Subject: Re: "With All That You Acquire, Acquire Understanding"
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1999 10:34:44 GMT
From:  (St.Athanasius)
Newsgroups: aus.religion.christian

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, the One God,
Amen. Peace and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Hi Rob, 

>> The difference is that everyone knows my name here and my email
>> address. :-))
>
>I didn't. Perhaps the older group participants might.

Sorry, of course there are some who may not know me. However, when I
came back online recently I posted the fact which included the
following paragraph:

Dear Everyone,
I feel obligated to let you know that I am
in lurker mode and will respond to some posts privately via email and
perhaps some publicly herein. A recent illness has allowed me some
free time and so I purchased some net time. I hope and pray you are
all well. I am aware that some do not like private email (Andy B etc)
so I will not offend them by sending any. 

Greg Scully. 
 

Obviously you missed my re-introduction of myself. So you see I have
never attempted to be anonymous. 

>> BTW, I tried to email truth and it came back non deliverable.
>
>Doesn't surprise me. Isn't 'Truth' a JW? If not, then why does he hide??

Yes he(she?) is a JW, his hiding is a symptom of the false religion he
is a part of which totally de-individualises a person until they are
unable to think independently on their own. Truth exhibits this
programming. 
> 
>> St Athanasius is my baptism saint and all orthodox take the names of
>> their baptismal saints.  This is to draw away attention from me. But I
>> am accessable to anyone who asks.
>
>Fair enough I suppose. If you don't mind me asking - what orthodoxy?

I am Oriental Orthodox by conversion under the Patriarch of Alexandria
(Egypt). My Church was founded by St Mark the Apostle in 42 AD, the
current Patriarch is Pope Shenouda III who is the 117th direct
successor to St Mark. Known also as the Coptic Orthodox Church.

> I
>haven't heard of any churchs that have 'baptismal saints' - but then
>that is probably a lack of awareness on my part

When an Orthodox person is baptized in the Name of the Most Holy
Trinity he/she is asked by the Presbyter (Priest) what Saint he/she
feels particularly close too. The person is then baptized in that
name-not their own. Thus when I was baptized the Priest said,
"Athanasius, I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, the One God, Amen." From then on until the
person is ordained (if ever) that is his spiritual name and this is
his/her 'Patron saint' whom we believe interceeds on our behalf.

Name changes are all through the Holy Scriptures when God called
people to Himself for service. Heres just a few:

Abram became Abraham.
Sarai became Sarah.
Jacob became Israel.
Levi became Matthew.
Saul became Paul.
Simon became Peter.
John became Mark.

Hope this clears it up a little for you.

Peace and grace.