Russians Flock to See Virgin Mary Relic

MSNBC ^ | 11/23/11 | Mansur Mirovalev

[marshmallow]

Tens of thousands wait for hours in freezing temperatures to kiss belt that Christians believe was worn by Jesus' mother

MOSCOW — Braving freezing cold temperatures and ice-covered sidewalks, tens of thousands of Russians stood in line Wednesday to see and kiss a newly arrived relic of the Virgin Mary in Russia's largest Orthodox cathedral.

The Virgin Mary's Cincture, a belt that Christians believe was worn by Jesus' mother, was brought to Russia last month from Mount Athos, a monastic community in Greece.

Kissing the relic, which is encased in an ornamental box, is believed to help barren women conceive and heal other ailments.

The line of people, mostly women, waiting to enter the golden-domed Christ the Savior Cathedral stretched for 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) along the Moscow River despite temperatures that dropped to below minus 5 Celsius (23 Fahrenheit).

[smvoice]

NO. It means EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES.

Nice try, though.

[narses]

[CynicalBear]

>>The Apostles forgiving sins?<<

They could also heal and chase out demons. So?

>>Baptism for forgiveness of sins?<<

That’s “Baptism for ( Greek; eis) the forgiveness of sins” as in “into” or “because of”. It would be akin to you seeing an advertisement for someone who is wanted for murder. You wouldn’t think someone is wanted to commit murder but that the murder had already occurred. Baptism does not cause the forgiveness of sins.

>>God of the living, not of the dead?<<

Are you sure you’re not injecting your own assumption there? I have seen no one say that God is not the God of those who have passed from this life to the next if they were saved.

>>Nothing impure will enter heaven?<<

That is a fact. That is why Jesus died on the cross and arose again. He imputes His perfection on those who trust in Him alone. If that were not so no one would enter heaven. After all, even the best works of man are like filthy rags to God.

>>The real presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist?<<

Well, either you believe it’s a bloodless sacrifice or it’s a bloody sacrifice at mass.

[Rashputin]

Thank you for saying, as expected, “The Scripture doesn't mean what it says”. Example given.

[CynicalBear]

Kindergartners still using their story books with pictures? You really need to work on using just words like the grownups do.

[CynicalBear]

I notice you are a little short of scripture to prove you point.

[HossB86]

LOL And isn’t even qualified to be an Elder in a church because he’s not married and doesn’t have children.

So true.. funny how he's qualified to be "Christ's Vicar" -- not exactly sure where in scripture that office exists -- but how on earth can you be pope when you can't be an Elder?

Oooooh. Just figured it out. The Roman Catholic Church believes in Sola Popa.

:D

Hoss

[metmom]

The Bible tells us to hold the traditions taught. Some of use obey that; others clearly do not.

What traditions were those that Paul taught that we are to hold to and how do you know?

[HossB86]

Man teaches catholics on Sunday. The Holy Spirit teaches God's children EVERY DAY.

Wow. How absolutely perfectly said.

Amen.

Hoss

[metmom]

Matthew 11:11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Luke 7:28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

[metmom]

Oooooh. Just figured it out. The Roman Catholic Church believes in Sola Popa.

That's good!

[CynicalBear]

>> The Scripture doesn't mean what it says<<

Scripture means exactly what it says.

[RnMomof7]

Oooooh. Just figured it out. The Roman Catholic Church believes in Sola Popa.

Ohhh I am so going to steal this...

[RobbyS]

Not aure what you means by that.

[RobbyS]

Be funnier if it meant anything.

[FormerLib]

Read the history of the Church fathers and you’ll know as well.

[RnMomof7]

What traditions were those that Paul taught that we are to hold to and how do you know?

Exactly..have you ever done the 'telephone game" where a secret is whispered into the 1st ear.. and he is told to pass it along ..when ya get to the end.. the pimple on a nose is a football size cancer that is on the behind.. so much for accurate verbal transmission..

[Quix]

INDEED.

ASHTEROTH-MARY GODDESS
ASHTEROTH-MARY GODDESS
ASHTEROTH-MARY GODDESS
ASHTEROTH-MARY GODDESS

It’s somewhat surprising that some of them give a thought to Father, Son and Spirit AT ALL!

[Quix]

Slightly cute graphic the first 1,000 times.

Given it’s lack of congruence with the reality, it loses a lot in translation, I’m sure.

[RnMomof7]

Be funnier if it meant anything.

Ohh it does

Sola Ecclesia Romanus
Only the Church of Rome is the Rule of Faith

Catechism of the Catholic Church

85 "The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form [Scripture] or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living, teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ."47 This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church, published by Liguori Publications, English translation copyright 1994 by the United States Catholic Conference, Inc., Libreria Editrice Vaticana, page 27.

The Catholic church uses the same source of authority as the Pharisees did..2 source authority for doctrine ( the torahs.. written and oral ) . As we see Jesus kept pointing men back to the written word of God