tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73042886598650075.post2507104584526572118..comments2024-03-22T11:37:52.668-05:00Comments on Byzantine, Texas: Lost in translation?Byzantine, TXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17845681957622343484noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73042886598650075.post-63227459401822624862014-05-19T14:56:35.818-05:002014-05-19T14:56:35.818-05:00Sorry. It looks to have been deleted.Sorry. It looks to have been deleted.Byzantine, TXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17845681957622343484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73042886598650075.post-72633603292466366712014-05-19T14:43:22.277-05:002014-05-19T14:43:22.277-05:00While the OCA translation might be nonspecific eno...While the OCA translation might be nonspecific enough to support an interpretation of ascetial struggle, I think it can also support a more literal interpretation of the "enemies" against which we struggle. As our culture becomes increasingly hostile to traditional religion, we can sing this kontakion to encourage us in our struggle. Since the government itself is often our opponent, it fits our context to take the weapon out of the hands of kings and put it into the hands of Christians.<br /><br />P.S. The link to the complete article is broken.Arimatheanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06783088995172601340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73042886598650075.post-1494993843307395652013-05-20T15:58:50.920-05:002013-05-20T15:58:50.920-05:00To your observation--which is excellent--let me ad...To your observation--which is excellent--let me add that there is a significant difference between the translations regarding the battle that is joined with the Cross. In the first case, the battle is an actual military contest; under the sign of the Cross Constantine is victorious in war. This is lost in the second translation since the battle is internalized and universalized; under the sign of the Cross we are victorious in our ascetical struggle. This second translation--interpretation really--radically shifts the reference at the expense of the historical meaning of the feast.<br /><br />There is, to my mind, a disturbing tendency among contemporary Orthodox Christians to embrace uncritically secular pacifism and to downplay, if not actively reject, the vocation of the Christian warrior. Yes, pacifism is a legitimate Christian vocation but it is no more--or less--legitimate than the call to serve Christ in military service. Both vocations have produced saints, both can be blessed as "peacemakers" even as both have produced their share of selfish thugs and cowards.<br /><br />Thanks for the post.<br /><br />In Christ,<br /><br />+FrGFr. Gregory Jensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02674042923019379740noreply@blogger.com