Awesome story...out of the blue.

[Dust and Ashes]

Today at work, a gentleman had walked up to the vending machines where we sell Armor All, towels, glass cleaner, etc. He was on his cell phone and pacing as he talked someone through some technical problem with their computer.

When he was done, I made a comment about how IT is something you just can't get away from and he snickered and agreed then he told me a story that made my day.

The man who was having the technical problem had formerly worked for the US government in counter terrorism and while in Russia he had an experience that left an impression on him. He and another guy were at a secret meeting with some of their Russian contacts and the Russians were off in a corner having a discussion about the Americans and it was becoming very heated.

Finally, after a long time arguing, one of them approached him and said that they trusted him and felt that he was sincere in trying to help but some of the others disagreed. They had decided to show him something very important but for him to see it, there would be strict rules to follow. He was taken to a generic looking government building and dropped off with instructions to go into a certain room and meet a woman and say a password to her.

He did so and was led on a long, convoluted route to another room and entered an elevator or stairwell through a hidden doorway in the back of a closet. After descending a ways, she stopped and told him that what he was about to see, no Amercian had ever seen. It was the things most treasured by the people in this area of Russia. When he entered the large room, it was packed with icons and other Orthodox accoutrements as well as some other things.

The faith of those people really had an impact on the guy and I could tell it had an impact on the man who was telling me the story. I told him that I was Orthodox and that I had never realized Russia was Christian for almost 1,000 years before the communists took over.

I just wanted to share this story that made my day. I'm sure I haven't done it justice but it still made my day.

Forgive me.

[MariaRegina]

Wow. Thanks.

[Theophorus]

So, these were things that had been hidden from the communists?

[Dust and Ashes]

So, these were things that had been hidden from the communists?

I'm assuming. He didn't give a time frame but it definately sounded like something from the Soviet days.

[Theophorus]

To think that he was not really aware of what he was looking at, though it made an impression on him. I have been there, done that.

I was clueless in Greece, Yugoslavia (remember that country?) and in the catacombs years ago.

[MariaRegina]

Oh do share your experiences with us.
Perhaps in another thread!

[Theophorus]

Oh do share your experiences with us.
Perhaps in another thread!

Went to the Vatican. Saw the Sistine chapel. Asked the Swiss guards to let me into the catacombs.

Drove from Venice to Athens, then across Greece and back. Saw the Acropolis. But I was ignorant of what I wish I could stop for now.

Driving through Yugoslavia was a nightmare. Iraq had just invaded Kuwait as I started the trip. There was no gas in Yugoslavia. Long ration lines, police escorts for fuel trucks. I made it through on fumes. Plus on the way back I was going to be detained by the border guards, but some local interviened for me in a heated discussion with the police, which I did not understand, and I was allowed to pass. Actually, the whole trip was surreal in that way.

[MariaRegina]

I guess your guardian angel was at work. Perhaps he was the man in disguise.

You never know.

[Theophorus]

I guess your guardian angel was at work. Perhaps he was the man in disguise.

You never know.

Yes, it was very strange.....he came out of no where. He looked like a peasant but was young, and was one of the kindest persons I have ever met. He only talked to me and the police. Now that you mention it. :scratch:

[Dust and Ashes]

My uncle Bill had an experience kind of like that. He's a truck driver and once he hit a guy on a motorcycle. They were out in the middle of nowhere and he was near panic because the guy was hurt, unconcious and there were no telephones nearby.

He said some guy just showed up with no vehicle like he happened to be walking by or something and he calmed my uncle down and told him that everything would be fine. Someone finally came along and went to call police. They got the guy to the hospital and he was ok. My uncle looked around before leaving and couldn't find any sign of the guy who had calmed him.

Another time he was lost in the country out of state and the little road he was on kept getting smaller with no place to turn around. Finally it just ran out into an old cow trail. He didn't know how he was going to get back to where he needed to be then he saw an old farm house. He walked up to the farmhouse and an old couple was there and they helped him get turned around and told him how to get back to where he needed to be.

A couple of years later, he and his wife were on vacation in the area and decided to drop in on the old couple and say hi and thanks again. They found the old farmhouse but it was obviously unlivable so they asked around in the area and were told that no one had lived there for many years.

[Vasileios]

I just wanted to share this story that made my day. I'm sure I haven't done it justice but it still made my day.


Hi, this is my first post. I've been lurking for a month now but I wanted to let you know that I thought this was an awesome story indeed. On many levels too :)

[EricTheRed]

Hi, this is my first post. I've been lurking for a month now but I wanted to let you know that I thought this was an awesome story indeed. On many levels too :)

WELCOME!

[Dust and Ashes]

Hi, this is my first post. I've been lurking for a month now but I wanted to let you know that I thought this was an awesome story indeed. On many levels too :)

Welcome to TAW!

[MariaRegina]

When is your big day, Forgiven?

[Xpycoctomos]

Went to the Vatican. Saw the Sistine chapel. Asked the Swiss guards to let me into the catacombs.


And,... what? They let you? If so, how? why? I mean, they probably don't let just anyone see the catacombs... right?

Tell more!

[Dust and Ashes]

When is your big day, Forgiven?

First confession tomorrow and Chrismation on Holy Saturday. I am so excited and at the same time humbled beyond my ability to articulate. It is an event of cosmic proportions to me and I don't say that glibly. I'm starting to understand the correct use of the word terrible. It is a terrible and awesome thing to approach the Uncreated in such a way but it is in a good way.

[Theophorus]

And,... what? They let you? If so, how? why? I mean, they probably don't let just anyone see the catacombs... right?

Tell more!

There is access through the arch on the left facing the vatican. As you eneter, at some point you are stopped by one of the swiss guard.

http://www.travellerspoint.com/photos/33537/Vaticaanstad3.jpg


There were two of them. The one who stopped me did not say anything. I just asked to be able to go see the catacombs. He looked me over and let me pass.

I was told, "That's how you do it" ahead of time.

[MariaRegina]

There is access through the arch on the left facing the vatican. As you eneter, at some point you are stopped by one of the swiss guard.

http://www.travellerspoint.com/photos/33537/Vaticaanstad3.jpg


There were two of them. The one who stopped me did not say anything. I just asked to be able to go see the catacombs. He looked me over and let me pass.

I was told, "That's how you do it" ahead of time.


Wow. Helps to have good advisors.

That is some picture. What is the box behind the Swiss Guard -- a guard station when it rains? It reminds me of Dr. Who and his telephone booth time machine.:D