Happy Hanukkah

None of us is Jewish. Why would we be celebrating Hanukkah?

Thanks for the Hannukah wishes!

I have mixed feelings about the Maccabees (or "Holy Maccabees" as they are called in some corners of Christianity) but there is no denying their zeal for their ancestral law or their importance in history.

I agree with Katherine. This is not on our Church calendar. It's one thing to wish good wishes to Jewish people. It is quite another to wish Christians the (non-)blessing of an un-Christian holiday.

Why promote it? I think it much more important to call Jews to the Church than to express a non-existent unity and solidarity. What the Church has maintained, we maintain. What the Church has superceded and left behind - like Hannukah - we leave behind, too.

This, along with the insistence on Jewish forms rather than the forms agreed upon within the Church, is what gives rise to the charge of Judaizing.

Thank you Yeshua.

It is a deep joy to remember the history of our forefathers' love for God and the reciprocal and super abundant love which God showed upon them.

Though all has been fulfilled in Christ Jesus and the Church resplendent exists in the fullness of eternity calling us in this world to the good things to come; let us never forget but rather delight in the faithfulness of the all-faithful God toward His faithful children.

The ancient and scriptural hymn of light is apt for quoting in relation to Hanukkah:
"Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace : according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen : thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared : before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles : and to be the glory of thy people Israel."


Let us be strong in the faith, joyful in the faith, and always living as light bearing icons of Christ, sharing in that self-same light as which illumines the saints before the Throne.

rusmeister said:

I agree with Katherine. This is not on our Church calendar. It's one thing to wish good wishes to Jewish people. It is quite another to wish Christians the (non-)blessing of an un-Christian holiday.

Why promote it? I think it much more important to call Jews to the Church than to express a non-existent unity and solidarity. What the Church has maintained, we maintain. What the Church has superceded and left behind - like Hannukah - we leave behind, too.

This, along with the insistence on Jewish forms rather than the forms agreed upon within the Church, is what gives rise to the charge of Judaizing.

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It's true that we do not commemorate Hannukah, but we do commemorate the Maccabean Martyrs on August 1/14.

And soon to be Happy Kwanza to all! And let us not forget Festivus! Let the airing of grievances begin! (that comment was for Matt!)

No argument on the Maccabean martyrs, orthe holy Forefathers. But that's not what we're talking about here, is it?

I'd ask members NOT to commemorate strange - non-Orthodox - religious holidays here. That goes for Eid and anything else, too.

Christianity is not a new faith, it is around 3000 years old. In Christ is the fulfilment of the requirement of the law.
To ask for the prayers of St Anne but not [St] Moses is inconsistent. Our faith is an ancient faith.
We (as Gentiles) are grafted by the vine keeper onto the ancient stock of Israel.

The celebration of the old festivals are not necessary in the church's outlook.
To equate Judaism with classical paganism, is either tragically bad education, or anti-semiticsm.
I am pleased I do not share the Protestant and dichomatising mind of many (mainly USofA) posters on here.

Yes, we have the fullness of faith, but let us not use it for hatred, bitterness, and control of others.
Let love conquer, not partisan thinking.

As for Eid.

Islam was a later deviation from The Judaic/Christian faith.


The same logic does not apply.

I was going to wish everyone (at least the other Americans) a happy Thanksgiving, then I remembered it was a Protestant holiday.

inconsequential said:

I was going to wish everyone (at least the other Americans) a happy Thanksgiving, then I remembered it was a Protestant holiday.

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I'm not even American and I wish Americans a Happy Thanksgiving!
Allow me to revel in 18th cent. Euro-centric depiction of the natives of North America.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zegtH-acXE

Mockingbird0 said:

Thanks for the Hannukah wishes!

I have mixed feelings about the Maccabees (or "Holy Maccabees" as they are called in some corners of Christianity) but there is no denying their zeal for their ancestral law or their importance in history.

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Indeed.

inconsequential said:

I was going to wish everyone (at least the other Americans) a happy Thanksgiving, then I remembered it was a Protestant holiday.

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Hilarious

Dewi Sant said:

Christianity is not a new faith, it is around 3000 years old. In Christ is the fulfilment of the requirement of the law.
To ask for the prayers of St Anne but not [St] Moses is inconsistent. Our faith is an ancient faith.
We (as Gentiles) are grafted by the vine keeper onto the ancient stock of Israel.

The celebration of the old festivals are not necessary in the church's outlook.
To equate Judaism with classical paganism, is either tragically bad education, or anti-semiticsm.
I am pleased I do not share the Protestant and dichomatising mind of many (mainly USofA) posters on here.

Yes, we have the fullness of faith, but let us not use it for hatred, bitterness, and control of others.
Let love conquer, not partisan thinking.

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True - and thanks for noting.

As another noted best:
Of course, as it is, any type of mentioning of that which is Jewish/pertaining to that culture often seems to be belittled by others in parts of Orthodoxy - and that is unfortunate in light of the history that has gone down on the matter within the Church. There was actually an entire thread dedicated to addressing the issue not too long ago - entitled ""judaizing" - which dealt with the many ways it is assumed that Judaizing can occur and how often that is mistaken for appreciation of Judaic customs....or assuming that there are no others in Orthodoxy who live Orthodox and yet Jewish in lifestyle - just as others are Gentile. It is something I do wish others were more educated on...

Yeshua HaDerekh said:

John 10:22=30

Luke 1:26-38

Yeshua HaDerekh said:

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Happy Hannukah to you as well

PS: There was actually an excellent article on the issue from another Eastern Orthodox individual who is Jewish...as seen here:

• Light Unto the Nations: A Frenchwoman Paints Hanukkah | The Groom's Family

Again, I think you'd like it - very fascinating read from an Eastern Christian perspective....and something I appreciated as another perspective to add unto the other fascinating dynamics with the Festival of Lights (which Christ partook of in John 10). If no other reason, I appreciate the time of the year for the ways it reminds me of the militant nature of the faith and what warrior saints did (more shared before on it in #84 ) - and to see how Jews trusting in God for deliverance were saved....it's amazing. Of course, anything related to the Jewish world often seems misunderstood - and of course, it'd not be surprising if there were others that took issue with it. As it is, it's already something where others may take issue with if using the name "Y'Shua" to describe the Messiah due to the celebrating of Greek terminology as if that's what the Church was alone described by.

Even when others say that to even use a Jewish name for the Lord (as early believers did) is "Judaizing" , it simply lacks much within the realm of sense. It has never made sense to say "Orthodox do not say Yeshua or use Hebrew" claim ...and honestly, it's a bit hilarious since there have already been Orthodox leaders doing so - one coming immediately to mind being Father Alexander Winogradsky, an Orthodox priest serving a small community of mostly Jewish believers in the Old City of Jerusalem. ..where they say the Liturgy in Hebrew (more here and here at With Thanks and Praise | The Groom's Family). Because he ministers to the Orthodox Christian believers within the Israeli Society, which is multi-cultural and multi-lingual, it is not surprising seeing his actions - He is one of very few priests that serve the Divine Liturgy in Hebrew. ...and there are many others.

But I digress...

Again - regardless of the fact that it's not really as Feast Day or on the list of Festivals generally celebrated within Orthodoxy - it's a part of the heritage of the saints when it comes to seeing how the Lord preserved His own. And just as we can celebrate 4th of July or Memorial Day or Veteran's Day, so we can celebrate where the Lord worked with His people. Happy Hannukah

Dewi Sant said:

Christianity is not a new faith, it is around 3000 years old. In Christ is the fulfilment of the requirement of the law.
To ask for the prayers of St Anne but not [St] Moses is inconsistent. Our faith is an ancient faith.
We (as Gentiles) are grafted by the vine keeper onto the ancient stock of Israel.

The celebration of the old festivals are not necessary in the church's outlook.
To equate Judaism with classical paganism, is either tragically bad education, or anti-semiticsm.
I am pleased I do not share the Protestant and dichomatising mind of many (mainly USofA) posters on here.

Yes, we have the fullness of faith, but let us not use it for hatred, bitterness, and control of others.
Let love conquer, not partisan thinking.

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Dewi, I get a sense that I am approaching twice your age, and have actually thought about all these things. On the other hand, I have a feeling you have NOT given deep thought to what "anti-Semitism" is, and I certainly do not equate Judaism with paganism.

I never said "do not pray to the holy Forefathers". I say, "Do not celebrate specifically Jewish holidays that have been superceded by the Church of Christ, the holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

There is nothing Protestant in my own thought about all of this. Please stop Judaizing. The ancient Jews were right on. We accept Jewish Tradition up to 33AD, though it has been fulfilled and transformec. Two thousand years ago, those that did not join the Church went OFF the tracks, and we have no business trying to bring that post and anti-Christian tradition into the Church. I'm not ure how trong I have to say that, but I'd say that it is anathema for an Orthodox Christian to celebrate Hannukah. It certainly means going out of communion with the Orthodox Church, and would require confession and repentance.

gurneyhalleck1 said:

And soon to be Happy Kwanza to all! And let us not forget Festivus! Let the airing of grievances begin! (that comment was for Matt!)

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I'll get the pole out of the crawl space, it's time for the feats of strength. until you pin me gurney, Festivus is not over. LET'S RUMBLE!