www.byzcath.org

Dear Subdeacon Borislav,

Yes, Father Serge is all right . . .

There is definitely no love lost between our people and Moscow. But truly our people need to take responsibility for their own problems and work them out. The blame game can only be pushed so far.

The liberal perspective would have us believe that ALL religions, when interpreted in a fundamentalist way (whatever that means) lead to narrowness, extremism and violence - Muslim, Christian etc.

For me, any religion can be used in an ideological way to lend a certain fanaticism to a non-religious cause.

In fact, even Marxists have largely given up the idea that they can continue to struggle without religion - class consciousness is just not as inspiring any more, if it ever was.

Regardless of what is said in religious texts, it is possible to interpret them in a violent way to justify war etc.

The fact is that the Western armies in the Middle East simply have NO ideological perspective, religious, national or otherwise, save for a sense of military superiority which is proving to be a myth - machines cannot win over religious ideology and a human spirit imbued with it.

Even Soviet communism itself fell before the spirit of Christianity, Catholic and Orthodox.

As for poverty, the militant Islamic leaders have convinced that people's oppression is the result of Western domination, the U.S./Israel alliance etc. It is simply a way to add more fuel to the fire.

But no mistake should be made - the Cross is what is under attack, however people justify their hatred in their minds.

They truly fulfill our Lord's words, "The time is coming when those who kill you think they are doing God a service."

Oh, yes, that time is now especially.

Alex

Dear Subdeacon Borislav,

CHRIST IS RISEN! I probably should thank you - anyone who knows me and has read your accusations that I hate the Russian people and the Russian Orthodox Church is probably rolling on the floor in laughing hysterics. Alex can assure you that I have incessantly been labelled a Muscophile .

If I hated the Russian people I would not have bothered to learn Russian (and yes, I do indeed speak it). If I hated Russian Orthodoxy, I would not now be rejoicing, and urging others to do likewise, at the impending reconciliation between the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and the Moscow Patriarchate. Still less would I be as strongly convinced as I am of the rectitude of the Old-Ritualist position, since the Old-Ritualists are patriotic Russians.

I assume you also speak Russian. If that is so, I strongly recommend an attentive reading of Feodor Mel'nikov's Kratkaia Istoria Drevlepravoslavnoi (Staroobriadcheskoi) Tserkvi. Notice particularly the methods used by Nicholas I and Alexander II in the effort to destroy the Old-Ritualists - and then compare those methods with the methods used by Lenin and Stalin to destroy all religion.

Then, before you set off another barrage of accusations of Russophobia in my direction, read the magnificent letter of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia to the Old Ritualists - which I published in Eastern Churches Journal.

I suggest a bit of calm reflection rather than shooting from the hip. Tyshe iediesh', dal'she budiesh'!

(Archimandrite) Serge

We hereby bestow upon the Rab Bozhie Archimandite Sergei, the title of Protector of Moscovy and all Rus, with all right and privileges inherent thereof, including, but not limited to the 10% off on McDonald's fish sandwiches on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Alexandr Grozny

Sasha Dorogoi,

Khristos Voskrese! Ievo Vysokoprepodobie Vam ochen' blagodarien!

greshnii Sergii, niedostoinyi Arkhimandrit

I agree with Borislav.

I am royally PO's at the US Government and their treatment, or lack thereof, of the Iraqi Christians who have been forced to flee Iraq. It is nearly impossible for them to come to the United States - a place they should have no trouble emigrating to.

The Chaldeans have as much right o be in Iraq and live peacefully as anyone else, and this his being denied to them - brutally.

Centuries ago, leaders recognized Islam for what it really is - an ideology that demands total adherence, just as Nazism and Communism did (do, in the case of Cuba, North Korea, etc.)

Queen Isabella completed the Reconquest and then set out to spread the Holy Faith throughout the world.

The Battle of Lepanto stopped the Turkish Navy.

King Jan Sobieski III with his Polish Hussars saved Vienna - and Central Europe.

Maybe Poland could be convinced to let the Iraqi Christians in. At least Poland hasn't yet forgotten what it means to be Catholic.

Aye. The Poles faith is amazing in this day and age.

My wife is Polish and converted to Orthodoxy, and I can without any doubt say that she is a real Christian in all sense of this word.

And Father Serge.....

I am sorry for my inflammatory comments. Sometimes I speak before I think.

When it comes to Orthodoxy and Islam I get real emotional.

However, when I spoke about the Self Burning of the Old Believers I did not make this up. Just watch the film I gave you the link to. There are a total of 9 Parts in Zemnoe I Nebesnoe, they are all available for download if you're interested let me know and I will provide you with the other links.

And yes, to answer your question I speak, write and read Russian.



Ugu, ot togo mesta kuda edesh!

Sorry Father, could not resist.

Exorcism Against Satan and the Rebellious Angels
Published by Order of His Holiness Pope Leo XIII

The Holy Father exhorts priests to say this prayer as often as possible, as a simple exorcism to curb the power of the devil and prevent him from doing harm. The faithful also may say it in their own name, for the same purpose, as any approved prayer. Its use is recommended whenever action of the devil is suspected, causing malice in men, violent temptations and even storms and various calamities. It could be used as a solemn exorcism (an official and public ceremony, in Latin), to expel the devil. It would then be said by a priest, in the name of the Church and only with a Bishop's permission.

Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel

+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Most glorious Prince of the Celestial Host, Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the conflict which we have to sustain against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places (Eph. 6.12). Come to the rescue of men whom God has created to His image and likeness, and whom He has redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil. It is thou whom Holy Church venerates as her guardian and protector; thou whom the Lord has charged to conduct redeemed souls into Heaven. Pray, therefore, the God of Peace to subdue Satan beneath our feet, that he may no longer retain men captive nor do injury to the Church. Present our prayers to the most High, that without delay they may draw His mercy down upon us. Seize the dragon, the old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, bind him and cast him into the bottomless pit, that he may no more seduce the nations (Apoc. 20.2-3).

Exorcism
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, strengthened by the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Blessed Michael the Archangel, of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, [and powerful in the holy authority of our ministry]*, we confidently undertake to repulse the attacks and deceits of the devil.

*Lay people omit this text

Psalm 67

Let God arise, and let His enemies be scattered: and let them that hate Him flee from before His face.

As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish away: as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.

V. Behold the Cross of the Lord! Flee, bands of enemies.
R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Offspring of David has conquered.
V. May Thy mercy descend upon us.
R. As great as our hope in Thee.

(The crosses (+) below indicate a blessing to be given if a priest recites the Exorcism; if a lay person recites it, they indicate the Sign of the Cross to be made by that person.)

We drive you from us, whoever you may be, unclean spirits, Satanic powers, infernal invaders, wicked legions, assemblies, and sects. In the name and by the virtue of Our Lord Jesus Christ +. May you be snatched away and driven from the Church of God and from the souls redeemed by the Precious Blood of the Divine Lamb +.

Cease by your audacity, cunning serpent, to deceive the human race, to persecute the Church, to torment God's elect, and to sift them as wheat +. This is the command made to you by the Most High God +, with Whom in your haughty insolence you still pretend to be equal +. The God Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Tim. 2.4). God the Father commands you +. God the Son commands you +. God the Holy Ghost commands you +. Christ, the Eternal Word of God made Flesh, commands you +. He Who to save our race, outdone through your malice, humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death (Phil. 2.8). He Who has built His Church on the firm rock and declared that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Her, because He dwells with Her all days, even to the consummation of the world (Matt. 28.20). The hidden virtue of the Cross requires it of you, as does the power of the mysteries of the Christian Faith +. The glorious Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, commands you +. She who by Her humility and from the first moment of Her Immaculate Conception crushed your proud head. The faith of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul and of the other Apostles commands you +. The blood of the Martyrs and the pious intercession of all the Saints command you +.

Thus, cursed dragon, and you, wicked legions, we adjure you by the living God +, by the true God +, by the holy God +, by the God Who so loved the world, as to give up His only-begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him may not perish but may have life everlasting (St. John 3.16). Cease deceiving human creatures and pouring out to them the poison of eternal perdition. Cease harming the Church and hindering her liberty. Retreat, Satan, inventor and master of all deceit, enemy of man's salvation. Cede the place to Christ in Whom you have found none of your works. Cede the place to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church acquired by Christ at the price of His Blood. Stoop beneath the all-powerful Hand of God. Tremble and flee at the evocation of the Holy and terrible name of Jesus; this Name which causes hell to tremble; this Name to which the Virtues, Powers and Dominations of Heaven are humbly submissive; this Name which the Cherubim and Seraphim praise unceasingly, repeating: Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord, the God of Hosts.

V. O Lord hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
V. May the Lord be with thee.
R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

God of Heaven, God of earth, God of Angels, God of Archangels, God of Patriarchs, God of Prophets, God of Apostles, God of Martyrs, God of Confessors, God of Virgins, God who has power to give life after death and rest after work, because there is no other God than Thee and there can be no other, for Thou art the Creator of all things, visible and invisible, of Whose reign there shall be no end. We humbly prostrate ourselves before Thy glorious Majesty and we supplicate Thee to deliver us from all the tyranny of the infernal spirits, from their snares, their lies, and their furious wickedness. Deign, O Lord, to protect us by Thy power and to preserve us safe and sound. We beseech Thee through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.

V. From the snares of the devil,
R. Deliver us, O Lord.

V. That Thy Church may serve Thee in peace and liberty,
R. We beseech Thee to hear us.

V. That Thou would crush down all enemies of Thy Church,
R. We beseech Thee to hear us.

(Holy water is sprinkled in the place where we may be.)

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the Divine Power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who wander throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

*Indulgence of 300 days, plenary under the usual conditions, if this invocation is recited daily during a month.

Imprimatur: + Manuel, Bishop of Barcelona, December 19, 1931

Subdeacon Borislav,

Am I right in assuming that you cannot actually go to war now that you are a Subdeacon?

I am not sure on what the canons say about Clergy taking part in battles.

What I do know is that we have had plenty of Warrior Monks both in the Catholic and Orthodox Church.

I can certainly say that I would not, could not stand by and do nothing if my family, community, loved ones were in danger.

Bless Father Archimandrite Sergius!

Yes, I confirm that there were those on this side of the pond who regarded you as a Russophile.

I also confirm the tremendous respect for you that our late and great Vladyka Isidore Borecky had for you, and I will also say, above any other priest in this Eparchy.

Alex

Invencible Christ, ressurrect your church in Iraq!

Just to keep this on the right track where it started:
Email From Dora Resident:
This has been going on for the past week, and it started even before Easter. We talked to many people within the American Embassy and Iraqi Government, but it seems no body really cares, because they have done nothing, or sometimes I wonder if they care at all. Neither the Iraqi nor the US army have any activity there, and they have delivered Dora to insurgents; and above all the US army went and put a camp in the Chaldean church (Babylon Theology College) to raise the hate among those Mislims toward christians, as they are seeing them allies for americans, and that worsen things more.

KHRISTOS VOSKRES!

Dear Alex,

The Blessing of the Lord! Please accept my deepest thanks for your most kind words. A good-sized portrait of Vladyka Isidore presides over my living room here in Dublin - he was a man of greatness who deserves to be remembered.

Fr. Serge

Dear Borislav,

Ugu? I've looked in my Oxford Russian Dictionary and cannot find this word, nor do I remember ever running across it before. What does it mean?

Fr. Serge

UGU, or AGA = yes in baby or child talk.

You wouldn't find it in any dictionary.

I seldom converse with Russian babies. Somehow "da" seems simpler!

Fr. Serge