I really can't support having a memorial service with the cremated remains of a dog on the solea of an Orthodox Church. It also looks like several other K-9 units were in attendance.
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(WJBK) - There was a final farewell to St. Clair Shores K-9 officer Axe on Wednesday at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church.
Axe was killed in the line of duty on Nov. 4 outside the Lakeland Manor Banquet Hall on Harper Avenue. He was running after an armed suspect, Theo Gray, when police say he shot the dog and police returning fire. Both the man and Axe died from their injuries.
Family: Man who killed St. Clair Shores K9 officer had gun because of death threat
"Even though our officers responded professionally, properly, admirably, never the less, we lost a friend, we lost a companion, we lost a brother. We lost a valued member of our police department," said St. Clair Shores Police Chief Todd Woodcox.
The K-9 joined the department in 2016, full of energy and always eager to work. St . Clair Shores Mayor Kip Walby called Axe an ambassador to the city at his memorial service, and his words to Axe's handler Officer Tim Price:
St. Clair Shores community lights up in blue honoring fallen k9 Axe
"We are truly sorry for your loss. There will be a void that won't soon be filled. Cherish the drug seizures that occurred, cherish the apprehension of criminals for it was a job well done," he said.
They say Aze did was he was trained to do.
29-year-old ID'd as man killed by police after killing St. Clair Shores police K9
"Absolutely zero doubt that Axe saved officers lives that night," Woodcox said.
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I wonder if Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit will have anything to say about one of his priests allowing this. If the Metropolitan is good with this, we have a problem. I would not be surprised if the actions of this priest don't drive some of his flock to the Greek Old Calendar church in the same city.
ReplyDeleteBeing a former member of the Metropolis of Detroit, this does not surprise me and I wouldn't be shocked if the Metropolitan blessed this. Lord have mercy...
DeleteUnfortunately, Metropolitan Nicholas did give the blessing. I confirmed this with a staff member from his office at the Metropolis in Detroit when I called today.
DeleteAre people losing their minds???
ReplyDeleteYes, one might expect this sort of thing in an Episcopalian church. But an Orthodox church?
ReplyDeleteThank you, David, for the cool-headed comments. The priest is also with an epitracelion, so it should be clear to us that this is not a Divine Service of any sort.
ReplyDeleteI was shocked to see firearms inside the church. I was convinced there are canons against this.
I admit that I had a strong initial reaction to this story, but over time I find it more awkward and tactless and rude than outright heresy.
Firearms being in are different than them being drawn. Military in deployed zones will have them. Look at pictures of Orthodox soldiers in Syria. Be careful with "there are canons against this." The bishops are the interpreter of the canons, not laymen.
ReplyDeleteFrom the video, it doesn't look like a big deal. They're mourning the loss of a creature. We are priests and stewards of creation and I don't see the big deal. It was not an Orthodox service. The animals body in there or acting as if he was a person or anything like that might be a grayer area, but opening the doors so that people could mourn and respect God's creation is not inherently bad, in my opinion. Now, if it goes against the bishop, that's a different story.
ReplyDeleteCome on, now. In New Mexico, about 15 years ago, a dog entered the altar through a side door during liturgy. After getting the dog out, the priest stopped the service. He explained to the people that the altar had been defiled. He then moved the antimins out into the center of the church and continued liturgy there.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who has an issue with this may want to contact Archbishop Gabriel of the ROCOR Canadian diocese. At the time, the New Mexico parish was under his care as he was Vicar to Metropolitan Laurus.
Question is: Anyone REALLY surprised? If the answer is “yes” ... WHY???
ReplyDeleteI called the office of the Metropolitan of Detroit today to confirm if he gave the priest the blessing for them to conduct this service for the dog, and they confirmed it...and I asked TWICE to make sure.
ReplyDeleteOur Churches are places of holiness, and the Lord told us not to give that which is holy to dogs for a reason...
ReplyDeleteThis is a desecration of a temple that was blessed by the bishop. The service conducted may not have been a sacramental one, but it was a service nonetheless. Why else would the priest have asked for a blessing to perform this? This is a clear example of sacrilege.
Interesting!
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand, I would like to know what the theology or (if not developed) pious tradition is behind Archbishop Gabriel of the ROCOR particular (re)action. What is it about a dog, which in of itself is a "fallen" creature (due to us!) but at the same time is innocent and non sinful (comparable in a way to an infant) creature. In what way does its mere presence bring "defilement"?
On the other hand, in this secular age, the "sentamental" so overcomes everything else including our innate sense of the divine and our "sacred" space. Bringing this dog in to a church for a pseudo service or "honor" as was done here strikes me as somewhat flippant and offensive to our sense of hierarchy and need of balance between the sacred and "profane".