St Nicholas (part 3 of 3)

St Nicholas as Santa Claus

Nuns in France supposedly first began leaving treats on St. Nicholas Eve, December 5th, for the small children of poor families. St. Nicholas’ gifts were usually good things to eat: apples, oranges, nuts and eventually cookies and sweets. The custom quickly spread across Europe and was adopted by both rich and poor.

Children around the world know and love St. Nicholas as someone who brings gifts and treats in December. He is known by different names – and even looks different from place to place. It is said that his image of a fat, jolly fellow in a red suit was actually a result of a Coca Cola® ad in 1931! It is the same St. Nicholas, by whatever name or picture, who is said to delight children with gifts and good things to eat. Nicholas gave in secret, alert to others’ needs, and expecting nothing for himself in return. It is this selfless generosity which seeks only the good of the other that made Nicholas’ gifts the type of gifts that are a pale reflection of the gift God gave us in His Son.

Through the centuries St. Nicholas has continued to be venerated by Catholics and Orthodox and honored by Protestants. By his example of generosity to those in need, especially children, St. Nicholas continues to be a model for the compassionate life.

Widely celebrated in Europe, St. Nicholas’ feast day, December 6th, kept alive the stories of his goodness and generosity. December 6th is still the main day for gift giving and merrymaking in much of Europe. In Germany and Poland, boys dressed as bishops begged alms for the poor – and sometimes for themselves! In the Netherlands, St. Nicholas is celebrated on the 5th, the eve of his feast day, by sharing candies (thrown in the door), chocolate initial letters, small gifts, and riddles. Dutch children leave carrots and hay in their shoes for the saint’s horse, hoping St. Nicholas will exchange them for small gifts. As it is told that St. Nicholas arrived in the Netherlands and Belgium on a steamship from Spain, he rode a white horse on his gift-giving rounds. Simple gift-giving in early December helps preserve Christmas Day for celebrating the most important Gift – God’s Gift of the Christ Child (John 3:16).

St. Nick vs. Santa Claus Comparison

So when you see a Santa figure at Christmastime, be sure to share the real story of St. Nick: the man who loved the Lord with all his heart and followed Him faithfully.

Here’s a comparison of the myth and the real man by – J. Rosenthal & C. Myers:

Santa Claus belongs to childhood;
St. Nicholas models for all of life.

Santa Claus, as we know him, developed to boost Christmas sales – the commercial Christmas message;
St. Nicholas told the story of Christ and peace, goodwill toward all – the hope-filled Christmas message.

Santa Claus encourages consumption;
St. Nicholas encourages compassion.

Santa Claus appears each year to be seen and heard for a short time;
St. Nicholas is part of the communion of saints, surrounding us always with prayer and example.

Santa Claus flies through the air – from the North Pole;
St. Nicholas walked the earth – caring for those in need.

Santa Claus, for some, replaces the Babe of Bethlehem;
St. Nicholas, for all, points to the Babe of Bethlehem.

Santa Claus isn’t bad;
St. Nicholas is just better.

St Nicholas with the children

 Have a very merry & blessed Christmas!

St Nicholas (part 2 of 3)

Bishop Nicholas & the Council of Nicaea

How Nicholas Became a Bishop

A very long time ago when the Bishop of Myra died, other bishops gathered to select a new bishop for the See of Myra. As they met, they discussed and prayed, but were not able to discern the right choice to be the new bishop.

One night, the oldest and wisest bishop heard a voice in the night telling him to watch the doors of the church the next morning before matins. The first person to enter the church by the name of “Nicholas” was to be the new bishop. This wise bishop told his vision to the others, urging them to pray as he waited at the doors.

When the hour for morning prayer came, the first person to arrive was a young man. “What is your name?” asked the bishop. “I am Nicholas,” said the young man. “Nicholas, servant and friend of God, for your holiness you shall be bishop of this place,” said the bishop. Nicholas protested that he was not worthy to be named bishop. However, all the bishops said that it was God’s will that he be made the new bishop. They brought him into the church and placed him in the bishop’s seat where he was consecrated the new Bishop of Myra. And Nicholas vowed that he would bring the Gospel of Christ to the people and defend the faith from all those who would assail it. Bishop Nicholas then lived his life in faithful service to God as protector of the poor and helpless, as advocate of justice for those in need, and as a faithful defender of the Christian faith.

Nicholas became a defender of the faith against Arianism, a theory propagated by Arias of Egypt.

In 325, Emperor Constantine called the Council of Nicaea, which was the first ecumenical council ever held. Although Bishop Nicholas does not appear on all lists of attendees, his name does appear on the oldest Greek list and on five other lists. It is probable that he attended, as more than 300 bishops from all over the Christian world came to debate the nature of the Holy Trinity, one of the early Church’s most intense theological questions. One idea, circulated by Arias, was Arianism, a heretical doctrine which asserted that Christ was not the Son of God, but a being nurtured by God, the Father, to the position of Son of God. This was the Arian controversy which shook Christianity’s very foundations.

Bishop Nicholas at the Council of Nicaea

Nicholas became a defender of the faith against Arianism. St. Methodius asserts that “thanks to the teaching of St. Nicholas the metropolis of Myra alone was untouched by the filth of the Arian heresy, which it firmly rejected as death-dealing poison.” He does not speak of Nicholas’ presence at the Council of Nicaea, but according to other traditions he was not only there but went so far in his indignation as to slap the arch-heretic Arius in the face in defense of the Gospel of Christ! At this, they say, he was deprived of his episcopal insignia and imprisoned, but Our Lord and His Mother appeared and restored to him both his liberty and his office.

Bishop Nicholas at the Council of Nicaea

In 325 Nicaea, Emperor Constantine convened the Council of Nicaea, the very first ecumenical council. More than 300 came from all over the Christian world to debate the nature of the Holy Trinity. It was one of the early church’s most intense theological questions. Arias, who was from Egypt, was teaching that Jesus the Son was not equal to God the Father. This was known as the Arian controversy and it shook the very foundations of Christianity. Arias argued his position forcefully and at great length. The assembly listened in silence and without interruption. Nicholas, however, became agitated, with what he saw as an attack on an essential Christian belief.

An outraged Nicholas got up, crossed the room, and slapped Arias in the face! The other bishops were shocked. It was unbelievable a bishop would become so confrontational in such a solemn assembly. Arias’ supporters demanded Constantine discipline Nicholas. Constantine acknowledged it was illegal for anyone to strike another in his presence; however, he passed determination of punishment on to the bishops.

The bishops decided Nicholas was to be stripped of his bishop’s garments, chained, and thrown into jail preventing Nicholas from participation in the rest of the meeting. Nicholas was shackled and put in jail until the council concluded and final judgment made.

Nicholas, ashamed of his outburst, prayed for forgiveness; although, he still believed Arias was wrong. During the night, Jesus, along with His mother Mary, appeared to Nicholas, asking, “Why are you imprisoned?” “Because of my love for you,” he replied. Jesus then gave Nicholas the Holy Scriptures. Meanwhile, Mary left and returned with the bishop’s garments. At peace, Nicholas studied the Scriptures throughout the night.

When the jailer checked on Nicholas in the morning, he found the chains loose on the floor and Nicholas, dressed in bishop’s robes, quietly reading the Scriptures. This was reported to Constantine; he, then, freed Nicholas, who was fully reinstated as Bishop of Myra.

Another Account of Bishop Nicholas at the Council of Nicaea

St Nicholas as Patron of Sailors

When all the bishops were gathered together in Nicaea to decide the great question threatening to split the early church, there were many long speeches. It can be very tiring to be part of such meetings. Once when they were at dinner, Bishop Nicholas, apparently fatigued, dozed off.

As he slept, Nicholas heard voices calling his name. Leaving his sleeping body leaning on the table, he followed the voices. After traveling a long way, he came to a place in the middle of the sea. A mighty storm was raging around a ship in great danger. The wind shredded the ship’s sails, and the masts broke. Sailors, clinging to the ship, cried to Nicholas for help.

As Nicholas raised his hands, the waves calmed and the thunder and lightening stopped. The sun came out over a now calm sea. The grateful sailors thanked God for their rescue. Nicholas blessed the sailors. He returned to Nicaea, awoke at the table, yawned and rubbed his eyes. Seeing he had awakened, the other bishops said, “So much has happened while you slept, Nicholas. We have missed you, our Brother.” “Yes indeed,” said Nicholas. “A ship has been saved and many sailors rescued.” The bishops, completely unaware of what had happened, thought Nicholas was referring to the Church as a ship and the Council had saved the Church and its people. 

Some accounts list Nicholas as present at the Council of Nicaea and some do not. Some say his name was not on some lists because he was thrown in jail. Others say his name is missing because he was sleeping and missed some of the Council’s deliberations.

Next: Part 3 of 3 St Nicholas as Santa Claus

St Nicholas (part 1 of 3)

History of Saint Nicholas

Naysayers claim St. Nicholas existed only in legend, without any reliable historical record. Legends, though, usually grow out of factual events; however, they may be embellished to make events more interesting. St. Nicholas’ legend may be reality intertwined with myth. While all of the “Santa Claus” legends are clearly fairy tales, the following facts of St. Nicholas’ life are purported to be derived from historical truth. These stories give us an idea of his personal character, as well as what the man may have been like. The information and stories here have been compiled from several Internet sources, including EWTN, Catholic Online and one which claims to have gathered their information ‘from various sites throughout the Internet’. This site states they ‘made every effort to compare and extract the items that seemed to be based on actual historical facts.’

Nicholas was born into a wealthy family about 350 miles northwest of Bethlehem in Patara. It is believed he was born in the third century between 260 and 280 AD; although, the exact date is unknown. Patara, which was Greek at the time, is now on the southern coast of Turkey. He was a Christian man who loved children, and loved his neighbors with the love of Christ. He spent his life privately giving gifts to the unfortunate. These usually secret acts of Christian charity, in addition to the Three Wisemen’s gifts to the baby Jesus, may have led to the tradition of exchanging gifts during the Christmas season. He died December 6, 343 AD in Myra.

December 6th, therefore, is the feast day of St Nicholas.

Nicholas’ history is vague, but there are many legends associated with him. We are told Nicholas was raised by pious and virtuous parents who had him study the sacred books by the age of five. “He was exceedingly well brought up by his parents and trod piously in their footsteps. The child, watched over by the church enlightened his mind and encouraged his thirst for sincere and true religion” His parents died when he was a young man, leaving him well off, and he was determined to devote his inheritance to works of charity. An opportunity soon arose.

Story of the Dowries

There was a man, once rich, who had fallen on hard times. Now poor, he had three daughters of an age to be married. In those days a young woman’s family had to have something of value, a dowry, to offer prospective bridegrooms. The larger the dowry, the better chance a young woman had to find a good husband. Without a dowry, a woman was unlikely to marry. This poor man’s daughters, without dowries, were therefore destined to be sold into slavery, or worse.

Word of the family’s misfortune reached Nicholas, who had the wealth inherited from his parents. Coming in secret by night, he tossed a bag of gold into the house. It sailed in through an open window, landing in a stocking left before the fire to dry. What joy in the morning when the gold was discovered! The first daughter soon wed. Not long after, another bag of gold again appeared secretly. The second daughter was married. The father, now very anxious to know who the secret benefactor was, kept watch during the night.

A third bag of gold landed in the house and the watchful father leaped up and caught the fleeing donor. “Ah, Nicholas, it is you!” cried the father, “You have saved my daughters from certain disaster.” Nicholas, embarrassed, and not wishing to be known, begged the man to keep his identity secret. He told the man to thank God alone for providing these gifts in answer to his prayers for deliverance.

This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes, the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. For this reason, three gold balls, also represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas. Hence, St. Nicholas is known as the gift giver.

These three bags or purses of gold represented in pictures are believed by some to have been mistaken for the heads of three children. This belief gave rise to the absurd story of the children, resuscitated by the saint, who had been killed by an innkeeper and pickled in a brine-tub.

The Evil Innkeeper

In France the story is told of three small children having fun playing in the fields. As they play, they wander off toward the town. Walking about and exploring, the children lose track of the time. It is now late, the sun is going down; the children are hungry, tired and lost. They approach a lighted butcher’s shop, saying, “We are lost and hungry. May we eat and sleep?” “Oh, yes,” comes the reply, “do come in.” As they enter, the butcher takes a sharp knife, cuts them up, and puts them in a large salting tub. Time passes. Then a knock comes on the door. Bishop Saint Nicholas appears, saying to the evil butcher, “Open your large salting tub!” The saint, putting his hand on the tub, appeals to God, saying, “Rise up, children.” The little children are restored to life; their families joyfully welcome them home. Since then, St. Nicholas has been called upon as the patron and protector of children.

Coming to the city of Myra when the clergy and people of the province were in session to elect a new bishop, St. Nicholas was indicated by God as the man they should choose. This was at the time of Diocletian’s persecutions at the beginning of the fourth century. The Greek writers go on to say that now, as leader, “the divine Nicholas was seized by the magistrates, tortured, then chained and thrown into prison with other Christians. But when the great and religious Constantine, chosen by God, assumed the imperial diadem of the Romans, the prisoners were released from their bonds and with them the illustrious Nicholas, who when he was set at liberty returned to Myra.”

 

As bishop, Nicholas was a servant of God and a shepherd of the people, caring for their needs. His active pursuit of justice for his people was demonstrated when he secured lower taxes for Myra, saved the lives of three men wrongly condemned, and secured grain in time of famine. He taught the Gospel simply, so ordinary people understood, and he lived out his faith and devotion to God in helping the poor and all in need. These stories are another testament to his defense and protection of his people.

Tax Relief for Myra 

The people of Myra were suffering under the burden of heavy taxes. They begged Bishop Nicholas to ask the emperor to relieve them of the high taxes which caused such hardship. Nicholas went to Constantine to plead the cause of his people. The emperor heard Nicholas’ pleas and granted a large cut. Nicholas received a written copy of the order. He immediately took the copy and went down to the sea where he threw the parchment out into the water. Soon afterwards it was fished out of the water near Myra and taken to the proper authorities. It was put into immediate effect and taxes were lowered substantially.

Meanwhile the finance ministers had convinced Constantine that losing this revenue would seriously harm the royal treasury. Constantine summoned Nicholas back and asked to have the order returned so it could be changed to a much smaller tax cut. When Nicholas reported that the order had already been put into effect in Myra, Constantine sent a runner to determine the truth. How could it be true when Bishop Nicholas was still in Constantinople? However, when Nicholas’ words were confirmed, the emperor allowed the full reduction to stand. A century later Myra’s people still attributed their low taxation to St. Nicholas.

Nicholas’ Burial & Pilgrimages

All accounts are unanimous to Nicholas’ burial in the episcopal city of Myra. By the time of Justinian, some two centuries later, his feast was celebrated on December 6^th, and a church was built over his tomb. The ruins of this domed basilica, which stood in the plain where the city was built, were excavated in the nineteenth century. The tremendous popularity of the saint is indicated by an anonymous Greek in the tenth century who declares: “The West as well as the East acclaims and glorifies him. Wherever there are people, in the country and the town, in the villages, in the isles, in the farthest parts of the earth, his name is revered and churches are erected in his honor.”

When Myra and its great shrine finally passed into the hands of the Saracens in 1034, several Italian cities made plans to get possession of the relics of the famous Nicholas. There was great competition for them between Venice and Bari. The citizens of Bari finally, on May 9, 1087, carried them off from the lawful Greek custodians and their Mohammedan/Moslem masters. A new church was quickly built at Bari and Pope Bd. Urban II was present at the enshrining of the relics. Devotion to St. Nicholas now increased and many miracles were attributed to his intercession.

At Myra “the venerable body of the bishop, embalmed as it was in the good ointments of virtue exuded a sweet smelling myrrh, which kept it from corruption and proved a health giving remedy against sickness to the glory o f him who had glorified Jesus Christ, our true God.” The translation of the relics did not interrupt this phenomenon, and the “manna of St. Nicholas” is said to flow to this day. It was one of the great attractions which drew pilgrims to his tomb from all parts of Europe.

The greatest popularity of St. Nicholas is found neither in the eastern Mediterranean nor north-western Europe, great as that was, but in Russia. With St. Andrew the Apostle, he is patron of Russia, and the Russian Orthodox Church even observes the feast of his translation of his relics; so many Russian pilgrims came to Bari before the revolution that their government supported a church, hospital and hospice there. St. Nicholas is also patron of Greece, Apulia, Sicily, and Lorraine, of many cities in Italy, Greece, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, and the Netherlands and dioceses (including Galway) and churches innumerable. Nicholas was so widely revered that more than 2,000 churches were named for him, including three hundred in Belgium, thirty-four in Rome, twenty-three in the Netherlands and more than four hundred in England. At Rome the basilica of St. Nicholas in the Jail of Tully (in Carcere) was founded between the end of the sixth and the beginning of the seventh centuries.

In addition, he is named in the preparation of the Byzantine Mass.

Part 2: Bishop Nicholas at the Council of Nicea

Adoring Santa/St Nick with Baby Jesus

Remembering Our Veterans on Veterans Day 11/11/11

Many people confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day; however, there is one very grave difference. Memorial Day remembers all those who gave their life in battle or succumbed to injury or illness attributed to their service. Veterans Day remembers all those who served during times of war and peace who are still with us.

It is astonishing the number of people who do not know why we celebrate Veterans Day or why it is the only national holiday other than Christmas, New Years and the 4^th of July that was not moved to a Monday to make a long weekend. First of all, holidays are not for the convenience of those celebrating/honoring them. Holidays have meaning and purpose.

Proponents of Veterans Day have fought long and hard to keep Veterans Day on November 11^th because its history is part of its celebration. It honors a bright light during a very dark time in world history. It is a moment all should remember. Unfortunately, today, some don’t know anything about it and some even pretend it never happened.

Veterans Day started as Armistice Day. Armistice Day marked the end of WWI. The western front battles ended at 11 am on 11/11/1918… the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.” The end of the war to end all wars.

Many countries around the world celebrated it and declared it a national holiday. In 1938, legislation was passed making November 11^th a legal holiday to honor WWI vets and called it Armistice Day.

In 1954, after WWI & the Korean War. Veteran organizations urged congress to amend the Act of 1938 by renaming Armistice Day Veterans Day. The legislation was approved 6/1/1954, and allowed for the honoring of all American Veterans.

In 1968, the Uniforms Holiday Bill moved holidays to Mondays ensuring 3-day weekends for federal employees. However, many states refused to follow this bill and continued to celebrate Veterans Day on November 11, 2011. Under the new law, on October 25, 1971 Veterans Day was celebrated with much confusion. On September 20, 1975, President Ford returned Veterans Day to its 11/11 observance by signing it into law. Since 1978, Veterans Day has been observed on November 11^th.

Armistice Day remains a holiday in France & Belgium. It was changed to Remembrance Day in all British Commonwealth of Nations (Great Britain, Canada, Australia, etc.).

Many countries hold special ceremonies, commemorative events and parades with active duty military and veterans.

In times of peace, people often forget out Veterans and the struggles they face. Many claim they care for the well being of our service men & women. In times of war, many demand our military personnel be returned to American shores. People don’t understand being away from home, away from the US in some instances, is our military doing their job. It would be like telling a civilian to do their job but don’t show up for work to do it. Alas, I am always reminded of Dad’s words to Mom during the Viet Nam war…

Dad wrote these words to Mom back when he was in Viet Nam while she was pregnant with my older brother. Being in Rhode Island, which has always been a little anti-military, family and friends would press her for why Dad volunteered to join the US Navy at a time of war. She wrote to Dad with the same question. His response has echoed through my life whenever he has had to travel without us or whenever our military has had to do what they do best. He explained to her: he would rather go to foreign shores to fight those who wish to destroy our way of life… the American way of life… than have to fight them here on American soil. He would rather go there, possibly lose his life and never see his unborn child or his wife and family again, knowing he did all he could to protect our country, our way of life and the future of Americans including his wife and unborn child, hoping that child would never see the devastation of war here in the United States… on American soil.

Demands are made for cuts in defense spending constantly; yet, so many don’t realize a great deal of defense cuts come in the form of cutting veterans programs, health care and such.

Veterans’ health care is a prime example of why the federal government should not meddle in health care. Many veterans struggle with adjusting back to life outside a war zone. Many veterans struggle to adjust after life long careers in the armed forces. Many veterans struggle with physical handicaps, results of injuries of war. Many struggle with mental handicaps acquired on the battlefield, but are not so readily seen by others. Many veterans suffer illness from exposure to chemical and biological weapons, and in some cases, these weapons are used by our own government in the forms of vaccines, which are suppose to protect military personnel, defoliating herbicides, as is the case of Agent Orange, and other chemicals and such by the enemy. Documented illnesses the federal government refuses to recognize.

Nearly 30 years after Viet Nam, the federal government finally recognized diabetes among Viet Nam veterans exposed to Agent Orange were higher than normal and attributed these findings to Agent Orange. However, the federal government has yet to make the same connection for Graves Disease, heart disease and cancer. Veterans of the Gulf War, too, are having difficulty getting the federal government to recognize service-related illnesses.

The reason… money. It is costly to treat the service-related illnesses. It is better, I suppose, in the eyes of the government, to allow these brave men and women to die of illnesses received while fighting for the freedoms of all Americans than to spend the money on their care. It is a grave warning to all who support the socialist agenda of government funded health care. I have been to the VA hospitals. I have witnessed the waiting these men and women are put through. I have first hand knowledge of the war they still fight, this time with our own government, just to be compensated for what happened to them many years ago. Viet Nam veterans are the fastest, youngest dieing veterans. Why? Because the government refuses to acknowledge them and the lasting effects of Agent Orange. These brave veterans are not counted in the casualties of a war lost in Washington DC. Contrary to popular belief, the United States was winning the Viet Nam war until Washington DC started caving to whiny protesters. Now, as these veterans age into their 60s, they are being abandoned, once again by their government who would rather they die of their war-related illnesses than offer them the health care they so rightly deserve.

Gulf War veterans are now experiencing similar issues in dealing with the government trying to get the proper care for what has become known as Gulf War Syndrome, a condition the US Government either doesn’t know what causes it or has decided to keep it under wraps. It is sometimes thought that Saddam Hussein used chemical/biological weapons against our veterans, but one has to wonder if it was not our own government since they refuse to acknowledge it.

On this Veterans Day, we honor all veterans from war and peace time. It’s been 93 years since that 1^st Armistice Day. The day that ended the war to end all wars.

Obviously, the title didn’t bear true, as we approach the 70^th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and we recently remembered the 10^th anniversary of the September 11^th attacks. It has been a mere 58 & 38 years since the end of the Korean and Viet Nam wars, respectively. It has been 20 years since the end of the Gulf War.

The future does not look as if it will bring peace anytime soon; so, we continue to honor our veterans. We owe them our lives, our way of life and our freedom. We owe them so much more than we could ever repay.

Lest we forget

So, this Veterans Day, and everyday, when you see a veteran or one of our brave men or women in uniform, go up to them and thank them for their sacrifices. When you see a red poppy on a lapel remember this…

In Flanders Fields

by Lt. Col. John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

The following is a list of websites for information and/or donation. If you would like to offer assistance to our veterans or if you are, or you know, a veteran, who needs assistance, please visit these sites…

1. www.DAV.org Disabled American Veterans: they are usually available at the VA hospitals. Every veteran should contact the DAV for support even if you do not need them at the moment. They can help you file any necessary paperwork to make claims for illnesses and help you file for benefits. They also help spouses.
2. www.TheVeteransSupport.org The Veterans Support: helps veterans pay utility bills, rent, mortgage & provide housing assistance for homeless vets.
3. www.TheVeteransSite.com
4. www.woundedheroes.org
5. www.gulfwarvets.com Great site for info on Gulf War Syndrome
6. www.veteranstoday.com & www.veteranstoday.com/2010/08/08/link-between-graves-disease-and-agent-orange/
7. www.nvlsp.org National Veteran Legal Services Program: great resources on this site including information on Ischemic Heart Disease in Viet Nam veterans.
8. www.veteransandfamilies.org provides info, support and assistance for transitioning from military to civilian life.
9. www.freedomisnotfree.com aids wounded service members, their families and the families of the fatally wounded.
10. www.ptsd.va.gov the official VA site for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
11. www.ptsdhelp.net network of help for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
12. www.patriotpaws.org provides dog training, service dogs for disabled American veterans
13. www.vetdogs.org dogs helping vets
14. www.hero-dogs.org/veterans.html service dogs for America’s heroes
15. www.va.gov the official site of the Veterans Administration

Rosaries for Veterans Day

This week's featured rosaries are in line with Veterans Day, Friday, November 11th. These rosaries are popular with our military personnel, past and present and their families. They feature the Camo Rosaries and the In God We Trust God Bless America Rosary.

Desert Camo Yellow Ribbon Rosary

The Camo Rosaries

The Camo Rosaries began as a dedication to the US Armed Forces. Being a US Air Force brat, I always try to remember our military personnel. I searched for beads that were similar to the fatigues worn by military personnel.

The Desert camo version mimics the sand with the gemstone Picture Jasper. This gemstone's brown, tan and cream earth tones gives the impression of sandy expanses and rocky mountains.

The Woodland camo version uses a gemstone known as Camo Stone (TM). Camo Stone, also known as Kambaba Jasper. Kambaba Jasper is a new name given to an old stone, Green Stromatolite Jasper. It is a sedimentary stone formed from blue-green algae, sand and debris that has fossilized. Rhyolite forms from volcanic rock that cools slowly. It features a mix of deep rich green, reminiscent of a mossy forest floor, and black patterned tones which make it ideal for use by jewelry makers in making military uniform inspired jewelry. Some patterns feature hints of a warm salmon or brown color. The color pattern varies per bead. Kambaba Jasper, Green Stromatolite Jasper, Camo Stone is sold under many different names, depending on who the seller is marketing to. My supplier sells it under both Camo Stone and Kambaba Jasper.

Woodland Camo Yellow Ribbon Rosary

The ribbon centers are handmade lead free pewter especially made for these rosaries by an artisan in Florida, who is originally from Rhode Island. He makes and sells charms, but designed these for me when I asked. Each is enameled with either yellow or black.

Each rosary comes with the buyers choice of St. Christopher medal. St. Christopher is the protector of travelers and one of the patron saints of US military personnel, as they travel across the world protecting and defending freedom. The medal is available in USAF, USMC, USN & USArmy. Unfortunately, I could not locate one for the USCG, the National Guard or the Merchant Marines. The medal is attached to the yellow or black ribbon center. 

Desert Camo POW/MIA Rosary

Each of the rosaries also feature lampwork clear glass beads with yellow or black ribbons for the Our Father/Lord's Prayer Pater Noster beads.

The rosary is available with yellow ribbons for active duty and veterans.

The rosary is available with black ribbons for POW, MIA and veterans who were either of those or who wish to remember those who were/are.

To complete the rosary, a Papal crucifix is used.

Upon request, the ribbon Our Father beads can be substituted for either the Picture Jasper/Desert Camo beads or the Camo Stone/Woodland Camo beads. They then would come with a silver plated bead cap at either ends of the beads to distinguish them from the Hail Mary beads.

Woodland Camo POW/MIA Rosary

These rosaries have become almost as popular as the cancer and health rosaries.

Upon many occasion, I have heard back from customers who were buying them for military family members to give to them before they leave for duty. In some cases, they were sent to them. My only hope is the rosaries bring their owners peace in a time of war and uncertainty.

In God We Trust God Bless America Rosary
One Nation Under God
EXCLUSIVELY crafted by Robyn!

In God We Trust God Bless America Rosary

This rosary is popular with just about everyone. It has become one of the favorites of our military personnel.

This meaningful rosary came to be after much news of stripping the United States of its religious background. When lawsuits flared demanding the "One nation under God" be removed from the Pledge of Allegiance and "In God We Trust" be removed from our currency.

In all this, this rosary offers hope!

It calls on the powerful intercessions of Mary, Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ, under her name the Immaculate Conception, and St. Michael the Archangel, who defends us in battle.

In 1847, the Bishops of the United States requested permission from the Holy Father, Pope Pius IX, to declare the Blessed Virgin Mary as patroness of the United States under the title of “The Immaculate Conception.” This title reflects Mary's privilege of being free from Original Sin. Mother Mary, therefore, under the title The Immaculate Conception, is the patron saint of the United States.

St. Michael the Archangel is known as our defender against evil. It is he will defend us against those who are against God.

When our country is in dire need, we call upon St. Mary, the Immaculate Conception, and St. Michael the Archangel to intercede for us with our heavenly Father.  In the same way people ask others to pray to God for us, we ask Sts. Mary & Michael to do the same. So, the center is a large, highly detailed statuette of the Immaculate Conception, and attached at the bottom is a medal of St. Michael the Archangel.

The Immaculate Conception center, with her eyes cast downward, reminds us Mary is our mother in heaven, a powerful intercessor, who offers a “look of protection” upon her children and her nation.

The St. Michael the Archangel medal shows St. Michael winning the battle with evil & features the words "Pray for us" on the reverse.

Full Rosary

This striking rosary when held from the middle of the third decade is inspired by the United States flag! Beads reflect the rich blue “field” with dazzling crystal AB “stars” and alternating deep ruby red and more crystal AB “stripes”.

This rosary sings out God Bless America!

It reminds us we are "One Nation Under God"!

It confirms "In God We Trust"!

Holy Trinity Crucifix

The unique greatly detailed crucifix features the Holy Trinity: God the Father holding God the Son along with God the Holy Spirit. On the reverse is the Four Basilicas of Rome…St Peter, St Paul, St Mary Major and St John Lataran.

Our Father Beads

The Our Father, Lord's Prayer, Pater Noster beads are while glass based pearls with a silver plated red enameled Cloisonne inlaid bead cap on one side and a silver plated blue enameled Cloisonne inlaid bead cap on the other side.

Again, representing the colors of the United States and her flag.

 May God bless our troops!

New Items Added to Addoway Store

I am happy to announce I am adding some of my photographic prints to the store.

I probably will not add all of my prints to the store, but I will try to offer the religious themed ones. The selection will be limited to those prints that will fit the 5x7 print size.

Watermarks, obviously, will not be on the print you receive.

If you find a print you like and would like it in a bigger size, please feel free to contact me, and I will check to see if I can get it in that size.

I am using a commercial photograph printer for these prints.
They will be in a matte finish only, unless you request them in a glossy finish.
The prints will be ready for your matting and framing.

These are the same prints available on my artist website, Robyn Stacey Fine Art, featured on my homepage under "My Other Storefronts". The selection is bigger and prints are available in a multitude of sizes, papers and finishes. The prints are available on canvas, as prints, as prints framed with your choice of frames and as greeting cards. Greeting cards, which are accompanied by envelopes, are available for purchase individually as well as in multiples of 25.

Here are some of the prints I have added...

This is yet a small sample of what I have added and what I plan to add in the near future. Please feel free to visit my store to see more.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a quick glance at some of the artwork I have added. I will, hopefully, add more soon.

Please comment and share with your friends and family on facebook & twitter.

Thanks & God bless... Robyn

All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day & All Souls Day

In light of the upcoming celebrations of All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day and All Souls Day…

Halloween has a dual origin. It takes its name from its Christian origins. Most popular is the Celtic celebration of the Celtic New Year. The Celtic New Year was about November 1^st. They believed on the last day of the year, which would then be October 31^st, the lord of death, Samhain, let souls roam the earth. Those who had sinned in life were imprisoned in animals. They could be released by gifts to Samhain, these gifts included human sacrifices. In addition to these souls, evil spirits – demons, witches, etc. – also roamed the earth on this day. It was believed you could dress like them to “blend” in; hence, they would not bother you.

Hearths were extinguished on this Celtic New Year as well. A communal bonfire was held on New Year’s on a hilltop, from which lanterns (gourds) were lit, much like jack-o-lanterns are now, to bring the fire home to re-light the hearth. The bonfire symbolized the driving away of evil spirits with the coming of the New Year.

Today, it is believed, erroneously, the Celtic New Year was called Samhain and pagans celebrating this Celtic New Year will wish others “Happy Samhain”. However, it is merely the celebration of New Year’s and New Year’s eve not the celebration of the lord of death; so, it is unrealistic that the ancient Druids would have wished people a “Happy lord of death”.
 

Guy Fawkes (1570 - Jan 1606)                                   Guy Fawkes mask

Interestingly, England does still celebrate this time of year with bonfires, but it is not Halloween or Samhain they commemorate. Instead, they commemorate the execution of Guy Fawkes, an English Catholic, who with other Catholics attempted to overthrow the king of England to end Catholic persecution by the king. The British celebrate by sending children out with an effigy of Guy Fawkes, collecting money door to door as American children go trick-or-treating for candy, in preparation for the bonfire. The bonfire is held as a communal event where everyone gathers to watch the bonfire as it is lit, now with the effigy of Guy Fawkes on top. It is unclear why the figure of Guy Fawkes is set ablaze, as this is not how he was executed. He was tortured; then, he jumped to his death before he was able to be hung. Three of his conspirators were hung, drawn and quartered. Fawkes escaped the hanging part, as he broke his neck and died from the jump. While in England living in Bury St Edmunds before Dad got base housing at RAF Lakenheath, we attended at least one of these celebrations. Many know Guy Fawkes from the mask used in the movie V for Vendetta.

In Christianity, All Hallows’ Eve is the night before All Hallows’. Hallow means holy; so, All Hallows’ Eve means, simply, All Holys' Eve. It is merely the night before All Hallows’ or All Holys’ Day, commonly known as All Saints Day. All Saints Day is the honoring of all holy people who have died.

As early as the 1^st century, people began honoring the people who they thought were holy, most importantly, those who were martyred for their Christian faith. At the time, these holy people were honored on “feast” days, which was the day of their earthly death, but eternal birth. During the 3^rd & 4^th century, Diocletian persecuted & executed so many Christians, the dates & names became too many. On May 13, 609, Pope Bonafice IV consecrated the Roman Pantheon as a temple of the Blessed Virgin and All Martyrs. Pope Gregory III (731-741) commemorated the feast of All Saints at St Peters on November 1^st. Pope Gregory IV (827-844) extended the feast of All Saints to the entire Church.

It remains a holy day and feast day commemorating & honoring all saints and holy people to this day in the Catholic Church.

All Souls Day began in a German monastery on October 1^st during the 900s. St Odilio of Cluny’s patronage spread the celebration to other monasteries, then to dioceses. In 1915, Pope Benedict XV granted the observances of Masses. All Souls Day, also known as the Day of the Dead in some countries, is observed throughout the world by Catholics. It is a day you remember and pray for loved ones who have passed, as well as all those souls who have gone before us. It is a special time to honor their memory and offer prayers for their souls.

Because of the dates of All Saints Day and the Celtic New Year, customs of both have melded together when Christians went to Celtic areas – England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland & Brittany (NW France). Initially, the Christians tried to move the New Year’s eve celebration to the original October 1^st celebration of All Souls Day to move it away from All Saints Day, but the old Celts continued to celebrate it on October 31^st. This led the Christians to try to incorporate it into Christian teaching.

Today, Catholic celebrations of All Hallows’ Eve are held in family and/or parish gatherings where children, as well as some adults, dress up as a saint or holy person such as the pope, Mother Teresa, St Francis of Assisi, any of the holy people named in the Bible, etc. Christians include elements that honor the Christian origins of All Hallows’ Eve & All Saints Day.

So... to one and all, may you have a very blessed All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints Day and All Souls Day. May all the saints pray for you and your intentions, and may the souls of those who have gone before us rest in peace.
God bless… Robyn