Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian. Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions. Some of those listed may surprise or even shock you. Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

Vassilios Tzaferis: (b. 1936, Samos, Greece - d. 2015) biblical archeologist, university lecturer, museum curator, author, historical agency executive, specialist in the history of monasticism during the Byzantine period.  As an ordained Greek Orthodox deacon, he served in Nazareth. After renouncing his monastic vows, he married and fathered several children.

Roger S. Boraas: (b. 1926 - d. 2014) Ordained Lutheran minister,  United States Navy World War II veteran, university chaplain and professor, associate editor of the Harper's Bible Dictionary.

Marcus Borg: (b. 1942, Minnesota State, USA - d. 2015) University professor, author, Lutheran canon theologian. He was a member of the controversial Jesus Seminar which voted on the authenticity of the sayings and miracles of Jesus, rejecting many.  He was married to Marianne Wells Borg, an episcopal priest.

Robert Binn: (fl. 1840; aka Rob of the Reek) Binn lived on Croag Phadraig (Irish: Patrick's Stack), which is considered to be Ireland's Holy Mount because St. Patrick spent 40 days in prayer and fasting there in the fifth century. Patrick is said to have ended the pagan practice of human sacrifice which had been performed on the mountain for centuries. The word "reek" is Hiberno-English for "rick" or "stack," possibly referring to the rectangular bed of stones which mark where Patrick slept.
Those who were physically unable to climb the hill paid Robert Binn a fee to climb to the three holy stations and say prayers for their sick or dead loved ones.

Helen Hayes: (b. 1900, Washington, District of Columbia, USA - d. 1993; aka: Helen Hayes Brown McArthur; "the First Lady of American theater") Helen Hayes won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, a Tony, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. She was the mother of actor James McArthur. Roman Catholic.

Christians

At some time during their lives, the following people have publicly identified themselves as Christian.   Inclusion in this list does not indicate approval or disapproval of the person, of their orthodoxy or lack of it, or of their actions.  Some of those listed may surprise you.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

Vaclav Klaus: (b. 1941, Bohemia) Prime Minister of the Czech Republic 1992-1197, President of the Czech Republic, elected 2003. Czechoslovak Hussite Church.

Jiri Paoubek: (b. 1952, Czechoslovakia) Prime Minister of the Czech Republic  2005-2006. Czechoslovak Hussite Church.

Martha Bedell Alexander: (b. 1939, Florida (USA)) Librarian, chaplain, North Carolina House of Representatives  1993-2013. Episcopal.

Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard: (b. 1938, Netherlands; Beatrix of the Netherlands) Wife of Claus van Amsberg.  Queen of the Netherlands (1980-2013) Protestant Church of the Netherlands.

Claus George Willem Otto Frederik Geert van Amsberg: (b. 1926 – d. 2002) Husnad of Beatrix of the Netherlands, diplomat.  Dutch Reformed Church.

Ash Wednesday On the Street

Today is Ash Wednesday, observed mainly by the Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran denominations.  A smudged cross of black ashes is drawn on the forehead of the believer as a sign of repentance at the beginning of Lent.

Since 2007, many Episcopalians have participated in a practice begun by Reverend Teresa Danieley in St. Louis, Missouri.   Rev. Danieley decided to offer the ashes to people on the street.  Now over 70 Episcopal parishes in 18 USA states offer ashes to anyone who asks at train stations, street corners, coffee shops, libraries, parks, and other public places.  They say that they view it as an act of evangelism.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the taking of the ashes is a solemn event which should happen within a church, during a religious service with Scripture, prayer, and calls for repentance.  

The First Religious Broadcast on Radio

0n 22 January 1921 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA), Radio station KDKA broadcasted the regular Sunday morning worship service of the Calvary Episcopal Church .  Today, Christian broadcasting remains on radio worldwide.  About 1949, some radio evangelists began to move into the new medium of television.

Gene Robinson Quotation

"I believe the Bible to be the word of God, but not the words of God."  Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopalian bishop.

Pope Benedict XVI and the Anglicans

     Pope Benedict XVI has announced that Anglicans who wish to leave their troubled church may unite with the Roman Catholic Church while retaining their own traditions such as married priests.  Critics of the invitation say that it is predatory, seeking to exploit the divisions in the Anglican/Episcopal union over same-sex marriages and and the ordination of women and sexually active gays.  Well, of course it is.

     The critics say that moves such as this endanger ecumenical talks between Catholics and Anglicans.  What really is endangering the talks are the seemingly relentless efforts of liberals within the Anglican communion to veer away from "the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 3)