#italian monastic churches

[portraitsofsaints]

Saint Angela Merici

1474-1540

Feast day: January 27 (New), June 1 (Trad)

Patronage: sickness, handicapped people, loss of parents

St. Angela Merici was an Italian religious educator. She founded the Company of St. Ursula 1535 in Brescia, in which women dedicated their lives to the service of the Church through the education of girls. This organization later sprang the monastic Order of Ursulines, whose nuns established places of prayer and learning throughout Europe and, later, worldwide, most notably in North America.

Prints, plaques & holy cards available for purchase here: (website)

[elizabethan-memes]

Hi there,

It looks like you've done some research on Thomas More and Thomas Cromwell I like your posts on them I was wondering who do most scholars believe was most responsible for the Destruction of the Monasteries and Abbeys? Was it all Cromwell's idea? Or was Henry VIII pushing for their Dissolution? I find Cromwell a fascinating character but his role in destroying and robbing so many Religious Houses leaves a bitter taste in mouth. I wonder how much good he was actually doing for the country long-term?

I'm not as familiar with the last decade of Henry's reign but I'll start you off with what I do know.

The first few dissolutions were under Wolsey in the 1520s. They weren't anti-monastic, but reforms to make Church finances more cost-effective. Smaller houses were dissolved and presumably their members were sent to larger establishments or pensioned off. The wealth of these smaller houses was used for education, like Wolsey's Cardinal College (now Christ Church). Cromwell was working for Wolsey at the time from about 1515. Basically Wolsey wanted a fancy tomb and he had hired an Italian sculptor for it (Torrigiano, I think) only Wolsey now needed someone who could speak Italian to manage the project and talk to the sculptor. Better call Cromwell!

In the early 1530s Cromwell dissolved a few religious houses. According to Macculloch, this was a way to kind of test the waters, to see if there was any resistance to these dissolutions. He didn't want to go too far too fast and prompt a backlash. Given the scale of the Pilgrimage of Grace, he was right to be worried.

The dissolution of the monasteries meant that their social duties were increasingly taken on by the state and ratepayers (Cromwell was prepared for this eventuality) but it was a painful transition. Manuscripts were lost, but some ended up in the hands of early antiquaries like John Leland. Some later Protestants came to regret the loss of the abbeys, for various reasons.

One last thing: Cromwell was ViceGEREnt of Spirituals. Not ViceREGEnt. According to Macculloch this is a common mistake in undergraduate essays.

(It's also a mistake Alison Weir makes so uhhhh no comment.)

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (October 6)

On October 6, the Catholic Church commemorates Saint Bruno of Cologne, founder of the Carthusian order of monks who remain notable for their strictly traditional and austere rule of contemplative life.

Born in 1030, Bruno is said to have belonged to a prominent family in the city of Cologne.

Little is known of his early years, except that he studied theology in the present-day French city of Reims before returning to his native land, where he was most likely ordained a priest in approximately 1055.

Returning to Reims the following year, he soon became head of the school he had attended there, after its director Heriman left to enter consecrated religious life in 1057.

Bruno led and taught at the school for nearly two decades, acquiring an excellent reputation as a philosopher and theologian, until he was named chancellor of the local diocese in 1075.

Bruno's time as chancellor coincided with an uproar in Reims over the behavior of its new bishop Manasses de Gournai.

Suspended by the decision of a local council, the bishop appealed to Rome while attacking and robbing the houses of his opponents.

Bruno left the diocese during this period, though he was considered as a possible successor to Manasses after the bishop's final deposition in 1080.

The chancellor, however, was not interested in leading the Church of Reims.

Bruno and two of his friends had resolved to renounce their worldly goods and positions and enter religious life.

Inspired by a dream to seek guidance from the bishop later canonized as Saint Hugh of Grenoble, Bruno settled in the Chartreuse Mountains in 1084, joined by a small group of scholars looking to become monks.

In 1088, one of Bruno's former students was elected as Pope Urban II.

Six years into his life as an alpine monk, Bruno was called to leave his remote monastery to assist the Pope in his struggle against a rival papal claimant as well as the hostile Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV.

Bruno served as a close adviser to the Pope during a critical period of reform.

Around this time, he also rejected another chance to become a bishop, this time in the Italian region of Calabria.

While he obtained the Pope's permission to return to monastic life, Bruno was required to remain in Italy to help the Pope periodically, rather than returning to his monastery in France.

During the 1090s, Bruno befriended Count Roger of Sicily and Calabria, who granted land to his group of monks and enabled the founding of a major monastery in 1095.

The monks were known, then as now, for their strict practice of asceticism, poverty, and prayer; and for their unique organizational form, combining the solitary life of hermits with the collective life of more conventional monks.

St. Bruno died on 6 October 1101, after making a notable profession of faith which was preserved for posterity.

In this final testimony, he gave particular emphasis to the doctrine of Christ's Eucharistic presence, which had already begun to be questioned in parts of the Western Church.

“I believe,” he attested, “in the sacraments that the Church believes and holds in reverence, and especially that what has been consecrated on the altar is the true Flesh and the true Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which we receive for the forgiveness of our sins and in the hope of eternal salvation.”

Veneration of St. Bruno was given formal approval in 1514 and extended throughout the Latin Rite in 1623.

More recently, his Carthusian Order was the subject of the 2006 documentary film “Into Great Silence,” chronicling the life of monks in the Grand Chartreuse monastery.

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading: Monday, March 25, 2014

march 12_march25

SAINT GREGORY THE DIALOGIST, POPE OF ROME (604)

Saint Gregory the Dialogist, Pope of Rome, was born in Rome around the year 540. His grandfather was Pope Felix, and his mother Sylvia (November 4) and aunts Tarsilla and Emiliana were also numbered among the saints by the Roman Church. Having received a most excellent secular education, he attained high government positions.

Leading a God-pleasing life, he yearned for monasticism with all his soul. After the death of his father, Saint Gregory used his inheritance to establish six monasteries. At Rome he founded a monastery dedicated to the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, where he received monastic tonsure. Later, on a commission of Pope Pelagius II, Saint Gregory lived for a while in Constantinople. There he wrote his Commentary on the Book of Job.

After the death of Pope Pelagius, Saint Gregory was chosen to the Roman See. For seven months he would not consent to accept this service, considering himself unworthy. He finally accepted consecration only after the persistent entreaties of the clergy and flock.

Wisely leading the Church, Saint Gregory worked tirelessly in propagating the Word of God. Saint Gregory compiled the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in the Latin language, which before him was known only in the verbal tradition. Affirmed by the Sixth Ecumenical Council, this liturgical service was accepted by all the Orthodox Church.

He zealously struggled against the Donatist heresy; he also converted the inhabitants of Brittany, pagans and Goths, who had been adhering to the Arian heresy, to the True Faith.

Saint Gregory has left behind numerous written works. After the appearance of his book, DIALOGUES CONCERNING THE LIFE AND MIRACLES OF THE ITALIAN FATHERS (DIALOGI DE VITA ET MIRACULIS PATRUM ITALIORUM), the saint was called “Dialogus.” His PASTORAL RULE (or LIBER REGULAE PASTORALIS) was well-known. In this work, Saint Gregory describes the model of the true pastor. His letters (848), dealing with moral guidance, have also survived.

Saint Gregory headed the Church for thirteen years, ministering to all the needs of his flock. He was characterized by an extraordinary love of poverty, for which he was granted a vision of the Lord Himself.

As he is known, Pope Saint Gregory the Great died in the year 604, and his relics rest in the cathedral of the holy Apostle Peter in the Vatican.

VENERABLE SYMEON, THE NEW THEOLOGIAN (1022)

Saint Simeon the New Theologian was born in the year 949 in the city of Galatea (Paphlagonia), and he was educated at Constantinople. His father prepared him for a career at court, and for a certain while the youth occupied a high position at the imperial court. When he was fourteen, he met the renowned Elder Simeon the Pious at the Studion Monastery, who would be a major influence in his spiritual development. He remained in the world for several years preparing himself for the monastic life under the Elder’s guidance, and finally entered the monastery at the age of twenty-seven.

Saint Simeon the Pious recommended to the young man the writings of Saint Mark the Ascetic (March 5) and other spiritual writers. He read these books attentively and tried to put into practice what he read. Three points made by Saint Mark in his work “On the Spiritual Law” (see Vol. I of the English Philokalia) particularly impressed him. First, you should listen to your conscience and do what it tells you if you wish your soul to be healed (Philokalia, p. 115). Second, only by fulfilling the commandments can one obtain the activity of the Holy Spirit. Thirdly, one who prays only with the body and without spiritual knowledge is like the blind man who cried out, “Son of David, have mercy upon me” (Luke 18:38) (Philokalia, p. 111). When the blind man received his sight, however, he called Christ the Son of God (John 9:38).

Saint Simeon was wounded with a love for spiritual beauty, and tried to acquire it. In addition to the Rule given him by his Elder, his conscience told him to add a few more Psalms and prostrations, and to repeat constantly, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon me.” Naturally, he heeded his conscience.

During the day, he cared for the needs of people living in the palace of Patricius. At night, his prayers grew longer and he remained praying until midnight. Once, as he was praying in this way, a most brilliant divine radiance descended upon him and filled the room. He saw nothing but light all around him, and he was not even aware of the ground beneath his feet.

It seemed to him that he himself became light. Then his mind rose upward to the heavens, and he saw a second light brighter than the light which surrounded him. Then, on the edge of this second light, he seemed to see Saint Simeon the Pious, who had given him Saint Mark the Ascetic to read.

Seven years after this vision, Saint Simeon entered the monastery. There he increased his fasting and vigilance, and learned to renounce his own will.

The Enemy of our salvation stirred up the brethren of the monastery against Saint Simeon, who was indifferent to the praises or reproaches of others. Because of the increased discontent in the monastery, Saint Simeon was sent to the Monastery of Saint Mamas in Constantinople.

There he was tonsured into the monastic schema, and increased his spiritual struggles. He attained to a high spiritual level, and increased his knowledge of spiritual things through reading the Holy Scriptures and the writings of the Fathers, as well as in conversation with holy Elders.

Around the year 980, Saint Simeon was made igumen of the monastery of Saint Mamas and continued in this office for twenty-five years. He repaired and restored the monastery, which had suffered from neglect, and also brought order to the life of the monks.

The strict monastic discipline, for which Saint Simeon strove, led to great dissatisfaction among the brethren. Once, after Liturgy, some of the monks attacked him and nearly killed him. When the Patriarch of Constantinople expelled them from the monastery and wanted to hand them over to the civil authorities, Saint Simeon asked that they be treated with leniency and be permitted to live in the world.

About the year 1005, Saint Simeon resigned his position as igumen in favor of Arsenius, while he himself settled near the monastery in peace. There he composed his theological works, portions of which appear in the Philokalia.

The chief theme of his works is the hidden activity of spiritual perfection, and the struggle against the passions and sinful thoughts. He wrote instructions for monks: “Theological and Practical Chapters,” “A Treatise on the Three Methods of Prayer,” (in Vol. IV of the English Philokalia) and “A Treatise on Faith.” Moreover, Saint Simeon was an outstanding church poet. He also wrote “Hymns of Divine Love,” about seventy poems filled with profound prayerful meditations.

The sublime teachings of Saint Simeon about the mysteries of mental prayer and spiritual struggle have earned him the title “the New Theologian.” These teachings were not the invention of Saint Simeon, but they had merely been forgotten over time.

Some of these teachings seemed unacceptable and strange to his contemporaries. This led to conflict with Constantinople’s church authorities, and Saint Simeon was banished from the city. He withdrew across the Bosphorus and settled in the ancient monastery of Saint Makrina.

The saint peacefully fell asleep in the Lord in the year 1021. During his life he received the gift of working miracles. Numerous miracles also took place after his death; one of them was the miraculous discovery of his icon.

His Life was written by his cell-attendant and disciple, Saint Nicetas Stethatos.

Since March 12 falls during Great Lent, Saint Simeon’s Feast is transferred to October 12.

ISAIAH 4:2-5:7

2 In that day the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing For those of Israel who have escaped. 3 And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded among Jerusalem's people. 4 When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning, 5 then the Lord will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory, there will be a covering. 6 And there will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, a place of refuge, and a shelter from storm and rain.

1 Now let me sing to my Well-beloved A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard On a fruitful hill. 2 He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst and also made a winepress in it. He expected it to bring forth good grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes. 3 “And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard. 4 What more could have been done to My vineyard That I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, Did it bring forth wild grapes? 5 And now, please let Me tell you what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned, And break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down. 6 I will lay it waste; It shall not be pruned or dug, but briers and thorns shall come

. I will also command the clouds That they rain no rain on it.” 7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help.

GENESIS 3:21-4:7

21 Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. 22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.” 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. 6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

[bearkunin]

The Novelty of Russian Social Conservatism

Heraclitus' line "No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man" is just as true when it comes to nations, religions and their traditions. Here I'm going to go into how this is the case for Russian conservativism.

One of the key concepts introduced by The Moralist International is that of 'conservative aggiornamento.' This makes use of an Italian phrase used by the Second Vatican Council essentially meaning "modernisation of religious tradition." In the Catholic context, this meant things like conducting services in common language (rather than Latin), ecumenism, tolerating religious freedom, and things generally considered "liberal." In the Russian Orthodox case however, the aggiornamento is decisively conservative.

The use of this phrase is to make clear that appeals to traditionalism are not simple returns to a real past, but very much updates of "tradition" for a modern world. It is to emphasise "the novelty of Russian social conservatism."

As a parallel, Islamic fundamentalism in the form of Sunni Wahhabism is often seen as ultra-traditionalist, as "mediaeval" even. In reality, Wahhabism springs from the mid-18th century. The ultra-reactionary ideology of al Qaeda, Qutbism, is from the 1960s. It harkens back to the past, but is very much from the present.

Similarly, the Russian Orthodox's foray into social debates and international politics is largely only twenty or so years old. In Tsarist Russia, an expansion of the church’s influence beyond its spiritual competence was undesired, and internally strong monastic currents stood for a “principled lack of interest in the world." The church has traditionally been highly ascetic, with a focus on monasticism, to the point of being described as "anti-family."

“The man who marries does well, but the one who doesn’t marry does even better"

1 Corinthians 7:38.

There were of course exceptions to this: Father Gapon helped kickstart the 1905 Revolution for example, but really that is the exception that proves the rule.

During the Soviet era, the religious authorities were heavily suppressed and censored, with little room to influence or debate social policy. Even following the collapse of the Soviet Union, it took some time for the Orthodox Church to find its own footing in social politics.

Through the 1990s, with reinvigorated contact with the Catholic and Protestant worlds (both of which had been politically active in democracy for decades), the Russian Orthodox Church began to develop a more "modern" and active socially politically role.

In Orthodox Russia, you can see the defence of "traditional values" - such as in the opposition to domestic violence legislation - as being cast in terms of human rights and "freedom". The Orthodox Church said of the domestic violence bill:

It has an obvious anti-family orientation, reducing the rights and freedoms of people who have chosen a familial way of life and birth and the raising of children.

This is not the nomenclature that would have been mobilised by pre-Soviet, Tsarist, "traditional" Russia. Even the term "traditional values" is a relatively new import into Russia, which typically spoke of "spiritual-moral values" instead. The first meaningful mention of "traditional values" in Russian press appears to be from 1983, and in direct reference to Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority in America.

Even by the 1990s, "traditional values" were associated with America. In 1991, James Dobson of Focus on the Family (a fundamentalist anti-abortion, anti-LGBT American-based group) planned a visit to Russia (it was cancelled on account of the August Coup). A Russian newspaper article anticipating the visit entitled Dr. Dobson Could Not Come at a Better Time: An American Conservative Will Advise the Soviet People, described Dobson as:

...one of the most unshakable defenders of what is called “traditional family values” in America.

Another example of the clear American influence on Russian "tradition" is the common use of the term "про лайф", pronounced "pro life", distinct from the Russian words being за жизнь (za zhizn).

These are just some surface level examples, but illustrate some of the newness and international origins of Russian traditionalism. I will probably do one more post on how these international influences are impacting Russian domestic politics and then turn to what really interests me of how these domestic Russian debates inform their foreign policy.

[nekomacbeth]

buncha worldbuilding stuff. in order:

- ecclesia lucis is the main church in alsmenes and (true to the italian renaissance era its area is based on) it has a severe problem with corruption. it’s also very luxurious (they have brightly colored cloth, their hems go all the way to the ground, etc)

- blumenkirche is essentially a sect that split off from ecclesia lucis to go form their own group. this is partially out of discontent for ecclesia lucis’s problems. anyway this is highly based off monastic sects (don’t worry monk enjoyers. i may draw bob cuts here but older guys would probably have something more tonsure-like due to natural balding patterns)

- three of the seven regions’ rulers. they’re not v essential to draw out bc they’re less seen than heard about but i like to draw them anyway

[troybeecham]

Today, the Church remembers Saint Clare of Assisi, Monastic.

Ora pro nobis.

St. Clare (Chiara in Italian) was one of the first followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition, and wrote their Rule of Life, the first set of monastic guidelines known to have been written by a woman. Following her death, the order she founded was renamed in her honor as the Order of Saint Clare, commonly referred to today as the Poor Clares.

She was born in Assisi (July 16, 1194 – August 11, 1253 AD), and was the eldest daughter of Favorino Sciffi, Count of Sasso-Rosso, and his wife Ortolana. Traditional accounts say that Clare's father was a wealthy representative of an ancient Roman family, who owned a large palace in Assisi and a castle on the slope of Mount Subasio. Ortolana belonged to the noble family of Fiumi, and was a very devout woman who had undertaken pilgrimages to Rome, Santiago de Compostela and the Holy Land. Later in life, Ortolana entered Clare's monastery, as did Clare's sisters, Beatrix and Catarina.

As a child, Clare was devoted to prayer. Although there is no mention of this in any historical record, it is assumed that Clare was to be married in line with the family tradition. However, at the age of 18 she heard Francis preach during a Lenten service in the church of San Giorgio at Assisi and asked him to help her to live after the manner of the Gospel. On the evening of Palm Sunday, March 20, 1212, she left her father's house and accompanied by her aunt Bianca and another companion proceeded to the chapel of the Porziuncula to meet Francis. There, her hair was cut, and she exchanged her rich gown for a plain robe and veil.

Francis placed Clare in the convent of the Benedictine nuns of San Paulo, near Bastia. Her father attempted to force her to return home. She clung to the altar of the church and threw aside her veil to show her cropped hair. She resisted any attempt, professing that she would have no other husband but Jesus Christ. In order to provide the greater solitude Clare desired, a few days later Francis sent her to Sant' Angelo in Panzo, another monastery of the Benedictine nuns on one of the flanks of Subasio. Clare was soon joined by her sister Catarina, who took the name Agnes. They remained with the Benedictines until a small dwelling was built for them next to the church of San Damiano, which Francis had repaired some years earlier.

Other women joined them, and they were known as the "Poor Ladies of San Damiano". They lived a simple life of poverty, austerity and seclusion from the world, according to a Rule which Francis gave them as a Second Order.

San Damiano became the center of Clare's new religious order, which was known in her lifetime as the "Order of Poor Ladies of San Damiano". San Damiano was long thought to be the first house of this order, however, recent scholarship strongly suggests that San Damiano actually joined an existing network of women's religious houses organized by Hugolino (who later became Pope Gregory IX). Hugolino wanted San Damiano as part of the order he founded because of the prestige of Clare's monastery. San Damiano emerged as the most important house in the order, and Clare became its undisputed leader. By 1263, just ten years after Clare's death, the order had become known as the Order of Saint Clare.

In 1228, when Gregory IX offered Clare a dispensation from the vow of strict poverty, she replied: "I need to be absolved from my sins, but not from the obligation of following Christ." Accordingly, the Pope granted them the Privilegium Pauperitatis — that nobody could oblige them to accept any possession.

Unlike the Franciscan friars, whose members moved around the country to preach, Saint Clare's sisters lived in enclosure, since an itinerant life was hardly conceivable at the time for women. Their life consisted of manual labor and prayer. The nuns went barefoot, slept on the ground, ate no meat and observed almost complete silence.

For a short period, the order was directed by Francis himself. Then in 1216, Clare accepted the role of abbess of San Damiano. As abbess, Clare had more authority to lead the order than when she was the prioress and required to follow the orders of a priest heading the community. Clare defended her order from the attempts of prelates to impose a rule on them that more closely resembled the Rule of Saint Benedict than Francis' stricter vows. Clare sought to imitate Francis' virtues and way of life so much so that she was sometimes titled ‘alter Franciscus’, another Francis. She also played a significant role in encouraging and aiding Francis, whom she saw as a spiritual father figure, and she took care of him during his final illness.

After Francis' death, Clare continued to promote the growth of her order, writing letters to abbesses in other parts of Europe and thwarting every attempt by each successive pope to impose a rule on her order which weakened the radical commitment to corporate poverty she had originally embraced. Clare's Franciscan theology of joyous poverty in imitation of Christ is evident in the rule she wrote for her community and in her four letters to Agnes of Prague.

In 1224, the army of Frederick II came to plunder Assisi. Clare went out to meet them with the Blessed Sacrament in her hands. Suddenly a mysterious terror seized the enemies, who fled without harming anybody in the city.

In her later years, Clare endured a long period of poor health. She died on 11 August 1253 at the age of 59. Her last words as reported to have been, "Blessed be You, O God, for having created me."

O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Clare, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

[happymilesoutdoorlearning]

Architecture Tour to Sri Lanka: Unveiling the Island's Rich Architectural Heritage

Sri Lanka, often celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes, is also a treasure trove of architectural marvels. From ancient cities adorned with Buddhist stupas and rock carvings to colonial forts and modern masterpieces, Sri Lanka's architectural journey spans over two thousand years, blending different influences and styles. Here’s a guide to some must-visit architectural gems across the island for an unforgettable trip into Sri Lanka’s architectural heart.

1. Colombo – The Capital of Modern and Colonial Fusion

Start your journey in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s bustling capital, where colonial architecture meets contemporary design. Highlights include:

National Museum of Colombo: Built in the Italian Renaissance style, the museum offers an in-depth look into Sri Lanka’s history and heritage.

Gangaramaya Temple: A unique blend of traditional Buddhist architecture with modern influences, complete with beautiful statues and vibrant murals.

Geoffrey Bawa’s Signature Works: Colombo is home to several creations by Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most celebrated architect. Don’t miss Seema Malaka Temple by Beira Lake and the Paradise Road Gallery Café, a chic café in one of Bawa’s former office buildings.

2. Kandy – Timeless Kandyan Architecture

The hill city of Kandy boasts some of Sri Lanka's most revered Buddhist sites and traditional architecture:

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this temple is famed for its intricate woodwork, reflecting the rich craftsmanship of the Kandyan period.

Royal Palace Complex: A blend of traditional Sri Lankan design with colonial touches from later years, offering insight into the island’s royal past.

3. Sigiriya Rock Fortress – The Eighth Wonder of the World

Known as the Lion Rock, Sigiriya is a masterpiece of landscape and urban design. A UNESCO site, it was built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century, featuring palace ruins, frescoes, and water gardens at its summit. Climbing the massive rock offers breathtaking views, along with insights into ancient Sri Lankan engineering and artistry.

4. Galle – Colonial Charm by the Sea

Heading south, the Galle Fort is a beautifully preserved 17th-century Dutch fort and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk through cobbled streets lined with colonial-style houses, museums, and the Dutch Reformed Church. The fort’s historic architecture, combined with stunning ocean views, makes it one of Sri Lanka’s most captivating destinations.

5. Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa – Ancient Capitals and Sacred Sites

Explore Sri Lanka's ancient roots in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, two ancient capitals with temples, stupas, and monastic complexes:

Ruwanwelisaya Stupa in Anuradhapura is one of the largest stupas in the world, showcasing early Buddhist architecture.

Gal Vihara in Polonnaruwa, with its colossal stone Buddhas, is a testament to the skill of ancient Sri Lankan artisans.

6. Jaffna – Dravidian Influence and Hindu Temples

In the northern city of Jaffna, Dravidian architecture and Hindu temples offer a different side of Sri Lankan design:

Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil: One of the island’s most important Hindu temples, known for its towering gopuram and intricate carvings.

Jaffna Public Library: An iconic structure that blends colonial architecture with local influences and is a symbol of resilience and knowledge.

7. Geoffrey Bawa’s Legacy – Tropical Modernism

For those interested in modern architecture, exploring Geoffrey Bawa’s work is essential. Often regarded as the father of tropical modernism, Bawa’s designs emphasize harmony between indoor and outdoor spaces, inspired by local materials and natural surroundings.

Heritance Kandalama: A hotel built into a mountainside, designed to merge seamlessly with the landscape.

Lunuganga Estate: Bawa’s country estate in Bentota is a remarkable example of landscape architecture and a true retreat for architecture enthusiasts.

Practical Tips for Your Architecture Tour

Best Time to Visit: December to April offers the best weather, especially for outdoor sites.

Guides: Local guides specializing in history and architecture can greatly enhance your experience.

Accommodation: Consider staying at hotels designed by Geoffrey Bawa for an immersive experience, such as the Heritance Kandalama or Jetwing Lighthouse.

Conclusion

Architecture Tour to Sri Lanka is as diverse as its landscapes. Whether you’re marveling at ancient stupas, wandering through colonial forts, or admiring tropical modernist designs, the island promises an unforgettable journey for architecture lovers.

Embark on this architectural adventure to discover the artistry, history, and innovation that have shaped Sri Lanka across centuries.

[tomw59766]

What role did Giordano Bruno play in the development of the scientific method?

Introduction

Giordano Bruno was an Italian philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer whose ideas significantly influenced the development of the scientific method. Although he is often remembered for his tragic death at the stake, his intellectual contributions laid crucial groundwork for modern science. Bruno's work encompassed a wide range of subjects, including cosmology, metaphysics, and the nature of the universe, which ultimately challenged the prevailing scientific and religious dogmas of his time.

Early Life and Education

Born in 1548 in Nola, Italy, Giordano Bruno entered the Dominican Order at a young age. His education in the monastery provided him with a foundation in Aristotelian philosophy and the theological teachings of the Catholic Church. However, Bruno's insatiable curiosity and intellectual independence led him to question many of the established doctrines. By the late 1570s, Bruno had abandoned monastic life and began traveling across Europe, engaging with various intellectual communities and developing his ideas.

Cosmological Theories

Infinite Universe and Multiple Worlds

One of Bruno's most radical contributions was his theory of an infinite universe. He argued that the universe had no center and no boundaries, proposing that it contained countless stars, each possibly hosting its own planetary systems. This idea directly challenged the geocentric model of the universe endorsed by the Catholic Church and the Ptolemaic system, which placed the Earth at the center of the cosmos.

Bruno's concept of an infinite universe also introduced the idea of multiple worlds, suggesting that the stars were other suns with their own planets, some of which could harbor life. This notion was revolutionary, as it implied that Earth was not unique or central to God's creation. Bruno's ideas paved the way for later astronomers, such as Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei, who expanded on the heliocentric model of the solar system initially proposed by Copernicus.

Homogeneity of the Universe

Bruno proposed that the same physical laws and materials applied throughout the universe. This concept of homogeneity suggested that the principles governing the Earth and the heavens were not distinct but part of a unified, natural system. This idea was instrumental in moving away from Aristotelian and Ptolemaic cosmologies, which held that the heavens were made of a different, unchangeable substance.

Philosophical Contributions

Pantheism

Bruno's cosmological theories were deeply intertwined with his philosophical beliefs. He was a proponent of pantheism, the idea that God and the universe were identical. According to Bruno, God was not a distinct, transcendent entity but was immanent within the infinite universe. This belief further undermined the traditional Christian view of a personal, interventionist God and suggested a more abstract, naturalistic understanding of divinity.

Epistemology and the Quest for Knowledge

Bruno emphasized the importance of empirical observation and critical thinking in the pursuit of knowledge. He believed that true understanding could only be achieved through a combination of sensory experience and rational analysis. This approach contrasted sharply with the scholasticism of his time, which relied heavily on the authority of ancient texts and the Church.

Bruno's epistemological stance laid the groundwork for the scientific method, which prioritizes observation, experimentation, and the questioning of established doctrines. His insistence on the fallibility of human knowledge and the continuous search for truth resonated with later scientists and philosophers, including Francis Bacon and René Descartes.

Bruno's Influence on the Scientific Method

Challenging Authority

Giordano Bruno's willingness to challenge established authorities and question prevailing dogmas was a critical aspect of his contribution to the development of the scientific method. By rejecting the geocentric model and promoting a heliocentric and infinite universe, Bruno demonstrated the importance of skepticism and the willingness to reconsider long-held beliefs in light of new evidence.

This spirit of critical inquiry and independence of thought became foundational to the scientific revolution. Figures like Galileo, Kepler, and Newton were inspired by Bruno's example to pursue their research, even when it contradicted traditional views and faced significant opposition.

Integrating Philosophy and Science

Bruno's integration of philosophy and science also played a crucial role in the development of the scientific method. He viewed scientific inquiry as a means of exploring profound metaphysical questions about the nature of reality and the universe. This holistic approach encouraged a more comprehensive understanding of the natural world, combining empirical investigation with philosophical reflection.

By advocating for a unified approach to knowledge, Bruno influenced the way scientists approached their work, promoting an interdisciplinary perspective that remains vital in modern scientific research.

Bruno's Legacy and Giordano Bruno's Last Words

Martyrdom and Impact

Giordano Bruno's commitment to his ideas ultimately led to his execution. In 1593, he was arrested by the Roman Inquisition on charges of heresy, blasphemy, and immoral conduct. After a lengthy trial, Bruno was condemned to death and burned at the stake in 1600. His refusal to recant his beliefs, even in the face of death, made him a martyr for intellectual freedom and the pursuit of truth.

Giordano Bruno's last words are often cited as a testament to his unwavering dedication to his ideas. While the exact phrasing is not definitively recorded, it is believed that he responded to his sentence by saying, "Perhaps you, my judges, pronounce this sentence against me with greater fear than I receive it." These words reflect Bruno's courage and conviction, underscoring his role as a pioneering thinker who challenged the status quo.

Influence on Later Thinkers

Bruno's ideas continued to influence subsequent generations of scientists and philosophers. His vision of an infinite universe and the possibility of multiple worlds inspired later astronomers to explore the cosmos with renewed vigor. The emphasis on empirical observation and critical thinking that Bruno championed became central to the scientific method, shaping the work of key figures in the scientific revolution.

Bruno's integration of philosophy and science also resonated with later thinkers. His pantheistic view of the universe influenced the development of modern philosophical and scientific thought, encouraging a more holistic and interconnected understanding of reality.

Keytostudy and Modern Educational Approaches

In contemporary times, the principles that Bruno advocated—critical thinking, empirical observation, and the integration of knowledge—are reflected in modern educational methodologies and resources. Websites like Keytostudy, which are dedicated to improving memory, speed reading, visualization, and research skills, embody the spirit of Bruno's intellectual legacy. These platforms emphasize the importance of continuous learning, the application of scientific methods to enhance cognitive abilities, and the pursuit of knowledge across disciplines.

By providing tools and techniques to improve mental performance, Keytostudy and similar resources contribute to the development of a more informed and capable society. They promote the values of intellectual curiosity and rigorous inquiry that were central to Bruno's work, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire and inform new generations of learners.

Conclusion

Giordano Bruno played a pivotal role in the development of the scientific method through his revolutionary cosmological theories, philosophical contributions, and unwavering commitment to intellectual freedom. His ideas challenged the established order and laid the groundwork for the scientific revolution, influencing key figures in the history of science.

Bruno's emphasis on empirical observation, critical thinking, and the integration of knowledge remains relevant today, shaping modern educational approaches and resources like Keytostudy. His legacy as a martyr for truth and a pioneer of scientific thought continues to inspire those who seek to understand the universe and advance human knowledge.

[momento-hashbrowni]

Propers for the Feast of St. Antoninus, Confessor and Bishop

According to EWTN's website discussing the feast day, Antonius, also known as Little Anthony, was a Florentine born in 1389 and the only child of his noble parents. Even as a small child, he was docile and modest, with little interest in normal childhood entertainment, instead drawn to religious observance, praying in St. Michael's church either to a crucifix or at the chapel of Our Lady. From the description given, he was many people's ideal, with good memory, quick wit, and so on, and simply prayed for the grace to avoid sin. Truly admirable. It's most impressive that this was people's assessment of him before he even entered monastic life, and he took the habit at only 16. To think, with a mind like his now, people would probably try to pressure him out of seeking monastery life so he could contribute to society in a solely material way. I wonder how many little Anthonies we'd have nowadays if we were more spiritual today?

Regardless, he was named archbishop by the Pope after his predecessor's passing due to his pious qualities. Like every monk-bishop I've heard of, he requested to not be burdened with such a lofty position and even apparently attempted to flee. It took the threat of excommunication to get him to accept the role, and in 1446 became archbishop, and was a model of poverty and humility in his office, continuing his monastic life even in his office.

He was also quite the scholar and contributed various works throughout his life, and according to modern scholars his most notable are his 1477 Summa theologica moralis and his 1472 Summa confessionalis, Curam illius habes. They were printed posthumously. Unsurprisingly, in his works, he draws heavily from Thomas Aquinas.

I wish more bishops were like him now, as he truly cracked down on various abuses and moral failings of his time, was regularly in a pulpit, and visited his entire diocese regularly on foot. I couldn't even get generic letters back from my bishop's office back when my family and I had written him a few times. Combined with his taking of confessions, tending to the sick, and rallying the wealthy of his area and even the Pope to provide relief to his community after pestilence and famine, he was a truly noble soul. The thought that all the while, he was still focused on what faults he saw in his own character, humbles me; I can't imagine the humility it takes to be such a living saint-in-the-making and to not even accept that due to faults no one else could even perceive.

I find him most admirable and wish more would seek his intercession. I know I will need to seek his intercession more going forward. Sadly, his patronage is fairly limited, consisting of places named after himself, Italy, and the Philippines. It's not a bad range, but it feels odd that confessors wouldn't be in the list, but that's neither here nor there.

Antoninus was canonized on 31 May 1523 by Pope Adrian VI, and his feast day was established as May 10th in 1683. Sadly, the Second Vatican reforms removed it, but according to Martyrologium Romanum, his feast day's observance was moved to May 2nd, his death day. I'll admit, I've not once heard of his feast day being celebrated, but I suppose I'm neither an Italian national nor Filipino, so maybe it is elsewhere. The tragedy is that it was once celebrated throughout the Church, where everyone could profit from his spiritual gifts and intercession. I suppose it's not as much my problem, being a part of the SSPX, thus using the pre-V2 calendar, but I can't help but yearn for that for everyone else too.

Saint Antonius, blessed confessor, exemplar archbishop, lover of the poor: pray for us, intercede that we may repent of our sins. Give us the hearts to offer ourselves to the Lord as you did yourself. As you rallied the noblemen of your time to the aid of the common man, rally us to help our brothers and sisters, to be charitable in body and spirit.

[portraitsofsaints]

Saint Angela Merici 1474-1540 Feast day: January 27 (New), June 1 (Trad) Patronage: sickness, handicapped people, loss of parents

St. Angela Merici was an Italian religious educator. She founded the Company of St. Ursula 1535 in Brescia, in which women dedicated their lives to the service of the Church through the education of girls. This organization later sprang the monastic Order of Ursulines, whose nuns established places of prayer and learning throughout Europe and, later, worldwide, most notably in North America. {website}

[cruger2984]

THE DESCRIPTION OF SAINT GABRIEL OF THE SEVEN SORROWS (Francesco Possenti) Feast Day: February 27

"Our perfection does not consist of doing extraordinary things but to do the ordinary well."

St. Gabriel's life reveals that a profound love for the Mother of Sorrows is of the very essence of the Passionist charism, for it was Mary who appeared to young Paul Francis Daneo, the Passionist founder, and called him to found the Congregation.

Francisco Possenti was born in Assisi on March 1, 1838, the eleventh child of Sante Possenti and Agnes Frisciotti.

The first year of his life was spent away from his family with a nursing woman who cared for him because his mother was unable. In 1841 Sante moved the family to Spoleto where he was appointed magistrate. In that same year, the youngest Possenti child died at just six months old; Francis' nine-year old sister, Adele, soon followed. Just days later, his heartbroken mother was too called to eternal life. Francis had lost his mother at just 4 years old.

Tragedy continued to plague the family during his youth. In 1846 Francis' brother, Paul, was killed in the Italian war with Austria. Another brother, Lawrence, later took his own life. Such events, however, did not rob Francis of his spirit and cheerfulness. During his formative years, Francis attended the school of the Christian brothers and then the Jesuit college in Spoleto. He was lively, intelligent and popular at school. At sixteen, he suffered a life-threatening illness. Praying for a cure, Francis promised to become a religious. With recovery, however, Francis quickly forgot his promise. But God's call would not be denied, and Francis soon turned his heart to the Congregation of the Passionists.

Francisco was less than pleased with his teenage son's decision. Determined to show Francis the joys of a secular life of theater and society parties, Sante continued to hope Francis would find pleasure in a social life. But the young man was not to be dissuaded. Immediately after completion of his schooling, he left for the Passionist novitiate in Morrovalle. In the novitiate, he cultivated a great love for Christ Crucified. Francis received the Passionist habit on September 21, 1856, which that year was the Feast of the Sorrowful Mother.

He was given the name: Gabriel of the Sorrowful Mother. A year later he took his vows.

His monastic life preparing for the priesthood made Gabriel a secluded, non-public figure. His writings reflect his close relationship with God and His mother.

These were difficult and tumultuous times in Italy. The new Italian government issued decrees closing religious Orders in certain provinces of the Papal States. The new Passionist province of Pieta, to which Gabriel belonged, was in the center of this chaos. By 1860, the Passionists had ceased apostolic work due to the growing threats surrounding the community. During this period various Italian provinces were overrun by soldiers who robbed and terrorized the towns with little mercy.

The people of Isola would always remember him as 'their Gabriel.'

Struck with tuberculosis at the age of 24, Gabriel died on February 27, 1862, before his ordination to the priesthood. His fidelity to prayer, joyfulness of spirit and habitual mortifications stand out in his otherwise ordinary life.

Pope Benedict XV canonized Gabriel in 1920 and declared him a patron of Catholic youth. His patronage is also invoked by the Church for students, seminarians, novices and clerics. Thousands of divine favors are attributed to his intercession with Christ Crucified and the Sorrowful Mother Mary.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

SAINT OF THE DAY (April 2)

Catholics will remember St. Francis of Paola on April 2.

The saint founded a religious order at a young age and sought to revive the practices of the earliest monks during a period of corruption in the Church.

Francis was born in the Southern Italian region of Calabria on 27 March 1416. His parents, who maintained a strong devotion to St. Francis of Assisi, named their son after him.

The boy's father and mother had little in the way of wealth, but they passed on a rich spiritual heritage to their son, with the hope that he would imitate his namesake.

The young Francis showed signs of a remarkable spiritual life, following his parents' lead in accepting poverty as a path to holiness.

When his father placed him in the care of a group of Franciscan friars to be educated at the age of 13, Francis made a personal decision to live strictly according to the rule of their religious order.

After a year with the friars, Francis rejoined his parents as they made a pilgrimage to Assisi in Rome and the historic Franciscan church known as the Portiuncula.

When the family returned to their hometown of Paola, Francis – at the age of only 15 – asked his parents' permission to live as a hermit, in the manner of the earliest desert fathers such as St. Anthony of Egypt.

The young monk slept in a cave and ate what he could gather in the wild, along with occasional offerings of food from his friends in the town.

Within four years, two companions had joined him. The townspeople assisted in building three individual cells for the hermits, as well as a chapel where a priest would offer Mass.

With approval from the local archbishop, this small group continued to grow into a larger religious order, without compromising the young founder's insistence on penitential and primitive living conditions.

They were first known as the Hermits of St. Francis of Assisi but later renamed the “Minimi” (or “Minims”), meaning “the least,” and signifying their commitment to humility.

Francis and his monks were notable not only for their austere lifestyle but also for their strict diet, which not only eliminated meat and fish, but also excluded eggs, dairy products, and other foods derived from animals.

Abstinence from meat and other animal products became a “fourth vow” of his religious order, along with the traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Francis instituted the continual, year-round observance of this diet in an effort to revive the tradition of fasting during Lent, which many Roman Catholics had ceased to practice by the 15th century.

Ironically, Francis' pursuit of solitary communion with God attracted attention from a range of important figures, including several European kings and other nobility along with Popes and bishops.

Some of these men regarded Francis as a spiritual leader in a corrupt age, while others may have been more interested in his gifts of prophecy and miraculous healing.

Francis traveled to France at the request of Pope Sixtus IV, taking with him his nephew Nicholas, whom he had raised from the dead.

There, the notoriously power-hungry King Louis XI was approaching the point of death himself.

He hoped that Francis would perform a miracle and restore his health.

Francis told the king bluntly that he should not fear the end of his earthly life, but the loss of eternal life.

From that time, the hermit became a close spiritual adviser to the king.

He discussed the reality of death and eternity with him, and urged him to surrender his heart and soul to God before it was too late.

The king died in Francis' arms in 1483.

Louis XI's son and successor, Charles VIII, maintained the monk as a close adviser, in spiritual and even political affairs.

Nonetheless, Francis persisted in following the monastic rule he had developed while living in his hermitage outside of Paola.

He continued as superior general of the Minim Order and founded new monasteries in France.

Francis sensed that his death was approaching at the age of 91 and returned to living in complete solitude for three months to prepare himself.

When he emerged, he gathered a group of the Minim brothers and gave them final instructions for the future of the order.

He received Holy Communion for the last time and died on April 2, Good Friday of 1507.

He was beatified on 1 November 1518. Pope Leo X canonized him on 1 May 1519.

Although the Minim Order lost many of its monasteries in the 18th century during the French Revolution, it continues to exist, primarily in Italy.

Francis is said to have raised the dead; healed the sick and crippled; averted plagues; expelled demons; spoken prophetically to bishops, popes, and kings; and performed many other miracles.

He is the patron saint of Calabria, seafarers, boatmen, mariners, and naval officers.

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading: Tuesday, June 11, 2024

may 29_june 11

THE MONASTIC MARTYR THEODOSIA OF CONSTANTINOPLE (730)

The Virgin Martyr Theodosia of Constantinople lived during the eighth century. She was born in answer to the fervent prayers of her parents. After their death, she was raised at the women’s monastery of the holy Martyr Anastasia in Constantinople. Saint Theodosia became a nun after she distributed to the poor of what remained of her parental inheritance. She used part of the money to commission gold and silver icons of the Savior, the Theotokos, and Saint Anastasia.

When Leo the Isaurian (717-741) ascended the imperial throne, he issued an edict to destroy holy icons everywhere. Above the Bronze Gates at Constantinople was a bronze icon of the Savior, which had been there for more than 400 years. In 730, the iconoclast Patriarch Anastasius ordered the icon removed.

The Virgin Martyr Theodosia and other women rushed to protect the icon and toppled the ladder with the soldier who was carrying out the command. Then they stoned the impious Patriarch Anastasius, and Emperor Leo ordered soldiers to behead the women. Saint Theodosia, an ardent defender of icons, was locked up in prison. For a week they gave her a hundred lashes each day. On the eighth day, they led her about the city, fiercely beating her along the way. One of the soldiers stabbed the nun in the throat with a ram’s horn, and she received the crown of martyrdom.

The body of the holy virgin martyr was reverently buried by Christians in the monastery of Saint Euphemia in Constantinople, near a place called Dexiokratis. The tomb of Saint Theodosia was glorified by numerous healings of the sick.

Source: orthodox Church in America_OCA

BLESSED CONSTANTINE XII, LAST OF THE BYZANTINE EMPERORS, MARTYRED BY THE TURKS (1453)

On this date in 1453, Constantinople, the capital city of the Christian world, was sacked by the forces of Sultan Mehmet (Mohammed) II, bringing it under Turkish rule, where it remains to this day.   Constantine XII, the last Byzantine Emperor, died defending the city. Sources are sharply divided as to whether he is to be counted as a Christian Martyr. The designation "Blessed Constantine", above, is from the St Herman Calendar, whose compilers cite Russian martyrologies which list him as a saint. However, the Prologue cites the fall of Constantinople while pointedly omitting any praise of Constantine. He accepted (and never publicly renounced) the false "union" of Florence, and so is counted by some as a heretic. Many Orthodox Christians, including many of the people of Constantinople, saw the city's fall as divine retribution for the Empire's acceptance of the union.   Before his death the Emperor donned soldier's armor and helped to man the ramparts of the City; his body was never found. Though various legends abound, the most likely explanation is that he died with many other defenders and was cast with them into a common grave.

_______________________________________________________

“The whole of Christendom, it seems, had deserted him in his fight against the enemies of the Cross. He committed himself and his city to the mercy of Christ, His Mother, and the first Christian Emperor, the holy Constantine the Great.” Naturally “the news that they would fight alone must have unnerved some of his Italian allies. Violence broke out among the Genoese and Venetian defenders.” Constantine, as shocked and full of sorrow as he when he heard the news, steeled his nerve and intervened “to remind them that they had a more important conflict on their hands.”

Constantine likely felt fear, dread, and anger at the events around him. He was paying the debt of his Palaiologan ancestors whom had overseen the decline of the Roman state – but he did what he could. “Constantine commanded that the most venerable icon of the Mother of God, protectress of the city, should be brought out and carried in procession around the streets.” In the final days and hours both Orthodox and Catholics “forgot their differences as they joined together in hymns and prayers.”

Constantine went to the Hagia Sophia to “pray and ask forgiveness and remission of his sins from every bishop present before receiving communion at the altar. The priest who gave the sacrament could not have known that he was administering the last rites” to the last ever Roman Emperor. Nor that it was the last time an Emperor would step in the Great Church. Constantine then “went back to his palace at Blachernai to ask for forgiveness from his household and bid them farewell before riding into the night to make a final inspection of his soldiers at the wall.”

Source: The Immortal Emperor: The Life and Legend of Constantine Palaiologos, Last Emperor of the Romans by Donald M. Nicol

ACTS 17:19-28

19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, "May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean. 21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing. 22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.'

JOHN 12:19-36

19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, "You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!" 20 Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." 22 Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus. 23 But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. 27 Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify Your name. Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." 29 Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him." 30 Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. 32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself. 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die. 34 The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" 35 Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light. These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.

[wikiuntamed]

On this day in Wikipedia: Thursday, 23rd November

Welcome, 你好, Välkommen, नमस्ते 🤗 What does @Wikipedia say about 23rd November through the years 🏛️📜🗓️?

23rd November 2020 🗓️ : Death - Tarun Gogoi Tarun Gogoi, Indian Chief Minister of Assam (b. 1934) "Tarun Gogoi (1 April 1936 – 23 November 2020) was an Indian politician and lawyer who served as the 13th Chief Minister of Assam from 2001 to 2016. He was the longest serving Chief Minister of Assam. He was a member of the Indian National Congress. During his tenure as the chief minister, he is..."

Image licensed under CC BY 3.0? by Biswarup Ganguly

23rd November 2018 🗓️ : Event - Dolce & Gabbana Founders of Italian fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana issue an apology following a series of offensive advertisements on social media promoting a fashion show in Shanghai, China, which was canceled. "Dolce & Gabbana (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdoltʃe e ɡɡabˈbaːna]), also known by initials D&G, is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1985 in Legnano by Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. The house specializes in ready-to-wear, handbags, accessories, and cosmetics and..."

Image licensed under CC BY 2.0? by ajay_suresh

23rd November 2013 🗓️ : Death - Costanzo Preve Costanzo Preve, Italian philosopher and theorist (b. 1943) "Costanzo Preve (14 April 1943 – 23 November 2013) was an Italian philosopher and a political theoretician. Preve is widely considered one of the most important anti-capitalist European thinkers and a renowned expert in the history of Marxism. His thought is based on the Ancient Greek and idealistic..."

Image by Alessandro.mon at Italian Wikipedia

23rd November 1973 🗓️ : Death - Sessue Hayakawa Sessue Hayakawa, Japanese actor, director, and producer (b. 1889) "Kintarō Hayakawa (Japanese: 早川 金太郎, Hepburn: Hayakawa Kintarō, June 10, 1886 – November 23, 1973), known professionally as Sessue Hayakawa (早川 雪洲, Hayakawa Sesshū), was a Japanese-American actor and a matinée idol. He was a popular star in Hollywood during the silent film era of the 1910s and early..."

Image by Fred Hartsook

23rd November 1923 🗓️ : Event - 1923 Irish hunger strikes The 1923 Irish hunger strikes ends, four Irish Republicans die from starvation. "In October 1923 mass hunger strikes were undertaken by Irish republican prisoners protesting the continuation of their internment without trial. The Irish Civil War had ended six months earlier yet the newly formed Provisional Government of the Irish Free State was slow in releasing the thousands of..."

23rd November 1820 🗓️ : Birth - Isaac Todhunter Isaac Todhunter, English mathematician and author (d. 1884) "Isaac Todhunter FRS (23 November 1820 – 1 March 1884), was an English mathematician who is best known today for the books he wrote on mathematics and its history...."

Image by Alexander Macfarlane

23rd November 🗓️ : Holiday - Christian feast day: Alexander Nevsky (Repose, Russian Orthodox Church) "Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky (Russian: Александр Ярославич Невский; IPA: [ɐlʲɪˈksandr jɪrɐˈsɫavʲɪtɕ ˈnʲɛfskʲɪj] ; monastic name: Aleksiy; 13 May 1221 – 14 November 1263) was Prince of Novgorod (1236–1240; 1241–1256; 1258–1259), Grand Prince of Kiev (1246–1263) and Grand Prince of Vladimir..."

Image by Collective of Kremlin Armory artists

[scentedchildnacho]

The small church service I would for San diegans help the pastors focus on original economics of monastic Christianity.....which is the roads have to become safe.....if the roads aren't safe we are never going to be able to have anything around indigenous people if fascistic urges aren't re sublimated we are never going to survive this

You can't run to a house or hide in a shelter the roads have to be quiet well lit sanitary and safe their very disgusting if ever given fossil fuels

So if you ask me what I have witnessed as important for that is women who aren't of gangs have to be apart of work unions or work is man up homosexual cults and all they do is waste energy causing themselves disease dig a pit to fill it?

There were biological agents and renewed ideas of waste and quite frankly common consumption as a recycled resource kept being refused and now there isn't a common plastic bucket to fill a hazard pot hole with

Built right I find pot holes an art form till complete re construction is voted on

Its glass I'm sorry but even young teen education can completely re fill glass bottle shelves and these men stalk around like they have done more or have been of more valuability then a structure of sophmore year...

I just said delicate and feminine ecologies is necessary or your products services infrastructure and roads will just break down it's Ikea it's more durable then new heavy made materials

Tex will do it....some gang women hells angels can really destroy a pretty beautiful project alone....or fair observance and Mogadishu

The landscapers want every week income just destroying the library interstitial space that's all they do is psychopath study on males they go put a lot of unnecessary energy wastes into their work body then they go steal all our things and stalk around wanting medicals to find their body case interesting like the phosphate company and Ive started to realize big males are kind of select and difficult to do that was ugly though

Their muscular structure everything is just a very ugly male just very fragmented and cannibal and gross

The United States is an indigenous nation and they all try to be Irish Italian or African big....and it's not beautiful....

Otherwise a man wanted me to do his homework about not going to AA....so I would do it....their awful annoying people who want 420 Navajo laws to give them developments their addictive tendencies are integral to.....so I would do it because they attract the punisher to their more violent and wild nature and I don't have to make people so sad they consider nukes at Dresden in revenge

Lamb of God these people enjoy killing the most delicate alive things?

I can't defend myself against a technocratic monster

I was just like I use to go to AA but it was like new York times best sellers ....it was just old addicts too into their personal fame and they just try to make my mental condition worse.... They were only addicts in life and they have things from Korean war theory casualties of the same force is more for them

Schools if a lot of the school feminines can't make it the Starbucks manager gets to be bigger obese with her crack dealer more regularly on time to her

That's why I eventually got a little obsessive compulsive about Being....I was white and that is my stuff that is just compensation and very careful about what I will take issue with ...

Vaccines is brain washing and neo Marxist reform gives me a renewal that cares more about recessive other genetic traits.....so I do ask myself a lot do I want that national African and white togetherness

Do I want narin and manju or is white and indigenous togetherness ruining my life all the time for Delhi privilege

If I want the dikshit screans that tells cars you cannot ever look at people you don't know and haven't paid I have to go get dumped in Delhi and that lady called them trains ..

Anyway I just said men that told me they went to AA....the punisher devil I guess on shadow of the West has really possessed those old church buildings hell bent on getting rid of God . ..so they tell me if they went their still very possessed people expected with age to lash out violently finally and let all their repressed sexual desires out.....

The devil wants to humiliate Arabs there and the beach and bay news reports it's been this Columbine cruel since 1999.....so you would have to ask locals for wisdom it gives me PTSD....

People like me are more prohibited then gang and so I notice people trying to psychologically force people to feel more harmed then they were by class action substances and force them into non addiction gangs....

They were kind of calling everyone who used substance compulsively a COVID cancer and now I've noticed the alcohol industry mission statement is responsibility and you would have to have been in an asylum for several decades to really really emergently need substance removed as a common custom.....

If you ask me my case history did influence alcohol safety and they continue to steal a lot of it from me and I'm what produced it's benefits.....im an alcoholic and those people won't get me a beer on occasion those horrible disgusting dull smokers won't get me a beer till isis I have to plan out hurting it off my benefits....

They steal so many of my things people pictorialize my cruelty....I just leave those gross ass whores to restaurant work and I maybe could help them uniform and be non invasive about lack of hope mass service can be ultimately hygienic....I just leave the stagflation to their slaughter porn....I hate them stealing my common things that much....

People like me about apostolic documentaries notice strange symbols on hoodies appear to be suicide bombers their mostly liberated to kill themselves......

So im the type of alcoholic that will want to liberate you to trust the large public system more then private meetings and don't ever let creepy gang ites around you .....

Ive also thought I could be the type of white really with indigenous people......and I too after this cruel of a poverty don't care if feds threaten delhi privilege with if you don't stop copping around with Germans at religious people I don't care really if a whole princely preserve is gone that forces you finally to help your treatied people's

Why for what for whom lots of doctors with expensive energy in Delhi for constant completely awful disgusting cruel incomptent retard here....or the light Nazi

Laudato Si....if you ask me for insight about terrorism it's that creepy subjective private royalties animals and I have to go hungry to feed crows......i do admit hateing people that kill the crows with my feed....

I was like that black lady with the Maltese is so cute though....addictions to native as European modeling is gross looking compared to her interesting ness but she finally told me calling africanism cop work military has so demonized her she helps starve me to feed birds hooved animal ....their birds they dont have canines

Their birds you cannot refuse them migration they don't innately live off tree food mostly

Don't give the birds things or they dont go south after that much destruction....

I was like she is pretty and interesting and the black men don't go to her right away and take her with them....

I don't go with that white man because he is for japaneese....he doesn't date white women I would have to be a bitch....

Truth is this poverty is so awful I have decided to legally stalk someone I could have dated just for something to do......not to harm them but because I read a European biography of an opera singer and it's how much do you really know about yourself if you won't play roles of very controversial pale people

Because the energetics can't be coped with without a simm character

God i should have been apart of that life.....

Otherwise I don't really like the white men here it's really obvious I'm not with their counter culture revenge and I don't trust them in some way...

And I was called a cutter by homicidal freaks that expected me to share my dinner table with them so I don't want to go to anyone unless I may really really want to go to them with complete toleration of me wanting to be with them and wanting and wanting

Stalking.....only pronoun can finally truly help this and stop it

Why for what for whom did your benefits go to far north geothermal while your local was called battle creek Rembrandts

I was with black people's long enough to notice they enjoy peace treaties with Europe and helping Europeans and have pre modern religions....so the basic care and needs of people is something most black peoples I have met do find important.....so that's why I suspect giving a sandwich to the birds is why the black men around leave her alone.....

People with too many obsessive compulsive beliefs about pork are with crack cocaine survivors and those black men do not go around her

I leave a lot of white men alone because they act like rock and roll and will just tell me if I hang out I'm being a bitch

Well this is makeing me really adhere to God and drill sergeantness so