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I go away of the weekend to attend a wedding and miss all the action.

I was very surprised to see JPP posting here. John is starting to remind me of the great opera singer of the early 20th century Dame Nelli Melba who apart from having a great voice was renouned for the number of last nights and comebacks to the stage.

John gave the impression to me of pushing his version of devotion to St Theresa on others and was not interested in knowing of proper practices in the Byzantine Church. After a while I wondered what he was doing here at all. John gave me the impression he was firmly of the opinion our liturgy was just another way of 'saying mass' with which he good mix in his private version of his favourite Latin devotions.

John has also posted some highly offensive comments in regard to the ceremonies of the Holy Fire which had to be removed. He has no understanding of the links that bind those Catholics and Orthodox who love the Byzantine Church and all that goes with it. John has done his Nelli Melba yet again, this time has come back to the forum to have yet another go at the Orthodox.

I wish you well John were ever you go to but please dont rush back here on my account.

ICXC
NIKA

Reminds me of another poster who departs more often than that 300-pound soprano wastes away from TB in Traviata. But the poor thing always manages to resurrect for the next performance. Go figure...

Dear Pavel you said:

I say:

I heard from someone that John did not believe the Holy Fire was real and that it was a fake. I do wish the post was not removed, because it takes away our ability to have a serious discussion about it. People should be allowed to have an open discussion about a topic that might or might not be offensive to others. :rolleyes: Of course I don't know exactly how offensive it was.

I have read years ago that the RCC believes that the Holy Fire truly existed until the time of the schism, and from then on it was a deception. From my understanding, the section with the tomb is examined to make sure that no matches or lighter exists. The same holds true of the person of the Patriarch and all who enter with him.

Of course one must wonder how the Holy Fire could have come about before the existance of matches...but then again, I heard that there were times when it took many hours of prayers to appear. I guess they were rubbing sticks together. A little joke there!

Actually, the Holy Fire does not only appear on the tomb, but many find that their candles are lit automatically. I guess it happens to those that doubt the truth of it's existance.

Okay, let's say it does exist, even if someone doesn't believe it. I was told that the first 20 minutes it has different properties than actual fire. One can pass their hand through it without being burned. Also there is a great deal of friction with the Armenians and Coptics, who believe they too should have a right to pass the light to the crowds. Now the question arises, if they are so passionately upset about the situation, and they too enter the cave with the Jerusalem Patriach, why don't they reveal the deception...that is of course if it is a deception?

The truth is though, that posters should not have their posts removed simply because they are expressing an opinion contrary to the opinion of some on the forum. :rolleyes:

Zenovia

I wonder who that could be? lol

maybe, me?

Zenovia the Holy Fire was ridiculed and not presented as a subject for discussion. I am not Orthodox and made a complaint. Discussion is one thing rudeness is another. Now he is saying you and other Orthodox have take over the forum. It is just too silly.

ICXC
NIKA

oh no! does this mean it's over, with the fat lady singing and all?

Much Love,
Jonn

She will be back in all her glory - all 300 pounds of it - for the next performance, I am sure of it. She will probably write 50 posts explaining why she is back.

No she wont! She will say her piece and with much flourish will yet again depart. Only to come back and do it yet again.

ICXC
NIKA

Ahhh! Sounds like you know the lady from past experience.

Dear Pavel you said:

I say:

Actually, I can see where someone might get that opinion. At times posts have been removed more frequently if their remarks were insulting to Orthodox rather than to Latin or Byzantine Catholics. What's wrong with showing John Patarick Poland a little charity and Christian love. Besides, I have seen some very nasty posts on this forum that were not removed... nor were the posters mocked. A little objectivity here would help. :rolleyes:

John Patrick Poland is a highly devout Catholic...and I can't help but feel from the reactions, that some posters have some issues with the Latin Church.

As for me, he is welcome anytime...besides, I love and pray to The Little Flower often, so leave him alone.

Zenovia

JPP,

I just found this thread, and all I have to say is that if the Orthodox have no right to be here, then neither do Roman Catholics.

I for one find the Orthodox presence on this board to be a blessing. If one has a problem with it, there's no shortage of Roman Catholic message boards one can participate in instead.

To quote my former boss, a self-described "Florida redneck": Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya.