There are two miracles that have really fascinated me lately.
I realize that many on the outside looking in, even other Christian denominations, will immediately overlook things of this nature and deem them hoaxes, and some of them definitely are, but since becoming Orthodox, I feel like Thomas and I want to touch them myself.
I have approached these topics with skepticism and even looked at what debunkers had to say about them. Their cases against them are extremely weak and only strengthen my zeal to witness them.
I do understand that some of you may be disinterested in miracles, deem them satanic, prelest, hallucinations, etc, and believe that we should not seek this kind of stuff out, but instead solely rely on our faith. Perhaps you are right, I really don't know.
1) Myrrh-streaming icons.
I have looked at many video testimonies explaining and showing this phenomenon and have read many stories about them. This is truly astonishing.
They are not only miraculous in and of themselves for the fact they exist, but there are also many miracles surrounding them as in people being resurrected, healed, converted, etc.
There is one in Hawaii that I would like to see whenever I get the chance, whether that means going to the church to witness it or at another church it is brought to in another state.
For the Hawaii one, it isn't just one little tiny drop of Myrrh. It's gushing out and soaking the icon and dripping onto the floor. People are taking cotton balls and soaking up the excess Myrrh.
And my first thought was maybe they soaked it in Myrrh and it's just seeping out, or that there is a pump. But imagine that, millions of Orthodox Christian laymen and clergy lying about streaming icons for God knows how long? Lol. It wouldn't make any sense.
2) Holy Fire of Jerusalem.
It's shocking to me that this happens every year and many Christians don't even know about it. Before the High Priests enter the Holy Sepulchre, they are searched by the Jews and Muslims for anything that can be used to light a fire.
Through their prayers, the Holy Fire ignites miraculously from the tomb of Jesus, and how exactly this happens is a mystery. This seems to be the major point of contention for debunkers, but still doesn't explain the properties of the Fire even if there is some type of vigil lamp shennanigans happening inside, which there isn't any proof of other than one rogue clergy admission that I can't really seem to pin down or verify. And this is one man's word pointing to a conspiracy of lies involving millions since the year 867. Doubtful.
From there it is spread amongst the people. The Fire does not burn like normal fire for a certain amount of time, many say 33 minutes. There are videos of people putting it up to their beards. I tested this at home on locks of my own hair - the the hair burns instantly even if I move the fire rather quickly. There's people holding it on their clothes and it doesn't catch on fire. It does smolder and can leave soot from the smoke, but it doesn't burn. It will of course burn if it's held continuously for a longer period of time, or if it's been longer than that mysterious time window, or apparently in some cases if someone is a staunch unbeliever.
I'm really looking forward to going there one year to experience this in person. Like with the streaming icons, there are also many reported miraculous occurrences surrounding the Fire itself like supernatural visions and such.
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Lord willing, if I'm ever blessed to be married, these are the kinds of things I would love to travel with my wife to see.
Does anyone have firsthand experience with either of these or know of anyone who does? Would love to hear your story.
If there are other miracles like these in a similar category, please do share.
I realize that many on the outside looking in, even other Christian denominations, will immediately overlook things of this nature and deem them hoaxes, and some of them definitely are, but since becoming Orthodox, I feel like Thomas and I want to touch them myself.
I have approached these topics with skepticism and even looked at what debunkers had to say about them. Their cases against them are extremely weak and only strengthen my zeal to witness them.
I do understand that some of you may be disinterested in miracles, deem them satanic, prelest, hallucinations, etc, and believe that we should not seek this kind of stuff out, but instead solely rely on our faith. Perhaps you are right, I really don't know.
1) Myrrh-streaming icons.
I have looked at many video testimonies explaining and showing this phenomenon and have read many stories about them. This is truly astonishing.
They are not only miraculous in and of themselves for the fact they exist, but there are also many miracles surrounding them as in people being resurrected, healed, converted, etc.
There is one in Hawaii that I would like to see whenever I get the chance, whether that means going to the church to witness it or at another church it is brought to in another state.
For the Hawaii one, it isn't just one little tiny drop of Myrrh. It's gushing out and soaking the icon and dripping onto the floor. People are taking cotton balls and soaking up the excess Myrrh.
And my first thought was maybe they soaked it in Myrrh and it's just seeping out, or that there is a pump. But imagine that, millions of Orthodox Christian laymen and clergy lying about streaming icons for God knows how long? Lol. It wouldn't make any sense.
2) Holy Fire of Jerusalem.
It's shocking to me that this happens every year and many Christians don't even know about it. Before the High Priests enter the Holy Sepulchre, they are searched by the Jews and Muslims for anything that can be used to light a fire.
Through their prayers, the Holy Fire ignites miraculously from the tomb of Jesus, and how exactly this happens is a mystery. This seems to be the major point of contention for debunkers, but still doesn't explain the properties of the Fire even if there is some type of vigil lamp shennanigans happening inside, which there isn't any proof of other than one rogue clergy admission that I can't really seem to pin down or verify. And this is one man's word pointing to a conspiracy of lies involving millions since the year 867. Doubtful.
From there it is spread amongst the people. The Fire does not burn like normal fire for a certain amount of time, many say 33 minutes. There are videos of people putting it up to their beards. I tested this at home on locks of my own hair - the the hair burns instantly even if I move the fire rather quickly. There's people holding it on their clothes and it doesn't catch on fire. It does smolder and can leave soot from the smoke, but it doesn't burn. It will of course burn if it's held continuously for a longer period of time, or if it's been longer than that mysterious time window, or apparently in some cases if someone is a staunch unbeliever.
I'm really looking forward to going there one year to experience this in person. Like with the streaming icons, there are also many reported miraculous occurrences surrounding the Fire itself like supernatural visions and such.
----------‐-----------
Lord willing, if I'm ever blessed to be married, these are the kinds of things I would love to travel with my wife to see.
Does anyone have firsthand experience with either of these or know of anyone who does? Would love to hear your story.
If there are other miracles like these in a similar category, please do share.
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