Moscow, The Soviet Union, 1966
This short story could well describe Easter Sunday in certain parts of America in 2021.
WE are told by experts that, when painting in oils, we should not represent things exactly as they are: for this there exists color photography. We must, by means of broken lines and combinations of square and triangular planes, convey the idea of the thing rather than the thing itself. I can’t for my part see how color photography could make a meaningful selection of figures and compose into a single image the Easter procession at the Patriarchal church in Peredelkino as it is held today, half a century after the Revolution. Yet that picture would explain a lot, even were it painted by the most old-fashioned methods and without the use of triangular planes.
Half an hour before the chimes begin, the scene outside the railings of the Patriarchal Church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord is like a wild party in the dance hall of a remote and dowdy workers’ settlement. Shrill-voiced girls in brightly colored scarves and slacks (admittedly a few wear skirts) stroll about in threes, in fives, push their way into the church. But the nave is crowded. The old women took their places early on Easter eve. They snap at each other and the girls come out. They circle around the courtyard, shout insolently, call each other from afar, and inspect the small green, pink and white flames lit outside the windows of the church and beside the tombs of canons and bishops. As for the boys—tough and mean-looking—all have an air of victory (though what victories, except perhaps knocking a ball through a goal, have they won in their 15 or 20 years?). Nearly all are wearing caps (the few who are bareheaded haven’t taken theirs off here). One out of four is tipsy, one out of ten is drunk. Every other one is smoking, and so disgustingly, with his butt stuck to his lower lip! So that long before the incense—in place of the incense—gray pillars of cigarette smoke rise from the church courtyard, with its electric lights, toward the Easter sky with its brown, motionless clouds.…Click on link to continue.
But…after 72 years of State enforced atheism the U.S.S.R. collapsed. And faith revived.
Maybe it’s God’s plan that American Christians should also be tested.
It’s quite possible that a time will come in America (No! it’s already here) when ordinary people who “profess” to believe in the living Christ will be “required by the state” to make “compromisies” in order to obtain or retain employment. Not to question the indocrination your children recieve in government school. And never speak of your faith out loud least you “trigger” and offend someone.
But is no denying that millions of people who would think of themselves as Christian are only Christian in name only. Particularly when it comes to Catholic-Democrat politicians who check their catholicism at the door and vote the party line while thumbing their noses at the Catholic church’s stand ogainst abortion. I’m talking about Andrew, Nancy, Pat. and especially dementia Joe.
They either have never believed from the begining or they think all will be forgive during their Last Rites. I hope the Catholic church refuses them. Let then explain themselves to the Allmighty on their own.
There is a fork in the road ahead, turn left and and youdecend, or turn right and you will acend. I believe the majority will turn to the left. Hang on it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
Some Catholics do get it.
“I expect to die in bed, my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square. His successor will pick up the shards of a ruined society and slowly help rebuild civilization, as the church has done so often in human history”
― Cardinal Francis George 1937-2015
The World is getting dark. Bur Christ is the light.