The Spiritual Synthesis of Seven
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Lithuanian Religious and Ceremonial Terms of Semitic Origin: the Phenomenon of Azazel
Etnolingwistyka 29 Lublin 2017 I. Rozprawy i analizy DOI: 10.17951/et.2017.29.257 Rolandas K r e g ž d y s (Vilnius, Lithuanian Culture Research Institute) Lithuanian religious and ceremonial terms of semitic origin: the phenomenon of Azazel The article deals with the so-called phenomenon of Azazel, i.e. the scape- goat icon, examples of which can be found in the Dictionary of the Lithuanian Language and in dialectal sources. Its relics are also traced in three-day Shro- vetide rites before the Lenten fast, which begins on Ash Wednesday (Shrove Tuesday in Lithuania), and in the Easter feast from Piev˙enaiin Samogitia (the histrionic so-called “Easter Jews” vigil on the night before Easter). Using different methods of investigating cultural realia, i.e. cross-cultural comparison and linguistic analysis (based on the inner and external reconstruction (or historical) methodology), two main types of religious terms of Semitic origin registered in the Dictionary of the Lithuanian Language and dialectal sources are identified: (i) Hebraisms with neutral or hereditary connotation; and (ii) pejoratives or semantically modified words with an anti-Semitic background. The paper also explains the origin of the xenophobic elements of the Easter feast, the way it has been celebrated in Piev˙enaiuntil today. Key words: Azazel/scapegoat phenomenon; religious terms; ceremonial terms; Hebraism; pejorative; semantically modified words Introduction: a short prehistory of the origin and purport of the scapegoat or Azazel icon The mythonym of Azazel or Hazazel (Azael, Azozel)1 is traditionally explained as an appellative of one of the chiefs of the 200 fallen angels 1 The exact meaning of the proper name is ambiguous: 1. -
The Doctrine of Angels Part
1 TTHE DDOCTRINE OF AANGELS PPART 22 HOW ARE ANGELS ORGANIZED? Although the Bible doesn’t describe in detail the hierarchy within the angelic realm, enough evidence exists to show that some organization exists Classification 1. Archangel – the highest ranking angel Michael is the only angel designated archangel and may possibly be the only one of this rank His name means “who is like God?” Apparently, Michael is one of the chief princes (see #2 below) As the chief angel of God, he especially watches over Israel (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1) and leads the holy angels (Revelation 12:7) Jude 9~ But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil 1 Thessalonians 4:16 ~ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 2. Chief Princes Daniel 10:13 ~ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. 3. Rulers, Authorities, Thrones, Dominions, Powers Colossians 1:16 ~ whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things have been created by Him 4. Cherubim Cherubim are the highest group/order of angels, created with great powers and beauty Their main purpose is to proclaim and protect God’s glorious presence and sovereignty Genesis 3:24 ~ east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim Exodus 25:22 ~ There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel. -
Angelology Angelology
Christian Angelology Angelology Introduction Why study Angels? They teach us about God As part of God’s creation, to study them is to study why God created the way he did. In looking at angels we can see God’s designs for his creation, which tells us something about God himself. They teach us about ourselves We share many similar qualities to the angels. We also have several differences due to them being spiritual beings. In looking at these similarities and differences we can learn more about the ways God created humanity. In looking at angels we can avoid “angelic fallacies” which attempt to turn men into angels. They are fascinating! Humans tend to be drawn to the supernatural. Spiritual beings such as angels hit something inside of us that desires to “return to Eden” in the sense of wanting to reconnect ourselves to the spiritual world. They are different, and different is interesting to us. Fr. J. Wesley Evans 1 Christian Angelology Angels in the Christian Worldview Traditional Societies/World of the Bible Post-Enlightenment Worldview Higher Reality God, gods, ultimate forces like karma and God (sometimes a “blind watchmaker”) fate [Religion - Private] Middle World Lesser spirits (Angels/Demons), [none] demigods, magic Earthly Reality Human social order and community, the Humanity, Animals, Birds, Plants, as natural world as a relational concept of individuals and as technical animals, plants, ect. classifications [Science - Public] -Adapted from Heibert, “The Flaw of the Excluded Middle” Existence of Angels Revelation: God has revealed their creation to us in scripture. Experience: People from across cultures and specifically Christians, have attested to the reality of spirits both good and bad. -
Jupiterský Duch © 2006-7 Václav Semerád
AUTOBUS Jupiterský duch © 2006-7 Václav Semerád III.část – Válka ďáblů © 2006-2007 Semerád Praha Rozpaky Adélka se v Oáze cítila jako v ráji, ale trochu se mrzela sama na sebe. Jak ji ale mělo napadnout, že součástí její cesty bude něco tak neuvěřitelného? O tom, že uvidí křísit mrtvé, zastřelené a navíc spálené děti, se dozvěděla až tady. »To chtělo videokameru,« postěžovala si Pepkovi. »Fotografie nejsou dneska nic moc, kdekdo je zpochybní. Kříšení mrtvých! To je přece zázrak jako z čítanky nebo z Bible, měla jsem se na to lépe připravit a zaznamenat to pečlivěji. Co se o tom dochová? Pár fotek? Na tak úžasnou věc to bude trochu málo.« »Bez obav,« ujistil ji Pepek. »Soňa má lepší způsob záznamu než fotografie i film.« Ukázal jí dívku, pohybující se poblíž. Nedržela sice fotoaparát ani kameru, ale Pepek Adélku ujistil, že používá tefirské záznamové prostředky a ty nejsou horší než pozemské. Spíš naopak, na tefirské plastické video pořád ještě nemáme. »Aspoň tak,« spokojila se s tím Adélka. »Jen by mě zajímalo, jak to dostanete do naší nedokonalé placaté televize.« »Zatím nijak,« pokrčil rameny Pepek. »Ale budeme to mít schované jako dokument pro budoucnost.« »Jenže tím prošvihnete jedinečnou příležitost!« tvrdila. »Kdybyste mi hned na začátku řekli, že ty děti chcete vzkřísit, zavolala bych si na to nějakého známého kameramana!« »Říct vám to už v Praze, zavolala byste na nás chlapy se svěrací kazajkou,« usmál se Pepek. »Vždyť jste nám nechtěla věřit ani to, že se k těm dětem vůbec dostaneme!« »Mohla jsem snad tušit, že děláte zázraky?« »Něco jste tušit mohla,« připomněl jí. -
Review of Religions Centenary Message from Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV
Contents November 2002, Vol.97, No.11 Centenary Message from Hadhrat Ameerul Momineen . 2 Editorial – Mansoor Shah . 3 Review of Religions: A 100 Year History of the Magazine . 7 A yearning to propogate the truth on an interntional scale. 7 Revelation concerning a great revolution in western countries . 8 A magazine for Europe and America . 9 The decision to publish the Review of Religions . 11 Ciculation of the magazine . 14 A unique sign of the holy spirit and spiritual guidance of the Messiah of the age. 14 Promised Messiah’s(as) moving message to the faithful members of the Community . 15 The First Golden Phase: January 1902-May 1908. 19 The Second Phase; May 1908-March 1914 . 28 Third Phase: March 1914-1947 . 32 The Fourth Phase: December 1951-November 1965. 46 The Fifth Phase: November 1965- June 1982 . 48 The Sixth Phase: June 1982-2002 . 48 Management and Board of Editors. 52 The Revolutionary articles by Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad. 56 Bright Future. 58 Unity v. Trinity – part II - The Divinity of Jesus (as) considered with reference to the extent of his mission - Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) . 60 Chief Editor and Manager Chairman of the Management Board Mansoor Ahmed Shah Naseer Ahmad Qamar Basit Ahmad. Bockarie Tommy Kallon Special contributors: All correspondence should Daud Mahmood Khan Amatul-Hadi Ahmad be forwarded directly to: Farina Qureshi Fareed Ahmad The Editor Fazal Ahmad Proof-reader: Review of Religions Shaukia Mir Fauzia Bajwa The London Mosque Mansoor Saqi Design and layout: 16 Gressenhall Road Mahmood Hanif Tanveer Khokhar London, SW18 5QL Mansoora Hyder-Muneeb United Kingdom Navida Shahid Publisher: Al Shirkatul Islamiyyah © Islamic Publications, 2002 Sarah Waseem ISSN No: 0034-6721 Saleem Ahmad Malik Distribution: Tanveer Khokhar Muhammad Hanif Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the opinions of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. -
“Men of Faith” in 2 Enoch 35:2 and Sefer Hekhalot 48D:101
Andrei A. Orlov Marquette University The Heirs of the Enochic Lore: “Men of Faith” in 2 Enoch 35:2 and Sefer Hekhalot 48D:101 [forthcoming in Old Testament Apocrypha in the Slavonic Tradition: Continuity and Diversity. (Eds. L. DiTommaso and C. Böttrich; Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha Supplement Series; London/New York: T&T Clark, 2005)] “Make public the twenty-four books that you wrote first and let the worthy and the unworthy read them; but keep the seventy that were written last, in order to give them to the wise among your people. For in them is the spring of understanding, the fountain of wisdom, and the river of knowledge.” 4 Ezra 14 Enoch and Moses Chapter 35 of 2 (Slavonic) Enoch, a Jewish apocalypse apparently written in the first century CE,2 unveils the story of the transmission of the Enochic scriptures and their 1 Part of this paper was read at the Annual Meeting of SBL/AAR, San Antonio, 23-26 November 2004. 2 On the possible date of the pseudepigraphon see the following investigations: R. H. Charles and W. R. Morfill, The Book of the Secrets of Enoch (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1896); M. I Sokolov, “Materialy i zametki po starinnoj slavjanskoj literature. Vypusk tretij, VII. Slavjanskaja Kniga Enoha Pravednogo. Teksty, latinskij perevod i izsledovanie. Posmertnyj trud avtora prigotovil k izdaniju M. Speranskij,“ COIDR 4 (1910), 165; N. Schmidt, "The Two Recensions of Slavonic Enoch," JAOS 41 (1921) 307-312; G. Scholem, Ursprung und Anfänge der Kabbala (SJ, 3; Berlin: De Gruyter, 1962), 62-64; M. -
Truth Angels
the the truth truth about 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. about angels St. Louis, Missouri 63141-8557 angels The 1-800-876-9880 • www.lhm.org Today’s media features many stories on angels. 6BE03 The New Age Movement suggests that each of us has a “personal angel” and encourages us to get in contact with it. Do angels really exist? Can we see them? What is their purpose? Explore the biblical evidence of angels and their purpose inside this booklet. You’ll also discover answers to many of the questions raised in the Truth media and by New Age religious movements. Inside you’ll find the special role angels serve in delivering the Gospel message. About 6BE03 Angels 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. St. Louis, MO 63141-8557 • www.lhm.org by Donald L. Deffner I grew up during the Great Depression in the early 1930s. My father was a minister. Behind our small home was a dirt alley which led nine blocks to downtown Wichita, Kansas. I can remember when I was a boy the hungry, destitute men who came to the back door begging for food. My mother never turned them down. She shared what little we had, even if only a couple of pieces of bread and a glass of milk. My mother didn’t just say, “Depart in peace! I’ll pray for you! Keep warm and well fed!” (See James 2:16.) No. She acted. She gave. Often I was curious about these mysterious and somewhat scary men. I had a sense that they were “different” than I was, not worse, not better, just different. -
St. Michael the Archangel Defends Us PRAYER BOARD ACTIVITY
SEPTEMBER Activity 6 St. Michael the Archangel Defends Us PRAYER BOARD ACTIVITY Age level: All ages Recommended time: 10 minutes What you need: St. Michael the Archangel Defends Us (page 158 in the students' activity book), SophiaOnline.org/StMichaeltheArchangel (optional), colored pencils and/or markers, and scissors Activity A. Explain to your students that we have been learning that the Devil and his fallen angels tempt us to sin. We can pray a special, very powerful prayer to St. Michael to help us combat these evil spirits. St. Michael is not a saint, but an archangel. The archangels are leaders of the other angels. According to both Scripture and Catholic Tradition, St. Michael is the leader of the army of God. He is often shown in paintings and iconography in a scene from the book of Revelation, where he and his angels battle the dragon. He is the patron of soldiers, policemen, and doctors. B. Have your students turn to St. Michael the Archangel Defends Us (page 158 in the students' activity book) and pray together the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. You may wish to play a sung version of the prayer, which you can find at SophiaOnline.org/StMichaeltheArchangel. C. Finally, have your students color in the St. Michael shield and attach it to their prayer boards. © SOPHIA INSTITUTE PRESS St. Michael the Archangel Defends Us St. Michael the Archangel protects us against danger and the Devil. He is our defense and our shield and the Church has given us a special prayer so that we can ask him for help. -
Does God Ever Change His Mind About His Word? #1
Does God Ever Change His Mind About His Word? #1 ‘Carnal Impersonations; Corruption Setting In’ Bro. Lee Vayle - October 26, 1991 Shall we pray. Heavenly Father, we’re grateful that we always could count on Your Presence, by the fact that You are omniscient and omnipotent, but we realize in this hour as in the Exodus from Egypt into Canaan’s land that You came down to be with Your prophet. And then when Your prophet was off the scene, You moved the people in Yourself Lord, into the promised land and we know that our Joshua of this hour is the Lord Jesus Christ himself. And we appreciate that so much; the Holy Spirit doing the work, the Pillar of Fire leading us onward. We pray tonight, as we study Your Word, It shall…the very Life within It shall feed our souls, and enlighten our hearts and our minds and give us that extraordinary life Lord, which is of You in this particular hour to change mortality to immortality Lord. And we bring forth the dead out of the ground to take people away in a Rapture. We know that’s got to happen to somebody because it’s Your Word: it’s THUS SAITH THE LORD. The prophet already told us that the Shout was made available to us, everything under the Seals and the Thunders that was requisite to put us in the Rapture; we already had. And went on to tell us, we were already into the Resurrection. So Father, we believe tonight that is true and whatsoever, therefore, is necessary; the Life of the Word coming forth, that will come forth and we count ourselves a part of It in Jesus Christ’s Name, Amen. -
Azazel Historically, the Word Azazel Is an Idea and Rarely an Incarnate Demon
Azazel Historically, the word azazel is an idea and rarely an incarnate demon. Figure 1 Possible sigil of Azazel. Modern writings use the sigil for the planet Saturn as well. Vayikra (Leviticus) The earliest known mention of the word Azazel in Jewish texts appears in the late seventh century B.C. which is the third of the five books of the Torah. To modern American ( וַיִּקְרָ א ) book called the Vayikra Christians, this books is Leviticus because of its discussion of the Levites. In Leviticus 16, two goats are placed before the temple for selection in an offering. A lot is cast. One Goat is then sacrificed to Yahweh and the other goats is said to outwardly bear all the sends of those making the sacrifice. The text The general translation .( לַעֲזָאזֵל ) specifically says one goat was chosen for Yahweh and the for Az azel of the words is “absolute removal.” Another set of Hebrew scholars translate Azazel in old Hebrew translates as "az" (strong/rough) and "el" (strong/God). The azazel goat, often called the scapegoat then is taken away. A number of scholars have concluded that “azazel” refers to a series of mountains near Jerusalem with steep cliffs. Fragmentary records suggest that bizarre Yahweh ritual was carried out on the goat. According to research, a red rope was tied to the goat and to an altar next to jagged cliff. The goat is pushed over the cliff’s edge and torn to pieces by the cliff walls as it falls. The bottom of the cliff was a desert that was considered the realm of the “se'irim” class of demons. -
Great Cloud of Witnesses.Indd
A Great Cloud of Witnesses i ii A Great Cloud of Witnesses A Calendar of Commemorations iii Copyright © 2016 by The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America Portions of this book may be reproduced by a congregation for its own use. Commercial or large-scale reproduction for sale of any portion of this book or of the book as a whole, without the written permission of Church Publishing Incorporated, is prohibited. Cover design and typesetting by Linda Brooks ISBN-13: 978-0-89869-962-3 (binder) ISBN-13: 978-0-89869-966-1 (pbk.) ISBN-13: 978-0-89869-963-0 (ebook) Church Publishing, Incorporated. 19 East 34th Street New York, New York 10016 www.churchpublishing.org iv Contents Introduction vii On Commemorations and the Book of Common Prayer viii On the Making of Saints x How to Use These Materials xiii Commemorations Calendar of Commemorations Commemorations Appendix a1 Commons of Saints and Propers for Various Occasions a5 Commons of Saints a7 Various Occasions from the Book of Common Prayer a37 New Propers for Various Occasions a63 Guidelines for Continuing Alteration of the Calendar a71 Criteria for Additions to A Great Cloud of Witnesses a73 Procedures for Local Calendars and Memorials a75 Procedures for Churchwide Recognition a76 Procedures to Remove Commemorations a77 v vi Introduction This volume, A Great Cloud of Witnesses, is a further step in the development of liturgical commemorations within the life of The Episcopal Church. These developments fall under three categories. First, this volume presents a wide array of possible commemorations for individuals and congregations to observe. -
The Eschatological Role of the Seventh Antediluvian Hero in 2 (Slavonic) Enoch
ANDREI A. ORLOV THE PILLAR OF THE WORLD: THE ESCHATOLOGICAL ROLE OF THE SEVENTH ANTEDILUVIAN HERO IN 2 (SLAVONIC) ENOCH Introduction In chapter 25 of the 2 Enoch the Lord reveals to the translated antediluvian hero some unique details in the mysteries of creation found neither in earlier Enochic booklets nor in any other Second Temple Jewish materials. One of the important parts of this revelation deals with the order of events that preceded the visible creation. The Deity unveils to the seer that prior to visible creation he called out from nothing the luminous aeon Adoil ordering him to become the foundation of the upper things. The account describes the process of Adoil’s transmutation into the cornerstone of creation on which the Deity establishes his Throne. Several distinguished students of Jewish mystical traditions, including Gershom Scholem and Moshe Idel, noticed that this protological account in chapter 25 dealing with the establishment of the created order appears to parallel the order of eschatological events narrated in chapter 65 where during his short visit to earth Enoch conveys to his children the mystery of the last times. 1 According to Enoch’s instruction, after the final judgment time will collapse and all the righteous of the world will be incorporated into a single luminous aeon. The description of this final aeon appears to bear striking similarities with the primordial aeon Adoil portrayed in chapter 25 as the foundation of the created order. The text also seems to hint that the righteous Enoch, translated to heaven and transformed into a luminous celestial creature, is the first fruit of this eschatological aeon that will eventually gather all the righteous into a single entity.