Messages

1

Their World and Culture / Re: Resteth With the Saints

« on: April 03, 2008, 04:20:00 AM »

"With the saints give rest, 0 Christ, to the soul of Thy servant where sickness and sorrow are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. "

These are the simple words to the Orthodox kontakion (hymn) for the dead. Regarding the story of the Imperial Family and this hymn at the Ipatiev House, it wasn't so much the words of the kontakion that were incredible...  it was the circumstances!

The Liturgy at which this all happened was a Sunday Liturgy. Normally the Orthodox do not have requiems on Sundays, prefering to celebrate Sunday as the day of Resurrection. It was a "mistake" of the Deacon to begin singing this kontakion, and the priest just went along with it so as not to interrupt the flow of things. The Imperial Family went to their knees out of reverent custom.

Perhaps everyone in the room at the Liturgy that day had some level of understanding, conscious or subconscious, of the events about to take place there a couple of days later.

2

News Links / Re: NY Times: Amateurs Unravel Russia's Last Royal Mystery

« on: November 25, 2007, 01:21:52 PM »

I had seen a mention of this finding on line last night. Thanks for reprinting the NY Times article.

It could all make sense if the goal was to create more confusion and hide the evidence. I can only hope that science will be able to prove the relationship of both burial sites and satisfy all the skeptics. Perhaps they might even be able to shed new light on things.

It is sad and disappointing that the Moscow Patriarchate has never really accepted the first set of bones as genuine. There will never be a complete healing in the Russian people until the authorities have acceptance of the findings. Perhaps this new grave will bring things closer to that goal and be the true end to a long, mysterious, and sad search. Needless to say this new finding will also answer years of intrigue and theories of survivors and imposters.

Both sides of the Russian Church (inside and outside of Russia) have already agreed to the cannonization of the Imperial Family. One can only hope now that they will accord a proper burial of the new remains alongside the first set. Perhaps they will finally allow the proper recognition of all the remains as their royal family, martyrs of the revolution, and already declared saints. May the Imperial Family finally rest in peace!

3

Imperial Russian Antiques / B. Henneberg, Warszawa INFO PLEASE

« on: March 14, 2007, 10:16:08 PM »

Slightly off the topic of Rusian antiques, but then again perhaps not really. Recently I obtained a lovely icon's lampada in brass. It was dated as 1880's. I found some markings inside the well that the seller didn't seem to know or care about:

at the top:          a diamond shape with the letter N inside

below that:         a horizontal oval that has in it
                         
                         B. HENNEBERG
                                  *                     <---- like an 8 petaled flower (or star)
                           WARSZAWA

to the left:           A

at the bottom:     another horizontal that has in it

                          GALW

B. Henneberg was a Jewish fine metal worker of the Victorian era working in Warsaw. His objects were popular in Russia and Germany as well as  Poland. It seems that after 1900 the marks included his affiliation with WMF. Most interestingly it also seems that at that point (after 1900) the 8 petaled flower (or star) became the Star of David!

Do any of our "experts" have further info to share? Can anyone identify the other markings I have listed? I would also be most curious as to the lampada's worth. It is in nearly flawless condition with just a slight piece of the lip's rolled edge missing - lipitself is intact. It has the original 20" chains and hanging ring.

Thanks as always!

4

Their World and Culture / Re: Russian Christmas

« on: August 07, 2006, 02:27:59 PM »

Traditional Orthodox Icons of the Nativity show Theotokos (Virgin Mary) laying on a bed. She is there resting after the Birth. In another section of the icon you see the Infant being washed and tended to by the women.

5

Forum Announcements / Re: Cheer Section For Our AP Members !

« on: June 30, 2006, 07:22:27 PM »

David is not only truely a scholar & a gentkeman as the old phrase goes but an incredible human being, We are most fortunate to have him with us. I always look forward to the light he sheds in his various posts.

Three cheers!

 

6

The Russian Revolution / Re: Info On Patriarch Tikhon

« on: June 28, 2006, 01:50:04 AM »

I never denied the fields and rivers of blood. I have had to defend the New Martyrs here before with types like leuschino. The difference is that I don't NEED to condemn Sergius or anyone else to a specific eternal punishment. It "IS NOT" my station to do so and in fact they have all already damned themselves!  Who am I (or any other person) to declare their fate?

Again, I never said Sergius was a nice man - I just do not pretend to be God.

I may be judged naieve, but can an intelligent person have my written words in front of them and still not see them? More than once?

MODERATOR:

Let it also be noted that we went off topic 2 days ago when Sergius entered the thread. This thread was about Patriarch Tikon, the saint, who need not be sullied by talk of Sergius. I suggest that these posts be removed.

7

The Russian Revolution / Re: Info On Patriarch Tikhon

« on: June 27, 2006, 06:35:49 PM »

The church isn't exempt, not here or anywhere else. But I also don't believe any here speak with the authority or rank of the church either. That is the problem in general and all around - authorities with no authority.  

8

The Imperial Family / Re: Names, Patronymics, Nicknames and Name Days

« on: June 25, 2006, 07:07:08 PM »

 Discussions about the Imperial Family and European Royalty / The Imperial Family / Re: Name days of Imperial Family
 on: Apr 13th, 2006, 12:48pm  
Quote from Georgiy on Apr 12th, 2006, 11:58pm:
Having seen a 'family' icon, with the Imperial Family's patron Saints on it, the Saint's of the Imperial Family are: St Nicholas the Wonderworker, The Empress St Alexandra wife of Diocletian, St Alexei of Moscow, St Olga Equal to the Apostles, St Tatiana of Rome, St Mary Magdalene, and St Anastasia of Rome. I don't have a diary with me, so can't give dates off hand.
 
 
Thank you Georgiy for that information. I was not familiar with that icon. If that is the case then the name day feasts would be:
 
Nicholas the Wonderworker                   December 6
Alexandra, wife of Diocletian                  April 21
Alexei of Moscow                                  May 20
Olga, Equal to the Apostles                   July 11
Tatiana of Rome                                  January 12
Mary Magdalene                                   July 22
Anastasia of Rome                               December 22
 
Please note: The Russian Orthodox use the Julian Calendar which at present time is 13 days behind the civil calendar. (Gregorian)
(example: today is April 13 [Gregorian] = March 31 [Julian])  

9

The Imperial Family / Re: Ghosts, Hauntings & Mysticism in the Romanov Family

« on: June 25, 2006, 04:41:40 PM »

Actually, if you want to know about the IF haunting places....... just take a good look around here!

10

The Russian Revolution / Re: Info On Patriarch Tikhon

« on: June 25, 2006, 02:01:37 PM »

Dear Alex,

Let it be noted that in your initial "correction" to my posts you complained about the status of St. Nicholas in Brooklyn. Having explained Sts. Tikon & Raphael and how churches may be consecrated and evolve into cathedrals: may we assume that you are satisfied with that answer and have decided to drop it?

It should be of no concern to you, or anyone here for that matter, as to where I was born, or choose to live. Given the fact that the membership of this Forum stretches all age brackets and continents I would not expect everyone here to be as learned as yourself. Should a 12 year old in Romania be required or expected to understand the 5 boroughs of NYC and their complete history?

11

The Russian Revolution / Re: Info On Patriarch Tikhon

« on: June 25, 2006, 01:19:19 AM »

Let's start with the rectification first.

1.  Patriarch Tikhon did not dedicate two Russian Cathedrals in New York City.  He only dedicated one Russian cathedral in New York and that is the Cathedral Church located at on East 97th Street (St. Nicholas the Wonderworker).

    

I believe AlexP misread and then misquoted me. I never said that Patriarch Tikon consecrated 2 Russian Cathedrals in New York. I only said 2 cathedrals without specification of jurisdiction.

On 11/9/1902 Patriarch Tikon indeed consecrated the Church of St. Nicholas in Brooklyn, one of the 5 boroughs of NYC, for the Syrian Orthodox Community. In those years in America it was not unusual for Orthodox bishops to cross jurisdictional lines when a particular community was in episcopal need and bereft of such, unlike today's squabbles. Consider also the role of the Russian Church cannonically in establishing the American Church.

Two weeks after the consecration of  St. Nicholas Church in Brooklyn, Patriarch Tikon consecrated the Russian Cathedral on St. Nicholas in NYC on Manhattan Island. (East 97 St.)


*  In 1902 St Nicholas Church (Brooklyn) was consecrated by Patriarch Tikon. In 1904   Patriarch Tikon consecrated Bp Raphael Hawaweeny for the Syrians in the same St. Nicholas Church which then became the Cathedral of Bp. Raphael. At the time of these events Tikon was not yet Patriarch but Archbishop. He is now considered Saint Tikon as is also Bp. Raphael considered St. Raphael.


*  To refer to Tikon or Raphael as Bishops or Patriarch would be correct. However the final title bestowed upon them both is Saint. And the final title of St. Nicholas' (Brooklyn) is Cathedral.

*  Forgive me if for the sake of brevity I gave the "quick history version" in my earlier posting.

*  David P's mistake was politely corrected 7 months ago.



And isn't it also interesting how Metropolitan Antony becomes the head of ROCOR
which is founded on Patriarch Tikon's eucase?

12

Forum Announcements / Re: Remembering The Great San Francisco Earthquake

« on: April 18, 2006, 03:55:46 PM »

I am a native NYer. For all the bad PR we may get at times, one thing is for sure. In the face of a crisis the "aloof" NYer is there for his neighbor. I think we showed our spirit of cooperation and resilience to the world in the aftermath of 9/11.

In my mind San Francisco is the lovliest city on the west coast, and the people there are incredible. No wonder why I always feel so comfortable  whenever I visit. San Franciscans must be made of some of the same stuff as NYer's.

As we remember this anniversary, a prayer for the "city by the bay" with the Golden Gate!

13

Forum Announcements / Re: Prayers/Thoughts for Douglas

« on: April 18, 2006, 12:40:48 AM »

The word is that everything went well and Doug hopes to be home again in a few days!  

I'm sure when the doctor looked inside he found a heart of gold. Way to go Doug!!!  

14

Forum Announcements / Re: Happy Easter

« on: April 16, 2006, 11:28:03 AM »

Happy Easter to all who celebrate today!

For the Orthodox, Happy Palm Sunday!

And if you celebrate neither, Happy Spring!

15

Forum Announcements / Re: Belated Happy BD, GD Anna!

« on: April 15, 2006, 12:07:59 PM »

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Anna - Happy birthday to you!

Sorry I am a bit late but I had big trouble getting onto the Forum. The site keeps trying to turn me into other people. It must be Area_51 playing games! LOL

All the best to you Anna and that means BLING too!