it is quite fitting.)

St. Nikolaj on Evil

So I'm a little late getting to it (not in Ortho time but in blog time, that is) but here is a sort of reflection on Gabe's post.
I haven't read Hart's book, his article or St. Basil's homily so it isn't really a reaction (that's why I put "reflection" not "reply"). In the readings of the Prologue from Okhrid by St. Nikolaj (Velimirovich) lately he has been reflecting and homilizing on Genesis. There is a beautiful simplicity with St. Nikolaj's writings, especially his homilies in the Prologue. That is one of the things that I like about St. Nikolaj, he was extremely erudite yet he approaches things with the mind of the Fathers; there is simplicity in everything he writes. Here are some extracts:

The world is of a good root, and consequently it will bring forth good fruit. It proceeded from the chamber of light, and it will end in light. When we know that the beginning is good, then we know that it tends toward good and that the end will be good. Behold, in these words about the beginning, the prophecy about the end is already hidden. As was the beginning, so also will be the end. He from Whom the beginning came, in Him also is the end.

… in total [during the creation] He repeated seven times that everything was good that came into existence by His holy will. Is it not a great wonder that some people come up with the godless assertion that both good and evil equally proceed from God? God, as if He knew that such slanders would be cast against Him-or, better to say, that such slanders would be cast throughout the centuries-gave His defense in advance and repeated it seven times, for all times and for all generations. Evil comes from sin, and there is no sin in God. Therefore, God can do no evil. He is called the Almighty because He is powerful to do every good. Wicked and twisted are the commentators on God who claim that God is "Almighty'' because He can do both good and evil. God is the source of good and is darkened by nothing, and nothing can proceed from Him that is contrary to good. It is obvious to every normal man that evil is contrary to good. Know, brethren, that those who speak of duality in God, in the eternal Source of good, are those in whom is found the duality of good and evil. However, all those who love good, follow the path of goodness, and yearn for good have a clear revelation within themselves that God is good, and only good.

…there have been men who have slandered the work of God, saying that this world is evil in its essence, that each individual creation is evil, and that matter, from which all earthly beings are formed, is evil. However, evil is found in sin, and sin is from the evil spirit; therefore, evil dwells in the spirit of evil and not in matter. This spirit, fallen from God, is the sower of evil in the world, from whence come the tares in God's wheat. The spirit of evil strives to use both the human spirit and material things in general as his weapons of evil. He is also the one who instills in the human mind the thought that the whole created world is evil and that matter, from which creation was formed, is fundamentally evil. He slanders God's works in order to conceal his own works; he accuses God in order not to be accused.

As Baudelaire first said, "the devil's best trick is to persuade you that he doesn't exist!" so he tries to convince us that evil comes from God Himself.

Every creature of God is pure and sinless as long as it is turned toward God, as long as it is neither separated from God nor hostile to God. Every creature of itself praises and glorifies God as long as it is pure and sinless. That is why the Psalmist sings: Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Alleluia! (Psalm 150:6). Every intelligent creature of God feels that its natural and primary purpose is to praise the Lord. Thus, brethren, people ask: "If this is so, from whence comes evil into the world?'' It comes from sin, and only from sin. Sin changed a bright angel into a devil. The devil willingly made himself a vessel of sin and then hurried to make other creatures of God similar vessels.

…we Christians know that sin is the essence of evil and that evil has no essence other than sin. It is obvious from this that if we desire to protect ourselves from evil, we must protect ourselves from sin.

Did God curse the ground as He cursed the serpent with an infinite curse? By no means! The ground is cursed only in the sinful works of man. Because of man's sin, the earth produces thorns; because of sin, there is infertility; because of sin, there are droughts, floods, earthquakes, plagues, and destructive insects such as grasshoppers and caterpillars. That the ground is not cursed in its entirety is clear from this: that the earth also produces good fruits. God, through the prayers of the righteous, has always blessed the fruits of the earth necessary for human life, and even the angels of God, as the guests of Abraham, tasted the earth's harvest (Genesis 18:1-8).

The Incarnation of the God-Man has been reduced to a "family day"

This Christmas, no prayers will be said in several megachurches around the country. ...pastors are canceling services, anticipating low attendance on what they call a family day. ...Cally Parkinson, a spokeswoman for Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, said church leaders decided that organizing services on a Christmas Sunday would not be the most effective use of staff and volunteer resources.

That's right, Cally, it costs to much to celebrate Christ's birth...just forget about those countless martyrs who died for celebrating Christ's birth...

North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, outside Atlanta, said on its Web site that no services will be held on Christmas Day or New Year's Day, which also falls on a Sunday. A spokesman for North Point did not respond to requests for comment.

Oh no! New Year's Day is on Sunday! I won't be able to get up for Church after a raucous night of partying!!! I think we should cancel services on Super Bowl Sunday too...American footbal is holy isn't it?

Objective science you say?

The near-sighted philosophy of the previous century [i.e., the 18th] had for a time dreamt of breaking this holy union and had forced knowledge to dig a grave for faith, but what came of this attempt at matricide? Holy faith, honored by self-forgetting reason, hid in a depth of the heart inaccessible to this reason, and false knowledge itself remained with its sophistries in the grave dug by it … True philosophy can exist only in a union with heaven, for true knowledge lives by and is nourished not by earth but by heaven … We are accustomed to saying the sphere of the sciences, the sphere of knowledge, and to separating it from the sphere of faith; but strictly speaking, there is no sphere of sciences and can be no such sphere. Rather, there exists only a boundless sphere of faith, whose inwardness is divided among the sciences. Knowledge without faith is a middle without a beginning or end; whoever seeks not soulless fragments but a living reasonably whole must therefore necessarily unite knowledge with faith …What in general is true knowledge, if not a natural daughter of faith? And what is true faith if not the natural end and crown of all grounded knowledge?
Archbishop of Kherson, Innokentii Borisov

First they fix your credit, then they hypnotise you and make you give them your pin number...

I am a living man when I commence to dyin'

He who does not wish to lose his life will burn in Gehenna, in the inextinguishable fire of epoche, where 'their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched.'
St. Paul (Florensky)

Apropos to the day

Since it is the feast of St. Nicholas it is apropos that we do some Arius punching.

Accomplishing the ascesis of faith, the Orthodox sought what is needful, higher, whereas the arians, inwardly protecting themselves, asked in a calculating way: "Will the Truth not demand a sacrifice from us"? And, seeing the Garden of Gethsemane, the Arians retreated. Both made a free choice. But the Arians used their freedom to enslave themselves, while the Orthodox used it to free themselves from the bondage of fleshly limitation.
St. Paul (Florensky)

Grafting impiously flux and change and separation onto the divine begetting, the wicked and demented Arius is cut off by the separating sword of the Fathers.
From Matins for the Fathers of Nicaea

Arius fell into the precipice of sin, having shut his eyes so as not to see the light, and he was ripped asunder by a divine hook so that with his entrails he forcibly emptied out all his essence and his soul, and was named another Judas, both for his ideas and the manner of his death. But the Council in Nicea loudly proclaimed you, Lord, to be Son of God, equal in rank with the Father and the Spirit.
From the Sunday of the Fathers of Nicaea

Let us worship with right belief the will that is without beginning, the authority and sovereign power of the Trinity, ever rejecting Arius.
From the Canon for the Synodikon of Orthodoxy

IF anyone does not anathematize Arius, Eunomius, Macedonius, Apollinaris, Nestorius, Eutyches and Origen, as well as their impious writings, as also all other heretics already condemned and anathematized by the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, and by the aforesaid four Holy Synods and [if anyone does not equally anathematize] all those who have held and hold or who in their impiety persist in holding to the end the same opinion as those heretics just mentioned: let him be anathema.
5th Ecumenical Council
[Sorry, Gabe, Origen is in there...but he does still have valuable writings.]

Ve believe in nossing.

They're nihilists, Donny, nothing to be afraid of.

"I do not affirm anything;
I also do not affirm the fact that I do not affirm anything.
Absolute doubt has now begun. This is doubt as the total impossibility of affirming anything at all, even its own nonaffirmation. Progressing stage by stage, manifesting the idea that inheres in it in nuce, skepticism reaches its own negation but cannot leap across this negation. And so, it becomes an infinitely excruciating torment, an agony of the spirit....What we see is not even affirmation and negation, but insane convulsions, a furious marching iin place, a tossing from side to side, a kind of inarticulate philosophical howl. The result is an abstention from judgment, absolute epoche, not as a tranquil and dispassionate refusal of judgment but as a conceled inner pain, a pain that clenches its teech and strains every nerve and muscle in an effort not to scream and not to let out a completely insane howl."
St. Paul (Florensky)

R.O.U.S. sighting confirmed

GENEVA (Reuters) - Environmental researchers are preparing to capture what they call a new, mysterious species of carnivore on Borneo, the first such discovery on the wildlife-rich Indonesian island in over a century.

Just in time...

I had been wondering what I would get Colonel K for Christmas...now I know:

'God's Gift to the World,' the Teaching and Secrets of Divine Energy Transference Healing Revealed for All to Learn and Use

The divine establishment of the US...

The reformation was preceded by the discovery of America, as if the Almighty graciously meant to open a sanctuary to the persecuted in future years, when home should afford neither friendship nor safety.
Thomas Paine

Heavenly penny wax

I firmly know that I have done no more than light a penny candle of yellow wax. But even this flame, trembling in my unaccustomed hands, has brought forth a myriad of sparkling reflections in the treasure-house of the Holy Church. For many centuries, day after day, the treasure has been deposited here—precious stone by precious stone, gold coin by gold coin. Like fragrant dew on fleece, like heavenly manna, the gracious power of God-illuminated souls has descended here. Like the finest pearls, the tears of pure hearts have been collected here. Here, both heaven and earth have heaped their treasures over many centuries. The most secret yearnings, the most concealed aspirations to God-likening; the azure moments of angelic purity that come after the storm; the joys of communion with God and the holy torments of ardent repentance; the fragrance of prayer and the quiet longing for heaven; eternal seeking and eternal finding; infinitely deep intuitions of eternity and the childlike peace of the soul; awe and love, love without end. …Ages have passed, but all this has abided and grown.
St. Pavel (Florensky)

Enter this door and be born again...