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Russians Flock to See Virgin Mary Relic
MSNBC ^ | 11/23/11 | Mansur Mirovalev

Posted on 11/25/2011 6:55:10 AM PST by marshmallow

Tens of thousands wait for hours in freezing temperatures to kiss belt that Christians believe was worn by Jesus' mother

MOSCOW — Braving freezing cold temperatures and ice-covered sidewalks, tens of thousands of Russians stood in line Wednesday to see and kiss a newly arrived relic of the Virgin Mary in Russia's largest Orthodox cathedral.

The Virgin Mary's Cincture, a belt that Christians believe was worn by Jesus' mother, was brought to Russia last month from Mount Athos, a monastic community in Greece.

Kissing the relic, which is encased in an ornamental box, is believed to help barren women conceive and heal other ailments.

The line of people, mostly women, waiting to enter the golden-domed Christ the Savior Cathedral stretched for 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) along the Moscow River despite temperatures that dropped to below minus 5 Celsius (23 Fahrenheit).

(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...


TOPICS: Current Events; History; Orthodox Christian
KEYWORDS: christianity; moscow; religion; russia
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To: CynicalBear

‘Let’s take the prayer of Prayer of Pope Pius XII.”

Why? is Pope Pius XII the mind reader? Or are you? You claim that those in Russia today “...are directly putting Mary in place of Jesus or the Holy Spirit.”

How do you know that? What makes you the expert on what others think? Are you trying to claim to be able to judge others?


21 posted on 11/25/2011 1:07:22 PM PST by narses (what you bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven; and what you loose upon earth, shall be ..)
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To: RobbyS
>> and that Jesus is our Judge<<

No he is not. He is our redeemer.

>> Well, yes, but begging for mercy, for when we die<<

What’s all this begging for mercy thing? Christ died for our sins and made us righteous if we but believe.

>> and when he shall comes again it will be as the Supreme Judge of the world.<<

Believers have already been judged to be cleansed by the blood of Christ. No judgment day for believers, only rewards day.

>> Mary does not judge us.<<

You got that right. Mary does nothing for us. Her responsibilities stopped the day she died and was buried.

22 posted on 11/25/2011 1:11:39 PM PST by CynicalBear
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To: CynicalBear

What odd denomination teaches the stuff you post?


23 posted on 11/25/2011 1:15:18 PM PST by narses (what you bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven; and what you loose upon earth, shall be ..)
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To: marshmallow

I guess it’s too late for IBPDM (In Before Protties Diss Mary.)

The good news is that 70 years of Communism did not entire kill the religiosity of the Russian people.


24 posted on 11/25/2011 1:15:56 PM PST by Revolting cat! (Let us prey!)
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To: CynicalBear

It is up to the Lord to decide between the sheep and the goats.


25 posted on 11/25/2011 1:25:41 PM PST by RobbyS (Viva Christus Rex.)
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To: cunning_fish; crosshairs

Both Orthodoxy and Catholicism are trinitiarian, and worship the Triune God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Mary is not divine; whe is the first among saints. Her unique service is to give birth to our Savior. For that she is venerated, that is honored as a human being and a saint.

Note that venerating relics of saints is entirely scriptural (Acts 19:12)

You both sound as either Atheists or Protestants, people who do not understand authentic Christianity but like to express their ignorant opinions of it.


26 posted on 11/25/2011 2:04:23 PM PST by annalex (http://www.catecheticsonline.com/CatenaAurea.php)
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To: CynicalBear

Have you read Luke?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TEL_7TS5FE


27 posted on 11/25/2011 2:09:00 PM PST by Not gonna take it anymore (Member of the First Church of Christ, I am Catholic)
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To: marshmallow

See a photogallery here: Greenfield Reporter

28 posted on 11/25/2011 2:09:23 PM PST by annalex (http://www.catecheticsonline.com/CatenaAurea.php)
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To: marshmallow


The Russia's First Lady Svetlana Medvedeva praying in front of the relic.

Otago Daily times

29 posted on 11/25/2011 2:14:05 PM PST by annalex (http://www.catecheticsonline.com/CatenaAurea.php)
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To: CynicalBear

Lk 1:46-55

The Prayer Of Mary

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.

He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he remembered his promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.

Read more: http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/magnificat.htm#ixzz1el2nlvFR


30 posted on 11/25/2011 2:21:34 PM PST by Not gonna take it anymore (Member of the First Church of Christ, I am Catholic)
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To: annalex

I read an article that didn’t have nearly as many images of the Russians waiting in line.

This is so beautiful, thanks for posting this link.


31 posted on 11/25/2011 2:29:19 PM PST by Not gonna take it anymore (Member of the First Church of Christ, I am Catholic)
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To: All; CynicalBear
He is talking in the context of her prayers for us. Just like if I asked a fine praying Lady sister for prayers and the results are beautiful. I would thank her for her prayers but we know it is God with intercession which I would be thankful.

Also Christ who is sinless because he obeyed the ten commandments at least besides the mosaic law has to honor his Mother and Father. Which is a famous commandment for all. How much more for a perfect God man who became the Savior. He would have to honor her as a God man which means it is way beyond what you and I could do for our mother. He can not stop honoring her otherwise he is a sinner. Which means you and I would be a fool to worship Christ as sinner.

Also remember John the apostle sees Christ as the Human lamb of God slain which means the human wounds from the horrors of the crucifixion. This is in Eternity. He is still in Human form. If he has his human wounds he has to Honor his human Mother period. He is still a human God after all. This is His choice by the way. If the rocks could Praise God on Palm sunday as Christ suggests if the people did not do it, so could of Christ be made too from rocks. But He did not because he wanted a natural supernatural Mother.

He without a doubt wanted a Mother. You or I can not deny this fact.

Forgive him Father he knows not what he says. Thank God for honoring His commandments. Praise Jesus and as the angel declared Hail Mary!!

32 posted on 11/25/2011 2:37:44 PM PST by johngrace (1 John 4!- declared at every Sunday Mass.)
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To: RobbyS
>> It is up to the Lord to decide between the sheep and the goats.<<

Already done.

Psalm 139:16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

33 posted on 11/25/2011 2:50:49 PM PST by CynicalBear
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To: narses
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (John 5:24)

Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

The means by which we are saved is an unwavering faith in Jesus.

John 6:38-40 Jesus said, “I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day”

Rom. 3:28-30, "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one."

Rom. 4:5, "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness,"

Rom. 5:1, "therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,"

Romans 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;

Rom. 11:6, "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace."

Paul rebukes Peter for applying rules for salvation.

Gal. 2:16, "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified."

Gal. 2:21, I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.

Phil. 3:9, "and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith."

Acts 13:39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.

1 JOHN 2:12 I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.

Hebrew 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

Relying on some legal earthly act is law not grace and faith.

34 posted on 11/25/2011 2:55:22 PM PST by CynicalBear
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To: CynicalBear

What odd denomination teaches the stuff you post?


35 posted on 11/25/2011 2:56:32 PM PST by narses (what you bind upon earth, shall be bound also in heaven; and what you loose upon earth, shall be ..)
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To: marshmallow

Russia’s version of the Bible Belt?


36 posted on 11/25/2011 3:02:21 PM PST by magritte
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To: Not gonna take it anymore
Luke 11:27And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Nay rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

The words spoken to Mary were no different then were spoken to Jael in Judges. In fact, Jael was called blessed above women. Mary was called blessed among women.

Luke 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Judges 5:24 Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be,

Those words were also spoken of Noah, Moses, and David.

37 posted on 11/25/2011 3:05:01 PM PST by CynicalBear
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To: narses

If you didn’t recognize it that was all scripture.


38 posted on 11/25/2011 3:07:24 PM PST by CynicalBear
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To: CynicalBear; narses
Yeah, CB, what odd denomination teaches you the stuff you post...lol...

How about the "odd denomination" that has no use for those with "itching ears" or fables or man made doctrines, or creeds or traditions. How about the "odd deonomination" that teaches that Christ is all we need. And that Scripture is what God has given us to preach, reprove, rebuke, and exhort with His doctrine of grace...

What an "odd denomination". To be reliant on Christ's finished work for our salvation, and nothing else. To KNOW we are reconciled to God by Christ's finished work for us. Because HE SAID SO. Not because some 3rd century church father deduced that God's word wasn't enough, that traditions MUST be equal to God's word in order to "understand" GOd's plan for mankind.

39 posted on 11/25/2011 3:11:07 PM PST by smvoice (Better Buck up, Buttercup. The wailing and gnashing is for an eternity..)
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To: magritte

LOL! Okay, THAT was funny!


40 posted on 11/25/2011 3:13:56 PM PST by smvoice (Better Buck up, Buttercup. The wailing and gnashing is for an eternity..)
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