Gebre Menfes Kidus

[deusveritasest]

I'm assuming it's a figure of speech.   

Well then, isn't there some truth then to the contention that some of it is fantastical and not 100% literally true?

Can we literally see God when Christ taught, "Blessed are the pure in heart"?

Have not you and I been the two major proponents of the acceptance of Palamism on this forum? You should know the answer to that. 

[deusveritasest]

I'm assuming it's a figure of speech.   

Well then, isn't there some truth then to the contention that some of it is fantastical and not 100% literally true?

Can we literally see God when Christ taught, "Blessed are the pure in heart"?

Yes.

But not His Essence as the heretic Thomas Aquinas taught.

[deusveritasest]

I'm thinking of the divinity, but okay, yes, we can see God the Logos incarnate.

Energies!

[deusveritasest]

@deusveritasest
Pls dont make 'irresponsible' comments for things you dont know very well. I am afraid, you are trying to define religion by scientific calculation, which is not possible!

What in the blazes are you talking about?

[hailemaryam]

Due to Geopolitical reasons, ethiopian and coptic monks share many qualities, may be not common for the rest Christendom.
/Of course the monasticism and solitary life started in Egypt by St. Antony and St. Paul - both of these are very loved in ethiopia. /
Hermits do exist even now, some of them dont see any face of mankind for rest of their lifetime.
Please read in this book, the life of Abba Marcos El-Termaki the Hermit, page 113

http://st-anthony.co.uk/media/The_Hermit_Fathers.pdf

It may help you to have the an idea about the Hermit fathers.

[Alpo]

But not His Essence as the heretic Thomas Aquinas taught.

Why can't we see His essence? As a fairly new convert I don't know much about these issues so I'm honestly curious.

[jah777]

This may be considered a new topic, but the icon on the wiki page shows Gebre holding what appears to be a prayer rope.  Could someone please explain how the prayer rope is used by the Ethiopian Orthodox or the Copts and how the rope and its use may differ from what is commonly found in the Orthodox Church (Chalcedonian)?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gebre_Manfas_Qeddus

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

This may be considered a new topic, but the icon on the wiki page shows Gebre holding what appears to be a prayer rope.  Could someone please explain how the prayer rope is used by the Ethiopian Orthodox or the Copts and how the rope and its use may differ from what is commonly found in the Orthodox Church (Chalcedonian)?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gebre_Manfas_Qeddus

You can read about it here:
http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,4892.0.html
Reply #13 and following.


Selam

[jah777]

You can read about it here:
http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,4892.0.html
Reply #13 and following.

Thank you!

[minasoliman]

I'm assuming it's a figure of speech.   

Well then, isn't there some truth then to the contention that some of it is fantastical and not 100% literally true?

Can we literally see God when Christ taught, "Blessed are the pure in heart"?

Have not you and I been the two major proponents of the acceptance of Palamism on this forum? You should know the answer to that. 

Then you can understand it's not that far of a stretch to say that a saint was "kissed by the Trinity." 

[deusveritasest]

But not His Essence as the heretic Thomas Aquinas taught.

Why can't we see His essence? As a fairly new convert I don't know much about these issues so I'm honestly curious.

Because it's infinite and thus totally transcendent.

[deusveritasest]

I'm assuming it's a figure of speech.   

Well then, isn't there some truth then to the contention that some of it is fantastical and not 100% literally true?

Can we literally see God when Christ taught, "Blessed are the pure in heart"?

Have not you and I been the two major proponents of the acceptance of Palamism on this forum? You should know the answer to that. 

Then you can understand it's not that far of a stretch to say that a saint was "kissed by the Trinity." 

I don't think that they are as comparable as you are thinking. It would have to be highly poetic language. All along I have been arguing that it cannot be literally true. Kissing is an anthropomorphic idea which is linked to the physical reality of lips. The Trinity does not literally have lips in any way (Essence or Energies) and therefore cannot literally kiss anyone in any way (Essence or Energies). For sure the Logos could because He became human. But the idea of the Trinity as a whole kissing anyone would have to be highly metaphorical.

[Hiywot]

It is true that nobody can approach or see God in His full essence. BUT whenever God wants to reveal Himself to or communicate with His saints He does it in a form which is permissible and is comprehensible to their level. This is why Jacob said “I saw God face to face” after fighting with God. This is how the patriarchs and prophets saw and met Him. And, of course, this is what He did with our holy father, Saint Gebre-Menfes-Qidus. If you examine Ethiopian hagiography, you will find even more astounding events in the lives of our saints which we never qualm about. For us, the miracles that we witness in many of our monasteries, now, in our age, are reassurances of the reality of the happenings recorded in the lives of the saints. The argument reminds me what one monk once told me: “The foolishness of faith that I have brings me more spiritual growth than the theological knowledge that I have”.

Hiywot

[Hiywot]

Following is the correct list of the 10 ranks of holiness (spiritual perfection) mentioned by Haile-Mariam, reply No. 22 above.

The Ten Ranks

The three categories of the ten ranks

I.   Nits’ha siga (Purity of flesh/body)
II.   Nits’ha nefs (Purity of soul)
III.   Nits’ha libona (Purity of heart/mind)
 
I. Nits’ha siga (Purity of flesh/body)

1. Tsimawe (Stillness): loves silence, calmness, loneliness, simplicity and humility
2. Libawe (Discernment): enlightened with knowledge and understanding of mysteries
3. Ta’ime zimare (Essence of chant): loves singing, reading, and unceasing prayer

II. Nits’ha nefs (Purity of soul)

4. Anb’e (Tears): weeps with easy flowing tears
5. Kune’ne (Subjugation): body totally submits to soul and maintains this
6. Fiqir (Love): loves everyone and every creature invariably
7. Huset (Instant movement): gets anywhere instantly

III. Nits’ha libona (Purity of heart/mind)

8. Nitsa’re mela’ikt (Seeing angels): sees and hears angels and sees the works of the world above
9. Tesetmo (Sinking in light): clothed with light and with highest heavenly mysteries
10. Kewine issat (Fire): clothed with fire, sees the Holy Trinity with the eyes of the heart

Hiywot

[hailemaryam]

@ Hiywot,
Thanks very much for the details. I was not able to remember them all, I am in the wilderness, in a place where spirituality is the most detested stuff.
No books, no priests.....babylon.
Your prayers for me.

[Hiywot]

@ Hiywot,
Thanks very much for the details. I was not able to remember them all, I am in the wilderness, in a place where spirituality is the most detested stuff.
No books, no priests.....babylon.
Your prayers for me.

Hailemariam

Thank you my brother. Please do not worry about the wilderness because what matters most is where your heart/mind is located.

Hiywot

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

"...reminds me what one monk once told me: “The foolishness of faith that I have brings me more spiritual growth than the theological knowledge that I have”.

Hiywot

I love that!


Selam

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