Discussions of Eastern Christianity, often with a Byzantine flavor. Posts on the Oriental Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholic, and even the occasional church of the West.
From the original website whence this image was taken: The Battle of Borodino (7 September 1812) was the pivotal battle in the First Great Patriotic War of 1812-14 (one of the conflicts that made up the “Napoleonic Wars”). It was the largest single-day battle in the Napoleonic Wars, and it was the last offensive battle fought by Napoleon in Russia. Over 250,000 troops were engaged on both sides, and there were over 70,000 casualties in total. It ended in a draw, with both sides withdrawing from the field. Marshal Kutuzov, the Russian commander (you can see him kneeling before the icon of the Mother of God in the above painting), decided to withdraw to maintain his forces in being so he could strike the French at an opportune moment. The Russians destroyed all stocks of provisions and followed a “scorched earth” policy. The French occupied Moscow for a short time, but, they could not hold it, as all the supplies were destroyed. Furthermore, the city was put to the torch by its inhabitants, so the French were forced to withdraw during the worst weather of the Russian winter. The offensive power of the French was destroyed, and the Russian forces led the coalition that defeated Napoleon and entered Paris in triumph in 1814. Tsar Aleksandr Pavlovich dictated the peace the followed the war, and no major war amongst the Great Powers erupted in Europe for a century (although there were many “minor” conflicts).
Tolstoy goes into some detail about the Battle of Borodino in War & Peace, and if I'm not mistaken he makes references to a scene not unlike this painting.
Is the male-only priesthood a discipline or essential to the nature of being a priest? Sr. Vassa (again unflinchingly taking up a contentious topic by climbing up the ladder to the highest platform and then jumping into the deep end head first) dives right in and says there is no reason beyond personal preference to not have female clergy. You know, when people ask me about women in priesthood, they say, 'Sister, why can't women be priests?' And I say, 'Women CAN be priests. We don't WANT them to be priests.' Because you see, God can do anything, and the Church, by divine authority, uh, can do anything, but, the Church doesn't want to - and that's a legitimate reason. What I don't like is when we TRY to pretend that there are other reasons for this, because it's legitimate not to want something, and there are reasons not to want this - right? - but, we shouldn't pretent that there's some... reason, that, for example, the maleness...
( CMC ) - From 25 January to 2 February, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is being held in Jerusalem, with the theme: ‘Do you believe this?’ (Jn 11:26). This year marks the 1,700th anniversary of the first Christian Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea, which gives us the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common faith of Christians.
That is half the reason I like to do "Saint of the day!"
ReplyDeleteA post without SOME graphics seems naked to me.
My fondness for graphics is well documented =)
ReplyDeleteI would love to know what that picture's all about. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, please keep the pictures coming. Also, I second Rachel's question: What was the Battle off Borodino?
ReplyDeleteOops..I meant "The Battle OF Borodino
ReplyDeleteFrom the original website whence this image was taken: The Battle of Borodino (7 September 1812) was the pivotal battle in the First Great Patriotic War of 1812-14 (one of the conflicts that made up the “Napoleonic Wars”). It was the largest single-day battle in the Napoleonic Wars, and it was the last offensive battle fought by Napoleon in Russia. Over 250,000 troops were engaged on both sides, and there were over 70,000 casualties in total. It ended in a draw, with both sides withdrawing from the field. Marshal Kutuzov, the Russian commander (you can see him kneeling before the icon of the Mother of God in the above painting), decided to withdraw to maintain his forces in being so he could strike the French at an opportune moment. The Russians destroyed all stocks of provisions and followed a “scorched earth” policy. The French occupied Moscow for a short time, but, they could not hold it, as all the supplies were destroyed. Furthermore, the city was put to the torch by its inhabitants, so the French were forced to withdraw during the worst weather of the Russian winter. The offensive power of the French was destroyed, and the Russian forces led the coalition that defeated Napoleon and entered Paris in triumph in 1814. Tsar Aleksandr Pavlovich dictated the peace the followed the war, and no major war amongst the Great Powers erupted in Europe for a century (although there were many “minor” conflicts).
ReplyDeleteTolstoy goes into some detail about the Battle of Borodino in War & Peace, and if I'm not mistaken he makes references to a scene not unlike this painting.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mr. Anglican! That was a great summary of the battle. I appreciate you taking the time to write it.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know who painted that picture?
ReplyDelete