Topic: The cross with other religious symbols?

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

Before, I was pondering wearing my grandmother's miraculous medal with my baptismal cross as a memorial to her and a devotion to the Theotokos.  I've chosen not to as it's solid gold and I'd die if I lost it, but this brings up an interesting question.

What do you all think of people wearing other religious symbols with their crosses?  I've seen two people do it - one is an old woman who is a Roman Catholic of Jewish descent, and wears the Star of David with her cross.  Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

[mike]

Cretinism.

[orthonorm]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

Funny as he is young. Sad if he were older. Only cause of the whole Viking thing. I don't the energy or care to google to find out what a mjolnir is. I am sure it is as irrelevant to the world as the notion of being a Viking, unless you are playing on some sport team named such.

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

Funny as he is young. Sad if he were older. Only cause of the whole Viking thing. I don't the energy or care to google to find out what a mjolnir is. I am sure it is as irrelevant to the world as the notion of being a Viking, unless you are playing on some sport team named such.

The "viking" thing was just my attempt at humor.  A mjolnir is an ancient symbol used in Scandinavian paganism.  It's supposed to be Thor's hammer, and protects the wearer somehow.

[mike]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

Funny as he is young. Sad if he were older. Only cause of the whole Viking thing. I don't the energy or care to google to find out what a mjolnir is. I am sure it is as irrelevant to the world as the notion of being a Viking, unless you are playing on some sport team named such.

A friend of mine lost several $k in a TV game show because he also didn't know what Mjolnir is.

[orthonorm]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

Funny as he is young. Sad if he were older. Only cause of the whole Viking thing. I don't the energy or care to google to find out what a mjolnir is. I am sure it is as irrelevant to the world as the notion of being a Viking, unless you are playing on some sport team named such.

A friend of mine lost several $k in a TV game show because he also didn't know what Mjolnir is.

Color me wrong!

Thanks for the tip. Mind saying what the game show was?

[vamrat]

Before, I was pondering wearing my grandmother's miraculous medal with my baptismal cross as a memorial to her and a devotion to the Theotokos.  I've chosen not to as it's solid gold and I'd die if I lost it, but this brings up an interesting question.

What do you all think of people wearing other religious symbols with their crosses?  I've seen two people do it - one is an old woman who is a Roman Catholic of Jewish descent, and wears the Star of David with her cross.  Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

Many pagan symbols were converted into crossed.  Thor's Hammer is one of these.  

I wouldn't want to lead you astray but I really don't see anything wrong with this as the memory of the person/political affiliation is what you are upholding, not any religious beliefs they had.  

[vamrat]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

Funny as he is young. Sad if he were older. Only cause of the whole Viking thing. I don't the energy or care to google to find out what a mjolnir is. I am sure it is as irrelevant to the world as the notion of being a Viking, unless you are playing on some sport team named such.

A friend of mine lost several $k in a TV game show because he also didn't know what Mjolnir is.

Color me wrong!

Thanks for the tip. Mind saying what the game show was?

Who Wants to Be A Zlotyaire

[orthonorm]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

Funny as he is young. Sad if he were older. Only cause of the whole Viking thing. I don't the energy or care to google to find out what a mjolnir is. I am sure it is as irrelevant to the world as the notion of being a Viking, unless you are playing on some sport team named such.

The "viking" thing was just my attempt at humor.  A mjolnir is an ancient symbol used in Scandinavian paganism.  It's supposed to be Thor's hammer, and protects the wearer somehow.

It would be hard to arrange the bolded words in a sentence which wouldn't make me laugh.

[mike]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

Funny as he is young. Sad if he were older. Only cause of the whole Viking thing. I don't the energy or care to google to find out what a mjolnir is. I am sure it is as irrelevant to the world as the notion of being a Viking, unless you are playing on some sport team named such.

A friend of mine lost several $k in a TV game show because he also didn't know what Mjolnir is.

Color me wrong!

Thanks for the tip. Mind saying what the game show was?

Polish version of "Fifteen to One".

[sheenj]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

I don't the energy or care to google to find out what a mjolnir is. I am sure it is as irrelevant to the world as the notion of being a Viking, unless you are playing on some sport team named such.

Whoops, wrong one.

This is probably what he meant:

[orthonorm]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

Funny as he is young. Sad if he were older. Only cause of the whole Viking thing. I don't the energy or care to google to find out what a mjolnir is. I am sure it is as irrelevant to the world as the notion of being a Viking, unless you are playing on some sport team named such.

A friend of mine lost several $k in a TV game show because he also didn't know what Mjolnir is.

Color me wrong!

Thanks for the tip. Mind saying what the game show was?

Who Wants to Be A Zlotyaire

Dude, you shudda done or I shudda was tried to get on a Who wants to show in a small European country using the Euro.

Austria for example has 8 million people. And they were handing out 1 million Euros. Much better odds of getting on. And the European versions of this game where actually easier for the typical slightly educated American. The first few questions would be the hardest and you could use the audience and other life lines to answer the weird cultural stuff you wouldn't know.

After that you get basic general knowledge questions.

Then the hardest questions where either just slight more difficult general knowledge questions OR questions most Americans would know.

Just have to get pass those first 3-4 questions and the 1 mil was nearly a lock.

[mike]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

Funny as he is young. Sad if he were older. Only cause of the whole Viking thing. I don't the energy or care to google to find out what a mjolnir is. I am sure it is as irrelevant to the world as the notion of being a Viking, unless you are playing on some sport team named such.

A friend of mine lost several $k in a TV game show because he also didn't know what Mjolnir is.

Color me wrong!

Thanks for the tip. Mind saying what the game show was?

Who Wants to Be A Zlotyaire

Dude, you shudda done or I shudda was tried to get on a Who wants to show in a small European country using the Euro.

Austria for example has 8 million people. And they were handing out 1 million Euros. Much better odds of getting on. And the European versions of this game where actually easier for the typical slightly educated American. The first few questions would be the hardest and you could use the audience and other life lines to answer the weird cultural stuff you wouldn't know.

After that you get basic general knowledge questions.

Then the hardest questions where either just slight more difficult general knowledge questions OR questions most Americans would know.

Just have to get pass those first 3-4 questions and the 1 mil was nearly a lock.

When it was being aired here I had other impressions. Fairly easy first 1-3 questions, then quite difficult middle third part that was eliminating  most of the competitors. Very few people were reaching the last third part. Only 1 person won the 1 M PLN.

[Ansgar]

Personally, I wouldn't wear a mjolnir. We haven't worshipped the old gods in nearly a thousand years. Today, it is either used as fashion or among neopagans as a sign of devotion to Thor. Maybe he could wear a runic symbol or something.

[orthonorm]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

Funny as he is young. Sad if he were older. Only cause of the whole Viking thing. I don't the energy or care to google to find out what a mjolnir is. I am sure it is as irrelevant to the world as the notion of being a Viking, unless you are playing on some sport team named such.

A friend of mine lost several $k in a TV game show because he also didn't know what Mjolnir is.

Color me wrong!

Thanks for the tip. Mind saying what the game show was?

Who Wants to Be A Zlotyaire

Dude, you shudda done or I shudda was tried to get on a Who wants to show in a small European country using the Euro.

Austria for example has 8 million people. And they were handing out 1 million Euros. Much better odds of getting on. And the European versions of this game where actually easier for the typical slightly educated American. The first few questions would be the hardest and you could use the audience and other life lines to answer the weird cultural stuff you wouldn't know.

After that you get basic general knowledge questions.

Then the hardest questions where either just slight more difficult general knowledge questions OR questions most Americans would know.

Just have to get pass those first 3-4 questions and the 1 mil was nearly a lock.

When it was being aired here I had other impressions. Fairly easy first 1-3 questions, then quite difficult middle third part that was eliminating  most of the competitors. Very few people were reaching the last third part. Only 1 person won the 1 M PLN.

That's my point. That is because you are Polish / Belarusyn / whatever. For an American those first 1-3 would likely be difficult. Sheesh I studied Germanic language and get along a bit with Austrian dialect, but sometimes I would have a hard time even understanding the some of the first questions in the Austrian version. After that, easy as pie. And often the last question was something again which seemed a little easier than what we had over here if it dealt with general knowledge, oft the difficulty would be skewed by appealing to American culture which would be quite easy for most Americans to answer.

The way of compensating for the smaller population was that the levels prior to the 1 mil Euro question were lower than their American equivalent.

IOW, when I watched it, I could have made through and answered correctly the ultimate question or penultimate question with the aide of my Austrian friends with the first could of questions.

Not nearly as successful with the American version.

[orthonorm]

Personally, I wouldn't wear a mjolnir. We haven't worshipped the old gods in nearly a thousand years. Today, it is either used as fashion or among neopagans as a sign of devotion to Thor. Maybe he could wear a runic symbol or something.

Are such people properly mocked as they are here?

[choy]

Personally, I wouldn't wear a mjolnir. We haven't worshipped the old gods in nearly a thousand years. Today, it is either used as fashion or among neopagans as a sign of devotion to Thor. Maybe he could wear a runic symbol or something.

Or that you are a really big comic book geek.

[Ansgar]

Personally, I wouldn't wear a mjolnir. We haven't worshipped the old gods in nearly a thousand years. Today, it is either used as fashion or among neopagans as a sign of devotion to Thor. Maybe he could wear a runic symbol or something.

Or that you are a really big comic book geek.

What?

[Arachne]

Personally, I wouldn't wear a mjolnir. We haven't worshipped the old gods in nearly a thousand years. Today, it is either used as fashion or among neopagans as a sign of devotion to Thor. Maybe he could wear a runic symbol or something.

Or that you are a really big comic book geek.

What?

[sheenj]

Personally, I wouldn't wear a mjolnir. We haven't worshipped the old gods in nearly a thousand years. Today, it is either used as fashion or among neopagans as a sign of devotion to Thor. Maybe he could wear a runic symbol or something.

Or that you are a really big comic book geek.

What?

The Comic Book version of Thor also wields a hammer called Mjolnir.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mjolnir_(comics)

[vamrat]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

Funny as he is young. Sad if he were older. Only cause of the whole Viking thing. I don't the energy or care to google to find out what a mjolnir is. I am sure it is as irrelevant to the world as the notion of being a Viking, unless you are playing on some sport team named such.

A friend of mine lost several $k in a TV game show because he also didn't know what Mjolnir is.

Color me wrong!

Thanks for the tip. Mind saying what the game show was?

Who Wants to Be A Zlotyaire

Dude, you shudda done or I shudda was tried to get on a Who wants to show in a small European country using the Euro.

Austria for example has 8 million people. And they were handing out 1 million Euros. Much better odds of getting on. And the European versions of this game where actually easier for the typical slightly educated American. The first few questions would be the hardest and you could use the audience and other life lines to answer the weird cultural stuff you wouldn't know.

After that you get basic general knowledge questions.

Then the hardest questions where either just slight more difficult general knowledge questions OR questions most Americans would know.

Just have to get pass those first 3-4 questions and the 1 mil was nearly a lock.

And, as of today, it would have made you a 1.34 millionaire in USD.  GBP is better yet but there are a lot of smart Poms out there.  more competition unless you got lucky and were just facing off against a bunch of Chavs led by Ali G himself.

[Ansgar]

Personally, I wouldn't wear a mjolnir. We haven't worshipped the old gods in nearly a thousand years. Today, it is either used as fashion or among neopagans as a sign of devotion to Thor. Maybe he could wear a runic symbol or something.

Or that you are a really big comic book geek.

What?

The Comic Book version of Thor also wields a hammer called Mjolnir.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mjolnir_(comics)

Oh year, thats right. Didn't think about that.

[genesisone]

To get back to the OP, I think the arguments for or against wearing other religious symbols will be similar to those we've had about attending worship services of other faiths. I personally wouldn't want to send out mixed messages, but others may have very valid reasons for wearing such things.

I suppose in this category one could include jewellery with a patriotic theme.

[Orthodox11]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

Scando-Americans are funny like that. I bet he eats lutefisk twice a week too.

I'm not sure how you could say Mjølner was anything but a pagan symbol. Were I a priest, I'd refuse to commune anyone wearing one, though I'm not sure you'd ever encounter that problem outside Minnesota.

[Arachne]

I don't object to the combination, only to the practical side of it.

I wouldn't string more than one pendant on the same necklace, not least because they jingle, and I wouldn't wear more than one necklace at a time, because it looks tacky (especially if they are made of different materials). A charm bracelet or pin badge(s) would probably work better.

[Shanghaiski]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

Funny as he is young. Sad if he were older. Only cause of the whole Viking thing. I don't the energy or care to google to find out what a mjolnir is. I am sure it is as irrelevant to the world as the notion of being a Viking, unless you are playing on some sport team named such.

A friend of mine lost several $k in a TV game show because he also didn't know what Mjolnir is.

Color me wrong!

Thanks for the tip. Mind saying what the game show was?

The relevance TV game shows have to the rest of the world used to be minimal.

[LBK]

Another is a teenager I met at summer camp, who is really into his Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)  He wears his baptismal cross with his mjolnir.  He says that he has no connections to Paganism, but his Greek Church is so Greek that he wants his heritage represented in his faith.

What do you think of this?

Funny as he is young. Sad if he were older. Only cause of the whole Viking thing. I don't the energy or care to google to find out what a mjolnir is. I am sure it is as irrelevant to the world as the notion of being a Viking, unless you are playing on some sport team named such.

A friend of mine lost several $k in a TV game show because he also didn't know what Mjolnir is.

Color me wrong!

Thanks for the tip. Mind saying what the game show was?

The relevance TV game shows have to the rest of the world used to be minimal.

Yup. I'm getting old.

[LizaSymonenko]

Here's the thing.  A cross is not a piece of jewelry or a necklace.  It's a symbol of your Faith.  It is an instrument that defeated death.  It is more than mere decoration or a symbolism representing your "christianity".

Therefore, in my opinion, wearing anything alongside the cross (same chain) is wrong.  Nothing is "equal" or compares to it.

If you wish to wear nationalistic jewelry (ie. Ukrainians wear the trizub - trident), I would wear it on a separate chain, hanging lower than the Cross.

[Jason.Wike]

Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)

Pretty silly since the Vikings colonised so many places that they're probably more the heritage of Irish, English, Scottish, French and Russian people then they are modern Scandinavians...

[ialmisry]

Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)

Pretty silly since the Vikings colonised so many places that they're probably more the heritage of Irish, English, Scottish, French and Russian people then they are modern Scandinavians...

you mean the Vikings whose boats leaked and sank, and were too weak to row?

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

Here's the thing.  A cross is not a piece of jewelry or a necklace.  It's a symbol of your Faith.  It is an instrument that defeated death.  It is more than mere decoration or a symbolism representing your "christianity".

Therefore, in my opinion, wearing anything alongside the cross (same chain) is wrong.  Nothing is "equal" or compares to it.

If you wish to wear nationalistic jewelry (ie. Ukrainians wear the trizub - trident), I would wear it on a separate chain, hanging lower than the Cross.

Thanks, Liza, that's what I've come to think, too. 

[Shanghaiski]

Here's the thing.  A cross is not a piece of jewelry or a necklace.  It's a symbol of your Faith.  It is an instrument that defeated death.  It is more than mere decoration or a symbolism representing your "christianity".

Therefore, in my opinion, wearing anything alongside the cross (same chain) is wrong.  Nothing is "equal" or compares to it.

If you wish to wear nationalistic jewelry (ie. Ukrainians wear the trizub - trident), I would wear it on a separate chain, hanging lower than the Cross.

Well, an icon is fine and traditional. But symbols of other religions? Why would anyone even do that and claim to be a Christian? What is the point? Wearing the Cross has a legitimate purpose. Of what avail is Thor's stupid hammer? Is that going to "save and protect" you? Good luck with that.

[LBK]

Here's the thing.  A cross is not a piece of jewelry or a necklace.  It's a symbol of your Faith.  It is an instrument that defeated death.  It is more than mere decoration or a symbolism representing your "christianity".

Therefore, in my opinion, wearing anything alongside the cross (same chain) is wrong.  Nothing is "equal" or compares to it.

If you wish to wear nationalistic jewelry (ie. Ukrainians wear the trizub - trident), I would wear it on a separate chain, hanging lower than the Cross.

Well, an icon is fine and traditional. But symbols of other religions? Why would anyone even do that and claim to be a Christian? What is the point? Wearing the Cross has a legitimate purpose. Of what avail is Thor's stupid hammer? Is that going to "save and protect" you? Good luck with that.

Liza and Shanghaiski have nailed it. 'Nuff said, IMHO.

[Antonis]

What is the point of wearing non-religious or non-Christian symbols? A cross and a metal mandylion is what I wear.

[orthonorm]

What is the point of wearing non-religious or non-Christian symbols?

I know, right?

[Antonis]

You're so clever, Orthonorm!

[LBK]

What is the point of wearing non-religious or non-Christian symbols?

I know, right?

Antonis, Orthonorm isn't as clever as you think.

From the Orthodox betrothal service:

Lord our God, You journeyed with the servant of the Patriarch Abraham in Mesopotamia when he was sent to obtain a wife for his lord Isaac, and by means of drawing water You revealed that he should betroth Rebecca. Bless the betrothal of Your servants N. and M. and make firm the word that they have spoken. Confirm them with the holy unity that comes from You. For it was You who in the beginning created male and female, and it is by you that woman is linked to man as a helper and for the continuation of the human race. Therefore, Lord our God, who sent truth out to Your inheritance and Your promise to Your servants, our fathers, Your elect in every generation, look on Your servant N. and your servant M., and make firm their betrothal in faith and concord and truth and love.

For it is You, Lord, who declared that a pledge is to be given and made firm in everything. By a ring authority was given to Joseph in Egypt. By a ring Daniel was glorified in the country of Babylon. By a ring the truth of Thamar was revealed. By a ring our heavenly Father showed compassion to the prodigal son. For he said, ‘Put a ring on his hand and bring out and slay the fatted calf, and let us eat and be joyful’.

It was Your right hand, Lord, that armed Moses at the Red Sea, for through Your true word the heavens were made firm and the earth set on its foundations. And the right hand of Your servants will be blessed by Your mighty word and by Your upraised arm. Therefore, Master, with Your heavenly blessing now bless also this putting-on of rings. And may an Angel of the Lord go before them all the days of their lives. For You are the One who blesses and sanctifies all things, and to You we give glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

[choy]

Personally, I wouldn't wear a mjolnir. We haven't worshipped the old gods in nearly a thousand years. Today, it is either used as fashion or among neopagans as a sign of devotion to Thor. Maybe he could wear a runic symbol or something.

Or that you are a really big comic book geek.

What?

The Comic Book version of Thor also wields a hammer called Mjolnir.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mjolnir_(comics)

By the way, do you know how secularized American society is? I watched this Avengers animated series and they called Thor the "Prince of Thunder".  I mean, seriously?  They can't even call a pagan diety's comic book reincarnation as a "god"?

[Antonis]

What is the point of wearing non-religious or non-Christian symbols?

I know, right?

Antonis, Orthonorm isn't as clever as you think.

From the Orthodox betrothal service:

Lord our God, You journeyed with the servant of the Patriarch Abraham in Mesopotamia when he was sent to obtain a wife for his lord Isaac, and by means of drawing water You revealed that he should betroth Rebecca. Bless the betrothal of Your servants N. and M. and make firm the word that they have spoken. Confirm them with the holy unity that comes from You. For it was You who in the beginning created male and female, and it is by you that woman is linked to man as a helper and for the continuation of the human race. Therefore, Lord our God, who sent truth out to Your inheritance and Your promise to Your servants, our fathers, Your elect in every generation, look on Your servant N. and your servant M., and make firm their betrothal in faith and concord and truth and love.

For it is You, Lord, who declared that a pledge is to be given and made firm in everything. By a ring authority was given to Joseph in Egypt. By a ring Daniel was glorified in the country of Babylon. By a ring the truth of Thamar was revealed. By a ring our heavenly Father showed compassion to the prodigal son. For he said, ‘Put a ring on his hand and bring out and slay the fatted calf, and let us eat and be joyful’.

It was Your right hand, Lord, that armed Moses at the Red Sea, for through Your true word the heavens were made firm and the earth set on its foundations. And the right hand of Your servants will be blessed by Your mighty word and by Your upraised arm. Therefore, Master, with Your heavenly blessing now bless also this putting-on of rings. And may an Angel of the Lord go before them all the days of their lives. For You are the One who blesses and sanctifies all things, and to You we give glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Thanks LBK.  I've chanted at about three weddings now, I was just trying to give orthonorm the online validation he craves. 

[Ansgar]

Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)

Pretty silly since the Vikings colonised so many places that they're probably more the heritage of Irish, English, Scottish, French and Russian people then they are modern Scandinavians...

We were good at assimilating.

[Arachne]

What is the point of wearing non-religious or non-Christian symbols?

Shinies.

[Shanghaiski]

Scandinavian heritage (and considers himself a viking!)

Pretty silly since the Vikings colonised so many places that they're probably more the heritage of Irish, English, Scottish, French and Russian people then they are modern Scandinavians...

We were good at assimilating.

We are Vikings. Resistance is useless. We will be assimilated.

[Shanghaiski]

What is the point of wearing non-religious or non-Christian symbols?

Shinies.

Is it because there is not bling enough in Orthodoxy that ye seek bling elsewhere? (With all apologies to the holy prophets.)

[orthonorm]

What is the point of wearing non-religious or non-Christian symbols?

I know, right?

Antonis, Orthonorm isn't as clever as you think.

From the Orthodox betrothal service:

Lord our God, You journeyed with the servant of the Patriarch Abraham in Mesopotamia when he was sent to obtain a wife for his lord Isaac, and by means of drawing water You revealed that he should betroth Rebecca. Bless the betrothal of Your servants N. and M. and make firm the word that they have spoken. Confirm them with the holy unity that comes from You. For it was You who in the beginning created male and female, and it is by you that woman is linked to man as a helper and for the continuation of the human race. Therefore, Lord our God, who sent truth out to Your inheritance and Your promise to Your servants, our fathers, Your elect in every generation, look on Your servant N. and your servant M., and make firm their betrothal in faith and concord and truth and love.

For it is You, Lord, who declared that a pledge is to be given and made firm in everything. By a ring authority was given to Joseph in Egypt. By a ring Daniel was glorified in the country of Babylon. By a ring the truth of Thamar was revealed. By a ring our heavenly Father showed compassion to the prodigal son. For he said, ‘Put a ring on his hand and bring out and slay the fatted calf, and let us eat and be joyful’.

It was Your right hand, Lord, that armed Moses at the Red Sea, for through Your true word the heavens were made firm and the earth set on its foundations. And the right hand of Your servants will be blessed by Your mighty word and by Your upraised arm. Therefore, Master, with Your heavenly blessing now bless also this putting-on of rings. And may an Angel of the Lord go before them all the days of their lives. For You are the One who blesses and sanctifies all things, and to You we give glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

I have a feeling the circle sorta predates however most define Christianity.

And the response was obviously sarcasm.

[orthonorm]

What is the point of wearing non-religious or non-Christian symbols?

I know, right?

Antonis, Orthonorm isn't as clever as you think.

From the Orthodox betrothal service:

Lord our God, You journeyed with the servant of the Patriarch Abraham in Mesopotamia when he was sent to obtain a wife for his lord Isaac, and by means of drawing water You revealed that he should betroth Rebecca. Bless the betrothal of Your servants N. and M. and make firm the word that they have spoken. Confirm them with the holy unity that comes from You. For it was You who in the beginning created male and female, and it is by you that woman is linked to man as a helper and for the continuation of the human race. Therefore, Lord our God, who sent truth out to Your inheritance and Your promise to Your servants, our fathers, Your elect in every generation, look on Your servant N. and your servant M., and make firm their betrothal in faith and concord and truth and love.

For it is You, Lord, who declared that a pledge is to be given and made firm in everything. By a ring authority was given to Joseph in Egypt. By a ring Daniel was glorified in the country of Babylon. By a ring the truth of Thamar was revealed. By a ring our heavenly Father showed compassion to the prodigal son. For he said, ‘Put a ring on his hand and bring out and slay the fatted calf, and let us eat and be joyful’.

It was Your right hand, Lord, that armed Moses at the Red Sea, for through Your true word the heavens were made firm and the earth set on its foundations. And the right hand of Your servants will be blessed by Your mighty word and by Your upraised arm. Therefore, Master, with Your heavenly blessing now bless also this putting-on of rings. And may an Angel of the Lord go before them all the days of their lives. For You are the One who blesses and sanctifies all things, and to You we give glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.

Thanks LBK.  I've chanted at about three weddings now, I was just trying to give orthonorm the online validation he craves. 

Really I would prefer that folks like you disagree. Take a note. Again what is most disheartening here is the LBK didn't understand you were being sarcastic thus ironic.

Actually more so, that you both think a circle is a Christian symbol as such.