INAPPROPRIATE!!!Georgian Patriarch Lights Hannukah Candles

[Kollyvas]

http://directionstoorthodoxy.org/mod/ne ... le_id=6652

Georgian Christian Leader Joins Chief Rabbi in Lighting Chanukah Candles
TBILISI, Georgia - During the eight-day long holiday of Chanukah, an extraordinary event occurred at the headquarters of the Head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, where Ilia II welcomed Rabbi Abraham Mikhaelashvili, the Chief Rabbi of Georgia and Chabad Lubavitch representative. (FJC)

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TBILISI, Georgia - During the eight-day long holiday of Chanukah, an extraordinary event occurred at the headquarters of the Head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, where Ilia II welcomed Rabbi Abraham Mikhaelashvili, the Chief Rabbi of Georgia and Chabad Lubavitch representative.

The Christian Orthodox leader extended congratulations to the Jewish people on Chanukah and lit the candles of a Menorah, presented to him as a gift by Rabbi Mikhaelashvili. The two religious leaders then joined one another in singing the first psalm - the Patriarch singing in Georgian and the Chief Rabbi singing in Hebrew.

At this festive meeting, the parties discussed issues concerning the freedom of worship in Georgia. Ilia II and Rabbi Mikhaelashvili emphasized that the traditional religions of Georgia were notable for their mutual respect and goodwill, which, in turn, has assisted in maintaining mutual understanding and peace in the region.

The Georgian religious leader added that brotherly relations between the two peoples have resulted in a positive influence on relations between the two countries - Israel and Georgia. The Patriarch noted that Georgian Jews preserve the Georgian language and Georgian traditions when they return to their historical homeland. He also supported the initiative recently expressed by Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili to provide Georgian Jews, who have immigrated to Israel, with dual citizenship.

[Jean-Serge]

There is no problem! When you read carefully, you see the Patriarch was offered a candle, and he lit them, which is the purpose of candles. But he did not light them at a Jewish ceremony!!!

The problem for me is thair common siniging of the first psalm... and exchanging greetings for the feast...maybe... But at least, in World Orthodoxy, the Georgian Patriarchate is one of the few that keeps a "strictness" thanks to the laymen and monks and not thanks to the hierarchy whose behavior towards ecumenism is ambiguous...

[StephenG]

I am not at all sure how to interpret this event. It is one thing for us to be good neighbours but another to join with (in a religious sense) the festivals of others, and especially those non-Christian festivals.

[Daniel Ph.]

This is apostasy at it's finest!

There is now way to excuse an Orthodox Heirarch for participating in a religious ceremony of another religion. And not just any religion at that, but the exact antithesis of Christianity, Judiaism! He should have politely refuse the gift of the Morah and said 'No Thank You'.

This really does go way beyond your garden varity of Ecumenism, this is just out and out apostasy.

Daniel Ph.

ps-This would be the perfect opportunity for Moscow to prove they are not soft on Ecumenism (though I doubt they will)

[Kollyvas]

Um, a faithful, pro-Georgian son of the MP pointed this out.
R

[Daniel Ph.]

Well..According to the jewishvirtuallibrary.org Hanukah and the Menorah are essentially religious (though not as important has other Judiac feasts)

According to tradition as recorded in the Talmud, at the time of the rededication, there was very little oil left that had not been defiled by the Greeks. Oil was needed for the menorah (candelabrum) in the Temple, which was supposed to burn throughout the night every night. There was only enough oil to burn for one day, yet miraculously, it burned for eight days. An eight day festival was declared to commemorate this miracle. Note that the holiday commemorates the miracle of the oil...

The only religious observance related to the holiday is the lighting of candles.

To further drive home the religous aspects of lighting the Menorah here are the prayers said when you light the lamps/candels. (from www.torah.org)

Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments, and has commanded us to Kindle the Chanukah light.

Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, Who has wrought miracles for our forefathers, in those days at this season.

Blessed are You, Hashem our G-d, King of the universe, Who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

These lights we kindle upon the miracles, the wonders, the salvations, and the battles which you performed for our forefathers in those days at this season through Your holy priests. During all eight days of Chanukah these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to make ordinary use of them, but to look at them in order to express thanks and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, Your wonders and Your salvations.

O mighty Rock of my salvation,
to praise You is a delight.
Restore my house of prayer
and there we will bring a thanksgiving offering.
When You will have prepared the slaughter
for the blaspheming foe,
Then I shall complete with a song of hymn
the dedication of the Alter.

Granted, Pat. Iliah probably didn't recite and of this but 'mearly' lit the candle. This, however, does not lessen the essentially religous act he partook in. It doesn't matter that is happened in an office and not in a church. He prayed with people that vilify our Savious, Christ. There is absolutely no way to justify such and act of apostacy. This sort of religous syncretism his a hallmark of the religion of the furture the religion of the Antichrist! Who knows maybe Pat. Iliah will now be invited to the rededication of the Temple when it's built.

[尼古拉前执事]

I found this elsewhere and this seems to fit in with the topic at hand:

The Apostolic Canons:

Canon VII. (VIII.)

If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, shall celebrate the holy day of Pascha before the vernal equinox, with the Jews, let him be deposed.

Canon LXIV.

If any clergyman or layman shall enter into a synagogue of Jews or heretics to pray, let the former be deposed and let the latter be excommunicated.

Canon LXX.

If any bishop, presbyter, or deacon, or any one of the list of clergy, keeps fast or festival with the Jews, or receives from them any of the gifts of their feasts, as unleavened bread, any such things, let him be deposed. If he be a layman, let him be excommunicated.

Canon LXXI.

If any Christian brings oil into a temple of the heathen or into a synagogue of the Jews at their feast, or lights lamps, let him be excommunicated.

The Canons of the Holy and Seventh Ecumenical Council

Canon VIII.

That Hebrews ought not to be received unless they have been converted in sincerity of heart.

Since certain, erring in the superstitions of the Hebrews, have thought to mock at Christ our God, and feigning to be converted to the religion of Christ do deny him, and in private and secretly keep the Sabbath and observe other Jewish customs, we decree that such persons be not received to communion, nor to prayers, nor into the Church; but let them be openly Hebrews according to their religion, and let them not bring their children to baptism, nor purchase or possess a slave. But if any of them, out of a sincere heart and in faith, is converted and makes profession with his whole heart, setting at naught their customs and observances, and so that others may be convinced and converted, such an one is to be received and baptized, and his children likewise; and let them be taught to take care to hold aloof from the ordinances of the Hebrews. But if they will not do this, let them in no wise be received.