Adjusting to Circumstances

[regular.joe]

I was told a story some time ago about the Biship of the Eastern Orthodox Church who lived up in Alaska. He was from Russia. A long time ago he was a priest in a small town in North East Russia. The Communits were coming in a few days to take over the town and the surrounding area. They were shooting priests, and dissenters. The towns folk came to the priest the night before the communists were to show and told the priest to bring his family in to town and hide amongst the people. He told them thank you but I answer to a higher power and calling. The towns folk insisted saying that they did not want anything to happen to him and his wife and children. Upon further argument the towns folk changed thier tune to they did not want anything to happen to them or the town since there was an active priest and parish there. He still said no. They threatened to kill his family, and finally did so in front of him. The priest burried his wife and children and spent the night in prayer. The next day he marched right up to the communists setting up shop in town. The communists and towns folk both asked what the hell are you doing here??? He replied that he had prayed all night for direction and prayed that he might be placed in the place of most service. He figured that this town was one of the most fucked up places on earth and certainly needed his service. He spent the next decades holding mass with one old lady as a participant. I think we all would like to have this kind of character to do what we really believe is right in spite of actual or percieved consequences. Faith without works is dead. Even if that is only faith in your own ideals, intelect and charcter.

[Lamplighter]

There are several translations, but all groups including here in the Cellar, tend to follow the Japanese proverb:

突出杭はハンマー集めている

Or, protruding nails attract the hammer

[sexobon]

Originally Posted by regular.joe

I was told a story some time ago about ...

A good story about why priests shouldn't have wives and children.

That priest sacrificed the lives of his wife and children so he could preach to one old lady for the next decade[s]. Only people who believe faith without works is dead would want to emulate that kind of character. Those who believe faith without good works is dead would characterize that priest as the village idiot who in his time of trial couldn't tell the difference between reckless disregard and faith.

Reminds me of the story of Father Miguel Hidalgo who led the first revolt for Mexican independence in the Mexican Revolution of 1810. He proved to be an inept leader and organizer who was captured within 8 months and executed. The Mexican people have made him an icon as the father of their country; because, he makes the rest of them look like geniuses in comparison (it was Agustin de Iturbide and not Hidalgo who achieved Mexican Independence in 1821).

Incompetent priests, you can't live with them; but, you can execute them which is why they shouldn't have families.