Orthodixie

Repeating this post for Memorial Day.
As many of you know, an historic gathering took place this past week in New York City: All of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops (at least a goodly number of them) met to discuss matters which pertain to the Church in the Americas. Here at the Orthodixie Podcast we had a Man on the Street recording interviews from the proceedings. But, as this podcast is only updated about once a week, some of the information you are about to hear may seem contrary to other reports, or it may be a bit dated, or, frankly, it may be flat out untrue.

Be that as it may, here is our previously recorded LIVE report from DAY ONE of the Episcopal Assembly by our Man on the Street, David Lee:

FrJ: David, what can you tell us?

DL: Six words come readily to mind, Father …

The Orthodixie Podcast – Ancient Faith Radio.

This is the fourteenth in a 15-part series of pics from Syria.

First — Second — Third — Fourth — Fifth — Sixth — Seventh — Eighth — Ninth — Tenth — Eleventh — Twelfth — Thirteenth — Fourteenth — Fifteenth.

Traveled with Fr Isaac down to Daraa, a city with deep ancient roots in southwestern Syria, near the border with Jordan. While there, we visited the Church of the Annunciation, the priest, Fr George, and its daycare center.

Fr George, Fr Isaac, our driver and I repaired to a nearby restaurant built on a pier on a lake …

No time to dally (it being my last full day in Syria), we hastened back toward Sweida …

… toward a wonderful feast in the home of Fr Timon.

Metropolitan SABA and one of Fr Timon’s daughters.

Fr Timon’s family (taken of a photo on their wall).

The repast following the feast; on the left, a priest’s mom and a bishop’s mom.

“What was once an abode of demons has become a house of God, where once sacrifices were made to idols, there are now choirs of angels, where God was provoked to wrath, now He is propitiated.” — The 6th century Church of St George in Izzra, which was once a pagan temple (hence the quote, etched above the entryway).

To the left of the church’s entry, they have installed a place of reverence to St George.
Why?

Because … this draped space is where the sarcophagus used to be, behind the altar. It used to contain the sarcophagus with the body of St George, before his relics were transferred to Lod, Israel.

But you can’t convince the faithful that he’s not still there; hence, the railing installed around the altar — which allows the pious to still reverence the “empty tomb”.

Fr Elia said, “Want to go up on the roof?”
“Sure,” I replied (not realizing that the way up was skinny old high pitched steps minus a hand rail!).

After descending back to the altar, I said: “Your parish is the sister parish of ours, St George in Houston.” He said, “Y’all just celebrated 80 years recently?” I said, “Yes, why?” He said, “Because, someone sent me your festive ad book and I copied these pages so that I could have St George’s troparion (hymn) in English” — and there it was, on a stand by the holy table!

Fr Elia & Fr Timon. Fr Timon holds the keys to the steel doors of the ancient church. The steel doors were recently installed to replace …

… stone doors, like this one that now serves a monument in the courtyard.

Next: My final day in Syria.

Podcast – “The Blindside” (in Syria); Article – Antiochian website

As many of you know, an historic gathering took place this past week in New York City: All of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops (at least a goodly number of them) met to discuss matters which pertain to the Church in the Americas. Here at the Orthodixie Podcast we had a Man on the Street recording interviews from the proceedings. But, as this podcast is only updated about once a week, some of the information you are about to hear may seem contrary to other reports, or it may be a bit dated, or, frankly, it may be flat out untrue.

Be that as it may, here is our previously recorded LIVE report from DAY ONE of the Episcopal Assembly by our Man on the Street, David Lee:

FrJ: David, what can you tell us?

DL: Six words come readily to mind, Father …

The Orthodixie Podcast – Ancient Faith Radio.

A full report is forthcoming from our Man on the Street, David Lee!

Stay tuned for the next episode of the Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.

UPDATE: Listen to… American [Orthodox Bishops] Top 40 – HERE.

Image and other info from the gathering may be found here.

UPDATE: Statement.

This is the thirteenth in a 15-part series of pics from Syria.

First — Second — Third — Fourth — Fifth — Sixth — Seventh — Eighth — Ninth — Tenth — Eleventh — Twelfth — Thirteenth — Fourteenth — Fifteenth.

On the road again; this time up in the hills near Damascus.

First stop: St George Monastery.

Looking across the way from St George Monastery you can see the Convent of Our Lady of Saidnaya.

The monks at St George were very gracious. The first part of or tour was underground …

… to a chapel within a cave that was once used for Christian burial.

The courtyard on the way to their main chapel …

From there, we headed to Mar Thoma, a former pagan temple which was later “baptized” (one of the oldest churches in the world).

A view from Mar Thoma of the valley.

Caves where the monks dwelt …

… are scattered beneath the temple.

Though a blurry shot: A view of an ancient Salon. Notice the table and “doorway” behind the man? That’s not a door … it where the man speaking would deliver his talk and the “gully” to his right, which circled the Salon, would carry the sound as well as any electronic mic & speaker system.

At the Convent of Saidnaya, in the Salon, with Mother Christina.

The icon which played a major role in my story, The Blindside.

The main chapel at Saidnaya.

There are quite a few steps that lead up the hill to the shrine … What’s housed in the shrine? An “icon of the All-holy Virgin, believed to be one of four icons extant that were painted by St. Luke the Evangelist himself.” Source
No pics were allowed.

Once, on the way, a Muslim woman with oil from the lamps spilled some on a step … leaving a mark that many believe to be miraculous image.

From Our Lady of Saidnaya, we drove up to the top of the highest peak … to Cherubim Monastery.

Next … on to the resting place of St Thekla in Ma’lula.

One commenter wrote about the story of St Thecla and the split of the mountain:

“You’ll be surprise to see the mountain in Maaloula [araimic speaking town], Syria which was split [you could even see the fresh color compare to the outward color of the mtn], thereby a gorge with running water even today, causes one to cross the mountain. The story runs like: Thecla, a very beautiful rich girl was engaged to be married. She happen to hear St Paul preaching and decided to be his disciple, much to the anger of her mother and fiance. The two wants to kill her, so she escape and met some dangers but save thru her prayers. She reached the rugged, unpassable mountain in Maulola and no way for her to escape. She prayed for water and safety, her deliverance came, the mountain split and water gussed out, thus she escape safely. You could see the split clearly today.”
Source

The Russians have installed a huge image of Our Lord at the entry way of the monastery …

But this one is MINUSCULE compared to the one soon to be erected high up on the mount of Cherubim Monastery.

The Saint’s final resting place (no pics allowed), in the distance behind my fellow pilgrims, Michel and Haissam.

A view, descending the shrine.
Our visit to Saidnaya included a wonderful feasting meal for we three pilgrims. This was capped off by yet another visit to the Salon for sweets and coffee. During the repast, Michel wondered around the corner to an adjoining room and came back with a big smile on his face. Mother Christina said, “Ah … you saw our special room!”

She made me go look …

It was not what I expected!

A virtual Christmas wonderland that entertains the younger pilgrims throughout the year.

That night, back in Damascus, we were treated to a fabulous meal at Narange, thanks to a new friend, Issa. It was across the street from the Antiochian Patriarchate. The minaret pictured here is placed right beside the Patriarchate.

After a traditional Middle Eastern breakfast (much better than my usual Grape Nuts), Michel and I headed out for our final tour of Damascus …

Past the famous monument to Saladin in Damascus …

… we visited The National Museum of Damascus — and, of course, more shops.

Back down south, in Sweida, I was walking around the shops when my mother, in the South (North Carolina), called my borrowed cell …

… a snap while I was talking to Mom.

Then, Danny (Bishop SABA’s “IT Guy”) and I walked over to one of the city’s roundabouts which encircles the remains of one of the world’s oldest churches …

Next: On to Izzra to visit the 6th century Church of St George.

Podcast – “The Blindside” (in Syria); Article – Antiochian website