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Are the anathemas hateful condemnations?

Posted: Tue 13 August 2013 4:12 pm
by Maria

Russia 1914 Sunday of Orthodoxy

  • The Triumph of Orthodoxy
    I. A. von Gardner
    From: Recollections of Youth

    Were those anathemas, as many suppose, condemnations? No. In a condemnation there is hatred, and a desire for revenge and destruction. Here, though, is what was being clearly confessed: The Church did not condemn, but simply separated from its midst those who did not see themselves as belonging to it, those who refused to accept its teachings. Those who do not believe as the Church teaches, are separated from it, are alien to it, are "anathema," "set aside," but they can always be received again, should they recognize their error and return to Orthodox teachings. It is not so much that the Church separates them from itself, as that they themselves had set themselves apart from the Church, and now the Church solemnly announces that fact.

For the complete article, please visit: http://www.stjohndc.org/Russian/feasts/ ... oxy_09.htm


Re: Are the anathemas hateful condemnations?

Posted: Tue 13 August 2013 6:39 pm
by arcmode

A good sermon on what the word 'Anathema' means, by Saint John Maximovitch:

http://orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/anathema.aspx


Re: Are the anathemas hateful condemnations?

Posted: Sat 5 October 2013 4:17 pm
by JamesR

No. Anathemas are merely a declaration of what the person in question has already done to himself--separation from the Church through adopting heresy or refusing to repent for a sin. As such, the Mysteries cannot be administered to them until they repent and come back. The Church always leaves this option open.


Re: Are the anathemas hateful condemnations?

Posted: Thu 10 October 2013 11:53 pm
by TedMann

Anathema and condemnation seem to be a distinction without a difference. In the New Testament, the word "anathema" means accursed. If that isn't condemnatory, I don't know what is. Being cast out of the Church and consigned to the devil (anathema) sounds condemning to me.


Re: Are the anathemas hateful condemnations?

Posted: Thu 10 October 2013 11:59 pm
by Maria
JamesR wrote:

No. Anathemas are merely a declaration of what the person in question has already done to himself--separation from the Church through adopting heresy or refusing to repent for a sin. As such, the Mysteries cannot be administered to them until they repent and come back. The Church always leaves this option open.

TedMann wrote:

Anathema and condemnation seem to be a distinction without a difference. In the New Testament, the word "anathema" means accursed. If that isn't condemnatory, I don't know what is. Being cast out of the Church and consigned to the devil (anathema) sounds condemning to me.

I think James is referring to the fact that people who fall under an anathema are adopting a heresy wilfully and with full knowledge. Sometimes it takes an act of excommunication for a person to realize their dire situation, that unless they repent, they cannot receive any of the sacraments in the Holy Church.

In the Roman Catholic Church, people are rarely excommunicated, so that they continue in their errors. This is why this church is falling apart before our very eyes.


Re: Are the anathemas hateful condemnations?

Posted: Fri 11 October 2013 2:48 pm
by TedMann

That's true. I have known Roman Catholics who don't even believe in some of their own teaching but are permitted to attend church and commune.