Sr. Vassa: There's no ontological impediment to priestesses
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...
If you can't or won't commune them properly, then don't commune them at all.
ReplyDeleteWe have been taught that the Faith is tactile and material and that the icons are real, and now we're told in effect that it's just malleable ritual. If I wanted that kind of faith, then I would have stayed Protestant.
Here is an icon for you:
Deletehttps://www.artway.eu/content.php?id=2432&lang=en&action=show
Are we even allowed to venerate them now?
DeleteLord have mercy!!!
ReplyDeleteThe spread of European Secularism and the abandonment of the Apostolic Faith within Orthodox countries has led many not to believe that Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of our Lord. Holy Communion is now seen as a ritual that commemorates the historical event of the last Supper. This is why Archbishop Soterios and Archbishop Elpidophoros, who have fully embraced the heresy of Ecumenism, declare that Holy Communion can infect people and multiple spoons should be used to avoid infection.
ReplyDeleteCopts affirm the Real Presence.
DeleteWell stated David B.
DeleteAll the more reason not to deposit the Sacred Mysteries in a plastic cup.
DeleteThe Church should put up or shut up. If the ritual and method is necessary reverence, and we have been assured for centuries it is, then they should not be defiled on the whim of secular authorities. If there are still concerns over this method of ministration of the Sacraments, then they should not be served.
Then the secular authorities can order the Gifts to be mailed as well. And I'd submit, at that point, you're just eating bread and wine.
DeleteMaybe it's okay to place the Body and Blood of our Lord in a plastic cup, or an ice cream cone, or a Ziploc bag. If that's the case, then there are probably some other secular reforms in mind for the praxis as well. Apparently it's just not that big a deal.
There is historical precedent for postponing Eucharistic services. Again, if you cannot commune them properly, then don't commune them at all.
"and a way to get Caesar off the Church's back"
That is a laughable comment. The Church is clearly already subordinate to the State. Caesar's not just on your back; he's got you bent over a table. But at least he's wearing a condom.
Lord have mercy, this is like what the Lutherans, and many protestant sects do, disposable plastic cups! well the monophysites already started to embrace Protestant style Charamastic hymns, and Bible studies at home, and the diaspora, as well as talking in tongues, it heartbreaking to see so many disregard the Gifts as mere symbolism or a ritual, Christ came to heal, not to bring death, of course one should properly prepare.
ReplyDelete