Bože! A Grace Catholic Project
Archive for February, 2010
Praxis – Lent
Huw’s essay on Lenten praxis is well worth the read. Tweet
The Fast – What’s It All About Anyway?
It’s finally here – today is “clean monday”, the fast has begun. So here’s the question: what is “the fast” all about anyway? Athanasius writing in the fourth century said that a bit of moderate asceticism was useful for everyone – not just ascetics (read – monks, virgins, nuns and vowed widows). But the age [...]
Exile & Enlightenment
Today we commemorate the expulsion of Adam & Eve from Paradise – in preparation for the beginning of Lent tomorrow (Monday), and Cyril & Methodius Enlighteners of the Slavs. Notice something missing (ha ha ha)? The expulsion from Paradise cannot, must not be seen as “history” in the strictest sense of the word. Rather it [...]
Freak Show?
Reuters reports (Wed. 10 Feb 10) that the Synod of the Church of England criticised broadcasters – the BBC in particular – for the steep reduction in “religious broadcasting”. Claiming that this actively marginalises religion and treats religious programming as “freak shows”. I’m sitting here thinking about the report and a few things come to [...]
Nicephoros
Nicephoros was the friend of a priest called Sapricius. However, shortly before Sapricius was outed as a Christian during the persecution of Valerian, their friendship failed bitterly. Nicephoros tried to reconcile with his friend both in person, and through intermediaries, but Sapricius would have none of it. Sapricius was seized by the authorities, and was [...]
Theodore
Theodore was a general in the early fourth century during the reign of Licinius. He was renowned for his skill as a strategist and commander of men. However, he was a believer. Licinius wanting to pursuade Theodore to revert to paganism, and through him those who honoured and respected him, went to see the general [...]
Agatha of Sicily
Martyred in AD 251 Agatha was a Virgin from a noble Sicilian family and lived in Catania. She was tortured to death in part because she refused to abandon her asceticism and marry the local governor. Legend says that when she was buried an angel placed a stone inscribed with the words: “A righteous mind, [...]
Symeon & Anna
The story of Symeon & Anna is told in Luke 2. Symeon was an old man, righteous and devout, who recieved the revealation that he would not die before seeing the Messiah (Lk. 2.27). Symeon was in the Temple when Jesus was presented for his circumcision; he took him into his arms and declared: Now, [...]