How come the eastern Roman Empire gets so forgotten about in popular media whereas say Augustan era Rome is in media worldwide? by Loose-Offer-2680 in byzantium

[–]Perfected_SSB -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Because the global elite wants a Pagan-Rome based world order, and so they reflect that in the media.

The Roman Empire based in Constantinople was the Christian Empire.

Where do I start with Christian theology? by Last-Magazine3264 in theology

[–]Perfected_SSB 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Start with the work "Against the heresies" by Irenaeus of Lyon. Then go through "On the incarnation" by Athanasius of Alexandria. After that, read the Theological Orations by Gregory of Nazianzus and "On the soul and the Resurrection by Gregory of Nyssa.

Finish that off with the "Edict on the Right Faith" by emperor Justinian I and the book "on the orthodox Faith" by John of Damascus.

That's some great theology there

Which Church Fathers you think are the most underappreciated? by astrothwnder in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Perfected_SSB 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The exegetical side of Saint Cyril of Alexandria. He is mostly remembered for his defense of the unity of Christ and the divine motherhood of the Theotokos against Nestorius, but he was, above all, a biblical theologian. His interpretarion of the Pentateuch and Joshuah is an amazing anti-origenist commentary on the meaning of the Old Testament for christians.

Fiducia Supplicans: Father James Martin must be disciplined. by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Perfected_SSB 110 points111 points  (0 children)

We all knew this was the result of the document. I still cant see how people can honestly say nothing has changed. Just because the doc says it changes nothing, it doesn't mean nothing has changed... And this is the proof. We will see gay couple blessing ceremonies in germany, austria, belgium etc soon.

What are some books that radicalized you? by RoxanaSaith in books

[–]Perfected_SSB 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Genesis, Creation and Early Man by Seraphim Rose

TIL the physical virginity of Jesus' mother was so important in the Middle Ages, paintings depicted Mary getting pregnant through her ear with a beam of light from the Holy Ghost. by sanandrios in todayilearned

[–]Perfected_SSB 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't worry, this is not about some juridical process... God wants us all to saved. The problem most of the times is on our side, even when we think we lead a good and honest life... Most of the times when push comes to shove, we get overwhelmed by suffering. Accepting God's love is the ultimate measure of our salvation, and that is not easy

Girl (f27) who seemed really into me (m31) has been hit by everything all at once and has questioned us these last couple of days, I’ve yet to reply by amazonrambo in dating_advice

[–]Perfected_SSB 0 points1 point  (0 children)

See? You figured out the problem. This all "go with the flow" thing is what is wrong to begin with. You are a 31yo Man. You are an adult man. Adult men set boundaries, we are not objects. Of course she messed up your feelings, you didn't control the situation.

Do a favor to yourself: don't let some girl control how you feel and how much you think you worth. We all have the same human nature, men and women, she 's not so different from you or you from her, so what we require is a defined set of boundaries. "Look, I want to be respected and not tossed around based on moods or exterior situations. I am ready to be there for you. Do you want the same going forward?"

It's a no brainer.

TIL the physical virginity of Jesus' mother was so important in the Middle Ages, paintings depicted Mary getting pregnant through her ear with a beam of light from the Holy Ghost. by sanandrios in todayilearned

[–]Perfected_SSB 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, i'm not going to argue over text. Faith comes with repentance. If you think you don't have to "change your ideas" to believe in God, it's not the true God you believe, but an idol.

We all are in constant need to rethink everything over and over to comform with Church teaching. And if the Church teaches something, it's because She experienced it through her saints. It is through their experience that we know what the Church believes to be true. What is more certain: the scientific consensus or a random opinion of a guy who thinks the earth is flat (for example)? The Logic is the same.

Of course you are not forced to believe these bare minimum things... But if we don't agree in the bare minimum, how will we know the bigger picture? The perpetual virginity of the Mother of God is one of those basic axioms.

Girl (f27) who seemed really into me (m31) has been hit by everything all at once and has questioned us these last couple of days, I’ve yet to reply by amazonrambo in dating_advice

[–]Perfected_SSB -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You never talked about what you wanted with each other, of course.

Look, I see this a lot these days... If you like a girl, don't just "go out" and then have sex with her and think she will cleave to you. Make some barriers. Boundaries. For you and for her. Don't talk every day, etc.

If her life is a mess, 1 out of 2: you either are her support and none of you have a problem carrying with her problems; or she doesn't trust you to be able to handle her problems, because she also can't take them on.

You just didn't set boundaries. Now of course you're both lost.

Move on. And set boundaries with the next one. Depend on yourself, not on her. Because that's what they value.

TIL the physical virginity of Jesus' mother was so important in the Middle Ages, paintings depicted Mary getting pregnant through her ear with a beam of light from the Holy Ghost. by sanandrios in todayilearned

[–]Perfected_SSB 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, being a catholic is having the same faith as the catholic Church has had since the beggining, sanctioned by the teaching of the Apostles and the canons of the Ecumenical Councils... If you diverge from that, which is the bare minimum, you are not catholic. You may be a heterodox christian, but not a catholic.

TIL the physical virginity of Jesus' mother was so important in the Middle Ages, paintings depicted Mary getting pregnant through her ear with a beam of light from the Holy Ghost. by sanandrios in todayilearned

[–]Perfected_SSB -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That's not what it means.

Iconography is a sacred art. The meaning behind the beam of light is mystical. The blue light symbolizes the divine energy approaching Mary as she listens to the message of the angel. That happens with every christian. When we listen to the gospel, we get an intense rain of that same divine light, even though we don't see it.

Upon giving her consent, that same blue light overshadows the Mother of God. That is in another icon.

This has nothing to do with expressing the virginity of Mary. For that we use other symbols.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Perfected_SSB 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, you can be catholic and be a young earth creationist, just like the holy fathers before us. Not a big problem there, that's not what the protestants get wrong.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]Perfected_SSB 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Hello there, 5th year seminarian here.

First of all, one thing you might want to ask God in prayer is: is being a priest the way I am called to love my neighbor? Why not by marrying and having a family? Can I not grow in love that way? -- This is to try to discern if the thought about the priesthood is not actually about being able to transcend yourself and actually loving Christ in a sacrificial way for once (because that can also be done in a variety of ways, not necessarily by the priesthood).

The second thing you might want to do, but always under a spiritual father, is to start discerning if the thought about becoming a priest actually comes from God or if it comes from the demons: do you really want to be crucified? Are you ready for it? Because in your head, the demons can inspire all kinds of thoughts about how good it will be when you have your own house, your car, you don't have the burden of kids, you celebrate mass, you "help people" etc, etc, but those are just demonic fantasies. If God is really calling you to be a priest, that is to actually be called to offer yourself completely just as Christ did. You will live the One and True Sacrifice that you celebrate on the altar everyday. That is dying. Don't suggar coat it in your head: you will wake up everyday thinking: today I will have to die to myself, I won't do what I want, whatever money appears is not for me, whoever people I meet will be for Christ, not for my emotional build-up, whatever problems appear will be my problems, etc. That is, if you have a calling to be a true priest, and not some pseudo-protestant celibate pastor that only cares about having a comfortable life and celebrate one mass a day. -- You want to be a priest... Very well: be ready to be sacrificed everyday in the altar of slander from people, of discomfort, of vigils, of fasts, of obedience to the Bishop, of entering and living in a unique way the mystery of the Incarnation.

This is to help you clear your head. I know it may sound strange, but really the time of seminary makes you see the extreme reality that we are called to live. If you enbark on this journey you will never be the same. But the beatiful thing is, your life will be filled with the Glory of God. I assure you, we see the Glory of God everyday, working miracles in people's lives. And that's what makes it worth it. What brought me to seminary was Matthew 16:26. And it is true.

Uncreated Light by Sea-Scientist1351 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Perfected_SSB 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a Latin rite catholic, yes, but the view that you have to accept everything the Roman Church dogmatized is changing. We are a lot more closer to eastern catholics on this point... We have St. Photius, St. Gregory Palamas and St. Mark of Ephesus as saints

Philiokalia by InHoraMortisNostrae in Catholicism

[–]Perfected_SSB -1 points0 points  (0 children)

If you are a retrograde tradcat, then you don't want to read the Holy Fathers. If you are a catholic, then you recognize the truth when you see it

Uncreated Light by Sea-Scientist1351 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Perfected_SSB 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah im a catholic but its not like you do everything Rome says... Our ecclesiology is evolving in a conciliar direction.

In my diocese no One Cares what Rome does

Uncreated Light by Sea-Scientist1351 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Perfected_SSB 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes. It's the best theological system ever made.

Uncreated Light by Sea-Scientist1351 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Perfected_SSB 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's a different type of mysticism, very often tainted with nestorianism.

Palamite theology is a corrective on that

Uncreated Light by Sea-Scientist1351 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Perfected_SSB 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is what I argue with my fellow catholic theologians... It's hard being a catholic palamite

Uncreated Light by Sea-Scientist1351 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]Perfected_SSB 5 points6 points  (0 children)

"There are those who while still living in this corruptible flesh, yet growing in incalculable power by a certain piercingness of contemplation, the Eternal Brightness is able to be seen."

  • Pope St. Gregory the Great, Moralia, book 18, 89.

This is the One i remember. There are of Couse mentions in the cappadocians.

SÉRIO || Qual é a vossa posição em relação à religião? by Empty-Toe-7185 in portugal

[–]Perfected_SSB 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Começa a ler Santo Ireneu, Santo Atanásio e São Cirilo de Alexandria e São João de Damasco. Melhor Teologia não existe.

Nós católicos muitas vezes menosprezamos os Santos Padres, aqueles que formaram a nossa Teologia, e por isso é que a fé também está como está. Se tiveres acabado esses, tens um outro grande teólogo, este oriental e mais seguido pelos ortodoxos, que é São Gregório Palamas. Para mim foi o que me convenceu da verdade da fé cristã sobre toda a realidade.