Church in a Kilt tonight

[jjoseph]

The only one of these questions I can answer is that yes, St. George is the Patron Saint of England. Would like to hear the other answers though.

They lived in different centuries and places. I know St. Andrew patron of Scotland is on of the actual apostles (messengers) who knew Christ (first century) whereas St. Patrick was bishop (overseer) in the late 400's C.E. St. George is dated somewhere between them I think and for some reason I think I remember he lived in Syria..... not sure on that mark though.

Celtic churches, like other churches in early Christendom, held synods or gatherings of their leaders to discuss and decide how best to articulate their religious beliefs, to formulate them and translate belief into liturgy, life and practice.... and they participated in the great councils (ecumenical councils) which included bishops from all Christendom. These were the councils which were binding on the entire Church before it divided into its now several branches (Eastern Orthodox, Coptic, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Protestant, Evangelical, etc.).

There were saints which did know one another. I think Sts. Francis, Claire, and (?) Bernard knew one another and there are others who worked together like Sts. Cyril and Methodius.

By the way, saint simply means holy -- with the capital S, it means holy not only in the sense of set apart for divine use, but also in the sense of whole or completed... meaning they are believed to experience the divine fully or face to face. Just trivia.

Many "saints" cannot be verified to be historical personages in Celtic lands and may instead be hommage to pagan archetypes and deities.

Question: I know that most saints probably predate kilt-wearing, but artists usually create god in their own image, so are there any sacred paintings with kilties? There must be some around somewhere; whether pagan or Christian, I would love to see them.

[Frank McGrath]

I have worn my Kilt to church on several occasions with many positive comments. But last Sunday, My pastor leaned oover the pew to tell me not to bend over when taking communion. I almost told him where to go. He is leaving anyway, but for that comment, he can leave sooner.

Frank Mcgrath

[GlassMan]

I wear my kilt to church every Sunday just like I wear a kilt every single day. Why change for Sunday? And no one has a problem with it at all.

[Prester John]

The memory of the holy ones of God remain are alive in the Church, contemporary proof notwithstanding. It's pretty easy to see where medieval "expositors" added legendary material to the life of even a wonderworking saint.

For more information on individual saints, there are a variety of sources, not all are very good (as with most things!). http://oca.org has a "Feasts and Saints" section, but it is still being built. Nice icons, though. I especially like the one of St. Patrick from yesterday.

St. Andrew the Apostle, St. Patrick, St. David of Wales, St. Ninian, St. Neot of Cornwall (one of my favorites), the Venerable St. Bede of Jarrow, etc. all comprise the "Hall of Fame" as it were, of the Christian life.

For those who don't know the language of iconography, even though St. George is often depicted "slaying the dragon", in Orthodox icons he is actually subduing it, with his spear on the dragon's tongue, to indicate that by his "witness" (in greek martyria), he stops the Godless' slander of Christ, and the spreading of false teaching.

No Orthodox Christian ever thought he slew a dragon, and most hagiographies begin with the words by the scribe "May I tell no lie about a saint."

I know of no icon with a kilted saint, in a traditional Great plaid, philabeg, or Lowland trews with or without sporran. Probably because icons depict saints as they now exist in the Kingdom of heaven. That is, illumined. Even modern saints are never shown wearing glasses (they don't need them in heaven!) or with the implements of their martyrdom, unless the icon specifically depicts the act of martyrdom. They have passed from suffering to blessedness.

My "Kirkin' O' The Tartans" program had a listing of Scottish saints, with their icons, as I could find them. There are actually alot more, but I could not list them in the space provided.

Whew. Blahblahblah. I'd say I've beaten this horse to death.
Glory to Jesus Christ!

[Prester John]

As a side post, I should note that it would be great to have an icon of a kilted saint.

After all, tartan kilts are clothing with crosses woven into them (very Christian), and heaven is a place of freedom!

[Riverkilt]

Thanks guys. Just back from the Hopi rez to find answers. Really was/am curioius.

Probably feel closest to the Catholics since over the years so many of my friends, and some in-laws, have followed that faith.

Good to have some clarity. Appreciate the expertise of those in the know.

Ron

[robert_law]

I wear my kilt to church every sunday and to most events ,tonight for compline I had my black watch kilt on

Robert

Dundee Scotland

[Prester John]

Compline being celebrated in Scotland? Are you Orthodox, too?

By the way, welcome aboard!