Ave Maria Press’ Post

THE SIGN OF THE CROSS When did making the sign of the cross begin? It may be surprising to learn that in the ancient Church, the practice of making the sign of the cross often involved the use of just one finger – either the index finger or the thumb – or sometimes the entire hand. Amidst pagan societies that worshipped a pantheon of gods, early Christians living among them boldly declared their belief in the One God through the sign of the cross. This early form of the gesture is referenced in the writings of St Epiphanius of Cyprus, St Gregory the Great, and St Cyril of Jerusalem, who was the first to note that the sign of the cross was made “using fingers”. Yet, these historical accounts do not specify the exact manner in which the fingers were positioned or the direction of the hand’s movement. It is understood that the fingers would touch the forehead and, at different periods, other parts of the body such as the ears, eyes, lips, and heart area. By the fourth century, the concept of the “broad cross” emerged, with Christians starting to cross their entire body. The fifth century saw the introduction of the double-fingered cross, a response to the Monophysites, who made the sign of the cross with only one finger. It wasn’t until the thirteenth century that Byzantium began the practice of using three fingers, a method that was subsequently adopted by Orthodox Churches in other countries. To be continued. #StElisabethConvent #minsk #orthodox #god #faith #spirituality #spirituallife #christianity #cross #holycross #christian #church #orthodoxchurch #jesus #jesuschrist #godbless

Sr. Maria Pappas, CR interviews Al Smith as they talk about Archbishop Sheen's Book of Sacraments published by Sophia Institute Press.   His cause for canonization is progressing, and his videos and books are widely viewed and in persistent demand. But of all his writings, Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s most influential and practical guides, by far, are These Are the Sacraments and Three to Get Married. These two books are once again available in this rich single volume, along with comprehensive commentaries by the late, revered Fr. John Hardon― themselves a powerful tutorial in how to read the great archbishop. “We cannot begin to guard our faith unless we understand what we believe,” notes Fr. Hardon. Controversy was brewing and confusion sewn among Catholics by the time Sheen wrote these classics. He shies away from nothing, even while teaching traditional doctrine in appealing and unique prose. With Archbishop Sheen and Fr. Hardon as your guides, you’ll learn: How Christ Himself instituted each sacrament Why the sacraments have both “power and efficacy” How Baptism confers “the infusion of virtues” Why no sacrament is more significant than any other, though their natures differ markedly How Protestantism, even at its most alluring, undermines sound doctrine The power and meaning of the tabernacle The difference between Christian and non-Christian marriages How the Last Rites expel sickness from the soul The twelve dimensions of the Sacrament of Holy Orders The most critical spiritual strategies for married couples How the sacramental rites in the early Church differed from now How to “examine” your conscience The Old Testament roots of the Eucharist Here is the link to purchase the book - https://lnkd.in/emUnDYp4   God Love You.  

Introducing the Diatessaron: This publication presents a reconstructed version of the Diatessaron, a significant ancient text that harmonizes the four canonical Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—into a single narrative. Stripped of footnotes and annotations, this edition aims to provide readers with a clear and unobstructed view of the Diatesseron's content, allowing them to explore this remarkable synthesis of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as recorded by the early Christian tradition. By removing extraneous commentary, this edition invites readers to engage directly with the text and to appreciate the Diatesseron's historical and theological significance within the context of early Christian literature. This text is intended for personal reflection, rather than scholarly study, and offers a valuable resource for those interested in exploring the diverse expressions of Christian faith in the ancient world. #ancientrome #codex #diatessaron #earlychristianity #tatian #romanempire #thefourgospels #theoriginal #newtestament

Faraji, S. (2016). Savior King: Re-reading the Gospels as Greco-Africana Literature & Re-imaging Christ as Messianic Pharaoh. Albert Cleage Jr. and the Black Madonna and Child, 227-249. Abstract: Every single New Testament papyri that has ever been discovered were located in Egypt. By provenance alone, this fact suggests that the New Testament although written in the Greek language is not simply a “Hellenistic” or Judaic text, but more accurately a Greco-Egyptian or Greco-Africana text influenced by the literary milieu of other late Egyptian literature. We must therefore raise the question of to what extent were the authors of the gospels in the New Testament and other early Christian literature shaped by the tradition of triumphant kingship as constructed in ancient Egyptian and Nubian texts. A reconsideration of historical and textual sources may point to the rise of a new black Messiah that re-affirms the sovereignty of the downtrodden over and against global imperium.

Did Jesus Exist? Examining Non-Christian Evidence Discover the historical evidence that supports the existence of Jesus, as we dive into non-Christian writings such as Josephus, Celsius, Tacitus, and the Jewish Talmud. Uncover the 12 Truths of Jesus, as affirmed by these non-Christian sources. #HistoricalEvidence #DidJesusExist #NonChristianSources #12TruthsofJesus #BiblicalStudies #JesusResearch #HistoricalJesus #ReligiousHistory #Christianity #NonChristianWritings

On a recent post I was asked this question: Given that there have been multiple versions of the Sacred Scriptures throughout history, who on earth has the unique authority to decide which canon of collected works is the inspired Word of God and which ones are not? This is my response: The ecclesial recognition of Scripture's canonicity can be more accurately characterized as a process of discernment rather than conferral of divine status. The early Church, through rigorous examination and guided by the Holy Spirit, affirmed the inherent divine inspiration already present in these texts rather than Church authority making them divine. This perspective aligns with the Apostolic understanding of inspiration and the historical approach of the Church to Scriptural authority. For a comprehensive exploration of this topic, including a more detailed analysis of the Apostolic view of inspiration and the Church's historical treatment of divine authorship, I recommend referring to the PDF I have attached to this post. It provides a nuanced examination of how both the original authors and subsequent Church authorities engaged with the concept of Biblical inspiration throughout the ages. #KingsCommission #ChristianLiving #Evangelism

In the process of deconstruction, you become the author of your own spiritual narrative. Write your story and trust that it will continue to shift and change for the rest of your liife. #progressivechristian #christianmystic #egalitarian #recovery #faithshift

Free Lesson Download: Our Blessed Mother as Mediatrix of All Graces and Co-Redemptrix. What does the Church teach on this? Learn here in this PDF: https://lnkd.in/g7swhUvJ Want to learn more? Sign up for our special Marian study course for only $29.95 at https://lnkd.in/gW5VpMWD #catholic #catholicschools #catholiceducation #mariology #marian #catholicclass #catholicism #christianity #theology #theologicalstudies #catechism #catechismclass

The Truth About Jesus: Uncovering Historical Sources and Evidence Discover the abundance of historical sources on Jesus, surpassing any other figure in ancient history. Learn about non-Christian sources like Tacitus, Josephus, and Pliny the Younger that corroborate his existence. Dive into the facts that even convinced a prominent atheist New Testament scholar. #HistoricalEvidence #JesusResearch #NonChristianSources #HistoricalCorroboration #AtheistScholar #AncientAntiquity #BiblicalHistory #ReligiousStudies #Christianity #HistoricalProof

The Pale Horse: The Fourth Seal of Revelation Revealed In this video, we explore the symbolism behind the opening of the fourth seal of the book of Revelation. Discover the significance of the pale horse, its rider, and the devastation they bring upon the earth. Join us as we unravel this biblical mystery. #PaleHorseRevelation #BiblicalSymbolism #FourthSealMeaning #RevelationTruth #EndTimesProphecy #BibleStudy #Christianity #BookofRevelation #BiblicalInterpretation #ApocalypticVision