ΤΗΕ ΝΑΜΕ-WORSHIPPING HERESY by Fr. Panagiotes Carras

[Maria]

I started this new thread in World Orthodoxy to seek clarification.
Any input would be appreciated.

http://www.euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/vi ... =12&t=9358

[Maria]

I would like to see some examples of this name-worshiping heresy as this is a heresy with which I am not familiar.

For example, in the Catholic Church, one of the many innovations instituted after the Great Schism is that of Benediction where the priest leads the faithful in repeating the litany quoted below. The Catholic Church instituted Benediction following the Mass due to infrequent laity reception of Holy Communion. The reasons for infrequent reception could be covered in another thread as quite a few Catholics struggled with scrupulosity and Jansenism.

Blessed be God.
Blessed be his holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
Blessed be the Name of Jesus.
Blessed be his most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be his most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints.

http://fullhomelydivinity.org/benediction.htm

Basically, I am wondering if this Name-Worshiping Heresy stems from the Catholic devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, and to the Protestant claim that there is "Power in the Name."

Nevertheless, Orthodox Christians are encouraged to bow their heads when the name of Jesus is mentioned.
And certainly, we are encouraged to pray the Jesus Prayer especially in times of temptation.

[jgress]

The Orthodox view, as I understand it, is that the Name of God is a symbol. We must venerate It, but not worship It as if It were God Himself.

[nun.xenia]

The Orthodox view, as I understand it, is that the Name of God is a symbol. We must venerate It, but not worship It as if It were God Himself.

The discussin was continued there:
http://www.euphrosynoscafe.com/forum/vi ... =30&t=9360