Beslan, Russia

[Rick of Wessex]

Dear friends,

I wanted to share this picture with you - it is shocking, but at the same time it evokes a feeling of hope.

By the way, according to the NY Times, the girl in the picture did not die, but was taken to a hospital, where this pic was taken.

In XC,
Rick

[Niko]

Thats powerful. Thats gonna be some1's avatar

[Oblio]

I posted that over in N&CE. BTW, stay away unless you have a better than average skill at keeping your anger at bay :(

[Iacobus]

That is an incredibly powerful image. So many of the kids in the pictures I've seen had Orthodox baptismal crosses on. To be honest, I just can't get the whole thing out of my mind. Just thinking about it brings me to tears. I've asked our priest to serve a pannakhida for the reposed after Liturgy tomorrow. I hope a lot of other parishes do that as well. The tragedy strikes all humans on a peculiarly deep level. For us at TAW, though, it is an added shock that this strike was directed specifically against Orthodox Christians -- our brothers and sisters.

Its times like this that I'm most grateful that I've become part of a tradition that encourages prayers for the dead, as well as the living.

James

[Alfred M]

May God bring comfort to all. This breaks my heart each time I hear a news story or think of what evil has been done to the innocent. And may God have mercy on us all.

A very sad Alfred.

[Orthosdoxa]

I hate the Islamic religion. I hate it. It is evil and their "god" is disgusting. They win their "converts" by the sword, and they sacrifice the most innocents in their quest to be numero uno. I am just shaking right now. I hate their wicked system and disgusting, godless beliefs.

May the memory of all those little souls be eternal.

God have mercy on me.

LK

[JillLars]

Please remember that these monsters are not representative of the entire Islamic faith (in fact, they are not even representative of the majority of chechans they are supposedly fighting for).

I will be keeping everyone involved in this situation in my prayers.

[Orthosdoxa]

Islam is not a religion of peace. Ever read the Koran?

The Middle East used to be nearly all Orthodox Christian. Now it is primarily Muslim. And the Muslims didn't win their converts with smooth words and persuasive speech, let's say it like that.

But, granted it does no good for me to rail here, when I need to instead be examining my own sins and praying for the precious souls of those slaughtered little ones. Good night, everyone.

LK

[ufonium2]

Please remember that these monsters are not representative of the entire Islamic faith (in fact, they are not even representative of the majority of chechans they are supposedly fighting for).


I agree that they don't represent the chechnyans, since that was about the worst PR any group has ever gotten, and it set the chechnyan agenda back by years. However, I think the fact that many of the people, and most of the money, involved had nothing to do with Chechnya speaks volumes. These were Muslim terrorists who took advantage of a pre-existing conflict.

But, you'll forgive us if we don't buy the "not representative of Islam" line anymore. We've heard it dozens of times now.

[vlinder]

To Life Immortal

I wrote a response to what happened in Russia to other forum, but it would probably burn out the censors here. People say I'm a good writer, but I think even the greatest writer would have difficulty expressing their thoughts today. I just feel badly for the parents of the children. They expected their children to be safe at school to learn and play with their friends. Instead some cowardly evil death-worshippers terrorized and killed the innocent. Over 300 people killed for no logical reason. This is not just a tragedy; this is homicide in its worst form. It is like what happened on 11/9/2001, but in ways even worse because they targeted children, just like Herod did after Lord Jesus was born.

When I saw the women weeping in the streets, it reminded me of the slaughter of the innocents in the NT. Rachael weeping for her children. Soon after that, Herod died a death worthy of his actions. I hope that terrorism, along with their supporters, meet the same fate.

It is actions like these that really test my tolerance. I know some Muslims in my neighbourhood and I know they would not approve of the horrendous destruction of life. On the other hand, I don't hear the Islamic community doing something against these murders. Not enough people speak out against them. This silence, to the minds of many people, is the silence of fatalistic support.

And the in price in blood continues to climb. And the sorrow grows. And life just beginning is snuffed out like a candle.

Unfortunately, I shall not be able to attend Divine Liturgy today, but I know that many Orthodox churches will have special services today and/or next Sunday for the victims of Beslan. In my heart, I will be chanting and praying for them. I will be there in spirit. The Church militant will honour these souls as the Church triumphant welcomes them home.

A home without violence, fear, revenge, cowardice and hate.

May their memory be Eternal.

Peace and Long Life
~*~ Vlinder ~*~

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

This is a pretty good article covering the tragedy, and it at least gives mention to Orthodox Churches:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=578&e=3&u=/nm/20040905/ts_nm/russia_school_dc

The article mentions a custom in the region is for relatives of the dead to leave their front doors and windows open. I'm not sure for how long, but I was wondering if anyone knows if this is an Orthodox thing or just a regional thing.

Oh, and be prepared to cry some more.:(

[Basileus]

Words cannot describe the tragedy. Fr Dan inserted some special prayers during liturgy for the children today.

CNN.com has some really great Pics that are chilling.

[Matrona]

I wish my parish had done something to remember those lost and injured in this terrorist attack but we didn't, they weren't even mentioned during the Great Entrance. :( I hope Father was just distracted by the hurricane and all the other things going on in our parish that he just forgot. I will try to ask him before the upcoming liturgy (Nativity of the Theotokos) to pray for their souls.

I have to say, in light of this tragedy, the prayers for the burial of a child in this service book I'm reading seem especially poignant.

Iacobus, I'm also glad that the Church encourages us to pray for the departed. Even though what little religious background I had said that praying for the dead was pointless/sacrilege, I always did it anyway in secret. I would always apologize to God beforehand in case it offended Him and explained that even though everybody said it was wrong, I still felt the need to do it anyway.

[MaRiNa_Orthodox]

I can't describe how I feel...I feel mad because it has always been some MUSLIMS that attacked Orthodox countries. Just take as an example my country, Serbia. 500 years under Turks...God. And now troubles in Kosovo with Albanians who plan to make mosques on the places where they burned Serbian Churches.... And whoever said Islam is a peaceful religion is so much wrong. Even one big Serbian saint and father called Justin Celijski said some very very rude things about Muslims in his book and about what they actually were to Serbia ppl and what their religion is all about. Truth has to be told. For Serbs, Turks were Big big podvig not to lose faith...but still many many of them lost their faith and those are now called Bosnians(Muslims) who once used to be Serbs but converted because they didn't want to loose their goods and house and all that. What can I say...I don't like Muslims. I got some muslim friends but I always end up fighting with them...yesterday I used to like all ppl but now I changed my mind. people who are READY TO KILL in the name of Alah are crazy and they are not my friends. No comment.

[Rilian]

More from the religion of peace. Cleric supports targeting children (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/09/05/wosse705.xml).