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Ora_et_Labora_1
Guest
Are there any recorded cases of Stigmata in the East, among the laity or even saints? Or is this just a Western phenomenon?
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Cluny
Guest
It seems to be a primarily Western phenomenon, and not just limited to Catholics.
There have been Protestant stigmatics, and even Moslem ones who bore the wounds of Ali.
There have been Protestant stigmatics, and even Moslem ones who bore the wounds of Ali.
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Ghosty
Guest
There is at least one well documented Eastern stigmatic: Myrna Nazzour. Read about her here:
soufanieh.com/
Some claim that St. Gregory Palamas was a stigmatic as well, but the records are spotty on the matter.
Peace and God bless!
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Cluny
Guest
Could you elaborate about St. Gregory Palamas being a stigmatic?
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KyivAndrew
Guest
Yes, for one man in the Ukrainian Catholic Church but not abundantly documented because the stigmatist layman died shortly after the Soviet Union reoccupied Ukraine in 1944 and, subsequently, liquidated the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
I found out about him by reading a book on him in the 1980s as a teenager. The book was written by witnesses to this man, who was bed-ridden during his life in Lviv, Ukraine. The said book was written in the 1950s here in North America. I was awestruck on reading of him because of some of his statements recorded during wartime and me looking back on it from the future. I’ll leave it at that. He apparently possessed the ability of bilocation and similar gifts to Padre Pio.
Unfortunately, once Ukraine became independent in 1991, my father shipped off just about the whole family’s treasure of Ukrainian language books to universities across Ukraine to help with the rebirth of the nation. This particular book was one of hundreds we sent to Ukraine.
That is it from my end brother. I have not come across mention of him since, nor have I come across any mention in modern Ukrainian Catholic printings. Suffice it to say that even if his gifts were supernatural and Catholic, once the Soviets took over Lviv everything vanished apart from what a few handful who escaped to the West printed in that book. So basically, I am not stating anything authoritatively apart from a personal recollection of this one man I read of. That’s it.
I guess that leaves you strictly with my veracity in that regard but I mention it strictly to note stigmatist(s?) were noted in the Eastern Catholic Church.
God Bless.
I found out about him by reading a book on him in the 1980s as a teenager. The book was written by witnesses to this man, who was bed-ridden during his life in Lviv, Ukraine. The said book was written in the 1950s here in North America. I was awestruck on reading of him because of some of his statements recorded during wartime and me looking back on it from the future. I’ll leave it at that. He apparently possessed the ability of bilocation and similar gifts to Padre Pio.
Unfortunately, once Ukraine became independent in 1991, my father shipped off just about the whole family’s treasure of Ukrainian language books to universities across Ukraine to help with the rebirth of the nation. This particular book was one of hundreds we sent to Ukraine.
That is it from my end brother. I have not come across mention of him since, nor have I come across any mention in modern Ukrainian Catholic printings. Suffice it to say that even if his gifts were supernatural and Catholic, once the Soviets took over Lviv everything vanished apart from what a few handful who escaped to the West printed in that book. So basically, I am not stating anything authoritatively apart from a personal recollection of this one man I read of. That’s it.
I guess that leaves you strictly with my veracity in that regard but I mention it strictly to note stigmatist(s?) were noted in the Eastern Catholic Church.
God Bless.
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Ora_et_Labora_1
Guest
I’d never heard of it, especially in Moslems. Have any links to that?
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Cluny
Guest
I believe it’s mentioned in the Wikipedia article on stigmata. I’ve heard about Moslem stigmatics–and Protestant stigmatics, forthat matter–on TV.
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datingtrappists
Guest
I have heard that, while stigmata has appeared in Eastern Christianity, that someone glowing, or having flames coming from their fingertips is more common. Does someone know if this is correct?
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Pani_Rose
Guest
I came across this quiet recently as I was looking for something else…
Code:
**The Lifting of My Hands Like an Evening Sacrifice**
May 1, 2009 in [Uncategorized](http://mattyonke.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/)
http://mattyonke.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/6a00d8345191b869e200e54f4685898833-800wi.jpg?w=200&h=200The sayings of the Desert Fathers are an absolute treasure trove of spiritual wisdom. I recently ran across the following story that has absolutely captivated me. I have an inkling of what it means, but I’d be very interested in anyone else’s perspective:“If you will, you can become all flame.” This is one of the most incredible things anyone has ever said as far as I’m concerned. I’m just about ready to make it my new motto and base my entire life around it.
mattyonke.wordpress.com/2009/05/01/the-lifting-of-my-hands-like-an-evening-sacrifice/
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Ora_et_Labora_1
Guest
Though not directly related to the Stigmata, I discovered by chance this “Eastern” phenomenon: holyfire.org/eng/
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datingtrappists
Guest
It reminds me of the prayer of Venerable Father John Damascene, which is prayed after every Divine Liturgy I attend:
God, my God, all-consuming invisible fire, you make your angels flaming fire. In your
inexpressible love, you have condescended to give me your divine flesh. You have allowed me to partake of your divinity by possessing your most pure body and precious blood. May they penetrate my entire body and spirit and all my bones. May they burn away my sins, enlighten my soul, and brighten my understanding. May they sanctify me, making a dwelling-place in me so that I too may be in you forever, with your blessed Father, and your all-holy Spirit, through the prayers of your most pure Mother and of all your saints. Amen.
I absolutly LOVE how Eastern Christians express theirselves… So poetic, so… words are failing me right now… but just know that I think that it’s completely wonderful, and it reaches someplace inside of me that even the Extraordinary Form can’t reach, and I have a great affection for the EF.
Also, thanks for sharing that snipet of Abbot Lot and Abbot Joseph… I stayed at a convent this past summer for a week, and one of the days for Vigils, that very snipet was read. It was read from a book, and I didn’t get the chance to ask what that book was… do you know?
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Auriel
Guest
Though it is rare, I do not think it is as extremely rare of some believe?
In my whole life I have only known 2 people with stigmata. However they are not Catholic.
But see, that is why you will not hear much about it.
How would a Protestant explain it or even understand it? It is not part of their tradition. I wish there was more out about it.
The two with stigmata that I mentioned I have known for years,. But only witnessed it happening to the one I live close to.
That person is embarrassed and covers their hands when it happens, trying to hide it. But sometimes it happens to their face and forehead as well, harder to hide that. I’ve witnessed that as well several times.
It is not a constant 24/7 thing. That person told me some years it occurs more frequently, and one year I remember they were relieved, telling me they thought it had stopped, it happened only a handful of times that year. I began to look into some of this myself when I realized one of those times was before Easter and it could be a clue.
Once they were signing forms for a private counselor in their home because…well, I think this person wanted to rule out any signs of mental problems that may have been causing the body to react in the physical. The body and mind is amazing. I was trusted and there had been no counseling session yet, it was more like a pre-session, a casual interview.
They had already called a doctor and were laughed at.
I was there in that room with them and knew by the counselor expression they thought they were “off”. But as God is my witness I saw blood began to drop onto the paper they were signing. I will never forget it, the counselor said, “whats going on”, looked at their hands, freaked, dropped the papers, ran out of there like a bat out of hell and NEVER returned calls or contacted them again.
I know they asked a relatives pastor, but they were strict Fundamentalist Baptist and said it is evil and demonic. I suggested asking their Catholic friends but the friends said only Catholics have this. They were always a sensitive soul, to me that and the reactions only adds to the reason some would want to hide it.
All I know is that this sure is strange. In that one incident mentioned, I looked closely at the wounds, They actually began as slits, then you could see the layers moving deep down until they formed holes. I asked what it felt like, you could see they were in pain, they said it hurt and it burns but eventually when it closes up and begins itching as it heals, they are relieved.
When we were teenagers my friend’s parent took them to see a specialist after witnessing small Beads of blood forming on the face. They had blood work and other tests run. Evidently there is a disease that affects the blood platelets that can cause a few odd symptoms. But their tests came out perfect. The doctors did not know what was causing it.
I have seen a few reports in other countries about Catholics with this condition, it seems they receive more attention than they want. So even for Catholics I wonder if a few more have it than are reported, keeping it quiet out of perhaps privacy issues or fear of ridicule.
Very interesting indeed.
In my whole life I have only known 2 people with stigmata. However they are not Catholic.
But see, that is why you will not hear much about it.
How would a Protestant explain it or even understand it? It is not part of their tradition. I wish there was more out about it.
The two with stigmata that I mentioned I have known for years,. But only witnessed it happening to the one I live close to.
That person is embarrassed and covers their hands when it happens, trying to hide it. But sometimes it happens to their face and forehead as well, harder to hide that. I’ve witnessed that as well several times.
It is not a constant 24/7 thing. That person told me some years it occurs more frequently, and one year I remember they were relieved, telling me they thought it had stopped, it happened only a handful of times that year. I began to look into some of this myself when I realized one of those times was before Easter and it could be a clue.
Once they were signing forms for a private counselor in their home because…well, I think this person wanted to rule out any signs of mental problems that may have been causing the body to react in the physical. The body and mind is amazing. I was trusted and there had been no counseling session yet, it was more like a pre-session, a casual interview.
They had already called a doctor and were laughed at.
I was there in that room with them and knew by the counselor expression they thought they were “off”. But as God is my witness I saw blood began to drop onto the paper they were signing. I will never forget it, the counselor said, “whats going on”, looked at their hands, freaked, dropped the papers, ran out of there like a bat out of hell and NEVER returned calls or contacted them again.
I know they asked a relatives pastor, but they were strict Fundamentalist Baptist and said it is evil and demonic. I suggested asking their Catholic friends but the friends said only Catholics have this. They were always a sensitive soul, to me that and the reactions only adds to the reason some would want to hide it.
All I know is that this sure is strange. In that one incident mentioned, I looked closely at the wounds, They actually began as slits, then you could see the layers moving deep down until they formed holes. I asked what it felt like, you could see they were in pain, they said it hurt and it burns but eventually when it closes up and begins itching as it heals, they are relieved.
When we were teenagers my friend’s parent took them to see a specialist after witnessing small Beads of blood forming on the face. They had blood work and other tests run. Evidently there is a disease that affects the blood platelets that can cause a few odd symptoms. But their tests came out perfect. The doctors did not know what was causing it.
I have seen a few reports in other countries about Catholics with this condition, it seems they receive more attention than they want. So even for Catholics I wonder if a few more have it than are reported, keeping it quiet out of perhaps privacy issues or fear of ridicule.
Very interesting indeed.
S
StevenDunn
Guest
I have that quote in my copy of ‘The Sayings of the Desert Fathers,’ translated by Benedicta Ward.
amazon.com/Sayings-Desert-Fathers-Cistercian-studies/dp/0879079592
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Eucharisted
Guest
Paul or Peter was said to have bore the wounds of Christ, though it’s just a legend I heard. It’s based on a few biblical verses where the Apostle says his sufferings make up for what is lacking in Christ’s and says something to the effect of bearing the marks of the Lord. But my memory is poor, so don’t trust me.
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Gregory_I
Guest
It’s in Galations where he says I bear the marks of Jesus Christ on my body, toward the End.
But it is most likely just a way of saying that all that he suffered, he suffered for Jesus, and so all the beatings and scars are “The Marks of Jesus” because they were borne out of love for him.
But it is most likely just a way of saying that all that he suffered, he suffered for Jesus, and so all the beatings and scars are “The Marks of Jesus” because they were borne out of love for him.
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dvdjs
Guest
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Ghosty
Guest
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