With Russia increasing on the world stage I have been reading more about the orthodox Catholic Church and the unity of the east and west. I came across the following http://www.cogwriter.com/american-catholics-should-fear-unity-with-greek-orthodox.htm And am hoping for a theological view on this article for discernment
I would seriously advise ignoring this article completely: author Bob Thiel is in the 'Pope Francis is a candidate for the False Prophet' camp and demonstrates an inability to differentiate true, Christ-centered ecumenism (which the Church has been pursuing consistently and actively since Vatican II) from a 'lowest-common denominator' false ecumenism that is certainly on the agenda for some but not Pope Francis and others pressing for reconciliation with Eastern Orthodox. Thiel's bio indicates that he was raised a Catholic but later decided to join the 'Continuing Church of God' which according to Thiel himself denies the classical Christian understanding of the Trinity, sees Sunday, Christmas and Easter as invalid, and preaches that virtually everyone who ever lived will be saved. Not exactly theological recommendations! http://www.cogwriter.com/church-of-god-overview.htm
I am in agreement with Peter. Thiel should be ignored. He is not a friend to the Catholic or Orthodox Churches and distorts many things
Thank you both! I do not have a significant knowledge base of church history and this produced many questions....... I was very disturbed by these allocations and was searching for confirmation. Thank you again!
Traditional Russian Prophecies http://orthodoxeschatology.blogspot.com.br/2008/10/let-us-consider-some-further-prophecies.html#_=_ http://michelnostradamus.narod.ru/ENG/Serafim_eng.htm#_=_ http://orthodoxengland.org.uk/propsera.htm#_=_
It is very interesting the prophecy from Saint Serafim de Sarov. He views his own resurrection in the period of Peace before the end of the world. He is a true saint.
Saint Serafim de Sarov prophesied, "When the Russian Empire will receive 170 million into its dominion, we must expect the appearance of the Antichrist." In 2014 the population of Russia was about 144 million. He also prophesied, "Before the birth of the Antichrist an Eighth Ecumenical Council must be convened of all the Churches under the One Head, Christ and under the one Protecting Veil of the Mother of God [according to St. Nilus the myrrh-gusher: “a last and eighth Ecumenical Council to deal with the disputes of heretics and separate the wheat from the chaff]. Its aim will be to unite and reunite all the holy Churches of Christ against the growing antichristian tendency under a single Head, Christ the Life-Giver, and under a single Protecting Veil of His Most Pure Mother, and to deliver to a final curse against the whole of Masonry and all the parties similar to it..." According to the Orthodox Church of America, there have been seven Ecumenical Councils. If this is true, then one more is to come before the appearance of the Antichrist. Any thoughts???
Lynn The "Russian Empire" at the time of St. Seraphim would include many more lands than what is known as Russia today - including Alaska. So, I wouldn't look to numbers per se except perhaps in a symbolic sense just we do with the sacred scriptures. The symbolic sense of numbers in the scriptures, as well as prophecy, is far richer and deeper than viewing them only on the surface. I know that you are well read in the Divine Will messages to Luisa Piccarreta so you may be interested in the True Life in God messages to Vassula Ryden www.tlig.org . I would recommend the hand-written volumes in English. They both speak of the times to come - a time of great holiness granted by God through our Lady. Jesus speaks to Vassula quite a bit about Russia even before Russia became a nation again aft ewer the USSR. While there has been prophecy in the East throughout the centuries, you don't see it that often except for perhaps places like Mt Athos in Greece of Optina in Russia. I believe that the charism of the East is prayer and growth in holiness. That is not to say that is not the case in the West too but the focus in the East is union with God in prayer. I also think that will be one of their gifts to us after unity as we enter the Kingdom of the Divine Will. There have been Marian apparitions in the West from Zaragoza in 1st century Spain to Guadalupe and Ocotlan in 15th century Mexico but the age of Mary really began with Rue de Bac in Paris in 1830 and continues to this day. One could argue that we need it more in the West (I certainly do), especially with the devastation caused by rationalism and naturalism (masonry) which led to communism and atheism. Lastly, November 14th is the feast day in the East for St. Gregory Palamas 14th century. His homily on our Lady (Dormition of the Theotokos) is one of the most beautiful homilies on Mary that I know of and touches on all dogmas without using western terminology http://www.ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/reading/dormition.html
Robert, Thank you for this information. I will certainly read the homily of St. Gregory Palamas. As far as Vassula, I have read almost all of her books beginning with the first one, and saw her speak in Canada several years ago at a conference. Fr. Joseph speaks highly of her. Fiat!
Brining material from Bob Thiel in again doesn't support anything. Thiel is not a friend to the Catholic or Orthodox Churches and distorts many things. The Orthodox can bring their Patriarchs (16 autocephalous Churches) to a synod and that is a good thing but there cannot be another Ecumenical Council (8th according to them as they only recognize 7) unless the See of Peter joins them. From the Catholic perspective, a council has to be presided over or approved (as in some of the early councils) by the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. There have been many more than 8 Ecumenical Councils
There is not much information on the internet about it but according to orthodox tradition there is one prophecy which I would like to believe is true. I would like to believe it is true because it reveals things about the Virgin Mary which are not yet believed, at least explicitly, by the orthodox. Supposedly, the Virgin Mary appeared to an orthodox saint called Nektarios and told him to compose this hymn. It is called Agni Parthene or O Virgin Pure. http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2011/04/history-of-hymn-o-virgin-pure-by-st.html http://orthodoxwiki.org/Agni_Parthene "The tradition passed down at the monastery of St. Nektarios, in Aegina, Greece, is that the Lady herself appeared before him and requested that he record on paper a particular hymn the angelic choirs were about to sing. This hymn was the "Agni Parthene". The original script can still be viewed on his prayer table in his bedroom at this monastery." The English Translation is as follows O Virgin pure, immaculate/ O Lady Theotokos O Virgin Mother, Queen of all/ and fleece which is all dewy More radiant than the rays of sun/ and higher than the heavens Delight of virgin choruses/ superior to Angels. Much brighten than the firmament/ and pure than the sun's light More holy than the multitude/ of all the heav'nly armies. O Rejoice, Bride Unwedded. O Ever Virgin Mary/ of all the world, the Lady O bride all pure, immaculate/ O Lady Panagia O Mary bride and queen of all/ our cause of jubilation Majestic maiden, Queen of all/ O our most holy Mother More hon'rable than Cherubim/ beyond compare more glorious than immaterial Seraphim/ and greater than angelic thrones. O Rejoice, Bride Unwedded. Rejoice, O son of Cherubim/ Rejoice, O hymn of angels Rejoice, O ode of Seraphim/ the joy of the archangels Rejoice, O peace and happiness/ the harbor of salvation O sacred chamber of the Word/ flower of incorruption Rejoice, delightful paradise/ of blessed life eternal Rejoice, O wood and tree of life/ the fount of immortality O Rejoice, Bride Unwedded. I supplicate you, Lady/ now do I call upon you And I beseech you, Queen of all/ I beg of you your favor Majestic maiden, spotless one/ O Lady Panagia I call upon you fervently/ O sacred, hallowed temple Assist me and deliver me/ protect me from the enemy And make me an inheritor/ of blessed life eternal. O Rejoice, Bride Unwedded.
Advocate Good post. Actually the Orthodox do believe that Mary is All-Holy, sinless. In Greek they call her the Panagia. They also proclaim her Immaculate. They differ with us in our understanding of original sin. The West followed St Augustine in that all inherited original sin while the East they say we all inherited death. St Paul speaks both truths in Romans. Through sin we all inherited death so there is no difference. She is the Aeiparthenos (ever-Virgin). This was second Marian dogma proclaimed in the 7th century. For this reason they call her the All Holy Ever Virgin Mother of God. We use the same title in the Catholic Church They also believe that our Lady was assumed bodily into Heaven Robert
Advocate I forgot to say thank you. I enjoyed your research and loved the video! You will see in her icons that there is a star on her forehead and both shoulders. This means that she was a virgin before, during and after the birth of our dear Lord. The Church Fathers say that His birth did not stain her virginity, rather it purified it. Praise and honor to the Panagia Theotokos
In Garanbadal a great event was prophesied in the Church for the day of the Miracle (something that only happened once in the history of the Church) if this ecumenical council was in Jerusalem this requirement would be fulfilled
I have read Our Lords messages through Vassula. I do believe that the "new era" has already begun and will come for fruition when God desires It. May His Kingdom come soon!
I was reading lately from Orthodox sources that the Prophecies of St John of Kronstadt are very relevant to our times:
Vassula is certainly false. But I won't get in a great argument about the poor woman. I just felt morally bound to warn. There are so many False Prophets going round at the moment, thousands and thousands of them. Who can keep up? Prayers for her conversion.
