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Hundreds of Orthodox pilgrims gather for second service at Sümela Monastery
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15 Aug 2011 Mon 01:52 pm |
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Hundreds of Orthodox pilgrims gather for second service at Sümela Monastery
15 August 2011, Monday / TODAYSZAMAN.COM,
| Nearly 1,000 Orthodox Christians gathered for a historic service at Sümela Monastery in the Black Sea coastal province of Trabzon early Monday, marking the second religious ceremony held at the monastery in the history of the Turkish Republic. |
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The Divine Liturgy, held on the occasion of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos according to the Orthodox liturgical calendar (also known as the Assumption of Mary), was officiated by İstanbul-based Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew I. Pilgrims from Greece, Russia, Georgia and other countries traveled to the monastery, which currently serves as a museum. Around 500 pilgrims were admitted to the monastery during the service, and the remaining participants watched the event from large screens set up outside Sümela.
Beginning the homily by saying “Our Muslim brothers,” Bartholomew thanked the Turkish government, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for allowing a second service at Sümela. Stating that Mary has a special place for both Muslims and Christians, he recalled a Quran verse which says: “And (remember) when the angels said: ‘O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you (from polytheism and disbelief), and chosen you above the women of the ‘Alamin´ (mankind and jinns) (of her lifetime),” the patriarch called for peace and brotherhood in Turkey and in the world during his speech.
“The peace that we long for is vital, in particular during these days. We cannot rid ourselves of the burden of the tragic events in Norway yet. There is ongoing bloodshed in neighboring countries. Mothers are crying in our country. … Let´s make a call from the high Sümela Mountain, from the presence of the feet of the Virgin Mary -- who is above all women -- to all Christians and Muslims for us, for humanity and for our future. This call can be a single word: peace, peace, peace. Mutual respect and love should be our only prayer,” the patriarch said.
Bartholomew also wished Muslim a happy Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. “May God accept your fasts,” he added.
The monastery was abandoned after the foundation of the Turkish Republic and the subsequent population exchange between Turks and Greeks. It has since become a major tourist destination along Turkey´s Black Sea coast.
The Turkish government last year allowed for an annual religious service to be held at the monastery in a gradual loosening of restrictions on religious expression. The government accepted the patriarchate´s request to hold last year´s celebration of the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos on Aug. 15 at Sümela Monastery. The service was again officiated by Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew.
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| 2. |
17 Aug 2011 Wed 01:06 pm |
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Blind leaders of blind people.
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| 3. |
17 Aug 2011 Wed 08:15 pm |
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Yes, such blindness to try to see the commonality in two different religions. Celebrating the feast of the Assuption of Mary to heaven in the open, in a predominantly Muslim country. What were they thinking?!
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17 Aug 2011 Wed 10:10 pm |
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Yes, such blindness to try to see the commonality in two different religions. Celebrating the feast of the Assuption of Mary to heaven in the open, in a predominantly Muslim country. What were they thinking?!
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Mat.7.
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17 Aug 2011 Wed 10:13 pm |
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Thanks for the bible lesson, Lemon. I feel better knowing that you feel justified in judging everyone.
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17 Aug 2011 Wed 10:16 pm |
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13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Mat.7.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; Luke : 6:37
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| 7. |
17 Aug 2011 Wed 10:36 pm |
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“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; Luke : 6:37
This is a favorite quotation of everyone who is on the wide road to destruction.
It is not me who condemns you it is the Word of God. I havent made my own religion, I just repeat what Bible says. If I condemn you I would condemn by my own standards, which is easy. I condemn your belief in religion not in God.
Fair enough. Good luck. Stay in your religion and seek not the truth. Rely on your deeds not on God. Remember, every good action of men is like a filthy rag to God. And He doesnt need your good deeds, He needs your absolute denial of yourself and everything dear to you and unconditional faith in Him without adding anything manmade.
All I know is that I am saved by my faith in Christ not by my good deeds or starvation.
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17 Aug 2011 Wed 10:40 pm |
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Thanks for the bible lesson, Lemon. I feel better knowing that you feel justified in judging everyone.
I am justified by the truth in Bible and I rush to assure you that I dont feel better when i judge you. I think. enough.
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17 Aug 2011 Wed 11:18 pm |
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Justified or not, you don´t have to be so insulting!
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| 10. |
17 Aug 2011 Wed 11:32 pm |
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Justified or not, you don´t have to be so insulting!
You did more insulting to me than I to you. Thank you.
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| 11. |
17 Aug 2011 Wed 11:52 pm |
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You have turned an interesting story into another one of your bible lessons, insulted Orthodox Christians and Muslims alike and I have insulted you? 
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| 12. |
18 Aug 2011 Thu 10:40 am |
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You have turned an interesting story into another one of your bible lessons, insulted Orthodox Christians and Muslims alike and I have insulted you?
Dont I have a right to say my opinion on religions and religious people? Or are they untouchable, too holy to criticise?
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| 13. |
18 Aug 2011 Thu 04:00 pm |
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Dont I have a right to say my opinion on religions and religious people? Or are they untouchable, too holy to criticise?
You have the right to express your opinion. However the manner in which you choose to express it is mean spirited, arrogant and demonstrates your feelings of superiority over members who feel differently than you. Furthermore, you create a hostile environment which is hurtful and does not promote any constructive conversation. I challenge you to express yourself in manner that is less acidic and more condusive to proper debate.
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18 Aug 2011 Thu 06:05 pm |
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You have the right to express your opinion.
And yet, I dont.
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18 Aug 2011 Thu 06:19 pm |
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Would it kill you to be a little nicer when expressing your opinion?
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| 16. |
18 Aug 2011 Thu 06:33 pm |
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Would it kill you to be a little nicer when expressing your opinion?
I am more than nicer. Ignorance and self-victimization rises anger. Everything is under control. I know where to stop unlike those who consider themsleves world-class, all-tolerant or broadminded who even dont notice that actually they act against those values they think they represent or even more they own. Shame!
Ridiculous it is.
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| 17. |
18 Aug 2011 Thu 10:45 pm |
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I am more than nicer. Ignorance and self-victimization rises anger. Everything is under control. I know where to stop unlike those who consider themsleves world-class, all-tolerant or broadminded who even dont notice that actually they act against those values they think they represent or even more they own. Shame!
Ridiculous it is.
... and yet you attack your fellow man/woman on TC, you say you are nice but scream that others are not nice to you when someone replies to your posts on the same tone you use. You say you know when to stop yet you keep throwing fuel on the flames. You are the first to critisise the actions of the others, yet you do not see your own actions that are as bad if not worse sometimes.
The shame should be on you.
Oh no better yet, shame on us for not conforming to your standards, shame on us for not respecting your religious views, shame on us for not being of your religious denomination and while I am at it shame on us for breathing and being alive...
How beautiful your world would be if we were not here to offend you with our presence.
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| 18. |
18 Aug 2011 Thu 10:57 pm |
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Stumpy let it go, this person is not worth your time or aggravation. They are a troll of no great importance in your journey on this earth. Keep dreaming keep smiling and walk right by them without acknowledging they have any worth. They are a troll and only happy when they cause torment and aggravation in others. I am sure you have done more good and have positively influenced others in your life. Keep up the good work.
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| 19. |
18 Aug 2011 Thu 11:08 pm |
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Oh jeezy creezy. I thought we were over the whole "lemon can read God´s mind" thing. Talk about blasphemy....
Edited (8/18/2011) by barba_mama
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| 20. |
18 Aug 2011 Thu 11:11 pm |
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I agree with Acute, just ignore. This person is not worth to be talked about . It would be total waste of time , we have more important and serious things to talk about on TC .
someone who is calling people "liar" without knowing them, and accusing people like an immature child , and at the same time claiming to be a re-born christian is such a contridiction that I have never witnessed before.
I have met many re-born christian before, but none of them was like her [limon ] .
Lekum dinikum ve liye din. [ Senin dinin sana , benim dinim bana ]
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| 21. |
19 Aug 2011 Fri 09:53 am |
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Stumpy? You became a TC advocate?
Hey, look how good we all are except you! Nice! Well done!
... and yet you attack your fellow man/woman on TC, you say you are nice but scream that others are not nice to you when someone replies to your posts on the same tone you use. You say you know when to stop yet you keep throwing fuel on the flames. You are the first to critisise the actions of the others, yet you do not see your own actions that are as bad if not worse sometimes.
The shame should be on you.
Oh no better yet, shame on us for not conforming to your standards, shame on us for not respecting your religious views, shame on us for not being of your religious denomination and while I am at it shame on us for breathing and being alive...
How beautiful your world would be if we were not here to offend you with our presence.
I am more than nicer. Ignorance and self-victimization rises anger. Everything is under control. I know where to stop unlike those who consider themsleves world-class, all-tolerant or broadminded who even dont notice that actually they act against those values they think they represent or even more they own. Shame!
Ridiculous it is.
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| 22. |
19 Aug 2011 Fri 09:55 am |
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And yet, you are still here, still talking about me. Hahaha! Hypocracy of high quality!
I agree with Acute, just ignore. This person is not worth to be talked about . It would be total waste of time , we have more important and serious things to talk about on TC .
someone who is calling people "liar" without knowing them, and accusing people like an immature child , and at the same time claiming to be a re-born christian is such a contridiction that I have never witnessed before.
I have met many re-born christian before, but none of them was like her [limon ] .
Lekum dinikum ve liye din. [ Senin dinin sana , benim dinim bana ]
I am more than nicer. Ignorance and self-victimization rises anger. Everything is under control. I know where to stop unlike those who consider themsleves world-class, all-tolerant or broadminded who even dont notice that actually they act against those values they think they represent or even more they own. Shame!
Ridiculous it is.
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| 23. |
19 Aug 2011 Fri 09:56 am |
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Stumpy let it go, this person is not worth your time or aggravation. They are a troll of no great importance in your journey on this earth. Keep dreaming keep smiling and walk right by them without acknowledging they have any worth. They are a troll and only happy when they cause torment and aggravation in others. I am sure you have done more good and have positively influenced others in your life. Keep up the good work.
I am more than nicer. Ignorance and self-victimization rises anger. Everything is under control. I know where to stop unlike those who consider themsleves world-class, all-tolerant or broadminded who even dont notice that actually they act against those values they think they represent or even more they own. Shame!
Ridiculous it is.
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| 24. |
19 Aug 2011 Fri 09:59 am |
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Oh jeezy creezy. I thought we were over the whole "lemon can read God´s mind" thing. Talk about blasphemy....
You have just blasphemed against God.
Barbie, you cant live without me. Unless you prove me wrong.
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| 25. |
19 Aug 2011 Fri 10:59 am |
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Hello Lemon,
where are you from?
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| 26. |
19 Aug 2011 Fri 10:19 pm |
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You have just blasphemed against God.
Barbie, you cant live without me. Unless you prove me wrong.
Hm, with you being all-knowing and with you being God (which you claim, since I can´t live without you) you have a hard time getting my name right! 
Back to the topic. Did I understand the article correct that the Turkish government "allows" these sporadic sessions in the church? Why not every week?
Edited (8/19/2011) by barba_mama
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