Is this forum orthodox traditionnalist or capitalist?

[Jean-Serge]

I fully understand this forum must pay the bills. I fully understand that selling Orthodox items is way to raise funds. However, I realize your items are really World Orthodox.

All you items have a Cross or an Icon tem pictured on them... I think this is really scandalous. The Cross or Icons are to be venerated, not put on Teddy bears T-shirst, on mug, glasses etc...and other secular objetcs. I think this is commercialization of a sacred symbol that consequently loses its sacrality... So I am going to wear a T shirt and sweat heavily under high tempratures, with my sweat on the Holy Cross... Or break a mug with a cross on it...

Hey men, what does it mean... Could not we sell more Orthodox items... Cross but real crosses around the neck, or an agreement with Amazon to get commissions on Orthodox books...

What do you think about this?

[尼古拉前执事]

Dear Jeam-Serge, I purposely do not have icons on the clothing. However I did not see an issue with the cross. On most of my skufiyas there is a cross on the inside. On many podryasniks and rassas there are crosses sewn in to them. Some even have icons! Of course the schema monks always wear clothing with crosses on them as well. based on this, I did not see the issue of having a cross on clothing or a calendar or bumper sticker. It ought to be interesting to see how the vote comes out nonetheless.

[Jean-Serge]

On most of my skufiyas there is a cross on the inside. On many podryasniks and rassas there are crosses sewn in to them. Some even have icons! Of course the schema monks always wear clothing with crosses on them as well. based on this, I did not see the issue of having a cross on clothing or a calendar or bumper sticker

What is a skufiya? Yes but these are clerical clothes linked with religion... You are not going to say that the mug I am going to use to drink my coffee has a religious meaning or context. Why not selling underwears with crosses, condoms with crosses etc...

[Ekaterina]

Jean-Serge:

Your outrage is misplaced snd your logic a bit skewed. Comparing a coffee cup to a condom is a bit of a stretch by any measure.

I would far rather have a cross on my coffee cup than some of the stuff that is usually placed upon them As to the bumper sticker or calendar, well I see it as an added bonus to me. Protection in my vehicle or the room I happen to be in. Such as my office at work, a sort of overt way of bring my orthodoxy into the space. I would rather have a tee shirt with a cross on it, than some of then devilish stuff that is usually featured.

There is good sence andsensibility and then there are your skewed comparisons.

Katya

[Jean-Serge]

Jean-Serge:

Your outrage is misplaced snd your logic a bit skewed. Comparing a coffee cup to a condom is a bit of a stretch by any measure.
Katya

Of course it is stretch, I made it voluntarily... to show that as soon as we use the cross out of its context (religious) all the excesses will happen. The cross on a calendar or in the car is not a problem. Just pay attention not throwing in the dust bin an Orthodox calendar with a cross or icons represented...

However, my concern is canonically justified by : I am sorry but I have the Padalion in French only from an old calendarist monk in France (from his web site more exactly, so I will try a personal translation)

CANONS DU VIème CONCILE IN TRULLO

Canon 73

Qu'il ne faut pas reproduire sur le sol le signe de la croix.

Vu que c'est la croix vivificatrice qui nous a montré le salut, nous devons employer tout notre zèle a rendre l'honneur dû à ce par quoi nous avons été sauvés de l'antique faute. C'est pourquoi, dans l'intention de lui offrir notre culte par la pensée, la parole et le sentiment, nous ordonnons de faire disparaître de n'importe quelle façon les images de la croix que certains dessinent sur le sol, afin que l'insigne de notre victoire ne soit pas foulé aux pieds par les passants et être par là insulté. Ceux donc qui dorénavant dessineront l'image de la croix sur le sol, nous ordonnons qu'ils soient excommuniés.

The translation would be with may mistakes (I apologize for my poor English)

One must not picture the sign of the cross on the ground

Since it is the cross that gives life that showed us salvation, we have to employ all our zeal to honour what freed us from the ancient sin. That is why, in order to offer it our cult through mind, words and feelings, we order to make the picture of cross that some people draw on the ground disappear by all means, in order that the sign of our victory should not be walked on by passer-by and in such a way insulted. From now on, those who will draw the picture of the cross on the ground will be excomunicated

The cross is to be honored and venerated, not secularized.

[Anastasios]

In the Roman empire Crosses and Icons were painted on gates, buildings, etc. The flag of Greece has a cross on it. We should be about sanctifying the secular world, and putting crosses on things is a good way to go about doing that.

[Jean-Serge]

OK on the bridges an buildings as a prayer to God to protect those buildings... But on T SHIRT and mugs;; on teddy bears!!!!