Comments on: Chrismation is only the beginning http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/thoughts-about-my-chrismation/ Thoughts of a black metaller turned Orthodox Christian Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:55:28 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Karen C http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/thoughts-about-my-chrismation/#comment-90 Karen C Mon, 19 May 2008 14:39:18 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-90 Well, I knew your patron was St. Seraphim and that you got chrismated along with your fiancee and "some others" on Holy Saturday. That and other stuff just fit what very little I knew of you, so call it a lucky guess! Plus we both like Fr. Stephen's blog, so perhaps it was inevitable. :-) You express yourself well. Keep writing. With regard to the battles and depression--the Lord doesn't put us in a communion for nothing and He, Himself, certainly doesn't leave us alone. Others have been there and are praying for you. I take great comfort in the communion of saints, especially those who have passed into the Lord's Presence, because I know they are not limited in their ability to pray for us in the way that those of us still duking it out here on earth are. On the other hand, it can be nice to know you are surrounded by fellow strugglers, who can genuinely sympathize with much of your experience. That may be one of the great strengths of your blog. I don't think you need to feel you have something "inspiring" to say in order to write. So often, it is precisely as a result of our weakness that the Lord reveals Himself to us and to others through us. Well, I knew your patron was St. Seraphim and that you got chrismated along with your fiancee and “some others” on Holy Saturday. That and other stuff just fit what very little I knew of you, so call it a lucky guess! Plus we both like Fr. Stephen’s blog, so perhaps it was inevitable. :-) You express yourself well. Keep writing. With regard to the battles and depression–the Lord doesn’t put us in a communion for nothing and He, Himself, certainly doesn’t leave us alone. Others have been there and are praying for you. I take great comfort in the communion of saints, especially those who have passed into the Lord’s Presence, because I know they are not limited in their ability to pray for us in the way that those of us still duking it out here on earth are. On the other hand, it can be nice to know you are surrounded by fellow strugglers, who can genuinely sympathize with much of your experience. That may be one of the great strengths of your blog. I don’t think you need to feel you have something “inspiring” to say in order to write. So often, it is precisely as a result of our weakness that the Lord reveals Himself to us and to others through us.

]]> By: Seraphim http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/thoughts-about-my-chrismation/#comment-85 Seraphim Fri, 16 May 2008 05:56:53 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-85 Thanks, Karen! I'm not at all intimidated, although I'm somewhat amazed that someone from the parish managed to find my blog and recognize me! Is it that obvious? :P Thanks, Karen! I’m not at all intimidated, although I’m somewhat amazed that someone from the parish managed to find my blog and recognize me! Is it that obvious? :P

]]> By: Karen C http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/thoughts-about-my-chrismation/#comment-84 Karen C Wed, 14 May 2008 21:39:38 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-84 Blessings, Seraphim! I believe I had the joy to witness your chrismation and that of your fiancee, but in the busyness of the season, I didn't get to tell you personally, "welcome home"--so, "Welcome home!" I just discovered your blog, and I really like it (what little I've read of it). In a million years I would never have gotten into heavy metal music, and you are less than half my age, but other than that it appears we've got an awful lot in common. For one thing, my parents aren't terribly thrilled with my choice either, and Orthodox veneration of the Theotokos is a particular stumbling block for them as well. Also, I see that in the temptations you struggle with, the devil has no originality. I have been tempted with like thoughts and struggles. :-) Now, hopefully you won't be intimidated in what you write at this blog knowing someone from your own parish sees it from time to time! Blessings, Seraphim!

I believe I had the joy to witness your chrismation and that of your fiancee, but in the busyness of the season, I didn’t get to tell you personally, “welcome home”–so, “Welcome home!” I just discovered your blog, and I really like it (what little I’ve read of it). In a million years I would never have gotten into heavy metal music, and you are less than half my age, but other than that it appears we’ve got an awful lot in common. For one thing, my parents aren’t terribly thrilled with my choice either, and Orthodox veneration of the Theotokos is a particular stumbling block for them as well. Also, I see that in the temptations you struggle with, the devil has no originality. I have been tempted with like thoughts and struggles. :-) Now, hopefully you won’t be intimidated in what you write at this blog knowing someone from your own parish sees it from time to time!

]]> By: David Withun http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/thoughts-about-my-chrismation/#comment-78 David Withun Thu, 08 May 2008 02:08:25 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-78 I hear you! I think the evil one had the same plan for both us... can't stop the chrismation, then just torture'em! I too was chrismated Holy Saturday and I'll tell you that the week leading up to my chrismation was probably the worst week of my entire life. I had to get six stitches in over my left eye after an accident wrestling around at work (I'm in the Army, the fighting's just something we do); then I got into a car accident the following day (everybody's fine but my car was nearly totaled). It was an interesting Holy Week, at least! Let's hope you and I can both put such times behind us. Congratulations to you! I hear you! I think the evil one had the same plan for both us… can’t stop the chrismation, then just torture’em! I too was chrismated Holy Saturday and I’ll tell you that the week leading up to my chrismation was probably the worst week of my entire life. I had to get six stitches in over my left eye after an accident wrestling around at work (I’m in the Army, the fighting’s just something we do); then I got into a car accident the following day (everybody’s fine but my car was nearly totaled). It was an interesting Holy Week, at least! Let’s hope you and I can both put such times behind us. Congratulations to you!

]]> By: Διονυσιος http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/thoughts-about-my-chrismation/#comment-77 Διονυσιος Wed, 07 May 2008 19:48:31 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-77 Congratulations, and Many Years! Congratulations, and Many Years!

]]> By: Zechariah http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/thoughts-about-my-chrismation/#comment-75 Zechariah Tue, 06 May 2008 13:14:20 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-75 Praise and glory to the King of Creation! Congratulations on your chrismation! Hopefully I will follow you shortly. It seems like you had a real mess going on that day, but I'm glad to see that you found a spiritual mystery in it all. I wish you all the best! Praise and glory to the King of Creation!

Congratulations on your chrismation! Hopefully I will follow you shortly. It seems like you had a real mess going on that day, but I’m glad to see that you found a spiritual mystery in it all. I wish you all the best!

]]> By: Seraphima http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/thoughts-about-my-chrismation/#comment-74 Seraphima Tue, 06 May 2008 00:33:31 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-74 A business scam? What on earth? Many years, Seraphim! I offer my unworthy prayers to accompany your journey. A business scam? What on earth?

Many years, Seraphim! I offer my unworthy prayers to accompany your journey.

]]> By: Seraphim http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/thoughts-about-my-chrismation/#comment-73 Seraphim Mon, 05 May 2008 22:10:28 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-73 Nah, my dad doesn't go to church at all. He thinks it's a giant business scam. He also said something about excessive mention of the Theotokos... so no, nothing to do with the Roman Catholic Church. Nah, my dad doesn’t go to church at all. He thinks it’s a giant business scam. He also said something about excessive mention of the Theotokos… so no, nothing to do with the Roman Catholic Church.

]]> By: asimplesinner http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/2008/05/05/thoughts-about-my-chrismation/#comment-72 asimplesinner Mon, 05 May 2008 21:03:12 +0000 http://icxcnika.wordpress.com/?p=30#comment-72 Was your father angry that you had left the Catholic Church or upset with your choice for another reason? Was your father angry that you had left the Catholic Church or upset with your choice for another reason?

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