Posted on 09/25/2014 5:08:36 PM PDT by markomalley
In a continuation of the Islamic State’s brutal destruction of heritage sites, the terrorist organization has destroyed the oldest Christians church in Iraq, which is located in Tikrit, Salahaddin province.
Iraqi police confirmed that IS insurgents used explosives to demolish the al-Khazra Church that was located inside the presidential palace compound in Tikrit in northern Iraq.
The church, which belonged to the Assyrian Church of the East, was built in the first century A.D. and was located close to Tigris River in Tikrit city.
Simply, on 17 September IS militants planted explosives around and razed Tikrit Castle, known as Salahaddin al-Ayubi’s Castle.
IS militants have destroyed churches, religious shrines and mosques in the provinces of Kirkuk and Nineveh, including the tombs of the prophets Jonah, George, Daniel as well as a number of ancient churches in the provinces of Salahuddin and Nineveh. In Mosul IS has destroyed or occupied all 45 Christian religious institutions.
By the end of July, IS insurgents wanted to destroy the minaret of Hadba and mosque located in the center of Mosul, but a number of people went inside the mosque and hindered IS militants from damaging it.
Stay classy ISIS stay classy
The end really IS getting closer.
The real church (not a building) will emerge. Though it is sad to see a building built by early Christians destroyed. It provided a physical link to them.
Denominational differences will disappear (for true Christians).
The underground model (China and elsewhere) will be the norm.
I’m now pondering on how beheadings would become ‘not uncommon’ in the US.
They are coming for us, as God said.
I was at that church in 2004-2005...truly is sad..
I got a reply:
BOMB Mecca & Medina.
No more pilgrimages.
Isn’t that the church that was begun by Thomas, as he went on his missionary trip that ended in India?
All that we build is destined to destruction, except what will stand for all eternity through God’s power.
Though life be wrenched away, they cannot win the day: God’s Kingdom is forever!
Prayer for Iraq
O God, who art the unsearchable abyss of peace,
the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings
and the bestower of affection,
who sendest peace to those that receive it;
Open to us this day the sea of thy love
and water us with plenteous streams
from the riches of thy grace
and from the most sweet springs of thy kindness.
Make us children of quietness and heirs of peace,
enkindle in us the fire of thy love;
sow in us thy fear;
strengthen our weakness by thy power;
bind us closely to thee and to each other
in our firm and indissoluble bond of unity:
Syrian Clementine Liturgy (in: For all God’s people; p. 73)
The full text of Patriarch Sako’s prayer for peace follows:
Lord,
The plight of our country
is deep and the suffering of Christians
is severe and frightening.
Therefore, we ask you Lord
to spare our lives, and to grant us patience,
and courage to continue our witness of Christian values
with trust and hope.
Lord, peace is the foundation of life;
Grant us the peace and stability that will enable us
to live with each other without fear and anxiety,
and with dignity and joy.
Glory be to you forever. Amen.
Litany for Iraq
For lasting peace in this ancient land – From you, O Lord.
For wisdom and compassion for all in authority – From you, O Lord.
For comfort for families separated or bereaved – From you, O Lord.
For the release of captives – From you, O Lord.
For safety and security for minority communities.
For refreshment for the weary and healing for the sick – From you, O Lord.
For continuing faithfulness of the ancient churches of this land – From you, O Lord.
For tenacity of spirit for small Christian groups – From you, O Lord.
For the mutual enrichment and support of those of different Christian traditions – From you, O Lord.
You, Lord of all, we confess;
You, Lord Jesus, we glorify;
For you are the life of our bodies
And you are the Saviour of our souls.
The response in the litany and this hymn both come from the Chaldean liturgy. The ancient hymn celebrates Christ the source of resurrection in all situations of death and deprivation. (in: With All God’s People, p. 21, 22)
From Anonymous:
Father God, Our Savior and King,
We come to You in despair over the evil being done to our Middle East Christian brothers and sisters. We ask that You would put Your hand of protection upon them and that You would sustain them as You did the Israelites in the desert. Lord, cause our brothers and sisters to cry out to You for help and show them the peace that only You can give in answer to their needs. In their darkest moments, Lord, keep them, strengthen them, and comfort them. When they despair that no one is coming to help them, Lord, reveal Your glory and restore their souls.
We ask you these things in the blessed name of Your precious son, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Really, what WOULD happen if we bombed mecca AND medina to smithereens???
I'm not sure, but there is some historical data on how Islam has handled incidents regarding some of its major relics. The meteorite has been smashed, but Humpty Dumpty was restored. The stone also was stolen for 23 years, yet Islam is still here. It also survived bigger hits from the Mongols than anything we've thrown to date. Those looking for simple solutions to Islam need more than a simple analysis to support their case.
Also, this Obama strategy of killing terrorists by air strikes ain't working out that well either. We need to go back to Bush's gentle questioning techniques.
I’m ready to find out.
“The end really IS getting closer.
The real church (not a building) will emerge. Though it is sad to see a building built by early Christians destroyed. It provided a physical link to them.
Denominational differences will disappear (for true Christians).
The underground model (China and elsewhere) will be the norm.
I’m now pondering on how beheadings would become ‘not uncommon’ in the US.
They are coming for us, as God said.”
Yes it is. The END for ALL that is wicked!
It’s not difficult to discern how such an atrocity WILL become common in the US, and other places. America, AND the world, is under judgment. And it is under judgment because both have turned their backs on the ONE TRUE GOD in order to serve their own god...which is the god of THIS world. Satan.
Though along with God’s warning that this would come, He also sent His ONLY begotten Son Jesus Christ, so that we may believe in Him, and be saved from “DEATH” which is about to come into the world, for many. We already know through God’s Word that 2/3’s of the earth will PERISH. If this is not a frightening reality for those not yet “in Christ”, and for “Christians” who, in the eyes of God are currently Hell-bound due to not TRULY having a Clean Heart...then, what is?? TWO THIRDS, people. Two Thirds.
We cannot listen to what the “world” says...or do what it requires of us that goes against God, our Holy Father...just to ‘fit in’, or to avoid conflict with the world. God takes care of His OWN. Satan rules this world, and expects us to follow & obey HIM, and not God. It’s ‘lies & deception’. But God has a provision for us in this...His Name is Jesus Christ. Turn to Him. Trust Him.
Let us NEVER forget: “Greater is HE who is IN you(Jesus Christ), than he who is in the world(Satan).”
It’s the ONLY protection we have in THIS world....for in the “next”, we’ll have no need of any such thing. PRAISE God!!!
Islam is a war plan.
Anybody have a pix of the original should post it
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