I was very disappointed to see an altar stone listed on Ebay. This is MORE than just a relic, as precious as relics are. It is a consecrated altar on which the Eucharistic Liturgy is celebrated. We should pray that it falls into well-intentioned hands.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3228249211&category=1447
Silouan, foolish old monk

Bless me a sinner, Father Silouan,

Where did you get that beautiful avatar of Our Lady of Loreto?

Is there a site that sells copies of that image?

Alex

Dear Servant of God, Alex:
May the choicest blessings of heaven descend upon you and those you love always+

I really don't remember where I got that avatar image. I found it someplace and asked the Administrator if I might be able to use it and somehow, with the magic of computer wizardry, there it was! I am a member of the Universal Congregation of the Holy House and a fragment of the original walls of the Holy House is enshrined in the chapel.
I am so pleased that you like it.
Silouan, old monk

Slava Jesu Kristu,

I don't mind so much that holy things are being sold as much as they are being sold publically. I don't think there is anything wrong with selling church goods to other churches, but publically.....

Dmitri

Bless me a sinner, Father Silouan,

Yes indeed!

A true Black Madonna and it was visited by His Holiness as well!

Alex

I noticed one of the bidders, "Broken Triangle" from his/her page is an unabashed devotee of the "Craft"...quite disturbing.

Dear Diak,

I see that the priest who sold it to this fellow seems to have been compliant enough.

How could a priest give this up for sale?

And if he didn't, why didn't he do everything in his power to prevent it leaving his church?

Alex

Dear Brothers,

Perhaps as a self-consolation, when hearing of such sacriligious things, I throw up my hands and remind myself that they (we) already crucified the King of Glory. There isn't much more than they (we) can do to Him or His Church.

In Christ,
Andrew

This is nothing new. The church has been bulldozing consecrated churches and turning them into Bingo halls so they can build empty warehouses and place tables in them. They call these warehouses "Churches." So, what to do with the Churches Holy Things? Sell them off. I have even heard of Churches melting golden chalices so they can replace them with glass ones.

I say GREAT sell them off! They are too holy for those responsible of selling them. In other words, they do NOT deserve to have them.

I only pray that some schismatic (i use the term lightly) order buys them and uses them properly.

That is what I love about Mother Angelica. She is a rescuer of these objects. There are many being use at EWTN.

Rose

Dear Friends,

Your thoughts expressed here reminds me of a special icon I have.

It is of the Mother of God of Kazan, from Russia, and it has an indentation in the Face of the Mother of God - but I can't say for sure if this was done malevolently or what.

This neglected and rescued icon fills me with such peace whenever I look at it or even have it in my study.

To remove it from the room makes me feel inside that something important is missing there - even though there are plenty more icons around.

If we ever have the means and come across such neglected Sacred things, let us by all means rescue them and keep them with us.

Perhaps too this was also what Christ meant when He stated the questions that will be put to humanity at the Last Judgement?

Alex

And it sold for a mere $147.00.

Oh my....

I'm not sure, but as an OLD sceptic (Hey, I've been a high school and community college teacher!) something smells funny to me about this e-bay thing.

First, the documentation is missing. Hmmm. Romaniaks losing paperwork? Don't think so.

Two, it is coming from a priest? Don't think that either. Even the dumbest poorly educated RC priest knows that his ass would be on the line for disposing of an altar stone. His bishop would ream his butt and probably laicize him.

Third: the relics implanted are supposed to be from MARTYRS, (reminiscent of the catacombs) not just from ordinary saints. A relic of St. Francis of Assisi in an altar stone? Not even close.

Fourth: all the advertising and "bona fides". Sounds like the seller "doth protest too much".

My suspicion (and hope) is that this is an ordinary piece of marble from Home Depot with a hole drilled in it and some "cement" to seal the hole.

From the 'suspicious Greek merchant in the Casbah'
Blessings!

Some of the ebay stories befind religious antiques are pathetic in the extreme, and at times totally impossible, given the age and provenance of an item.

Some of the worst are Baltic Russians selling icons painted last week, but on old boards. Sometimes the icons come from before the canonisation of the saint portrayed on them. Miraculous!!!

Do sellers really think we are so stupid?

Spasi Khristos -
Mark, monk and sinner.

Bless me a sinner, Father Mark!

Yes, indeed!

Alex