Why the Orthodox Honor Mary

Glory to God for All Things ^ | 07-30-2015 | Fr. Stephen Freeman

[Tax-chick]

If I were fasting, what would I be avoiding? The Latins’ definition is one meal per day plus abstinence from meat. Iirc, you have different rules for different times of year.

[Kolokotronis]

The Dormition fast is supposed to be a strict one, no meat, eggs, dairy, cheese, oil, wine or fish with a back bone (so lobsters are OK!), but most people just stop eating meat. We can eat three meals a day but we’re not supposed to eat massive quantities.

[Tax-chick]

Not eating meat would just mean leaving 2 oz. of sliced turkey off my spinach and onion sandwich. Shouldn’t be hard, especially since all the sliced meat will be gone all the time, now that the full complement of family members is back at home.

I think it’s the 12th load of laundry that’s in the washer now. I know I put on a load at 11:00 p.m. and 3:30 a.m., but I might have dreamed the 1:00 a.m. load.

[Tax-chick]

My husband is planning a chicken dish, Cuban beans (with ham), and pork chops over the next several days. Would the Greeks prefer eating it, or ticking off my husband?

[Kolokotronis]

Always, always, always eat what’s put in front of you, even during a fast. It’s a rule!

[Tax-chick]

Thank you. St. Francis de Sales said the same.

[Kolokotronis]

Years and years ago during one Great Lent, I went to a Greek restaurant next to my then branch office for lunch. I ordered the “fisherman's platter” which had, among other sea foods, a piece of fried cod. As I sat down, the then priest came in with some converts (a/k/a THE HOLY PEOPLE OF GOD). They all ordered the same thing. When our food came the Xenoi (THE HOLY PEOPLE OF GOD) avoided the fish like the plague. Being a trouble maker and full well knowing what they would say, I innocently asked if they didn't like nice fried cod. They seriously replied that they were fasting and couldn't possibly eat fish with a back bone. I turned to the priest, smiled and asked which was the greater sin, breaking the fast by eating perfectly good fish which one had ordered, or throwing the fish away in the interests of playing HOLY PEOPLE OF GOD. The priest was not amused...with me! I lived....

[Tax-chick]

LOL! I would just have not known what kind of fish it was. My clueless act is very believable, because it’s authentic ;-).

The chicken and beans was really good. I measured it to calculate the Weight Watchers Points, but one’s allowed to do that here.

[Tax-chick]

I misremembered the Points for black beans ... got to have another half cup!

I learned from Prof. Vandiver in my Homeric Epics lectures about the various meanings of “xenos.” I figure you’re using “xenoi” to mean “foreigners” here?

[Kolokotronis]

” I figure you’re using “xenoi” to mean “foreigners” here?”

Yup...Americans!

[Tax-chick]

I suppose I had aspirations of being a HOLY PERSON OF GOD at one point, but the children knocked it out of me.

[Kolokotronis]

I may have once had those aspirations, probably before I turned 12 and discovered girls. Since then I just hope that if I end up you know where, I’ll be standing on some bishop’s shoulders!

[Tax-chick]

That seems probable!

[steve86]

I think it’s the 12th load of laundry that’s in the washer now. I know I put on a load at 11:00 p.m. and 3:30 a.m., but I might have dreamed the 1:00 a.m. load.

Similar to us with the four extra grandkids 6-10 staying here (at least we have a slightly larger house now). Their mom again is in the last week or two of a difficult pregnancy and she is waiting for a heart transplant to boot! Her Section 8 apartment kicked her out with six weeks to go in the pregnancy (didn't evict her, just said get out, too many kids and she did). There is a new three bedroom apartment which is waiting for her and family but unclear if she will be well enough to move into it any time soon. Prayers requested and graciously accepted from Romans, protestants, Orthodox, Buddhists, Hindus (we have them in the family), heck, even agnostics and if I forgot anybody, them too!

[Tax-chick]

Prayers up for all of you! At least my horde is spread across a wide age range (3 to 21).

[freeonefrom]

My earlier post was to point out that “Mary” is not a God to pray to just as you would not pray to an angel. You pray to God and Jesus. You might pray to God for an angel to help you. God, the Son Jesus and The Holy Spirit are God.