ORTHODIXIE ... Southern, Orthodox, Convert, Etc.

This picture, full of Spanish moss, is typical of the beauty of Pawleys Island, South Carolina. Not far from Myrtle Beach, Pawleys seems almost otherworldly in comparison. Yet, like all things coastal, growth threatens. My family was blessed to have spent time at Pawleys recently, our fourth such visit, and what follows here are two poems. The first, I bought in a collection, "Poems of the Sea", at The Original Hammock Shop. The second, I received via email during our stay. Both seem apropos to region & religion. Enjoy!

From Carmina Gadelica

Helmsman: Blest be the boat.

Crew: God the Father bless her.

Helmsman: Blest be the boat.

Crew: God the Son bless her.

Helmsman: Bless be the boat.

Crew: God the Spirit bless her.

All: God the Father,
God the Son,
God the Spirit,
Bless the boat.

Helmsman: What can befall you
And God the Father with you?

Crew: No harm can befall us.

Helmsman: What can befall you
And God the Son with you?

Crew: No harm can befall us.

Helmsman: What can befall you
And God the Spirit with you?

Crew: No harm can befall us.

All: God the Father,
God the Son,
God the Spirit,
With us eternally.

Helmsman: What can cause you anxiety
And the God of the elements over you?

Crew: No anxiety can be ours.

Helmsman: What can cause you anxiety
And the King of the elements over you?

Crew: No anxiety can be ours.

Helmsman: What can cause you anxiety
And the Spirit of the elements over you?

All: The God of the elements,
The King of the elements,
The Spirit of the elements,
Close over us,
Ever eternally

-- Anonymous, translated by Alexander Carmichael of Lismore


Prayer of an Unknown Confederate Soldier

I asked God for strength that I might achieve,
I was made weak that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy,
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life,
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for -- but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men most richly blessed.
| Link

"New documents found in the files of the former East German intelligence services confirm the 1981 assassination attempt against Pope John Paul II was ordered by the Soviet KGB and assigned to Bulgarian agents, an Italian daily said on Wednesday."

Long suspected by the Pope, here's the scoop.

Thanks Drudge.
| Link

Muslim keeps the keys at the holiest site in Christendom
By MATTHEW KALMAN, Scripps Howard News Service, March 23, 2005

JERUSALEM - Every day at 4 a.m., Wajeeh Nuseibeh walks through the walled Old City of Jerusalem to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the holiest shrine in Christendom. Most Christians believe it is the site of the crucifixion, tomb and resurrection of Jesus.

Nuseibeh takes an ancient 12-inch iron key, climbs a small ladder and opens the huge wooden doors.

Every evening at nightfall, after three raps of an iron door knocker spaced out over half an hour, Nuseibeh closes up for the night and places the key in safekeeping.

He inherited the job from his father and grandfather, part of a chain stretching back more than 1,300 years.

But surprisingly for the doorkeeper of the site of the Crucifixion, Nuseibeh, 55, like his ancestors, is a Muslim.

"It goes from father to son, from one generation to the next," said Nuseibeh, a small, dapper man in a suit and tie, with a dark mustache. "I was 15 when I first opened the church. I thought it was fun. As I grew up I realized it is a big responsibility."

The Holy Sepulchre is a vast warren of chapels, tunnels and caves with pieces of church architecture dating back to the fourth century and spanning a broad range of traditions from the Westernized cathedral of the Catholics to the Eastern brass and icons of the Orthodox churches.

It houses the final stations on the Via Dolorosa - the journey of Jesus to his crucifixion - and attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and sightseers every year.

The church is jealously managed by five competing and often warring Christian denominations. Sometimes the tensions over the right to clean or pray in an area of the church spills over into violence.

Nuseibeh's family has helped keep the peace between them since Caliph Omar Ibn Kattab first conquered Jerusalem for the Muslims in 638. The only gap was 88 years of crusader rule in the 12th century. According to the family history, when Salah A-Din recaptured Jerusalem in 1191, he promised Richard the Lion Heart he would invite the Nuseibeh family members to resume their role as custodians. Since that time, Judeh family members, also Muslims, have been given the key for safekeeping overnight. The two families have shared the position ever since.

Once a year, the three biggest denominations - Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Armenian - publicly renew their request to Nuseibeh to be the "custodian and door-keeper" as written on his business card and multimedia Web site.

About 100 years ago, the key was stolen. Now they keep a spare inside the church. Nuseibeh receives $15 every month for his labor, but the ancient honor is worth more to him than the token payment. When tensions boil over between the churches, Nuseibeh is the one who calms the waters.

"Like all brothers, they sometimes have problems. We help them settle their disputes. We are the neutral people in the church. We are the United Nations. We help preserve peace in this holy place," he said.

Nuseibeh said he still becomes anxious before big ceremonies, or when important visitors arrive.

"I realize there are thousands of people waiting to go into the church and they are waiting for me to open it, and I start to imagine what will happen if the lock will be broken or the key is damaged and I can't open the door," he said.

But it has never happened in the 20 years since he took over from his father. He hopes that one day his son Obadah, now 21, will step into his footsteps, but it's not certain.

"He is at college, studying to be a sports trainer," said Nuseibeh. "Maybe he will not follow me, and then my brother or my cousin will take over."

Easter celebrations at the Holy Sepulchre will place the diminutive Muslim center-stage as thousands flock to the church for services, processions and the ancient ceremony of the Holy Fire, in which Nuseibeh plays a central role.

The ceremony is held each year on Easter Saturday and symbolizes the resurrection of Christ. Thousands of worshippers pack into the church around the marble-clad tomb where Jesus' body was laid. The oil lamps inside the empty tomb are extinguished and a huge stone rolled across the entrance, which is then sealed shut by Greek Orthodox priests.

"If there are no oil lamps lit, the tomb will be sealed with wax. I am the witness. I put my stamp, the name of the family, in the wax on the tomb," Nuseibeh said.

What happens next looks like a miracle. The Orthodox patriarch begins to pray, and a bluish Holy Fire begins to emanate from within the tomb, lighting the lamps and sometimes flying around the church, over the heads of the assembled worshippers, lighting the candles of believers.

Nuseibeh, who has been the official witness at this ceremony for more than 20 years, said he was deeply touched by the Christian rituals and felt a close affinity with the church, but he does not pray there.

"I know every stone. It is like my home," he said. "But I go to pray at the Omar Mosque next door."

Thanks to FWD from Fr Victor Potapov.
| Link

About a month ago, after weeks of research, I had a computer crash and lost all my work -- including my notes on The Da Vinci Code. Since then, I began backing up files on a Jump Drive.

I've been composing my DVC notes in my e-mail application and saving to my Jump Drive, just in case.

After getting the laptop up and running again, I re-did all my DVC quotes, notes, references, etc.

Last week I dropped my Jump Drive -- apparently, losing ALL.

Currently I'm on the tail end of a family getaway at Pawleys Island, SC, and, you're not gonna believe this, my computer has been down thanks to a virus. (Yes, I have all the anti-virus stuff. Don't know what happened. Or, maybe I do.) I'm typing this at the library.

Could it be that the Priory, the Gnostics, or even Dan Brown himself, is trying to thwart my attempts? Opus Dei and the Vatican -- can't they help me? As I've typed these lines I've noticed a few more people suddenly occupying the computers next to me. Oh my. Could they be ...?

My neighbor's cell phone just rang. Is he standing behind me now?

I guess I'd better go. God willing the DVC updates will continue as soon as this latest attempt by the enemy can be remedied.

Until then, as another Dan (known for fabrication) would say: Courage.
| Link

Here are some of the claims made by Dan Brown in The Da Vinci Code which will be covered in subsequent posts:

1) St Constantine & Company successfully converted the world from matriarchal paganism to patriarchal Christianity by waging a campaign of propaganda that demonized the sacred feminine, obliterating the goddess from modern religion forever.

2) The fleur-de-lis is symbolic of the Mona Lisa (code for yin-yang androgynous Gnosticism).

3) The Church killed 5 million women during 300 years of witch hunts.

4) Noah was an albino.

5) History has never had a definitive version of the Bible.

6) The Bible, as we know it today, was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great.

7) Constantine was a lifelong pagan who was baptized on his deathbed, too weak to protest.

8) Constantine called the Council of Nicaea because Christians and pagans began warring, and the conflict grew to such proportions that it threatened to rend Rome in two. He decided to unify Rome under a single religion.

9) Virtually all elements of Catholic ritual were taken directly from earlier pagan mystery religions.

10) Nothing in Christianity is original. The pre-Christian God Mithras -- called the Son of God and the Light of the World -- was born on December 25, died, was buried in a rock tomb, and then resurrected in three days.

11) Most churchgoers attend services on Sunday morning with no idea that they are there on account of the pagan sun god's weekly tribute -- Sunday.

12) Jesus' establishment as 'the Son of God' was officially proposed and voted on by the Council of Nicaea (325 AD). Until then, Jesus was viewed by His followers as a mortal prophet ... a great and powerful man, but a man nonetheless.

13) Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible, which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christ's human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlike. The earlier gospels were outlawed, gathered up, and burned.

14) The Grail is literally the ancient symbol for womanhood, and the Holy Grail represents the sacred feminine and the goddess, which of course has now been lost, virtually eliminated by the Church. The power of the female and her ability to produce life was once very sacred, but it posed a threat to the rise of the predominantly male Church, and so the sacred feminine was demonized and called unclean. It was man, not God, who created the concept of ‘original sin,’ whereby Eve tasted of the apple and caused the downfall of the human race. Woman, once the sacred giver of life, was now the enemy.

15) Jesus was the original feminist. He intended for the future of His Church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalene.

16) "[The] concept of woman as life-bringer was the foundation of ancient religion. Childbirth was mystical and powerful. Sadly, Christian philosophy decided to embezzle the female's creative power by ignoring biological truth and making man the Creator. Genesis tells us the Eve was created from Adam's rib. Woman became an offshoot of man. And a sinful one at that. Genesis was the beginning of the end for the goddess.

17) According to ... unaltered gospels, it was not Peter to whom Christ gave directions with which to establish the Christian Church. It was Mary Magdalene.

18) The greatest cover-up in human history. Not only was Jesus Christ married, but He was a father. My dear, Mary Magdalene was the Holy Vessel. She was the chalice that bore the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ. She was the womb that bore the lineage, and the vine from which the sacred fruit sprang forth!

19) Every religion in the world is based on fabrication. That is the definition of faith -- acceptance of that which we imagine to be true, that which we cannot prove.

20) Jesus was not born of a literal virgin. Those who truly understand their faiths understand the stories are metaphorical.

21) Since the days of Constantine, the Church has successfully hidden the truth about Mary Magdalene and Jesus.

Holy Cow! Tune in next time ...
| Link

A coworker asked my opinion of the fanatically best-selling Dan Brown book, The Da Vinci Code. I qualified my negative remarks by stating that I had not read it. "Would you like to?" he asked. I told him that I was not going to buy the book but if he wanted to loan it to me I'd give him a full report. And so it is.

When reading a good book, I can't wait to hit the hay. (The bed's my place for pleasure reading.) This book was that book. Though surprised by shoddy scholarship, I found the tale quite a ride.

Brown's got enough money not to be bothered by negative remarks, let alone mine. Besides, in his line of work, all publicity is good publicity. My one stylistic criticism would be the "Batman Factor". I grew up watching the 60's Batman TV show and you always knew when each episode was about to end because it followed the same formula: Batman and Robin -- after lots of Kapows!, Blams! , and Zonks! -- had once again been caught. By all indications they were moments away from certain death and, well ... "tune in next week, same Bat-time, same Bat-channel."

The Da Vinci Code follows the same formula -- so much so that it began to be predictable by mid-read. Not, mind you, the plot twists so much as the commercial (sleep) breaks.

I commented to a colleague that Salmon Rushdie wrote one sentence dissing Mohammed and Muslims put out a contract on his life. Dan Brown writes a best-seller totally dissing traditional Christian beliefs & the Roman Catholic Church and ... well, some churches are sponsoring discussion groups about his book. In a twisted way, I suppose, that's the difference between the two religions.

In subsequent posts, I shall comment on Brown's theological statements, errors, and, without a doubt, heresy.

Tune in next time ...
| Link

The regular defense of the worst of hip hop is that these images should be accepted because they provide a way for black men at the bottom to become successful. An additional aspect of this defense is that young men are making so much money one should not mess with the flow of the dough. The next defense is that anything that makes money is good - especially if it is not illegal. At the end of the argument is the manipulative racial ploy that black people should not use "white" standards to attack something that comes out of the neighborhood, that arrives from black street culture. This last point has been far too successful for far too long among middle-class blacks, who are often made to feel as if they have lost contact with their roots and should never question anything "authentically" black, lower class and street.

What He Said ...

Previously: Hope Vs HipHop ... Follow Up ... Blushing Funkadelics.
| Link

This is a creamy one -- the kids really liked.

Serves 4; Vegan; 30 minutes or fewer

The silken tofu gives this sauce a rich, creamy quality, and the olives give it some punch. For the best flavor, use a high quality pasta sauce.

10 oz whole wheat penne
1 lb broccoli
1 cup reduced-fat firm silken tofu
2 cups low-sodium jarred pasta sauce
1/2 cup chopped black olives, preferably kalamata

1. Bring large pot of water to a boil. Add pinch of salt and pasta, stirring to prevent sticking. Cook pasta according to package directions, or until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain pasta, reserving 3/4 cup cooking water.

2. Meanwhile, steam broccoli until just tender, about 7 minutes.

3. Put tofu into food processor or blender, and puree until smooth. In medium saucepan, combine tofu, pasta sauce, olives and enough reserved pasta cooking water to create a creamy sauce. Cook sauce over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through (do not boil). Season to taste with salt and pepper, if desired.

4. Transfer pasta to serving bowl; add broccoli, and toss to mix. Top with sauce, and serve.

From Vegetarian Times, April 2005; Huneycutt family approved :)
| Link

Serves 4; Vegan; 30 minutes or fewer

Cold precooked rice is best for stir-fried rice dishes, so it's smart to make a little extra when you're boiling rice for other meals. Brown rice is used here, but basmati or jasmine rice are delicious alternatives.

1 Tbs canola oil
2 carrots, shredded
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
5 scallions, minced
3 to 4 Tbs tamari or low-sodium soy sauce
3 cups cooked shelled edamame
4 cups cold cooked long-grain brown rice

1. Heat oil in large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add carrots, bell pepper and scallions, and stir-fry until tender, about 2 minutes.

2. Add tamari, endamame and rice, and stir-fry until combined and heated through, about 5 minutes. Serve.

From Vegetarian Times, April 2005; Huneycutt family approved :)
| Link

Serves 6; Vegan; 30 minutes or fewer

Serve as a side dish with a hearty casserole, or spoon it over rice for an entree.

1 Tbs miso pasta
2 Tbs fresh lemen juice
1 tsp lemon zest
2 Tbs plus 1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp apricot jam
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 small zucchini, quartered and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels

1. Whisk together miso paste, lemon juice, lemon zest, 2 Tbs oil, apricot jam and pepper in small bowl.

2. Heat 1 tsp olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cooking zucchini and green beans, covered, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes, or until tender.

3. Uncover skillet, and add corn. Cook 3 minutes, or until corn is heated through. Stir in miso mixture, and continue to cook until sauce is hot and vegetables are lightly glazed. Serve hot.

From Vegetarian Times, April 2005; Huneycutt family approved :)
| Link

View from the Pew, Mary Adamski, Saturday, March 19, 2005
Conflicting calendars move Easter
Easter is early this year. That was the refrain from churches as they lagged in sending information for the Holy Week listings found on this page.

Last year, this most important Christian holy day was observed on April 11.

There was a confluence of religious observances that truly made for a Holy Week last year. Eastern, or Orthodox, Christians marked Pascha, the same event, on the same day as Western Christians, a synchronicity that won't occur again until 2007.

Jews, who began their last Passover observance on April 4, 2004, won't get to this year's Seder meal until April 24.

Why are they all over the calendar this year? The answer: There are many calendars.

Starting with the most ancient, the Hebrew calendar begins with the month of Nisan, and Passover begins on the 14th night. It seems cut and dried but it isn't.

Like many other ancient people who created lunar calendars, their pattern of alternating 30- and 29-day months lost time as each year of observing full moons progressed. They weren't tracking the timing of Earth's orbit around the sun.

"That means, in a year, the calendar is out of synch with the solar calendar by 12 to 18 days," explained University of Hawaii professor Robert Littman.

"To make the lunar calendar coincide with the solar, there is a 17-year sequence. A leap month is added in years 0, 3, 6, 8, 11 and 14," Littman said. "That means Passover can fluctuate from the very end of March to around April 23, probably the latest day in the solar year it could occur."

The last month of the Hebrew calendar, Adar, ended, but Nisan is on hold. Here we are in the Hebrew leap month of Adar II. In another year the full moon that will occur Friday would herald the eight-day celebration of Israel's liberation from slavery in Egypt. This month, it's just another moon.

But for Christians that moon is part of the formula for calculating Easter. "The first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox" was the model established in the Nicean council of church leaders in 325 A.D.

It sounds easy: Tomorrow's the equinox, Friday's the full moon and -- ta-dah! -- Easter is March 27.

Christians, east and west, were pretty much on the same page about that for centuries, even after the 1054 A.D. split between the Rome-based church and four Orthodox branches in the Middle East on political and theological issues.

At the time, they were all using the Roman solar calendar that was refined by Emperor Julius Caesar about 50 years before Jesus Christ was born. It fixed the date of the spring equinox to March 25. It also fixed the year at 365 1/4 days long, so it was 11 minutes longer than the true solar year, a glitch that has compounded through the centuries.

The Julian calendar was reformed in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. He dropped 10 days to reconcile the lunar and solar calendars -- now that was a weird year -- and set March 21 as the date of the vernal equinox.

Although the Gregorian calendar became the international calendar of commerce and secular life, Orthodox Christians stick with the Julian calendar when it comes to religion.

"Orthodoxy is unchangeable," said the Rev. Nick Gamvas, dean of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Pacific. "The purpose was to preserve the tradition of Pascha, a Greek word that means Passover. It has come to mean Easter and Resurrection."

Gamvas' congregation just began its Lenten fast Monday, abstaining from meat, oil, dairy products, fish that contains blood, and wine. It's another unchangeable, while Western Christianity's version of fasting has been whittled down to meatless Fridays.

In the Julian calendar, Friday (March 25) is the equinox. So Easter won't come until after the following full moon on April 24.

That's the Jewish Passover, a link that has always been important to Christians. The Last Supper, which Jesus ate with his apostles just before his death, is believed to have been a Passover Seder.


Mary Adamski covers religion for the Star-Bulletin. Email her at madamski@starbulletin.com. © Honolulu Star-Bulletin -- http://starbulletin.com

Thanks to FWD from Fr Victor Potapov.

For more on calculating Pascha's date visit the Antiochian Webpage.
| Link

Folks. Believe me. Unless you're allergic to shellfish, or good food, this one's a keeper. Really. From my wife's recipes. Trust me. It'll make you slap your Grandma.*

Sea Bean Chowder
3 c. dry beans or 3 cans
2 c. chopped onion
6 cloves minced garlic
1 32 oz container of Clamato Juice
1 c. white wine or sherry
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp thyme
2 Tbsp chopped parsley (or 2 tsp dried)
1/4 c. fresh fennel, chopped (1/2 tsp crushed fennel seeds)
salt & pepper
1 16 oz jar chunky style salsa (medium)
1 10 oz jar whole baby clams
1 lb shrimp (cooked briefly and shelled)

Cook dried beans. Saute onion in oil. Add Clamato Juice, wine & all seasonings. Simmer a long time. Add to dry beans or add canned beans to this. 15 min before serving add shrimp, clams, undrained.

* It's just a phrase, "Make ya wanna slap yer Grandma." Like the exception that proves the rule, this is not actually recommended. But Sea Bean Chowder is that good.
| Link

Huw on slugger Mark McGwire's testimony before Congress. It's a personal letter. I'm not really a baseball fan. But this ain't about baseball. Go read it.
| Link

As promised, some Lenten Recipes. My wife is a superb cook, but these aren't hers. I'll wiggle some of those from her later. In the meantime, below are some recipes that I have stolen & typed. These come from handouts that I was given by Fr Chad Hatfield years ago. You are welcome to share your own variations and/or recipes in the comments or email them to me: Orthodixie at aol dot com.
| Link

Sprout Sandwich
2 c. alfalfa sprouts
2-3 Tbs veg. mayo
1 diced tomato
3 diced celery stalks
3 chopped green onions
1/4 tsp. dill weed
2 pita loaves

Toss all, except the pita, together lightly. Fills 2 average pitas. For variety, add shrimp, or chopped peppers. Serves 4.


Tofu "Egg" Salad Sandwich
4 oz tofu
1 Tbs minced celery
2 tsp soy mayonnaise
1 tsp mustard
dash of garlic powder
dash of paprika

Combine all, crumbling tofu. Stir and spread with lettuce & tomato in Arabic Bread.


Tuna Salad Sandwich
(Remember, the Feast of the Annunciation is March 25th!)
8 oz canned tuna, drained
1/4 c diced onion
1 tsp celery seed
1 Tbl garlic powder
1/2 c lenten mayo
1/4 c diced celery
1/4 c diced pickle
1 tsp dill
1 tsp pepper

Mix all ingredients and serve on lenten bread with alfalfa sprouts & tomato.

These recipes are from a Lenten Pantry Seminar (1996) at St Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, Wichita, KS. I don't cook, but I do type. Any errors are most likely my own. Recipe corrections, suggestions appreciated. More to come ...
| Link

Tomato Bisque
1 chopped onion
1 Tbs soy margarine
1/4 c. water
1/2 tsp dill weed
1/4 c. chopped red pepper
3 diced tomatoes
1 bouillon
1 1/2 tomato juice

saute onions & peppers in margarine. Add the rest of ingredients. Simmer 20 min. Puree. Serve hot or cold. Serves 4.


Vegetarian Chili
2 c. dried and rinsed kidney beans (or 4 c. cooked)
1/3 c. oil
2 large onions, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs chili powder
1 Tbs ground cumin
1 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
2 bay leaves
1/2 bulgur wheat
1 Tbs lemon juice
1/2 c. chopped scallions
28 oz plump tomatoes with juice
1 Tbs tamari soy sauce
3 c. water
1 tsp salt
pepper to taste
2 Tbs soy margarine
1/2 chopped red onion
1 c. chopped celery
1/4 tsp peppercorns
1/2 tsp tabasco sauce
3 Tbs tomato sauce
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce

Prepare beans according to package directions.
Heat oil in large pot, put in onions & garlic and saute for 10 min. Add chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, bay leaves & bulgur. Cook for at least 2 min. stirring frequently. Add the remaining ingredients, save the margarine, chopped scallions & red onion. Cook over low heat for 30 min. or until thick and fragrant. Stirring occasionally. Just before serving, add margarine and stir until melted.
Serve with chopped red onions and scallions as a garnish on top. Serves 6.


French (Canadian) Onion Soup
4 c. water
2 vegetable bouillon cubes
2 onion bouillon cubes
4 slices lenten toast
2 chopped onions
2 chopped scallions
1/2 minced celery
1 minced garlic clove

Bring to boil all ingredients together; save the toast. Place in individual bowls and crumble one slice of toast on the top of each and serve. Serves 4.

These recipes are from a Lenten Pantry Seminar (1996) at St Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, Wichita, KS. I don't cook, but I do type. Any errors are most likely my own. Recipe corrections, suggestions appreciated. More to come ...
| Link

Mini Tofu Pizzas
1/2 tsp oregano
1 Tbs sugar
2 Tbs parsley
6 lenten english muffins
6 oz firm tofu, pat dried and crumbled
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbs oil
1 large can of tomato puree

Spit & place muffins on cookie sheet, spread with puree; sprinkle with spices and crumble firm tofu over top. Sprinkle oil over all & bake at 450 for 10 minutes.


Elegant Crab Meat Balls
6-7 oz crab meat
1 cup lenten bread crumbs
1 Tbs lemon juice
1 Tbs grated red onion
1 tsp mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 tsp old bay spice
pepper to taste

Drain & flake crab meat & combine with remaining ingredients except pine nuts. Shape into walnut-sized balls, and press into pine nuts. Place balls on a cookie sheet, pine nuts to the bottom and broil under medium heat about 10 minutes.
Garnish with parsley and lemon slices. Makes 2 dozen.


Stuffed Mushrooms
1 lb fresh mushrooms
2 Tbs chopped chives
2 Tbs milk-free margarine
1 tsp salt
1 Tbs garlic powder
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp italian seasoning
milk-free bread crumbs

Clean and dry mushrooms; remove stems & chop. Set aside the caps.
saute chives & stems in margarine for 1 min. Put mixture in bowl, add all remaining ingredients & blend.
Spoon mixture into mushroom caps & sprinkle with extra bread crumbs or pine nuts. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 425 for 15 min.
Serves a party of 20.


Carrot Hors d'oeuvres
10 carrots, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
2 medium onions, spliced and separated
1 handful of pine nuts
2 cloves diced garlic
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tbs oil

Mix together & bake at 400 for 45 min. Serves party of 15.


Broccoli-Potato Nests
2 c. cooked broccoli florets
6 oz diced pared baking potatoes, cooked
1 Tbs & 1 tsp lenten margarine
1 c. cooked thinly sliced carrots
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp pepper
2 Tbs minced onion

Using a food processor, puree broccoli and potatoes. In saucepan combine broccoli, margarine and seasonings. Cook, stirring constantly, until margarine is melted and mixture is thick.
On a greased cookie sheet, spread a 1/4 inch think layer of broccoli puree, forming a 2-in. round; repeat 3 more times. Spoon remaining puree into a pastry bag with a #3 star tip; pipe an equal amount of remaining puree around the edge of each circle, forming a rim.
Bake until firm, about 15 min. Let stand for 3 min; then, using a spatula, transfer next to a serving plate. Fill each with 1/4 of carrots & onion mixture. Serves 4.


Crab Crostini
8 oz lump crabmeat
1/2 c. diced red bell pepper
2 Tbs & 2 tsp lenten mayo
2 Tbs chopped parsley
1 Tbs lime juice
1 Tbs dijon mustard
4-5 drops hot pepper sauce
1/4 c. diced celery
4 oz. lenten french bread, cut into 16 slices

Preheat broiler & line broiler pan with foil. Pick over crab meat to remove any cartilage.
Combine all but the bread and blend together well. Spread 2 Tbs of mixture on each slice of bread.
Place under broiler about 4 inches from heat. Broil until lightly browned,or 5-6 min.

These recipes are from a Lenten Pantry Seminar (1996) at St Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, Wichita, KS. I don't cook, but I do type. Any errors are most likely my own. Recipe corrections, suggestions appreciated. More to come ...
| Link

I work the crossword puzzles from the daily paper each weekday at work. Sometimes the clients do as well. They kid me when I make a mistake and often ask my help with clues.

The other day, just after 6:30 am wake-up, one of the clients said, "We needed your help last night. We were working one of the crossword puzzles and we needed to know the answer ... Who was Jesus' wife?"

Both Huw and I stared at him for a second, looked at each other, back to him, and in tandem, with grimace, said: "Jesus' wife?"

"Yeah," he said, "the clue was, 'Who was Jesus' wife?' The answer's 'Mary' right? Is that right? Mary? Jesus' wife?"

Another mutual glance between Huw & I.

I mean, I'm aware of confusion caused by "The DaVinci Code" and other Gnostic stuff floating around. But the newspaper?

"No. No. Was this in the newspaper?" I asked.

"Yeah! Right, guys?" He got nods of verification from several others.

Back to Huw; then I stared out into space for a second. "You know," I said, "I bet they mean 'Hay-sues' ... you know, Spanish ... like 'Who was Hay-sues' wife?' ... and the answer was 'Seniorita' or something."

"Nope. I think the answer began with an 'L' ... four letters. But I'm pretty sure it was talking about the Lord." (Quick glance at Huw. "The Lord?" Back to the clients). "Isn't that right guys? Wasn't it talking about the Lord?" he asked.

Yup. They all agreed.

Dang.

"I dunno," I said. We all went about our business for the next 10 minutes or so when ...

Huw piped up: "Lady!"

Wha?

"Lady. The Lord's wife ... Lady."

Ha! It took a little explaining to the clients but, for two guys, it was a hoot.
| Link

Lord, bless our friends and turn the hearts of our enemies.
But if the hearts of our enemies will not be turned,
then please turn their ankles, that we might know them by their limp.
Stolen from the Orthodox List.
| Link

Defying centuries of Muslim tradition and sparking a firestorm of controversy, a prominent female Islamic scholar led a mixed-gender congregation in prayers here Friday to assert the theological validity of female-led prayer and to challenge the widespread belief that only men may be imams.

Of course this was done in an Episcopal church.

Huw writes:

As an Ex Episcopalian, to read the article is to take a trip down memory lane. While I generally feel very little emotion about the Muslim religion, I currently feel for Traditionalists in a very personal way. I'm sorry to say this is only the begining.

Take a look at ECUSA to see what's coming up.
Here's the scoop & here.
| Link

Yup. Smells like Jesus. (God help me.)
Jesus Candle:Bob and Karen Tosterud have created and sold over 10,000 candles they claim carry the fragrance of Jesus, and they're calling it a ministry. The Tosteruds base the candle scent on Psalm 45:8 - "Your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia." According to Bob Tosterud, this is a great way to experience Christ: "You can't see him and you can't touch him. This is a situation where you may be able to sense him by smelling. And it provides a really new dimension to one's experience with Jesus." From World.

Can Married Folks Be Saved?

Some people living carelessly in the world put a question to me: "How can we who are married and living amid public cares aspire to the monastic life?" I answered: "Do whatever you may. Speak evil of no one. Tell no lie. Despise no one and carry no hate. Do not separate yourself from the church assemblies. Show compassion to the needy. Do not be a cause of scandal to anyone. Stay away from the bed of another, and be satisfied with what your own wives can provide you. If you do all this, you will not be far from the kingdom of heaven. -- St. John Climacus - The Ladder of Divine Ascent (Thanks to Fr Josiah Trenham.)

Sex for six year olds. (God help me X2.)
Dawn, as always, keeps us up to date on the ever-sickening Planned Parenthood. Also, thongs for progressive teens. (Complete with progressive protection to prevent the big "pr".)

No sex story's complete w/o those Crazy Episcopalians ...
I mean, that IS the issue, no?

It is also easy to think of this merely as a story pitting armies of angry Third World traditionalists against a pack of trust fund-wielding Episcopalians who want to evolve into Unitarians with nice Christmas hymns and pretty vestments. tmatt on pecusa.
| Link

The following email, names removed, was sent to me by a pious benefactor. I found it apropos for the season -- or maybe just me.


I love Lent. I always sense that an additional layer of the opaque veil affecting our vision of heaven has been lifted and that we are just one step closer. Interestingly, I am a little depressed rather than uplifted by this. Most probably the burden of my sins. Fr. N. used to say that Lent is a time when our polluted soul, as though a pool of dirty water, rests long enough for the gunk to rise to the top so that God can skim it off. That simile may not be original with him, but it certainly resonates with me, especially as we have a pond out back! That pond did not become clean until we learned to add grass carp to it, which eat the algae. Not sure I want to carry the simile any further, but you get the picture.

Last Sunday, Father N. told us about the prophet Hosea, (am I remembering the name correctly?) who had an unfaithful wife. They went out into the desert together for an extended period of time and renewed their love for each other. This "honeymoon" was a type of our Lenten honeymoon that we have an opportunity to spend with God. Lent is a honeymoon with God -- that is a lovely metaphor to contemplate!

May the prayers of the Mother of God and all the saints be with you.
| Link

The Great Prayer of St Ephraim the Syrian&
The Moral Person

O Lord and Master of my life,
Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair,
lust of power and idle talk;
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant.
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my
own transgressions and not to judge
my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. (1)
This prayer, written by St Ephraim the Syrian in the 4th century, is a regular part of the Orthodox Christian's prayer "diet" during the Great Fast (Lent).

The first part of The Prayer bids God, “the Lord and Master of [our] life,” to take certain “spirits” from us. Then follows a petition for the Lord to give certain “spirits.” The Prayer concludes by bidding the Master to grant sight and self judgment. Thus, we bid God to take, give, and grant. Underlying the petitions of The Prayer are several admissions. The first admission is that we have a Master, who is God. We come face to face with the God of the living at the outset of The Prayer.

In beseeching the Lord to take certain things from us, we are admitting that we currently possess them. The first spirit to be removed is “sloth” (2). Whether the ascetic exercise is prayer, fasting, or alms giving, sloth leads to an abundance of sins. This has been true in all ages. However, it seems that sloth is currently viewed as the means and end of the modern person. What would the Lord ask of those who sit idly in front of the TV for hours on end? Or, how about our sloth in areas of charity, hospitality, prayer and good works? Thus, we must begin by asking God to deliver us from this spirit of sloth in order to practice good works, watchfulness, and vigilance. St. Mark the Ascetic warns us of three giants: spiritual ignorance, forgetfulness, and laziness. He claims that if these three are slain “all other powers of the evil spirits are removed” (3). It must be added, however, that a person might be extremely busy, productive, and active – all the while neglecting the things that are needful. This is also a form of sloth.

The next spirit is variously translated as “despair” or “meddling” (4). What do despair and meddling have to do with each other? Despair is often the result of failed pride. And what causes most meddling? Pride and the belittling spirit of superiority. It should go without saying that these never cease to fail us in the moral life.

Besides that, they learn to be idlers, gadding about from house to house, and not only idlers, but gossipers and busybodies, saying what they should not (5).

We should, rather, strive for hope and joy. This is the goal of the spiritually moral person. Despair is of the devil.

St. Symeon the New Theologian, an experienced spiritual physician, recognized that long and untimely sorrowing of the heart ‘darkens and disturbs the mind,’ it banishes pure prayer and compunction from the soul and creates a painful pining of the heart which results in hardness and painful callousness. This is how the demons bring about despair (6).

In admitting the defeating sin of despair and meddling, we are able to open our eyes to the Sovereign Lord of Hope and Joy. Note the words of St. Paul:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praise-worthy -- meditate on these things (7).

How can we avoid the “lust of power” (8) when our culture makes of it a supreme goal? This moral self-love is advertised by our media and taught by our culture to such an extent that it seems archaic to criticize it.

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them (9).

What of the moral person?

It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave; even as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (10).

It is our high calling to be servants to our fellows and slaves to God. Allowing God to be our Lord and Master is a humbling experience.

The next section of the prayer should cause fear and trembling for us all. Here we ask the Lord to take from us the spirit of “idle talk” (11). Here we connect our tongue with the sin of sloth.

I tell you, on the day of judgment men will render account for every careless word they utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned (12) .

Instead, giving in to the spirit of idle talk, we speak to make ourselves look better, which leads us to be judgmental and slanderous. We live in an age of unprecedented, unbridled, unadulterated idle talk. The modern person fills the hours with radio, television, phone, internet, and gossip. The moral person should practice self-criticism, examination of conscious, and silence.

We now come to the second part of St. Ephraim’s prayer wherein we ask the Lord and Master to give us certain “spirits.” The first gift besought is “chastity” (13). Chastity is synonymous with faithfulness. It is self-control, whole-mindedness, and the opposite of a broken character -- which is caused by the sin of sloth.

Bid the older men to be temperate, serious, sensible, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness (14). Yet woman will be saved through bearing children, if she continues in faith and love and holiness, with modesty (15).

By these examples from Scripture, we can see that the meaning of chastity is more than fidelity. It is fidelity to the Truth. Truth is a Person, Jesus Christ. Thus to be chaste, we must be in a relationship where we keep our hearts and minds on Christ. This fidelity is required in the moral Christian life.

The second gift is “humility” (16). In contrast to Greek literature where humility is viewed as a weakness, Scripture celebrates it as a cardinal virtue (17). However, as with Greek literature, this virtue is missing from the paradigm of modern man. It is the model of the Saviour: “And being found in the human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (18) . It is our calling as Christians.

Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind ... (19) serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which befell me through the plots of the Jews ... (20) with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (21). Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves (22).

Our society views pride as a virtue. Yet pride is residual of the fall of Lucifer and his angels from the heavenly realm. As Vlachos writes, “Of course when a person’s heart has been purified, he must not be proud of it, for no creatures are purer than the bodiless ones, the angels, and yet Lucifer, by exalting himself, became the devil and is unclean (23). The enemy of souls is pride incarnate. The opposite of pride -- humility -- is the very essence of the Holy Incarnation.

The discipline of the moral person requires “patience” (24). Yet, it is inherent in our fallen nature to be impatient, quick to judge and condemn.

By your endurance you will gain your lives (25). More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given us (26) ... for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (27).

How can we grow in patience lest God sends us trials? The virtue of patience is a great comfort-- one rarely praised in our day of quick fixes (e.g., abortion, drugs, euthanasia).

The fruit of the moral life is “love” (28). “That is to say, when a person lives naturally, he wants to know God completely, he desires only God, and he struggles to attain God, that is, to attain communion with God. The fruit of this pursuit is love. A person united with God acquires the blessed state of love, since God is love” (29). Contrast this with what could seemingly be a definition of our own age:

These are blemishes on your love feasts, as they boldly carouse together, looking after themselves; waterless clouds, carried along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars for whom the nether gloom of darkness has been reserved for ever (30).

Next, we beseech the Lord and Master to “grant” us two things: sight (31) and non-judgmentalness (32). Is there a difference between the words “give” (33) and “grant?” (35). We ask God to give us “the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love.” We then ask Him to grant us “to see [our] own transgressions and not to judge [our] brother.” Isn’t it possible that the difference lies in that with which we are familiar and that which is foreign to us? For instance, we’re not all that familiar with chastity, humility, patience, and love. True, we may experience them from time to time. Yet for most, familiarity with these virtues is uncommon. On the other hand, we are all too familiar with seeing transgressions and being judgmental! In The Prayer we ask God to transform this very sight and judgment. We ask the master to help us to see our transgressions and not our brothers’. This last part of The Prayer is key to our soul’s petition for transformation. All that precedes this section mirrors our current state and our needs. However, attainment of this high calling is impossible lest we, with God’s help, work out our own salvation with fear and trembling -- judging, not our brother, but ourselves.

Jesus looked up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you (36).

The cornerstone of the Prayer of St. Ephraim is relationship “O Lord and Master of my life.” Unlike the “individual”, who is self-centric, a “person” is someone who is in relationship -- in this case, to the Lord Jesus Christ. From the outset of The Prayer, we are turning over our lives to the One who is to be at the center of our life, Jesus Christ. By our very words (in The Prayer) we invite discipline and imply obedience, both of which are missing in the self-centered modern person.

To humble oneself before God is to admit one’s weakness and dependence, God’s power and goodness, and one’s trust and hope in God. This disposition (described in Mic. 68 as one of the principle requirements of a “good” life) is expressed in obedience and repentance (James 46-10). Such humility is a chief characteristic of the OT heroes of faith (e.g., Gideon, Hannah, David, and Solomon) and a virtue celebrated repeatedly in wisdom literature (37).

The other key to The Prayer is sight. We pray that God will grant us to see of our own transgressions. This is a plea for our own salvation. St. Seraphim of Sarov “Find inner peace, and thousands around you shall find their salvation.” How can we continually see the demons in those round us when our own passions condemn us?

Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when there is a log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye (38).

Our eyes are filled with the modern “judges” of the media: news anchors, politicians, talk show hosts, and all the other “talking heads” of the air waves. The moral person must guard against the promiscuous judgments spewed forth daily from the media.

The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness, If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (39).

No one can serve two masters. Herein lies the key to understanding the prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian as a moral tool for the Christian life. We pray that God take from us the spirit of the world and give us, rather, His spirit. Within this short prayer lies the essence of our struggle known as spiritual warfare.

_________________________
NOTES:

1) Although the Prayer was originally written in Syriac, I've defined the terms by use of the Greek text merely as a matter of clarification as there exists various English translations. Greek translation taken from Greek Orthodox Holy Week and Easter Services, comp., George L. Papadeas, (Daytona Beach, Florida: Patmos Press, 1994); p.107.

2) αργιας (αργος): inactive, unemployed; idle, adverse from labor; unprofitable, hollow; to be unemployed, to be inoperative, to linger. NB: All Greek term definitions taken from The Analytical Greek Lexicon Revised, ed., Harold K. Mouton, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1978).

3) Vlachos, Hierotheos. Orthodox Psychotherapy (The Science of the Fathers). Greece: Birth of the Theotokos Monastery, 1994; p.255.

4) περιεργιας (περιεγος): over careful; officious, a busy body.

5) 1 Timothy 5:13.

6) Vlachos, p.179.

7) Philippians 4:8.

8) φιλαρχιας (φιλ - αρχη, αρχω, αρχων): first place, headship; high estate, eminence; authority; a principality, prince, of spiritual existence; to be first; to govern; one invested with power and dignity, chief, ruler, magistrate.

9) Matthew 20:25.

10) Matthew 20:26-27.

11) αργολογιας (αργο - λογιας): idle talk.

12) Matthew 12:36.

13) σωφροσυνης (σωφρωη, σωφροσυνη): sanity, soundness of mind, a sane mind; female modesty.

14) Titus 2:2.

15) 1 Timothy 2:15.

16) ταπεινοφοσυνης (ταπεινοφρων, ταπεινοφροσυνη): humble minded; lowliness or humility of mind and deportment, modesty.

17) Jeffrey, David Lyle. A Dictionary of Biblical Tradition in English Literature. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992; p.366.

18) Philippians 2:8.

19) 1 Peter 3:8.

20) Acts 20:19.

21) Ephesians 4:2.

22) Philippians 2:3.

23) Vlachos, p. 200.

24) υπομονης (υπομονη, ης; εν υπομονη & δι υπομονης): patient endurance; patient awaiting; a patient frame of mind, patience; perseverance; endurance; constantly, preservingly; an enduring of affliction; the act of suffering; undergoing.

25) Luke 21:19.

26) Romans 5:3-5.

27) James 1:3, 4.

28) αγαπης (αγαπε, ης): love, generosity, kindly concern, devotedness; love-feasts.

29) Vlachos, p.250.

30) Jude 12-13.

31) οραν (οραω): to see, behold; to mark, observe; to be admitted to witness [with εον = to reveal one’s self, to present one’s self].

32) πταισματα (πταιω): to cause to stumble; to stumble, stagger, fall; to make a false step; to err, offend, transgress.

33) give: to make a present of. Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition.

34) grant: to consent to carry out for a person allow fulfillment of. Ibid.

35) John 8:10, 11.

36) Jeffrey, p.366.

37) Matthew 7:3-5.

38) Matthew 6:22-24.
| Link

+ fruit kabobs
+ lenten waffles with jam or syrup
+ peanut butter & honey on bagels
+ fruit salad
+ applesauce cake
+ tahini & honey on toast
+ lenten pancakes
+ lenten muffins
+ fresh fruits
+ baked apples
+ baked grapefruit
+ cereal & vanilla soy milk
+ cinnamon toast
+ good morning cake
+ kasha (or, of course, Grits)
+ granola with applesauce
+ granola with pie filling
+ oatmeal with raisins & syrup or jam

Believe it or not, applesauce works great as a milk substitute on cereals ... and, equally hard to believe, OJ sometimes works just fine. (Really.)

The above suggestions come from St Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, Wichita, Kansas. Recipes to follow.
| Link

For Converts, as well as Cradle Orthodox new to fasting, Dairy Products are perhaps the hardest to step away from. For many of us, this was the main ingredient for all our foods. It is also harder to replace than eggs, which are often used in cooking only to "bond" the other ingredients together. This job is well done by egg replacements: tofu, potato starches, rice fours and a host of other substitutes. Dairy Products add a special flavor and texture to foods that's difficult to match. Staying out of the Cheese is difficult enough, but turning your back on all foods made with milk can be emotionally overwhelming for many. Until we have weaned ourselves from these "comfort" foods (dietary fasting should not undermine your spiritual fasting cycle), here are some milk substitutes that will approximate milk, allowing you your "comfort" as well as your fast.

1 cup of milk ... 1/2 cup soy milk & 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup juice & 1/2 cup water

1 cup of milk (baking) ... 1 cup water & 2 Tb soy margarine

1 cup milk (yeast dough)... 1 cup ginger ale

1 cup buttermilk ... 1/2 cup soy milk & 1/2 cup water & 1 Tb vinegar (or lemon juice)

1 cup sour milk ... same as above

1 cup light cream ... 1 cup soy milk

1 cup heavy cream ... 1 cup non-dairy liquid creamer

1 cup sour cream ... 1 cup lenten mayonnaise & 1 Tb sugar

1 cup cream cheese ... 1 cup lenten mayonnaise

The above suggestions come from St Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, Wichita, Kansas. Recipes, using the ingredients, to follow.
| Link

Greece it ain't. But here in the Western North Carolina mountains the Huneycutts attempted to throw a "hover disk".

As mentioned in an earlier comment (below), a seminary mate labeled me a "lenten Christian". So, today we threw the craft on empty stomachs (not octopus) and ...

well ...

here was the outcome ...

Happy Lent!


| Link

Some Greek Orthodox communities mark the start of Lent in a quite different way. For them the first day of Lent is treated as the first outdoor day of the new year. Lent is the beginning of spring. After the long death of winter, here is the first sign that new life is coming. We must go out to greet it. The community celebrates this day by climbing the nearest hill and flying kites on the fresh spring wind!

Always more important than what we turn from is what we turn to. Here we meet the Spirit enticing, provoking, driving, inspiring us in the struggle to turn from our bondage to a useless evil, to live boldly and be caught up into the adventure of divine love.

Clean Monday ("Kathara Deftera") and Great Lent

"Kathara Deftera" is the first day of the Great Lent Season. On this day, everyone in Greece goes on an excursion to the country where they fly kites and eat Lenten foods (octopus, shrimp, bread, olives etc.).

CLEAN MONDAY
Greek orthodox Christians saw in the Lenten season they way they do every year: with picnics, music, dancing, and kite flying.

Many people left Athens for the long weekend. Many more didn't, but that didn't stop them from enjoying Clean Monday in the traditional rural fashion.

Every year, they descend on Filopappou Hill, a stone's throw from the Acropolis, and have the party that starts Lent.

And so they did Monday.

There's song and dance, and kite-flying - it was a little too windy this year. "What can you do?" asked one disappointed man.

Never mind.

There's always the song and dance.

And the food of course, the traditional Lenten fast feast. No meat, just vegetables and seafood, and the famous flatbread called lagana, which goes well with the dips.

It was cold as well as windy, but that didn't stop anyone - the band just played on.

It takes more than a spot of bad weather to stop a tradition which, as one little girl put it, is about wishing everyone a long and happy life.

Able to express himself in a slightly more sophisticated way, Athens mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos said he was filled with joy and the party spirit along with all Athenians.

The message to everyone from Filopapou was, "Happy Lent!"

From: Hellenic Resources Network.

| Link

As we begin our shared journey to our Lord's Passion, I fall down before you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, asking your forgiveness and wishing you all a spiritually profitable Fast.

Forgive me. Pray for me.
Unworthy Priest Joseph

| Link

With the Great Fast (Lent) starting Monday for Orthodox Christians, the following suggestions come from St Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, Wichita, Kansas. Recipes, using the ingredients (or substitutes), to follow.

Noodles ... Be careful of packaged noodles, most have part of egg or milk in them. Replace noodles with pastas or vegan noodles.

Mayonnaise ... Most brands have milk, egg, or both.

Margarines ... If you really want to fast, check your margarines for whey products. A soy margarine is always free of whey. Some vegetable oil margarines are also lacto-free.

Eggs ... If absolutely necessary, use an egg substitute. It tends to make recipes more difficult; you may wish to just get a better recipe rather than determine how much egg substitute it takes to make your recipe work.

Cheeses ... Placing a small bowl of shredded cheese on the table for the [pre-fasting aged] children is an acceptable way to make their meals more appealing to them; as well as adding to the lack of calcium that a vegan diet inherently has.

Broths ... Meat broths can be replaced with vegetable broths. If you use bouillon cubes, remember not to add any salt to your recipes, as the cubes are very salty.

Gelatin, Jello & Marshmallows ... While these products were once considered animal, the process to create these removes the finished product so far from the animal make-up that Orthodox Rabbi's consider it Kosher for non-meat uses. This seems good enough for most Orthodox Christians. (Vegetable based gelatins are also available.)

Peanut Butter & Tahini ... what can I say?

Chocolate ... is really Milk Chocolate and can be replaced with Cocoa or Carob (chocolate chips can be replaced with carob chips).

Alcohol ... Apple Cider is a great substitute for white wine, and sometimes sherry or red wine.

Desserts ... As a host during lent, remember that many people give up desserts and sweets. So keep fresh fruit in a decorative bowl or basket on your table for your guests. The diabetic guests will also appreciate this.
| Link

With the Great Fast (Lent) starting Monday for Orthodox Christians, the following suggestions come from St Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church, Wichita, Kansas. Recipes, using the ingredients, to follow.

To stock a Lenten Pantry you will need ...

+ dried fruits (raisins, currants, apples, cranberries, apricots, prunes, coconut flakes)
+ fresh fruits and vegetables
+ candied peels, mixed
+ dried beans (black beans, soy beans, navy beans, red kidney beans, great northern beans, mung beans, etc)
+ dried legumes (red lentils, green lentils, brown lentils, chick peas, black eyed peas, split peas, etc)
+ seeds (pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, poppy)
+ nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts)
+ herbs & spices (peppercorns, old bay seasoning, mint, others to your taste)
+ herbal teas
+ flavored coffees
+ frozen juice concentrates
+ carob (chips, chunks and powder)
+ nondairy creamers (liquid & dry)
+ nondairy whipped topping
+ rose water
+ baking cocoa
+ lenten flavored baking chips
+ non-alcoholic wines & sparkling waters
+ canned fruits and vegetables
+ tomato juice, sauce, paste (& V-8)
+ canned beans & legumes
+ a variety of pastas (check labels for content)
+ lenten breads (purchased or homemade)
+ soy products (soy milk, tofu, tempeh, soy sauce, etc)
+ lenten bouillon cubes (vegetable, mushroom, onion, etc)
+ vegetarian gravy mixes
+ curry powder
+ ketchup, mustards, pickles, relishes, chutneys
+ lenten mayonnaise (no eggs, no whey)
+ asian sauces (black bean, garlic, peanut, etc)
+ taco sauces and relishes
+ lenten margarine (no milk, no whey)
+ egg replacer (no whites!)
+ tahini (sesame seed paste), peanut butter
+ flavored vinegars (apple cider instead of alcohol)
+ vegetable oils (sunflower, soy, peanut, sesame, walnut, etc)
+ honeys, jams, maple syrups, corn syrup
+ barley, cornmeal, oats, wheat germ, wheat
+ rices (brown, cracked, whole, wild, etc)
+ flours (rice, bleached, wheat, all-purpose, etc)
+ vegetarian chili (canned)
| Link

The strange thing about the Michael Jackson trial is that the supporting actors are more interesting than the star. The weirdness of the King of Pop is so overexposed that no new revelation can shock. Either Jackson is a complete lunatic who slept with young boys and didn't fondle them or he's a complete lunatic who slept with young boys and did.

Oh wait. Maybe it's this one ...

"Is it true that your father used to say you had a fat nose?" Jackson theatrically averts his head at the ghastliness of this memory and then says with a half-weeping snicker: "Yeah . . . You want to die. You want to die. . . . God. It's hard."

You could argue, I guess, that the Fat Nose memory is the Rosebud in Jackson's life, inducing him to internalize self-loathing racial stereotypes to the point that he ended up bleaching his skin, straightening his hair like Morticia in "The Addams Family," and hiding the offending proboscis beneath a surgical mask even after its many surgeries had turned it into a pencil point.

Nope. No, it's gotta be this one ...

An interview with Jackson's ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley by Chris Heath in Rolling Stone in April 2003 would support the "secretly sane" theory. "I was always saying [to Jackson] people wouldn't think I was so crazy if they saw who the hell you really are," Presley told Heath. "That you sit around, and you drink and you curse and you're [expletive] funny and you have a bad mouth, and you don't have that high voice all the time. I don't know why you think that works for you, because it doesn't anymore."

Then again ...

Ms. Presley, to be sure, has a reason to portray Jackson as less bizarre than people assume. Marrying someone most people regard as an extraterrestrial freak didn't do a whole lot for her image.

One more ...

If this were true, of course, it would also mean Jackson is just a plain old garden-variety ped, albeit one who instead of hanging around public playgrounds built his own at Neverland.

And the winner is ...

Harder to figure out is the behavior of the alleged victim's mother, who handed over her sick kid to sleep in the bedroom of a previously accused child molester.

All of these are found in the Tina Brown piece in today's Washington Post.

Thanks: Drudge
| Link

For Orthodox Christians the Great Fast (Lent) begins this year on Clean Monday, March 14th ... leading up to Pascha (Easter) on May 1st. The traditional fasting rules have been posted on the Antiochian Archdiocesan website for handy reference. As always, those with questions and concerns about the Fast should speak with their Priest and/or Spiritual Father.
| Link

Anglican woman covers her head in church.


Her statement on the Windsor Report.

I just can't get used to photos like this. Even now, they seem to make a mockery of things. Oh by the way, the pic & link are from the pro-homosexual lobby of the Anglican Church, Integrity.

Thanks: Classical Anglican
| Link

WHEN ...

anxious ... Psalms 121,107; Luke 7, 17; Philippians 4:6, 1 Peter 5:6; Hebrews 12:4-11, 13:5

business is poor ... Psalm 37; Ecclesiastes 5

discouraged ... Psalms 23, 42, 43

everything goes from bad to worse ... 2 Timothy 3; Hebrews 13

sorrow overtakes you ... Psalm 46; Matthew 28

friends seem to go back on you ... Matthew 5; 1 Corinthians 13; Psalms 35, 41:9-13; 55:12-23; Luke 17:3,4; Romans 12:14, 17, 19

tempted ... Psalms 1:1; 15, 19, 139; Matthew 4, 6:24, 26:41; James 1; Mark 13:33-37; Luke 21:33-36; Romans 13:11-14; 1 Corinthians 10-13; Colossians 1:12-27

sad ... Psalm 34, 71; Isaiah 40

too busy ... Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

you can't sleep ... Psalms 4, 46:1, 56, 130; Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:7

you have quarreled ... Matthew 18; Ephesians 4; James 4

tired ... Psalm 95:1-7; Matthew 11; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 55:22; Psalm 73:26; Isaiah 40:31; Jonah 2:7; Matthew 11:28-30; 2 Corinthians 4:16

worried ... Psalm 46; Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:4-13; Hebrews 13:-6; 1 Peter 5:6-7

challenged by opposing forces ... Ephesians 6; Philippians 4

facing a crisis ... Job 28:12-28; Psalm 119:71; Proverbs 8; Isaiah 55; 2 Tim.1:7; Hebrews 4:16, 12:4-11

jealous ... Psalm 49; Proverbs 6:34; James 3

impatient ... 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:28; Ephesians 3; Psalms 23, 71, 91; Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:7; James 5:7-11

desiring peace ... John 14; Romans 8; Psalms 46:10-11, 107, 119:165; Isaiah 26:3-4, 32:17-18; John.14:27; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Romans 5:1-5; Colossians 3:15; James 3:17-18

all is well ... Psalms 33:12-22; 100; 1 Timothy 6; James 2:1-17

afraid ... Psalms 27, 56:3, 4, 139:23-24; Isaiah 41:13; Romas 8:18-27; 2 Corinthians 12:9; John 3; Revelation 14

bereaved ... Matthew 5:4; Luke 6:21; 1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:28; Revelation 21, 22

in pain, sick or suffering ... Psalms 6, 39, 41, 42, 67; Matthew 26:39-42; Romans 8:18; 2 Timothy 2:2-13; Hebrews 12:1-11; James 5:11-15; Isaiah 26; 1 Peter 4:12, 13, 19

in need of comfort ... Job 5:19, 11:13-19; Psalms 25, 30:5, 42:5, 103:11-13, 119:50-76; 121; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

needing forgiveness ... Psalm 130:4; Luke 7:36-50, 15; Acts 13:38, 26:18; Ephesians 2:1-10; Colossians 1:14; Matthew 23

weak in faith ... Isaiah 65:24; Psalms 55:22, 14, 126, 146; Luke 18:27; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11, 12; 1 John 5:11-13

needing prayer ... Psalms 4, 6, 25, 42, 51; 1 Kings 8:12-61; Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11, 18:1-14; John 17; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 1 John.5:14, 15

God seems far away ... Psalms 25, 42, 125, 138, 139; Luke 10:9; James 4:1-10

alone or fearful ... Exodus 14:13; Psalm 23:4, 27, 91; Luke 8:22-39; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Peter 4

troubled ... Psalms 31, 38, 40; Romans 5:3-5, 8;18; Hebrews 12:4-11

bearing a grudge ... 2 Corinthians 4; Ephesians 4:25-32; Luke 6

bored ... Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12, 13; Ephesians 4:7-12

discouraged or frustrated ... Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 23, 40, 42, 43, 107:19; Hebrews 12

satisfied with yourself ... Proverbs 11; Luke 16

seeking good investments ... Matthew 17

starting a new job ... Psalm 1; Proverbs 16; Philippians 3:7-21

given responsibility ... Joshua 1:1-9; Proverbs 2; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

making a new home ... Psalm 127; Proverbs 17; Ephesians 5; Colossians 3; 1 Peter 3:1-17; 1 John 4

out for a good time ... Matthew 15:1-20; 2 Corinthians 3; Galations 5

experiencing severe losses ... Colossians 1; 1 Peter 1

disobedient ... Isaiah 6; Mark 12; Luke 5; Psalm 51; Isaiah 53; John 3; 1 John 1

leaving home ... Psalm 119; Proverbs 3, 4

planning your budget ... Mark 4; Luke 19

want a worshipful mood ... Psalms 24, 84, 116; Isaiah 1:10-20; John 4:1-45

Source: An unreferenced handout from All Saints, Salina, Kansas.
| Link

Hip Hop became the topic of recent comments on Conciliar Press's new blog when someone mentioned the Black Eyed Peas recent hit, "Where is the Love?" as a positive example of the genre. Like much of contemporary pop music, the song is based on an older hit. Here follows the lyrics from the original version of "Where is the Love" followed by the Black Eyed Peas version.

Where Is The Love
Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway

Where is the love (7 times)

Where is the love
You said you'd give to me
soon as you were free
will it ever be
Where is the love?

You told me that you didn't love him,
and you were gonna say goodbye
but if you really didn't mean it,
why did you have to lie?

Where is the love,
you said was mine all mine, till the end of time
was it just a lie
where is the love

If you had had a sudden change of heart
I wish that you would tell me so
don't leave me hangin on the promises
you've got to let me know

Oh how I wish I never met you
I guess it must have been my fate
to fall in love with someone else's love
all I can do is wait
(that's all I can do)
yeah yeah yeah

Where is the love (vamp until end)


Where Is The Love?
Black Eyed Peas Lyrics

What's wrong with the world, mama
People livin' like they ain't got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that'll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin'
In the USA, the big CIA
The Bloods and The Crips and the KKK
But if you only have love for your own race
Then you only leave space to discriminate
And to discriminate only generates hate
And when you hate then you're bound to get irate, yeah
Madness is what you demonstrate
And that's exactly how anger works and operates
Man, you gotta have love just to set it straight
Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

It just ain't the same, always unchanged
New days are strange, is the world insane
If love and peace is so strong
Why are there pieces of love that don't belong
Nations droppin' bombs
Chemical gasses fillin' lungs of little ones
With ongoin' sufferin' as the youth die young
So ask yourself is the lovin' really gone
So I could ask myself really what is goin' wrong
In this world that we livin' in people keep on givin'
in
Makin' wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin' each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin' on but the reason's undercover
The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love
The love, the love

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder
As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin'
Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness in equality
Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under
That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down
There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found

Now ask yourself
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?
Where is the love?

People killin', people dyin'
Children hurt and you hear them cryin'
Can you practice what you preach
And would you turn the other cheek

Father, Father, Father help us
Send some guidance from above
'Cause people got me, got me questionin'
Where is the love (Love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)

Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)
Where is the love (The love)

--------------------

Where is the love, indeed. The first song is an obvious soap-opera about a couple's shattered dreams. The second rendition, though with catchy hooks, is all over the map. While it pretends toward love, it is actually a divisive song pitting groups against each other. The CIA is our own terrorist group -- on home territory? Having read through the BEP's version several times, I still can't understand how it is not indicative of the very vice it seems to reveal -- namely, name-calling and segregation. Bloods & Crips ain't got no love. KKK, CIA ain't got no love. A war's going on, but the reason's undercover? Military, ain't got no love. Bush ain't got no love. I don't care for the song, obviously I ain't got no love. Perhaps if I had a hit record I'd have more love. It seems to me that the BEP's version is critical of most everyone without offering any solutions other than:

Take control of your mind and meditate
Let your soul gravitate to the love, y'all, y'all

What love? Toward what love are we to "gravitate"? Though the Father is mentioned throughout the song, He is being asked to do something, something new I guess -- send some guidance -- from above.

The truth is kept secret, it's swept under the rug
If you never know truth then you never know love
Where's the love, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the truth, y'all, come on (I don't know)
Where's the love, y'all

I find this rather depressing. It seems, at best, existentialist. Not that I expect the Black Eyed Peas, or HipHop for that matter, to espouse Orthodox doctrine. But to state: "Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria" ... without offering any better advice than to meditate and gravitate to a love that (they don't know) ... is, well, about the same as the ill-fated saga of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. Just a way to make a buck off an old record if you ask me.

Patience, forgiveness and joy are the three greatest characteristics of divine love. They are characteristics of all real love - if there is such a thing as real love outside divine love. Without these three characteristics, love is not love. If you give the name 'love' to anything else, it is as though you were giving the name 'sheep' to a goat or a pig.

-- St. Nikolai Velimirovich, Homilies, Vol. I (On the Prodigal Son)

The debate continues ...
| Link

So that we might joyfully encounter the Lord upon his glorious Second Coming, let us learn to encounter Him here, especially in the Holy Mysteries.
-- St. John of Kronstadt

Seeking to please men destroys not only our love toward God, but even our remembrance of God.
-- Holy Hierarch St. Ignaty Brianchaninov

To be angry is part of human nature, but to suppress one’s anger is part of a Christian’s nature.
-- Blessed St. Jerome of Stridon

Taken from the monthly bulletin of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Washington, DC.
| Link

ST TIKHON'S: North America's Oldest Orthodox Monastery Marks Centennial.

That Li'l Ol' Mission from Texas ...


Fr Richard John Neuhaus on Communion & relations between East & West:

"The only unity pleasing to God, and the only unity we can rightly pray for, is unity in the truth," he said.

Even if others have their doubts, Neuhaus said that the Catholic Church is committed to working toward Christian unity. He said that John Paul's inability to reconcile with the Orthodox Christian churches of Eastern Europe, despite numerous efforts, is the pope's single greatest disappointment.

Read it H E R E.

Antiochian Orthodox Bishop Basil's mother, Genevieve Essey, fell asleep in the Lord on February 24th. Here's a beautiful tribute from her hometown newspaper. (Note: "Bill" is the Bishop).

In the 1950s and '60s, [she] helped to operate Ernie's Dance Studio in Monessen. She saw to it that Bill Essey, who was 3 years old at the time, started taking tap dancing lessons.

"We performed at Kennywood Park and on KDKA (television)," Bill Essey recalled. "Some of it was real nice."

"I liked it," he added, "but by the time I got to be 13 it wasn't something I wanted to do. Thankfully, by that time my sister was ready to start."

Read more H E R E.

May her memory be eternal!
| Link

On my way to work last week I was scanning the AM dial ...

"I do not believe that non-Christians should have babies.

And I want you to hear what I'm saying tonight ...

I believe it would be better for that baby to die in the womb than to be born to a couple who are not Saved.

Did you hear me? I want you to pay attention.

It would be better for a child to die in the womb than be born to a mother or a couple who aren't Saved.

A child in a home without Jesus ... is destined for Hell.

I pray that if a child is born to parents who aren't Saved -- that he or she dies before the age of accountability.

It would be better to have never lived than to live without Jesus."

It was dark. I was alone. It was late. I was aghast! At that moment, my own face would have scared me. I quickly hit Scan. I was ashamed I'd even heard the words. In hindsight I wish I knew the name of the Pastor, the Congregation, the Station. Then again, why? What would I, an Orthodox Christian, do?

This was a Country Preacher; obviously a hateful man. He was saying these words to a congregation; instilling his ideas in the minds and hearts of his faithful.

If I'd not heard it with my own ears -- on the radio at that! -- I'd have not believed there was such a sermon. Such a Minister. Such a thing. Such.

In the Culture Wars we often arm ourselves for the big dragons: Mainstream Media, Liberal Politicians, Hollywood. Possibly, there in our own back hollers, there's smaller snakes wrapped in the Cloth, spewing the "Gospel" to our neighbors (the folks who really do live next door).

"I've got the Good News! And the Good News is ... you're going to Hell!"

I'm fairly certain the radio preacher wouldn't view my children, all Cradle Orthodox, as Saved.

Lord have mercy.
| Link

What if we were held accountable for posts & comments within a classroom? All posting members -- bloggers & commentators -- would be required to gather periodically within an academic setting of accountability. We'd have to brush up on particular terms and their definitions in order to: (1) understand the professor's moderation, (2) correct our own errors, and (3) grow, both personally and communally. Here are some examples:

AD HOMINEM: Appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect. Marked by an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made.

APPEAL TO IGNORANCE (fallacy): Assuming that because a statement can't be disproved, it must be true.

ARGUMENT: A statement (the conclusion) and one or more additional statements (the premises) offered in support of the conclusion.

BEGGING THE QUESTION: Assuming what one is trying to prove; presenting a version of the conclusion as if it were an additional statement in support of the conclusion.

CAUSAL LAWS: Inevitable patterns in nature, such that when certain events occur ("the cause") certain other events must occur ("the effect").

CONSEQUENTIALIST ETHICAL THEORIES: Those ethical theories which claim that what makes actions right or wrong are their consequences.

DEONTOLOGICAL ETHICAL THEORIES: Those ethical theories which deny that what makes actions right or wrong are their consequences.

DIAKRISIS: Discernment of good and evil, of the divine and the demonic, of what is appropriate to do. Consequently, discretion, the golden mean (via media).

DIATRIBE: A bitter and abusive speech or writing. Ironical or satirical criticism.

DUCKING THE QUESTION: Avoiding answering a question.

FALLACY: A type of erroneous reasoning.

FATALISM: The view that some specified events must occur in a person's life, no matter what that person may choose to do.

FREE WILL: The concept that (at least some) human choices are not governed by causal laws.

FREE WILL DEFENSE (The): Claims that it would be contradictory for God to give people free will and guarantee that they not cause suffering; further,
that free will and suffering is better than no free will and no suffering.

GOSSIP: A person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others. Rumour or report of an intimate nature. Chatty talk.

HATE: Intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury.

HUBRIS: Exaggerated pride or self-confidence.

HYPERBOLE: Extravagant exaggeration.

LOGICAL IMPLICATION: If statement A logically implies statement B, that means that if A is true, then B must also be true.

LOGICAL INCOMPATIBILITY: Two statements are logically incompatible if the truth of one implies the falsity of the other and vice versa.

MORAL OBJECTIVISM: The view that where there is a moral judgment and its negation, one of those judgments must be false; that there is such a thing as the moral truth.

MORAL SUBJECTIVISM: The view that where there is a moral judgment and its negation, neither judgment need be false; that there is no such a thing as the moral truth.

NORMATIVE ETHICAL: Relating to questions about what is morally good or bad, right or wrong, required or not required.

OXYMORON: A witty statement, all the more pointed because it is presented as a paradox whereby two contradictory terms are used together, as in a
discordant concordance, an eloquent silence, and so forth.

PATHOS: "A disease of the