Replies

St. John the Chrysostom has a much better answer to your Martha question than I am capable of - see annalex's posts.

Regarding the Gates of Hell/Netherworld, they are the gates of death. Death is a result of sin, and sin began with the actions of the Serpent. That is Satan's legacy. Meanwhile, Christ has conquered Death. In order for us to do the same (and prevail against Death) we must become members of the Body of Christ - His Church. Since His Church is His Body, and He is the Truth, it will not err. I hope I am expressing myself clearly.

Here are Gates of Hell illustrated:

Resurrection

Resurrected Christ, Whose Cross has turned into a staff of victory is descending to Hell in order to rescue the dead. He is shown pulling Adam from his grave. Eve is awaiting her turn. He is accompanied by St. John the Baptist the forerunner, King David, an Old Testament prophet and a female character; I cannot identify the latter two.

The gates are under His feet, broken and unhinged, with pieces of gate hardware strewn around. Satan is shown bound and defeated, yet still defiant.

Variations of this icon are in the composition of the group accompanying Christ, and who of them is shown with nimbi. Satan is sometimes omitted altogether. This icon is also known as Descend to Hades, or Descend to Limbo.

Regarding the Gates of Hell/Netherworld, they are the gates of death. Death is a result of sin, and sin began with the actions of the Serpent. That is Satan's legacy. Meanwhile, Christ has conquered Death. In order for us to do the same (and prevail against Death) we must become members of the Body of Christ - His Church. Since His Church is His Body, and He is the Truth, it will not err. I hope I am expressing myself clearly.

Yes, you're expressing yourself clearer now. I agree that Hades, i.e., hell, underworld, grave, is the common grave of all deceased. But they will not be resurrected from the grave until Jesus comes again (explained in most of the books of the New Testament in terms everyone can understand!) As for the "church," while referenced as "the body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, etc. and etc., the "church" is the "assembly of called out ones," the members: and they can and do "err." Even Popes "err." History is the evidence here. Your explanation that since the church is the body of Christ, and Christ is the truth, it will never "err," is a straw man waiting to be knocked down :-)