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But, Alex, he was such a devout Ukrainian Greek Catholic! He was already a subdeacon for the Toronto Greek Catholic Eparchy and a deacon-candidate with me at the Melkite Seminary when I knew "Russ." He was later ordained a deacon for the Toronto Greek Catholic Eparchy. I was invited to his ordination. And the same year, 1979 or 1980, my family and I "adjusted" from Byzantine-Ruthenian Catholicism to Eastern Orthodoxy through the offices of the Orthodox Church in America (the OCA). What happened with "Russ," I do not know, but I have written him to find out why he became a "vagante" metropolitan.

OrthodoxEast

Dear OrthodoxEast,

Let us know what you hear - if it is our business!

Alex

Just to clarify the blessing issue for Orthodox East. All of this monastic blessing business is purely verbal! There's no sign of the cross etc.

Spasi Khristos -
Mark, monk and sinner.

Bless me a sinner, Father Mark!

I understand that St Herman of Alaska, not being a priest, allowed his visitors to kiss his monastic Cross.

Is this something he developed or is it a monastic tradition?

Kissing your right hand I again implore your blessing,

Alex

I think this was quite typical in the past in Russia. Also, it was quite common for monastics to bless with the neck-cross or neck icon.

Spasi Khristos -
Mark, monk and sinner.

Bless me a sinner, Father Mark!

Do you see how wide my reading on these matters truly is?

Not bad for a layman, eh?

Asking your forgivness, I devoutly kiss your right hand,

Alex

I'm sorry I have neglected this thread (I am sure most of you were hoping I just went quietly away.) Anyway, I have other pressing matters.

Anyway, while trying to find the answer to another question, I came across this reference in the Vespers for the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers.

"The three holy youths were refreshed by the Holy Spirit when they walked in the fire as though in a cool place. In them the Trinity and the Incarnation of Christ were prefigured in a mystical manner."

Obviously, this is in reference to Daniel Chapter 3.

Just thought it is interesting the way our liturgies tell us exactly what we believe.

John

Dear Petrus,

Right, right, right!

They "prefigured" in a "mystical" manner. They were not the "figure" of the Holy Trinity. So no one would ever be so bold as to depict the three youths and then label it "the Most Holy Trinity."

In Christ.

Dear Friends,

Yes indeed.

In this same manner, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob also prefigured the Holy Trinity, especially in their specific roles in salvation history.

Alex

And if someone, like St. Andrew Reblev, were to say that the three visitors to Abraham and Sarah at Mamre "prefigured" the Most Holy Trinity, I wouldn't be the least upset!

In Christ.

Dear Andrew,

Then I'm sorry to hear that St Andrew Rubleev upsets you!

Alex

Dear Alex,

That's why he's still in my basement.

In Christ.

Dear Andrew,

His Trinity Icon or an icon of himself?

Alex

Dear Alex,

Ja, ja. But he didn't write an icon of the Holy Trinity. Rublev's Vision of the Prefiguration of the Holy Trinity.

In Christ.

Dear Andrew,

Sorry, but the Orthodox Church tells me his Icon is that of the Old Testament Trinity and blesses it as such - as one of four icons of the Trinity that the Orthodox Church recognizes.

Your view is your own, it contradicts that of the Church, and, frankly, you know as well as I that you would be beaten about the calves and ankles if you were ever a priest and said what you just wrote in public.

But have a nice day!

Alex