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http://www.orthodox.net/articles/reactions_to_priestly_attire.htmlDressed Weird? - a chilling occurence in Canadian customs I thought I would relay this story, partly for humor value and partly to display how little respect for clergy exists. Last weekend I was invited to bring the Icon of St. Nicholas to our parish in London Canada for the Fortieth Anniversary of their temple building. Since I was already in Detroit for the Feast of the Dormition at our cathedral there it was just a short two hour drive into Canada. I should state that I have traveled with the Icon to Canada before, but only by air, and have never had any problem at all. I drove through the tunnel from Detroit to Windsor, at the guard booth I was asked my citizenship (USA) and my reason for travel, which I stated as: Visiting our parish in London for it's anniversary and would only be there for two days. The guard asked why I would want to do that and I informed him I was a priest. After a few minutes he told me to pull into the immigration area. Once there I was instructed by another guard to unlock my doors and trunk and to step to the side while they searched my car. Five guards tore my car and luggage apart asking questions about everything. What intrigued them the most was the packets of cotton with myrrh that I was bringing to the parish. I informed them that the cotton was soaked with holy oil and was a gift to the people I was to visit. Then I was asked why I had so many pictures of "this man". I informed them that they were pictures of the Icon of the saint, Saint Nicholas. I noticed no recognition of that name or the fact that these were religious items. Then they opened my suitcase with the vestments in them and they all gathered around poking and picking at them. The person who seemed to be in charged asked, "What's this stuff for? I told her that they were my vestments and were used for serving Divine Liturgy, or mass, if they understood that better. With a look of disbelief on her face she said, "But what are they for?" I told her again they are part of the religious practice of which I am a priest. This continued for about forty five minutes until one of them began to take the case from the Icon. At that I protested that they should not touch it, I would be happy to show it to them, but it would be a violation of my faith for them to touch it. The woman in charge saw that I was not going to budge on this and she said for me to remove the case. Upon removing the case she and two others witnessed the Icon, which was streaming. They said nothing for a few seconds and finally the woman said; "Thank you." I put the Icon back into the case. The woman asked me to accompany her to a nearby bench, there she asked if I had ever been to Canada before. I said yes, many times. She asked if I had ever been searched before. I said no. She then said I would have to go to the administration office. I asked if I could lock my car to protect the Icon and she agreed. In the office a woman began to interrogate me for about half and hour. She started by saying that they had found many strange things in my car and were concerned about what I really was going to do in Canada. I told her I was just a priest and asked why that was so strange. She replied: "Well it's because you are dressed so weird!" At this I must admit I lost a little of my composure and said that I was a priest and dressed as one, and certainly did not appreciate her calling my attire weird. Her comment was that she had seen priests before and none of them ever looked like me! At that point I asked what exactly they wanted of me and if I am not welcome in her country, then since I have violated no law, I should either be admitted or allowed to leave, but I would no longer subject myself and my faith to her observations or opinions. She said that in her opinion I was entering Canada for the purpose of making money. I told her that I was not. She said: "You are going to preach in Canada and that is work". I told her that I was not going to preach and if I did not receive compensation for serving in a religious service it could not be seen as work. Once again in a somewhat louder voice I told her either to allow me to pass or return to the US, but I was done talking to her and wanted to see a supervisor. Just then a man walked in, from the look on the girl's face he was a supervisor. He looked at me and smiled saying; "Hello Father." He turned to the girl and said; "Is there a problem?" She remarked: "This man is trying to enter Canada for the purpose of working without a permit." He looked at me and said: " Is this true Father?" I said, "As I told the man at the gate, I am going to celebrate the anniversary of our temple in London and would be returning to the US tomorrow." He smiled again and took the piece of paper from the girl's hand and stamped it, much to her dismay, handed it to me and said: "Enjoy your stay in Canada Father." I returned to my car amid the stares and smirks of the guards and went on my way. I am sure this was an incident inspired by the evil one's minions to detour the Icon from coming to the faithful in London, but the reaction of the guards made me feel as if being a Christian and a priest made me a stranger in a strange land. I guess I have to keep in mind this is the country that forced an Orthodox Church to allow a dog inside the temple, fining the priest. In Christ Priest Elias Warnke Pastor of St. George Orthodox Church 303 Grace St Michigan City, IN 46360-4923 Alexandr
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Write a letter of official protest on Church Letterhead Stationary.
Stephanos I
Ive had it happen several time on my attempt to enter and return.
(Though never that bad) Once the coustoms official said to me "dont you think its a little bit far to be going to Church?"
I drove from Texas, I just smiled and said "oh no not in the least I would drive twice as far, good day to you! LOL
Stephanos I
Last edited by Stephanos I; 01/25/07 06:51 PM.
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"Write a letter of official protest on Church Letterhead Stationary.
Stephanos I" That is a very good idea Father. I hope that the author of this article will have the good sense to do just that. In Christ, Alice
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Dear Alexandr,
That article is shocking! Are people so ignorant? Of course considering the extra care that must be taken now-a-days, I can't blame the guards for being a little extra cautious...but the lack of respect and lack of knowledge of Christianity. Can you imagine that the girl said that she has seen a priest before... Has seen a priest? Not priests mind you, but 'a' priest. Well what does one expect from Canada. (Sorry Alex).
The following I found puzzling:
Upon removing the case she and two others witnessed the Icon, which was streaming.
Is it a miraculous icon? If so they must really have been dumbfounded. Who knows what goes on in their 'neo-pagan' mind. 
Zenovia
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I too am very intrigued by the streaming Icon. Especially during the confrontation! 
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While this is not anything shocking to me, I would certainly suggest in the future that the good father travel with certain documents that would make such encounters less of a problem. I have to travel frequently on trips like this, and to cut down on these types of problems I have learned to have certain documents issued by the archdiocese and the dioceses that I am going to with me. As in the case of of having to be in certain European countries, I have actually obtained a work permit for one of the EU countries (which is valid throughout all the European Union countries) so this not to be an issue. I have to remind you that I do not collect or receive any compensation for these trips, but the documents such as the work permit cut down on incidents with the immigrations and customs folks. You always seem to find one every so often, and the papers kind of put them in their place. And yes that would go even for Canada I am afraid. This will be especially important since all international travel including to Canada and Mexico will require you to have a passport starting on Tuesday.
In IC XC,
Father Anthony+
Everyone baptized into Christ should pass progressively through all the stages of Christ's own life, for in baptism he receives the power so to progress, and through the commandments he can discover and learn how to accomplish such progression. - Saint Gregory of Sinai
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Jessup B.C. Deacon Member
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Religious ignorance has really become a big issue in North America. Several years ago, while still living in N.J., I remember watching a Greek Orthodox cable TV program. The presenter was a Greek Orthodox priest who had been teaching Comparative Religion at Glassboro College (which noe has another name) in Southern N.J. He indicated that, after he introduced himself as a priest of the Greek Orthodox Church, one of the students, with a serious look on his face, asked him " do you guys still worship Zeus?".
Dn. Robert
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As a Canadian priest I would like to say that we also have many questions asked of us when we try to enter the US. (try carrying little jars of powdered pigments for iconography!)
Your experiences are not unique. I think carrying some documentation is good advice. Also, giving yourself some extra time, so that you dont get frazzled with the enevitable questions, is not a bad idea.
Our borders are sadly (and simultainiously thankfully) not as free as they once were. Be of good cheer; the people inside them are still generally good people. Dont give up on travelling, we still need to pray together and support eachother.
Fr. Bo
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Unfortunately, prejudice and ignorance exist world wide. I was denied entrance to the Four Seasons Restaurant in NYC whilst in pedraznik. Which is OK, because I had 2 wonderful hotdogs from a street vendor outside, who wouldn't charge me because he was a recent immigrant from the Ukraine!
Alexandr
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The presenter was a Greek Orthodox priest who had been teaching Comparative Religion at Glassboro College (which noe has another name) in Southern N.J. He indicated that, after he introduced himself as a priest of the Greek Orthodox Church, one of the students, with a serious look on his face, asked him " do you guys still worship Zeus?".
Dear Dn. Robert,
That story about the student gave me a good laugh. I can recall the times I said I'm Greek, I follow the 'rites of Dionysus'. I doubt though anyone knew what I was talking about.
Now here's a humorous story about a former Archbishop of the GOA and a trip through Pennsylvania during the 1930's or 40's:
Archbishop Athenagoras was being chauffered through the wilds of Pennsylvania, when they ran low on gas. It was late at night, and as the chauffeur knocked on the door trying to wake up the young gas station attendant, the good Archbishop decided nature was calling and went into the woods. Well, when Arch. Athenagoras started exiting the woods, the attendant seeing him with his beard and covered with black walking towards them, began stuttering to the chauffeur if he could see what he was seeing, and then fainted dead away.
Well he was revived, and seeing the Arch. again, fainted once more. 
Zenovia
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I am unaware of the situation mentioned here that apparently happened in Canada: officials forced a church to allow a dog inside. Can someone provide this story (link to article, etc.)?
Thanks.
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Greetings and Blessings... Just a point of clarification regarding PASSPORT requirements on the borders of the USA with Canada and Mexico.... PASSPORTS are only NOW required for air travel.PASSPORTS will be required by January 2008 for vehicle travel between Canada and Mexico.. As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including ferries), may be required to present a valid passport or other documents as determined by the Department of Homeland Security. While recent legislative changes permit a later deadline, the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working to meet all requirements as soon as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided to enable the public to obtain passports or passport cards for land/sea entries. HERE IS THE OFFICIAL WEB SITE: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.htmlGOD'S BLESSINGS TO YOU! .....Ignatius
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Oblate of St. Benedict
"FOLLOWING THE MASTER"
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