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I know this is an old discussion, but would like to add to this. Bulgaria consecrates its own chrism; the late Patriarch Maxim did it many times. Georgia also consecrates its own chrism, see this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K6bOZcVnHM Interestingly, Patriarch Kirill has sanctified...

And who was it who first said that some organizations are "drooling at the prospect of making people suffer."? And who was it who tried to bring the topic of hell into the picture, when all that we're discussing is the question of the proper EARTHLY punishment for those who act blasphemously in...

And what has that got to do with the case in hand? Is anyone about to throw the Pussy Riot girls into the fires of hell? Uhm, that's why I said she was FACING execution. I take it that for you, anyone who wants to see justice done is "drooling at the prospect of making people suffer." If a...

So, I take it that even John Paul II didn't have Jesus' attitude? Because, as I've pointed out, he asked for pardon for his would-be killer AFTER the judicial system had done its work. The idea that mercy should be shown after the judicial system has first done its work seems to offend you deeply.

I do not recognize the fluffy, sentimental, all-luv-and-no-justice Jeezus that you worship. Our Lord Jesus Christ referred time and again to his era's harsh judicial processes in His parables, without the slightest hint that he condemned these. He did step in to save an adulterer, but only...

Is blasphemy trivial? The problem is that you're assuming that it is trivial for EVERYONE. Perhaps for people like you, but certainly not for many believers. In a country where thousands of churches were blown up after a concerted Bolshevik campaign of anti-religious ridicule, no, I don't think...

Forgiveness and pardon AFTER the judicial system had done its work. In the case at hand, the judicial process isn't finished yet. Let it be finished first before calling for mercy.

Naturally they got off, for the simple reason that they were the ones who had earthly power all throughout their reigns of terror against the Church. A "prayerful" song? How? It may have been 'prayerful' from the viewpoint of the singers, but the way they acted was blasphemy and sacrilege from...

I'm not using 'desecration' in the strict, canonical meaning of the term, but with the broader meaning of showing intentional disrespect for churches and icons. If your conscience is comfortable with defending acts of disrespect inside churches consecrated to the worship of the Triune God, I...

He was pardoned AFTER spending nearly 2 decades in jail. Before that, the Vatican position, widely reported in news reports from the time, is that it deferred to Italian justice. Try again? How about YOU try again?

Yes, yes, yes, we understand, Mr. Resident Atheist. Religion is a vile thing, therefore we should feel free to axe icons and defile churches in the name of 'conscience'. After all, no one is "victimized" by such acts (a view that, of itself, presupposes that religious icons and buildings are of...

And so, because we don't like the Patriarch or a bishop, then we should feel free to desecrate the churches under them?

Pope John Paul II forgave his would-be assassin. He also made it clear that Ali Agca would remain in jail in accordance with Italian law. Agca was in prison for 19 years, from 1981 to 2000, in Italy, in punishment for the attempted assassination. He could have stayed in jail longer had he not...

For what it's worth, in my country (the Philippines) a contraceptive and condom activist by the name of Carlos Celdran broke into Manila Cathedral on September 30, 2010 during an ecumenical celebration. He carried an insulting placard and shouted at the assembled priests and bishops to "stop...

Patriarch Filaret of the UOC-Kyivan Patriarchate began his visit to Canada last week. He was supposed to attend (or concelebrate? it is not clear) Divine Liturgy at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada's Cathedral in Toronto. At the last minute this was scrapped after an order from Patriarch...

What a depressing thread, on Orthodox Holy Week, of all times. I've gone through Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox web fora but to be frank, you guys are just among the most judgmental bunches I've ever seen. Some people ask me why I've never become Orthodox despite my liking for its theology...

Yes, it's a novel, and I clearly refer to it as being non-factual in nature. Did you miss something as obvious as that? Anyway, this is the last time I'll respond to you. And yet you're willing to accept what Gruner -- a fringe character in Catholicism if ever there was one -- says without...

See this: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=4086 While Catholic Culture is not an official website, it is one of the most widely-read and authoritative in the English-speaking Catholic Internet world. It's old "PetersNet" ratings were practically the standard for...

Post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy. Consider the following as well: 1) The official position of the Vatican is that the Consecration of Russia was already accomplished by John Paul II in 1984. This position was officially reiterated in 2000 by a certain Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, who is now...