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Mar 25th, 2025
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Joined: Nov 2001
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Thanks to everyone for the comments. I did not mean to give the impression that I am leaving. I was just realizing that it has only been a week and I already feel I have learned so much. I just thought I'd give y'all a sense of the impressions you have made on me so far. I should add that I think all of them are good.
Fr. J. Well Abouna, what you do is fall in love with them both, East & West, become Bi-Ritual, then you breath with both lungs the whole way. 
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,735 Likes: 6
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Oh, but Pani Rose, I like Chocolate way to much to indulge myself during Great Lent. Velike Post is time for kasha, which I hate, not chokies, which I love!
Alexandr
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Joined: Nov 2001
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ALEX For the fun of it, try some of Paul Newmans Organic Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,735 Likes: 6
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On my shopping list as of now, dear Pani!
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 5,264
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Father J.,
Thank you for this list! I can say that this forum has been almost as pivotal an experience in my own development as an Eastern Christian as any book I have read. I have learned SO MUCH from my fellow posters here...even (and especially) from those with whom I occasionally (or frequently) disagree!
Far beyond that, there is the sense of friendship and deep concern that we all have for one another, as you point out, even beyond the "puffer fish effect" and chest beating you see sometimes in our posts! I first started reading and posting here back in 2001 (under a different name, but always Gordo) and it is amazing how far the dialog has evolved! (Back in the days when Andrew Dragani was a regular poster here, some of you may recall...)
Anhelyna is right to refer to us as having the dynamics of a "family". I personally feel that...I would even go so far as to say that sometimes it feels like we are a bit like a virtual parish, with Father Anthony as our virtual pastor...but without the on-line confessions!
I've said it before, but I believe your posts are a welcome breath of "fresh air". God grant you many years! (And many swings of the censer!)
In ICXC,
Gordo (aka "ebed melech" and much earlier "CaelumJR")
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Joined: Nov 2002
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Speaking of chocolate, I have a new love. http://www.nokachocolate.com/You have to try this stuff! Makes other chocolates taste like kasha. I'm sitting here with a pound of their unadulterated dark and a steaming cup of espresso, and life is good! Alexandr --- Alexandr, In culinary arts school, we worked with El Rey ... the king of chocolate. Quite good. http://www.chocolates-elrey.com/
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Joined: Aug 2006
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I'll just echo what everyone else has said. This forum is a great place to be.  Joe
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,994 Likes: 10
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Speaking of chocolate, I have a new love. http://www.nokachocolate.com/You have to try this stuff! Makes other chocolates taste like kasha. I'm sitting here with a pound of their unadulterated dark and a steaming cup of espresso, and life is good! Alexandr --- Alexandr, In culinary arts school, we worked with El Rey ... the king of chocolate. Quite good. http://www.chocolates-elrey.com/Alexandr, I am jealous. They look amazing and must taste amazing! John S, I am impressed that you went to Culinary Arts School. I know that this is a big trend today--are you working in the restaurant business now? Alice
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Slava Isusu Christu!
Slava na Viki!
Thanks for the comments, Father. Or should l say Otce? (Slavonic for Father, as in priest.) You are right on in many of your observations. We are a family, with out problems, our differing viewpoints and our fierce loyalty to each other. Welcome aboard! The family can never get too big. As far as the censor goes, just don't put popcorn it in before Liturgy starts. Your local UGCC pastor probably won't be amused. I'd chuckle, but as a former altar boy who was always getting in trouble for doing things I shouldn't.....
Enjoy the conversations, keep learning, eat chocolate, drink Kvas or espresso and welcome home!
S'nami B'oh!
Tim
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 384
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Dear Father;
That's the spirit! You're fortunate to have a Eastern Catholic
priest on hand to teach you. If you suddenly become totally
bewildered during Liturgy (where are we? what did I just do?
What do I do next?), I've seen it happen to EC priests and
deacons of long-standing. Not to mention myself.
Edmac
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 194
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Joined: Oct 2007
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I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for the encouragement.
Today I am very happy and grateful for the opportunity to concelebrate the patronal feast of St. Michael's UGCC in Mishawaka, Indiana. The little church was packed with people, and everyone was in a festive mood. My chanting wasn't perfect and neither was my sensor swinging...both suffer from my Latin liturgical handicap...but it was a truly wonderful and transporting experience.
If I can keep on learning, perhaps one day I will be able to give the pastor a vacation!! Of course that is just a dream now, but a good one.
Happy Feast to all the St. Michael's churches!
God Bless,
Fr. J.
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Dear Fr. J.;
Being a member of a parish under the patronage of St. Michael,
I particularly congratulate you. Would that there were more
priests and seminarians of the Latin Church who shared your
interest and enthusiasm. Spread the word, as best you can.
May the Holy Archangel Michael shelter you under the wings of
his bodiless splendor.
Edmac
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,461 Likes: 1
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My chanting wasn't perfect and neither was my sensor swinging...both suffer from my Latin liturgical handicap...but it was a truly wonderful and transporting experience. Just use the whole chain and swing it like a man...make those little bells ring... Very pleased your experience at St. Michael's was blessed. Many blessed years, mnohaja i blahaja lita!
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 27
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In St Germanus of Constantinople's commentary on the Divine Liturgy he writes "the censer demonstrates the humanity of Christ, and the fire, His divinity. The sweet-smelling smoke reveals the fragrance of the Holy Spirit which precedes. For the censer denotes sweet joy."
"Again, the interior of the censer is understood as the [sanctified] womb of the [holy] virgin [and Theotokos] who bore the divine coal, Christ, in whom "the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily"(Col 2:9) All together, therefore, give forth the sweet-smelling fragrance. Or again, the interior of the censer points to the font of holy baptism, taking into itself the coal of divine fire, the sweetness of the operation of the Holy Spirit, which is the adoption of divine grace through faith, and exuding a good odor."
I love the symbolism of the East!
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