You’re Origen! You do nothing by half-measures. If you’re going to read the Bible, you want to read it in the original languages. If you’re going to teach, you’re going to reach as many souls as possible, through a proliferation of lectures and books. If you’re a guy and you’re going to fight for purity … well, you’d better hide the kitchen shears. Find out which Church Father you are at The Way of the Fathers! |
I took the test, just for kicks, and got the same name. Even though I'm not a father, obviously.
ReplyDeleteBless us and save us, Mrs O'Davis, looks like I'm St Melito of Sardis no matter how you slice it. Even when I changed answers that could have gone another way, I'm St Melito of Sardis!
ReplyDeleteNow that's a complete and total drag. For one thing he left Esther out of his canon of the OT. While I'm not a big fan of Purim, I wouldn't leave out Esther, although some in Judaism did because God is not really mentioned.
And speaking of Judaism, he also held that the Jews were responsible for killing Christ. Which is absolutely wrong. Christ was executed under Roman authority and in a Roman, not Jewish, way, which, Rome being the ruler of the world they knew, witnesses that we all are responsible, we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
Then again, Origen got 15 anathemas pronounced against him at Constantinople II called by Justinian I -- a Roman Emporer, not Pope.
I'm also Melito, and I LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteI got Melito as well. I suppose it was the "extreme liturgical conservatism" that did me in...
ReplyDeleteJust barely.
ReplyDeletei was actually surprised at how accurate the explanation of what being "St. Melito of Sardis" meant and how much it matched me. Then again, perhaps this is an orthodox version of having your horoscope read - we find the match ourselves to the rather vague responses.
Given the pictures of your family, I'm pretty your search for purity has allowed you the practicality of scissors and shaving. Then again, all your kids are pretty old, now...
he also held that the Jews were responsible for killing Christ. Which is absolutely wrong.
ReplyDeleteWhen my Sunday School kids bring something like this up in a fit of adolescent bigotry I usually explain to them that in fact the Jews did kill Christ, specifically, you killed Christ becuase you're a Jew, as did I, since I'm a Jew. "What?!", they asked incredulously. Yes, I answer, the Church is the New Israel, the true Israel, which is why we don't fast on either the weekly or Great Sabbath, like the Jews, while also celebrating the Resurrection. It is why our sanctuaries are set up after the pattern of the Temple with all baptized/chrismated members of the Church in the place of the priests (the nave) and we are allowed to see the altar, no longer hidden by the veil of the Temple but opening up to offer our priests/bishops entrance and to bring us both the Scriptures and Holy Communion through those doors.
So, the Jews did kill Christ, just a different kind of Jew.
I don't even know who any of these guys really are yet!
ReplyDeleteSo much to catch up on....;-)
I got Justin Martyr (which no one else has seemed to register on here so far), and I really like the description: You have a positive and hopeful attitude toward the world. You think that nature, history, and even the pagan philosophers were often guided by God in preparation for the Advent of the Christ. You find “seeds of the Word” in unexpected places. You’re patient and willing to explain the faith to unbelievers.
ReplyDeleteTook the quiz, I'm Melito of Sardis as well.
ReplyDeleteFr. Matthew J. Uttenreither, SSP
I took this quiz a while back. I am with Bryce...got Justin Martyr, too. I was glad because at least I had heard of him! Have never heard of Melito of Sardis. What is his claim to fame?
ReplyDeleteHis main claim to fame is that he is very early and represents a more Johannine community that were Quartodecimans and retaining more 'judaic' elements than what became the common, orthodox tradition, especially as to the dating of Pascha and the Divine Liturgy. SVS Press published his "On Pascha".
ReplyDeletePr. Will,
ReplyDeleteI am an Origen too, no wonder I hang around your blog (LOL!)
But wait, I do note the anathemas mentioned by Past Elder towards Origen.
Perhaps Origen, borders on the wild side?
LPC