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Dear Samer,

Al-Massiah Qam!
Haqqan Qam!

Could you please explain further about the Feast of Relics? What is it exactly and why is it celebrated at that time?

I don't know how it is with the Melkites, but one of the effects of the "Unia" among the Slav Orthodox was that Latinizations came into the Orthodox Church via two ways.

First was through the return of Eastern Catholics to Orthodoxy, like the 3 million who returned in the 19th century under Met. Josefy Siemashko (the Orthodox commemorate this in their calendar).

Practices such as the rosary et al. were brought into Orthodoxy directly and became popular there,including a miraculous icon of Our Lady of the Scapular, the Immaculate Conception et al.!

The other way was through Latinization that came from Orthodox students studying in RC countries, like France.

So it isn't surprising to see the Benediction service even among Slavic Orthodox today. St Seraphim of Sarov prayed the Rosary daily, and I'm sure he received that from the Eastern Catholic converts to Orthodoxy and their descendants.

Alex

The Feast's name speaks for itself Alex. I can't offer you more than what the BBW does. Patriarch Maximos III instituted it in the mid-19th century and composed its Office. It is an occasion of veneration offered the things of God just like the Sunday of Orthodoxy preceding it.

The circumstances that prompted its institution are not known to me.

But I do wonder if we did celebrate St. Gregory's Lenten feast from the start of the union up until the new feast was added to the calendar.

In IC XC
Samer

Dear Samer,

I've put in a request from an acquaintance in Rome for that document re: Gregory Palamas and will let you know when I get something by way of response.

I'm no Brendan , but I would venture to guess that the Melkites have always venerated St Gregory Palamas since he would have been in your tradition of saint-veneration and, unless he was actually excommunicated or violently anti-Roman, the local saints of the Churches in union with Rome were not, for the most part, disturbed.

Alex

Well, I hope so. I haven't the faintest clue to be honest, but the placement of the new feast seemed suspicious.


Thanks very much Alex. That would be very much appreciated.

....however, I'm still waiting for your picture depicting your presumedly graceful kneel before her Majesty.

You weren't alongside that Rowan Atkinson fellow, were you?

In IC XC
Samer

Dear Samer,

You wanted that picture?

I'll send you one just as soon as we're moved into our new home!

Alex