Religious Place Names

Glennahaglish, Ireland: This place incorporates the Irish word “eaglais” which translates as “church.”

Saqqara, Egypt: This place name reflects the name of the ancient Egyptian hawk-headed god of death, Sokar or Seker. HIs name is believed to be derived from the ancient Egyptian phrase “sy-k-ri,” which means “hurry to me.”

Pihana - a- ka -lani, Hawaii State, United States of America: The Hawaiian word “lani” translates as “heaven,” “sky,” or “king” and “pihana” means “a gathering place.”  Pihana was used as a temple site for the sacrifice of war captives to the king’s Hawaiian deities. It was a “gathering place of the supernatural.”

Braganca, Portugal: Walled settlements began to appear in this area in about 1000 to 700 BCE, Brigantia, “the elevated one,” was a Celtic goddess whose name is believed to have come from the Proto-Indo-European words “bhrg hnti” meaning “high,” “lofty,” or “elevated.”

Luang Prabang, Laos: The Lao words “Phra Bang” translate as “royal Buddha image.” The city-state already existed when it entered history in 698 CE when it was conquered by a Tai prince.

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 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.

Dolores Hart: (b. 1938, Illinois, USA, aka: Dolores Hicks) Film actress, Benedictine prioress, author. As an actress, she worked with Elvis Presley, Stephen Boyd, Montgomery Clift, George Hamilton, and Robert Wagner. All proceeds from her books go to charity.

Mark Burnett: (b. 1960, England) Movie and television producer, husband of actress Roma Downey. His father was Roman Catholic and his mother was Presbyterian.

Roma Downey: (b. 1960, Northern Ireland) Actress, producer, author, singer. Wife of producer Mark Burnett. Roman Catholic.

Sun Yat-sen: (b.1866, China – d. 1925), Chinese revolutionary, physician, first president and founder of the Republic of China. Sun participated in the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty. Congregationalist.

James Naismith: (b.1861, Canada – d. 1938) Canadian sports coach; inventor of the sport of basketball; founder of the University of Kansas basketball program; Inducted into the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame, the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, the Ontario Sports Legends Hall of Fame, the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame, the McGill University Sports Hall of Fame, the Kansas State Sports Hall of Fame, and the FIBA Hall of Fame. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is named for him. Presbyterian.

What They Think of Us: Dave Allen on Religion

Irish comedian Dave Allen (David Tynan O'Mahony, b. 1936, Ireland - d. 2005, England) was a frequent critic of Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism.  Here, he talks about his first meeting with a nun at age four.  He often said, "I'm an atheist, thank God!"

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.

Gall: (b. ca 1840 – d. 1894, South Dakota, USA; aka: Phizi) A battle chief of the Hunkpapa Lakota tribe against the United States Army at the Battle of Little Bighorn.  He was known as Gall because, as a youth, he ate the gall bladder of an animal.  He was a large, tall man weighing almost three hundred pounds (137 kilograms).  Late in his life he became a Christian convert and settled down as a farmer.

Alma Maria Kartano: (b. 1885, Finland – d. 1953) Lutheran sectarian leader who taught a very apocalyptic doctrine of Jesus’ imminent return.  She taught that all sexual activity, even within marriage, was evil.  Her followers, called Kartanoans, numbered about 1000.

Saint Gall: (b. ca 550, Ireland –d ca 646; Gallen, Gallus)  Irish disciple and traveling companion of Saint Columbanus.  Missionary in France, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany.  Roman Catholic.

Saint Deicolus: (b. ca. 530, Itrland –d. 625; aka: Deicole, dichuil, Deel, Deicola, Deicull, Delle, Desle, Dichul, Dicull) A missionary in France and a younger brother of Saint Gall.  Roman Catholic.

Jose Luis Alberto Munoz Marin: (b. 1898, Puerto Rico – d. 1980) Poet, journalist, politician.  He was the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico (1949-1965).  He was called the “Father of modern Puerto Rico” and the “Architect of the Commonwealth.”  Roman Catholic.

Silent Night Sung By Enya

Enya (Eithne Ni Bhrainain, b. 1961, Ireland) is a singer, instrumentalist, and songwriter.  Here she sings "Silent Night" in Irish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KTfL6_eiWo

Unusual Christian Places: Chapel of St. Gildas

Gildas preached in Wales, Cornwall, Scotland, Ireland, and Brittany (ca. 540).  The pulpit he used in Brittany is housed in the chapel named for him on the bank of the Canal du Blavet.  The chapel is built into the base of a giant rock which was once a Druid holy place.

What Does It Mean?: Apostle

ἀπόστολος  The Greek word apostolos (apostle) comes from the words “apo (away from)” and “stellein (to send),” meaning, “sent off.”  The idea is that of an “emissary” or “messenger,” sent with a message.  The designation of “apostle” was a function, not an office or position. Sometimes apostles were elected and at other times they were appointed. (Galatians 2:8; Romans 11:13; 1 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 5:20, 8:18-23, 9:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:2.)

Remember that the early Christians operated from a Jewish understanding.  The Greek "apostle" is equivalent to the Hebrew “shaliah.” A shaliaḥ (שָלִיחַ‎; pl. שְלִיחִים, sheliḥim) was a Jewish legal emissary or agent who performed an act of legal significance for the sender(s).

The Twelve Apostles were called “emissaries” when they were “sent” (Matthew 10:1-8) They were usually called “the Twelve (τοῖς δώδεκα)” or “followers” (mathetai, μαθηταὶ). They were not leaders of individual churches, and others (Junia, Andronicus, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Apollos, and Paul himself) were called apostles.

In the biblical sense, it is entirely appropriate to refer to Padraig/Patrick (ca 387 - 493) as the Apostle to the Irish; John Eliot (ca 1604 -1690) as the Apostle to the Indians; and John G. Lake (1870-1935) as the Apostle to Africa. 

Hello, Ireland!

Dia duit, Éire! Fáilte go dtí an grúpa de léitheoirí 90-3 tíortha eile a thugann cuairt freisin aran bhlag seo. Tá súil agam go mbainfidh tú teacht ar roinnt de na poist úsáideach nó brí.
Tá an "Aistrigh an leathanach seo mar" gadget go díreach os cionn an gCuntar"Pageviews Iomlán". ar an gcumas atá ag aistriú an téacs Béarla den bhlag go díreach go Gaeilge.

Nócha is ceithre Tíortha: Airgintín, Aruba, An Astráil, An Ostair, Bairéin, an Bhealarúis, An Bheilg, An Bheilís, an Bhrasaíl, an Bhulgáir, Ceanada, Oileáin Cayman, an tSín, Poblacht na Seice, an Cholóim, an Chongó, Costa Rica, an Chróit, Poblacht na Seice, An Danmhairg, Dhoiminiceach Poblacht, Eacuadór, an Éigipt, El Salvador, an Eastóin, anAetóip, an Fhionlainn, an Fhrainc, an tSeoirsia, an Ghearmáin, an Ghréig, Hong Cong, an Ungáir, an India, an Indinéis, an Iaráin, an Iaráic, Éire, Iosrael, an Iodáil, an Cósta Eabhair, an tSeapáin, an Iordáin, Kampuchea , Cuáit, Laos, an Laitvia, an Liotuáin, Lucsamburg,Macadóinis, an Mhalaeisia, Málta, Meicsiceo, Moldavia, Maracó, Maenmar, An Ísiltír, An Nua-Shéalainn, an Nigéir, an Iorua, an Phacastáin, Panama, Paragua, Peiriú, Na hOileáin Fhilipíneacha, an Pholainn, an Rómáin, an Rúis, Araib Shádach,, tSeineagáil tSeineagáil,Singeapór, An tSlóvaic, An tSlóivéin, An Afraic Theas, An Chóiré Theas, An Spáinn, i Srí Lanca, an tSúdáin, an tSualainn, an Eilvéis, Taiwan, an Tansáin, an Téalainn, Oileán na Tríonóide agus Tobága, an Tuirc, Uganda, an Úcráin, Aontas na nÉimíríochtaí Arabacha,An Ríocht Aontaithe, Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá, Veiniséala, Vítneam, Éimin, an tSiombáib

Religious Place Names

Boaz, Alabama, USA:  Boaz (Ruth 2:1) lived about 1100 BC/BCE. In Hebrew his name means something like “in him is strength.”

Kilkenny, Ireland: The Irish name of this place is Cill Chainnigh, which means “Church of Cainneach.”

Haryana, India: This name is derived from two Sanskrit words, “aryana” (“home”) and “hari” (Vishnu).  Vishnu is the Hindu god

al-Miqdadiyah, Iraq:  aka. Muqdadiyah. This is Arabic for “given by the Magi.”

Arbil, Iraq:  “Ar” is Hurrian word.  The settlement existed as early as the 23^rd Century BC/BCE.  The Akkadians called it “arba u ilu,”  “four gods.”

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.  Readers are encouraged to suggest persons who should be included on this list.  This is a recurring segment in this blog.

John Fullerton MacArthur, Jr.: (b.1939) American Evangelical writer, expository preacher, radio commentator, pastor, college president. He has authored and/or edited over 150 books. His theology is Calvinist and Dispensational.  He is a cessationist (the charismatic gifts of the New Testament are not for this time) and he declares that Roman Catholicism is a non-Christian, Satanic religion.  He is a fifth cousin of U.S. General Douglas MacArthur.

Paulo Rodrigues Romiero: (b. Brazil) Christian apologist and pastor.  He was raised in a mixture of Roman Catholicism and Spiritism and, in the 1970's became a Presbyterian. He is an outspoken opponent of the Prosperity Gospel.

Father William Johnston, S.J.: (b.1925, Northern Ireland - d.2010, Japan) Roman Catholic Jesuit missionary to Japan, scholar, author, translator, mystical theologian, preacher, college professor.

Arnold Alois Schwarzeneggar: (b. 195-47, Austria) Roman Catholic.  Bodybuilder, actor, politician.  Mr. Universe, seven time Mr. Olympia, film actor, Governor of California (2003-2011).

Giacomo Antonio Domenic Michele Secondo Maria Puccini (b. 1858, Italy - d. 1924)

Composer of operas, sacred music, orchestral pieces, and chamber music.

Religious Place Names

Picket Wire, Arizona, United States: from “purgatoire,” French for “purgatory.”

Kilkeel, Ireland: The Irish name is Cill Chaoil, meaning “church of the narrow place.”

Omagh, Northern Ireland:  The Irish name is Ar Omaigh, meaning “the sacred (or virgin) plain.”

Pernik, Bulgaria:  Perun (an ancient Slavic deity) plus “nik,” a place name suffix.

Wodensborough, Kent, England:  From Odin, the Norse father god, plus Old English “bury/burh,” meaning “fort.”