Dear Gordo,

Well done and well said!!

Alex

Now that I've taken the time to take a deep breath and count to ten , may I amend my post from 2/28.

After some thought I realize externals do play an important role in lifting our hearts and minds to God. Although externals are not a necessity, they aid in enhancing our spiritual awareness. I couldn't imagine my home without a crucifix, or even icons and a statue or two, or Rosary beads, a blessed medal......etc. I know I'm not telling you Easterners anything you don't already know, I'm just thinking out loud. Our senses help awaken our hearts to the presence of God.

If I didn't find the east alluring I wouldn't be on this forum now, would I. Being a cradle Latin, and realizing the Roman Church is my home, I've taken some of the beauty the Eastern Church has to offer and adapted it to my own spiritual life.

I would love to see the Eastern Churches grow in leaps and bounds, big enough to rival the Roman Church. So get out there and evangelize, but remember to win hearts and souls first, the externals will take care of themselves.

In Christ, Bill

Dear Bill,

This reminds me of the story involving the Rus' city of Murom when it was still largely pagan.

The prince of Murom tried by all means to convince the pagan priests to become Christian, but to no avail. They were, it would seem, rather articulate in their defence of paganism.

Then the prince had an icon brought to Murom that depicted Christ reclining (almost with a smile) on His Mother's arms while looking up at her most lovingly, and gently touching her face with His Hand.

(It's actually a most moving icon!)

He then went out in church procession with the icon in the lead to meet the pagan leaders once again to pursuade them to accept Christianity.

When the pagans saw the icon, they fell on their knees and cried out to the prince that they could no longer oppose the religion that produced such a holy and poignant thing!

The icon is still there to this day.

Alex

When I get the chance to step inside an Eastern Church it is always a treat. You can feel there is something special going on there. That's what I mean by the externals will take care of themselves.

Bill