URGED BY FAITH, we are obliged to believe and to maintain that the Church is one, holy, catholic, and also apostolic. We believe in her firmly and we confess with simplicity that outside of her there is neither salvation nor the remission of sins, as the Spouse in the Canticles [Sgs 6:8] proclaims: "One is my dove, my perfect one. She is the only one, the chosen of her who bore her," and she represents one sole mystical body whose Head is Christ and the head of Christ is God [1 Cor 11:3]. In her then is one Lord, one faith, one baptism [Eph 4:5]. There had been at the time of the deluge only one ark of Noah, prefiguring the one Church, which ark, having been finished to a single cubit, had only one pilot and guide, i.e., Noah, and we read that, outside of this ark, all that subsisted on the earth was destroyed.

We venerate this Church as one, the Lord having said by the mouth of the prophet: "Deliver, O God, my soul from the sword and my only one from the hand of the dog." [Ps 21:20] He has prayed for his soul, that is for himself, heart and body; and this body, that is to say, the Church, He has called one because of the unity of the Spouse, of the faith, of the sacraments, and of the charity of the Church. This is the tunic of the Lord, the seamless tunic, which was not rent but which was cast by lot [Jn 19:23-24]. Therefore, of the one and only Church there is one body and one head, not two heads like a monster; that is, Christ and the Vicar of Christ, Peter and the successor of Peter, since the Lord speaking to Peter Himself said: "Feed my sheep" [Jn 21:17], meaning, my sheep in general, not these, nor those in particular, whence we understand that He entrusted all to him [Peter]. Therefore, if the Greeks or others should say that they are not confided to Peter and to his successors, they must confess not bei ng the sheep of Christ, since Our Lord says in John "there is one sheepfold and one shepherd." We are informed by the texts of the gospels that in this Church and in its power are two swords; namely, the spiritual and the temporal. For when the Apostles say: "Behold, here are two swords" [Lk 22:38] that is to say, in the Church, since the Apostles were speaking, the Lord did not reply that there were too many, but sufficient. Certainly the one who denies that the temporal sword is in the power of Peter has not listened well to the word of the Lord commanding: "Put up thy sword into thy scabbard" [Mt 26:52]. Both, therefore, are in the power of the Church, that is to say, the spiritual and the material sword, but the former is to be administered for the Church but the latter by the Church; the former in the hands of the priest; the latter by the hands of kings and soldiers, but at the will and sufferance of the priest.

However, one sword ought to be subordinated to the other and temporal authority, subjected to spiritual power. For since the Apostle said: "There is no power except from God and the things that are, are ordained of God" [Rom 13:1-2], but they would not be ordained if one sword were not subordinated to the other and if the inferior one, as it were, were not led upwards by the other.

For, according to the Blessed Dionysius, it is a law of the divinity that the lowest things reach the highest place by intermediaries. Then, according to the order of the universe, all things are not led back to order equally and immediately, but the lowest by the intermediary, and the inferior by the superior. Hence we must recognize the more clearly that spiritual power surpasses in dignity and in nobility any temporal power whatever, as spiritual things surpass the temporal. This we see very clearly also by the payment, benediction, and consecration of the tithes, but the acceptance of power itself and by the government even of things. For with truth as our witness, it belongs to spiritual power to establish the terrestrial power and to pass judgement if it has not been good. Thus is accomplished the prophecy of Jeremias concerning the Church and the ecclesiastical power: "Behold today I have placed you over nations, and over kingdoms" and the rest. Therefore, if the terrestrial power err, it will be judged by the spiritual power; but if a minor spiritual power err, it will be judged by a superior spiritual power; but if the highest power of all err, it can be judged only by God, and not by man, according to the testimony of the Apostle: "The spiritual man judgeth of all things and he himself is judged by no man" [1 Cor 2:15]. This authority, however, (though it has been given to man and is exercised by man), is not human but rather divine, granted to Peter by a divine word and reaffirmed to him (Peter) and his successors by the One Whom Peter confessed, the Lord saying to Peter himself, "Whatsoever you shall bind on earth, shall be bound also in Heaven" etc., [Mt 16:19]. Therefore whoever resists this power thus ordained by God, resists the ordinance of God [Rom 13:2], unless he invent like Manicheus two beginnings, which is false and judged by us heretical, since according to the testimony of Moses, it is not in the beginnings but in the beginning that God created heaven and earth [Gen 1:1]. Furthermore, we declare, we proclaim, we define that it is absolutely necessary for salvation that every human creature be subject to the Roman Pontiff.

I’m tired after work, playing Stellaris MP against my better judgment, and here – the Hole is expiring, again… Maybe my next refreshment post will be meaningful (finally), but this one is ad Hoc like the last few.

Anyway, lately I saw Ecce Homo in a comment here and some people were not familiar with. So I thought I’ll post it again because it’s funny.

I had a backstory for it written up, but I decided to ditch it, since I assume 90% of people are aware of it. I may post it in the comment for posterity. Or not.

Some people think the restoration is disrespectful, I disagree. It’s actually a genuine attempt of a religious woman to try to restore a piece of art, rather than an act vandalism or anything malicious. Criticizing her irresponsible decision to restore it on her own is understandable of course. Critizising her art skills is more than warranted.

Apparently many journ*lists said the original painting was of low artistic value (even Wikipedia says that they said that, why should care what they think?). While I find it unremarkable, it’s functional, and competency crafted. Saying it’s better now is a bit disrespectful towards the original painter who had more skill than any Journo.

Anyway, that’s that, what even was the point I don't know, I'm tired, goodnight, bye.

I was brought to a Catholic mass yesterday and the priest went on at length about how "no really we believe we're literally eating Jesus' flesh and blood. And he's here watching us do it." In any other context people would be like yeah this is some crazy blood cult. Carp defend your beliefs.

It’s feast of Corpus Christi.

That’s it, that’s all I’ve got to say. The hole was circa 1h from extinction, so I had to post again. Also, I don’t even know where the 10 days since my least refresh post went, I've seriously been playing too much Stellaris...

I’ll allow myself ramble a bit, but don't feel the need to read it:

Last time I complained that I don’t understand what my priests says during mass. This week I happened to go to mass to a completely different church, and the priest giving the sermon was a guest from Uganda. While I have never heard an Ugandan speak better Polish, I understood around 10% of what he said. It’s is kinda funny since it's still somehow close to how much I understand from my regular priest, it really is that bad.

One other thing the visit made me realize, was how subpar mass in my church is in general, the difference was huge. The organ (organs) were more melodious, the guy singing was less of a try hard, and even the building itself improved the experience. The one I go to regularly is a modern blocky uggo church, this one is a medieval structure, and the atmosphere makes just the act of being there more pleasant, especially the smell of incense .

[The church]

Also, there was a lot of weird people there: some deformed tard child, a scarred woman with a face mask accompanying some ancient granny straight from some period film, and a woman who looked perpetually frustrated by the mass and the priest, just sitting or kneeling and never standing, it was weird. In my regular location the only noteworthy person that I remember, is some hobo, that goes there to warm himself up in the winter.

Well, that was an interesting experience. Too bad it’s so far from my home, otherwise I would go there more frequently. That's all, bye, and have a nice day.

The seventh day is upon us, so time for refresh the hole.

No boring wall of text this time. I’ll just use the occasion to ask about, Homily (Homilies?) you get at your church. Are they quite typical, interesting, boring?

In my church they are two priests who lead (not sure if this is the proper term) the mass, and as such give the Homily. One of them does what you expect: explaining the part of scripture just read, and trying to apply it to the world today. Not much to comment on.

The other priest is very fond of anecdotes, from his life and historical ones, sometimes not strongly related to the scripture just read. And while I’m sure they are interesting, there is a problem. He has endurance of an Iron Lung. Standing from his chair is enough for him to run out of breath. That, coupled with the mic quality (trash), and I get around 20% of what he is saying. One thing I know is that he hates Arians very much, probably a saint Nicholas fan.

So, how does it look at your church? I’m curious.

If any non Christians read this, do you have some a similar kind of sermon in your religion? And if you do, what’s your experience with it?

If you are atheist, I don’t know… what teachings did your local scientist impart on you lately?

Anyway, have a nice Saturday everyone.

its true!

On January 21st, I wrote a Twitter thread outlining issues that I and others had with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod's new edition of Luther's Large Catechism. After it was pulled and later re-released and reaffirmed, a lot has changed for me.

So, what has happened?

— Ryan Turnipseed 🦬 (@TurnipMerchant) May 18, 2023

Isn't being on this website pretty much all the proof you need? Choosing to be here is grounds enough for God to shun you. And then it doubles as a form of punishment for your willing attachment to your sins. Let's be honest, no one actually enjoys being here besides the ghosts of our past who can't exist in heaven or heck.

Pray for me !catholics

Hi! I’ll start using this Hole properly soon, but let’s kick things into gear.

Do you volunteer time to Church-affiliated organizations or efforts? What’s your experience been like? I used to do administrative work for my old parish and that was necessary but not very fulfilling or time-consuming, and it’s past time I started giving back again so I am looking for insight into options here.

!catholics please consider joining this Hole!

This headline sold me on eternal conscious torment

Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear. - Matthew 13

I think I've become so contrariarian that I've looped back to being a Christian

Here is a story: In a shoreside village Trzęsacz (previously called Hoff) in what is today Poland, there was a XIV-th century Gothic church. Dedicated to Saint Nicholas, it replaced the earlier 1124 wooden church, and was quite an opulent structure for a village.

Here is it’s interior. You can see it was fairly well equipped. With a triptych, choir stalls, and all.

And the outside shot, with a view of the shore.

But, today the church is no more, and only a single wall remains. How did that happen?

Well, the first tragedy struck in 1534 with the Trzebiatów Sejm announcing evangelicalism as the official religion in the West Pomerania region, causing the church to fall into heathen hands. It is safe to assume this heretical action sealed its fate.

Until 1818 it had a bell tower, but the tower was attracting thunders so much it had to be demolished. We can only assume it was God showing his discontent with the path this temple has taken. Some may say He was taking His time since it was almost three centuries after the change in denomination, but it’s not like He was in a hurry, and so the ultimate destruction that came after was painfully slow.

And it was facilitated through, one of the least impressive at the moment, but impressive over time forces of nature. Erosion.

While the Gothic structure from the latter part of XIV-th century was build 2 km (9,94 Furlongs for those still using Imperial) away from sea, in the 1870 photo above you can see that the distance drastically shortened. 1874 was the year the church was closed, and then over the years sea consumed it brick by brick (well probably multiple bricks at a time), until 1994 when, after a major collapse of the last remaining wall, the municipality decided to try and save what was left. In 2001 a construction company (called Stabilator, quite fitting) created a seawall at the bottom, and in 2002 the wall was reinforced with15 m rods, and anchors. So what’s left of the single wall remains to this day.

Interestingly Prussians actually tried to save the church in the past, as far as 1750, but with seemingly no success.

Church today.

As a sidenote, one local legends explaining the collapse says: A fishermen fishing in the sea nearby caught sea goddess Zielenica. Then local parish priest inprisoned her, and kept her captive until she died of sorrow. Following that the god Bałtyk, her father, tried to get her body back from the church cemetery by progressively eroding the ground.

It was obviously concocted by some locals, but for supposed Christians this legend is not very Christian at all.

Anyway that’s the story of the Trzęsacz Church.

You may be thinking, what is the point of this. Is this some fun fact Friday? And if so, where is the fun?

Well, you've got me.

I’m kind of an r-slur, and I did not know how to ask. Do Holes still expire in 7 days? I was sure it’s two weeks now, but the site guide says 7 days.

Because if they do this one is going to die tomorrow. And I know Florist of Carpathia, may be upset, and even dismayed that he didn’t get the name right (an honest mistake really could have happened to anyone), and may have given up on this place, but if this Hole outlives the imposter one I’m sure our Egyptian Overlord, might consider his plight for a name change.

So this post is just a glorified bump really. Also, 7 days or 14, can someone tell me?

Thank you in advance.

(also, Carp I know you are busy with the site being broken, and all, but I hope you haven't given up on this Hole that has a tremendous number of new posts (1 since creation) with tons of engagement (comment from Snappy), it's fall would be a great (symbolic) loss for Catholicism)

It looks like the Hole thing is not valid anymore, ignore it.

carpathianflorist