via Wiki:

The Feast of the Dormition is preceded by a two-week fast, referred to as the Dormition Fast. From August 1 to August 14 (inclusive) Orthodox and Eastern Catholics fast from red meat, poultry, meat products, dairy products (eggs and milk products), fish, oil, and wine. The Dormition Fast is a stricter fast than either the Nativity Fast (Advent) or the Apostles' Fast, with only wine and oil (but no fish) allowed on weekends. As with the other Fasts of the Church year, there is a Great Feast that falls during the Fast; in this case, the Transfiguration (August 6), on which fish, wine and oil are allowed.

In some places, the services on weekdays during the Fast are similar to the services during Great Lent (with some variations). Many churches and monasteries in the Russian tradition perform the lenten services on at least the first day of the Dormition Fast. In the Greek tradition, during the Fast either the Paraklesis Great Paraklesis (Supplicatory Canon) or the Small Pa

cross-posted from: https://exploding-heads.com/post/663042

cross-posted from: https://exploding-heads.com/post/663040

There's a lot of talk of the "obesity epidemic" and this is often discussed in scientific terms, about "counting calories" to lose weight, or fad weight loss diets (which can work), or just "exercising more and eating less"

But I've thought from time to time that maybe this is more of a spiritual problem of the sin of gluttony, and as such it may not be as easily solved by self-will and discipline, but by the grace of God through people undergoing holy fasts for the good of soul and body

What do you think about the spiritual dimension of the "obesity epidemic", or the traditional idea of the sin of gluttony?

Catholic encyclopedia on gluttony: https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06590a.htm

Aquinas on gluttony: https://www.newadvent.org/summa/3148.htm

cross-posted from: https://exploding-heads.com/post/540543

Kind of been wondering about this, the Burning Man event seems to attract a lot of leftists, but attracts my interest as it seems to also attract artists and artistic expression, maybe a kind of environmentalism, I don't know. Their main celebration seems to have been a repackaging of the pagan event of burning a wicker man, they burn a big effigy to end the event.

It's kind of ambiguous about being pagan or nonreligious or whatever but I think there are probably plenty of objectionable things that take place that "conservatives" or "Christians" might want to steer clear of. But, I think possibly there are good things that might be adapted in to some alternative new event or incorporated in to existing events.

Any idea about "Christian conservative" alternatives to Burning Man?

Through our anxiety about worldly things we hinder the soul from enjoying divine blessings and we bestow on the flesh greater care and comfort than are good for it. We nourish it with what is harmful and thus make it an adversary, so that it not only wavers in battle but, because of over-indulgence, it fights vigorously against the soul, seeking honors and rewards. What in fact are the basic needs of the body that we use as a pretext when indulging an endless succession of desires? Simply bread and water. Well, do not the springs provide running water in abundance, while bread is easily earned by those who have hands? In this way we can satisfy the needs of the body, while suffering little or no distraction. And does our clothing call for much care? Again, no - if we reject a stupid conformity to fashion, and consider only our actual needs. For what fine-spun clothing, what linen or purple or silk did the first man wear? Did not the Creator command him to wear a coat of skins and to ea

cross-posted from: https://exploding-heads.com/post/415215

I was revisiting thinking of the virtue of obedience and various issues that may come up with respect to it. Some authorities may make non-authoritative commands, or sinful commands, or some people may make commands who do not possess authority. I recall people arguing the "Nuremberg Defense" that Nazis were "just following orders" (being obedient to the Nazi political authorities) was not valid. Civil rights movements have promoted the idea of "civil disobedience" over laws which were not sinful, but which created inconveniences. The idea of "American freedom" to pursue one's self-interest may seem to be contrary to obedience, when taken without limit.

Have you run in to instances as these or have some to bring up to discuss?

I live close to St Louis. I am risking much by saying so but it is important.

3 years ago, the woke mob wanted to tear down the St Louis Statue. It is the one of him on a horse all proud and majestic. Catholics and some protestants too stood up to the crowd and the statue still stands. Catholics, arm in arm patiently explaining about the life of St Louis. It is quite remarkable, he is worthy to be called a saint for sure.

Because Christians took a peaceful stand, the statue still stands unharmed. But that is not all.

I got the chance to meet with a small group Saturday night that still meet at the statue and pray. We all prayed a Rosary together most on their knees. They have been doing this for 3 years.

Satan lost that battle. The statue of a holy man still stands and now there is public prayer and devotion every week for people to see. He wanted our namesake thrown into the dustbin of history. Now there are people publicly calling for God's protection and expressing love to God.

I was a protestant for a long time. I converted into Protestantism from Gnosticism, and then converted to Catholicism from Protestantism.

It has been very beneficial to me and I want to give back. I know the struggle of looking at the Catholic Church from the outside. It looks weird and a little pompous.

I think however I have distilled something that I can give back to my protestant brethren.

My experience in Catholicism has been along the lines of this. I am before Jesus, and he asks, "What do you love more than me?"

There is always something. I take that something and I go and work on it. I take it to confession. I get it taken care of, sometimes it is a long process sometimes it is quick.

I go back before Jesus and he asks, "What do you love more than me?" I repeat the process. There is always something but each time I go through this I get closer to Jesus.

So, praying to Jesus, asking him what you are putting in front of him. That part is easy for protestants toyou keep goin

cross-posted from: https://exploding-heads.com/post/264139

An Egyptian court has sentenced Patrick Zaki, a rights researcher who had been studying in Italy and was accused of spreading false news, to three years in jail, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) said.

Human rights activist Hossam Bahgat, who runs the EIPR where Zaki worked, said no appeal is possible against the conviction over an article he wrote about religious freedom.

“He has been arrested now and is being transferred to jail,” Bahgat said.

Zaki, 30, previously spent 22 months in pre-trial detention until December 2021, and was again taken into custody on Tuesday after the court ruling in Mansoura, 130km (80 miles) north of Cairo.

His 2020 article recounted his experiences of discrimination as a member of the country’s Coptic Christian minority, who make up about 10-15 percent of Egypt’s 105 million people.

The drawn-out case has triggered international condemnation, particular