What About Incorrupt Relics of Non-Orthodox 'Saints'?

Excerpt from "The Mystery of Christ: An Athonite Catechism (Lesson 17) - Prophecies: The Public Ministry and Passion of Christ" by Fr. Peter Heers

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[CedanyTheAlaskan]

The Pope did not say we can bless same sex couples, but can bless them individually.
This is just flat out wrong.

[grpower]

As Orthodox, I can understand Father Peter's scepticism and extremely cautionary approach of (on the verge of outright denial) towards signs of sainthood outside of the Church (i.e., the Orthodox Church). At the end of the day, he has to protect (without quotation tags) his flock from confusion that could lead them astray. Having said that, the real answer to this question is no different than the one for the question in regards to salvation. Is the Church the vehicle for salvation? Yes! Can salvation take place outside of the Church? We don’t know. Salvation is God's to give. Likewise, to outright deny the possibility of sainthood outside of the Church is just arrogant and wrong not only because it diminishes God's omnipotence and authority but also because it presupposes perfect knowledge of God's will that no human can possibly attain (not without divine intervention which cannot be independently proven, i.e., for anyone to claim something like this will constitute circular reasoning).

We have to be very careful with this train of thought. Consider, for example, not of Saints but of martyrs (who are also venerated). We have the Romanov family on one hand that were canonized as martyrs by the Russian Orthodox Church (and that means they are martyrs and should be venerated by all Orthodox Christians) and on the other hand, the 21 Coptic captives who were executed by IS a few years ago in Libya. The first, by all accounts, were not killed because of the faith but were murdered by the Bolsheviks for political reasons. However, as martyrs they have been recognized as having earned a place with Christ. The latter, although they were clearly murdered because they were Christians and refused to convert, they are not members of the Church. Should we hold the position that because of this their martyrdom and ultimate sacrifice was for nothing and that "it does not count"? Without assuming that God’s justice and righteousness should follow my own limited idea of what is “right” or “fair”, I have to be honest that I have a huge problem to dismiss them, their lives and example not to mention to summarily advocate for their condemnation because of them being schismatics So, the next time such questions emerge, let’s just say “I don’t know” and shut up. Not because we need to appear “humble” and “loving” and “ecumenical”, but because we are who we are and God is Who He is.

[ThePhilosophicalINFP]

St. Symeon the New's poetry gets pretty sensual about Christ in Eucharistic imagery, to a point that would alarm many readers: "Consuming the 5th member of Christ". Of course, he is really just extending the kind of poetry already found in Song of Songs.

[RyanWainwrightt]

I have one question regarding martyrs.
Are the martyrs in heaven with Jesus? Because in Revelations it’s said:

When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

Does this mean martyrs are not in heaven yet?
Even in Genesis regarding Able’s murder, God says He can hear Able’s cry through his blood from the ground. So does this mean they have not yet reached Heaven?

I may be asking a really dumb question but I am just confused.
Pray for me.

[AlyoshaBosha]

This is so absurd. I had that question and directly this video is uploaded

[lenr]

Your commentary dissapoints me dear Father. We Catholics know there are many problems in the Church. A true Catholic faith transcends the Church's problems. We know and believe there is only one Christ and, we also know that with God miracles are possible. Regarding Catherine of Siena, "medieval Christians would not have blushed at 'its' explicit references. Many twelfth-century mystics read 'it' as a grand allegory depicting the spiritual romance between God and the Christian monastic soul." St. Francis of Assisi never asked to get the stigmata. He was an incredibly devout and humble monk who lead an astounding holy life which led to many conversions and brought hope to an impoverished people. I suggest you learn more about this great saint. You will be amazed by his holy resolve and incredible humility. I appreciate your comments from an Orthodox perspective; but, I believe that there is a good reason for the Catholic church to also exist. This should not be about how we see each other in faith from a divisional perspective; it should be more about how God created his Church before our differences caused that division. We are brothers and sisters growing from the same root. Bless your life journey Father.

[ThriceHolyHost]

I guess you also dismiss the sensuality of the Song of Songs.

[SicutLaici]

What about fatima? What about the tilma of Guadalupe? What about the countless miracles witnessed around these "delusional" incorrupt saints?

[catherinethompson]

Oh wow. I grew up Catholic and didn’t end up receiving confirmation but if I did I would have had st Catherine of sienna as my patron saint. I would love to know more about her unorthodox beliefs and professions

[MariaGarcia-jpvl]

El criticar a quien los católicos consideran santos no eleva espiritualmente a nadie y sólo muestra la estatura del que critica. Que pena que sea un sacerdote ortodoxo el que se exprese así.