Dante's Inferno Test
Find out if you're going to hell or not.

Pope John Paul II returns icon to Russian Patriarch

This icon is not only a Christian cultural monument but also an historic one. It has made the name of Kazan known all over the world. It is called the Mother of God of Kazan. Not many people even know that Tatarstan's capital exists. But the majority of Christians know about the Mother of God of Kazan icon. And it was found in Kazan.

The Pope, in actuality, has much more to return in terms of icons and relics, and far older ones than this one. But, why must they be returned, especially if they are spreading devotion around the world?

I've finally returned to Nashotah, and everything is incredible. Ela made dinner for Taylor and I tonight - absolutely perfect vegetarian lasagna, blueberry crisp a la mode, and tea with wonderful hand drawn honey. She is a beautiful, wonderful and sweet woman - so cool to even know her, let alone love her.

Is Scripture an Authority in Anglicanism?
Susan Russell is at it again. All I can write is that she ought at least be honest and informed when speaking about these things, or write nothing at all. To say that the Scriptures are not formative of Anglican doctrine is absurd, both factually and historically. The 39 Articles denote the following:

Article VI: The Holy Scriptures containeth all things necessary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be required of any man, that it should be believed as an of the faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of Holy Scripture, we do understand those Canonical books of the Old and New testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.

Article XX: The Church hath power to decree rites or ceremonies and authority in controversies of faith; and yet it is not lawful for the Church to ordain anything contrary to God's word written, neither may it so expound one place of Scripture, that it be repugnant to another. Wherefore, although the Church be a witness and a keeper of Holy Writ: yet, as it ought not to decree anything against the same, so besides the same ought it not to enforce anything to be believed for necessity of salvation.

Hooker affirms the above, as do all the Caroline Divines. Why should anyone even waste their time refuting this? Because there are many who have itching ears and believe what they want to believe, rather than what is true.

Archaeologists Find Interesting Site of St. John the Baptist

Saw this article today about a possible find of a site related to John the Baptist, just in time for the feast of his beheading - August 29th.

I would like to let all of you know that this weekend, I was approved as a Candidate for Holy Orders.

God willing, I will be ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on March 5th or 12th.

The Feast of the Transfiguration
"And in this Transfiguration the foremost object was to remove the offence of the cross from the disciple's heart, and to prevent their faith being disturbed by the humiliation of His voluntary Passion by revealing to them the excellence of His hidden dignity. But with no less foresight, the foundation was laid of the Holy Church's hope, that the whole body of Christ might realize the character of the change which it would have to receive, and that the members might promise themselves a share in that honour which had already shone forth in their Head. About which the Lord bad Himself said, when He spoke of the majesty of His coming, "Then shall the righteous shine as the sun in their Father's Kingdom," whilst the blessed Apostle Paul bears witness to the self-same thing, and says: "for I reckon that the sufferings of this thee are not worthy to be compared with the future glory which shall be revealed in us:" and again, "for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. For when Christ our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." But to confirm the Apostles and assist them to all knowledge, still further instruction was conveyed by that miracle."
-Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome

Oswald, King of Northumbria 605-642
One of my favorite images in Christian history is that of Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne, traveling Northumbria with the King who sent for him, Oswald. They recited the Psalter and evangelized the people, Aidan preaching and Oswald translating. Charlemagne, Constantine, Charles Martyr, very few of them measure up to Oswald.

Oswald was educated at Iona, where he was also converted to Christianity. The legend goes that Oswald was having his Easter feast in his castle when he heard that there were beggars outside the gates. He lifted high a silver plate of venison and boar's meat and commanded his men to give the meat to the beggars. St. Aidan was so taken with this action that he blessed Oswald's arm, making it incorruptable. Oswald was killed in battle on this day in 642, but his arm remained intact for nine centuries, destroyed in reformation revolts.

Susan Russell Fails, Yet Again, to Make Theological Sense

Susan Russell has posted this absolutely ridiculous article against Bishop William Wantland's remark that she is ontologically incapable of being a priest in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. She writes this after a truly laughable treatment of Thomas Aquinas:

And suddenly – in the middle of my second year Major Christian Doctrines class – I figured out Bill Wantland’s concern. Of COURSE he didn’t think I was ontologically capable of being whole enough – HOLY enough – to preside at the Holy Mysteries. It makes perfect sense – or at least it does if you’re willing to base your theology on 13th century biology. If women are actually just flawed men then they really CAN’T “live in to the full stature of Christ” – in fact, one might wonder why we even continue to baptize them, poor things, much less consider ordaining them. We might even want to start adding a footnote in the psalter to the “thou art fearfully and wonderfully made” part that would say “except for those of you defective as a result of that ill south wind blowing at the time of conception.”

Then she goes on to bash the Diocese of Fort Worth and breathe fire for a while.

Susan, the reason you can't be a priest is that you don't have the necessary equipment, not that there is something flawed about the female species. You talk about misogyny being healed. But, the real problem is that you have a case of penis envy and are donning a rainbow stole and a man's shirt doctored to look somewhat feminine because you don't believe you can have power without them. But, you're mistaken. Women are created with power, authority, and beauty. But, all of this is lost when they attempt to co-opt a sexual identity not their own, namely that of priesthood. They begin poisoning their bodies with the pill to prevent their natural procreative function. They cut their hair. They, even more obviously, promote lesbianism. All of this is not intrinsic to their created nature. This is what +Wantland meant, not that women are flawed, but that there is something dangerously wrong about women wanting to offer sacrifice and represent Christ in a way not even his own mother could do.

Do yourself a favor and read this bit of brilliance from the Vatican.

You're a Priest, not Emeril Lagasse!!!

The question of ad orientem versus versus populum has become a hot topic on this blog in recent days. I refer you here, here, and here. As well, to this article by the Rev'd. Dr. Peter Toon.

St. John Vianney - the Cure D'Ars

Tomorrow is the Feast of St. John Vianney, patron of priests. Vianney serves as an example to all priests, a creative, faithful, and risk-taking man, who was also quite possibly the holiest man of the 19th century. He entered seminary in his 30's - struggling with his studies. But, his personal holiness triumphed when he took the cure of the village of Ars. His first task was to put an end to the town dances, the most popular occasion of sin for the townspeople. The Cure would preach for hours, effective only because of his tears shed for the souls of his people. A favorite story is of a woman in the town who approached him, knowing him to be destined for sainthood, asked him to make relics for her. He replied "Make your own." He spent 17+ hours a day in the confessional, and the rest in his room, wearing his hairshirt and beating himself with his favorite chain. The above picture shows his incorruptible body.

Twelve Days to the Dormition

Some very, very, POD Serbian Orthodox Monks.

An impressive stigmata site.

This Is What Happens When Churches Don't Have Pews:

Dude, this is POD. Down with the benign benches!

Characteristics of Candidates for the Priesthood
I saw this a while back on the website for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth in their vocations section. This list is contained under "Characteristics of Potential Candidates for Priesthood.":
Concern for others
Enjoy working with people
Desire to serve God
Prayerful/ Listening heart
Willing to make a commitment
Searching for meaning in life
Willing to take a risk
Good sense of humor

Nothing in this list is particularly wrong, but what about a desire to live a life of sacrifice? What about being called by God to be a priest? What about a desire to proclaim the Gospel? Note on the page, yet again, a picture of concelebration. Not trying to be harsh, Lord knows we have the same problems.

Bombing of Iraqi Churches
It should come as no surprise that terrorist groups in Iraq are targeting Christian Churches. These groups stand firmly against freedom. The truth of the matter is that the US Government is seen as just another occupying group, whereas the Church stands for true freedom in Christ. Thanks be to God that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church!

In other news, the Pope has issued his condemnation of the attacks.

Holy Martyrs of Iraq, Pray for Us!

The Trinity - Episcobabble Style

Pontificator tipped me off to this bit of heresy from the Episcopal Church.

My favorite section concerns the Father:

This is the aspect of God we call the 'Father,' though it is generally accepted that we're really referring to the 'parent,' as God is seen as neither male nor female. This is the creative, nurturing, loving aspect of God, the One who brought the world into being and who created humans "in the image of God..."  This is the God whom the Iraelites saw as the one true God, the One who provided for them, and who cared for (and disciplined) them.

Aspect? Sounds like modalism to me. Oh... and now it's "generally accepted" that God the Father could just as easily be God the Mother? Sounds like what they're accepting is pantheism. "Brought the world into being" certainly sounds like the female deity birthing the world. On a whim, I ran this by the junior high sunday school class this morning. All of them could see the difference between this babble and orthodox Christian teaching.