Orthodoxy gets foothold in Cuba

[SuperGreatSphinx]

Cuba has a 99.8% literacy rate, an infant death rate lower than some developed countries, and an average life expectancy of 77.64. In 2006, Cuba was the only nation in the world which met the WWF's definition of sustainable development; having an ecological footprint of less than 1.8 hectares per capita and a Human Development Index of over 0.8 for 2007.

[SuperGreatSphinx]

Cuba is home to over 11 million people and is the most populous island nation in the Caribbean, as well as the largest by area. Its people, culture, and customs draw from diverse sources, such as the aboriginal Taíno and Ciboney peoples, the period of Spanish colonialism, the introduction of African slaves and its proximity to the United States.

[SuperGreatSphinx]

In 1492, Christopher Columbus found and claimed the island now occupied by Cuba, for the Kingdom of Spain. Cuba remained territory of Spain until the Spanish–American War ended in 1898, and gained formal independence from the U.S. in 1902. Between 1953 and 1959 the Cuban Revolution occurred, removing the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista.

[SuperGreatSphinx]

The Republic of Cuba (Spanish: República de Cuba) is a socialist state in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city. To the north of Cuba lies the United States and the Bahamas, Mexico is to the west, the Cayman Islands and Jamaica are to the south, and Haiti and the Dominican Republic are to the southeast.

[divineplusplus]

Great job

God bless Orthodoxy

God bless humanity

May God forgive communists

[mattkarnes]

I am astounded that somone claims to be both Orthodox and Communist. I wonder what St. Benjamin of Petrograd thinks of that.

[Banbino777holy]

iam cuban orthodox ready to combat islam.... Antichrist call me any Crusade!

[belladeballe]

If one reads the text of the divine liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, they'd know that a true Orthodox Christian prays for the leaders of nations and all civil authorities no matter what the politics of that country. So one could in essence be a capitalist, a communist or anything in between and still be an Orthodox Christian.

[HaveMercyOnMeOLord]

Re:@belladeballe

Praying for the national leader and all other civil authorities doesn't equate to an endorsement of whatever the political and economic system is. Implicit in our prayers is that we are requesting God limit the damage these people and systems are allowed to inflict upon us and the world. You can't be a Communist and still be a orthodox Orthodox Christian.

[belladeballe]

@HaveMercyOnMeOLord Well, I am still new to Orthodoxy and trying to figure out stuff. What you say makes sense. Thank you for answering and correcting me.

[BurnAllLiberals]

GOD Bless CUBA for that. I hate Communism, but I can't blame Cuba for choosing that over Democraticism, I would Choose Islam over Communism, Liberalism, Democraticism, and etc., So NO ONE CAN BLAME the CUBANS for choosing the Path of the LESSER Evil. Socialism is on the Rise in Western Europe and possibly America, may TRADITIONLAISM be on the rise of the Former Communist Countries, and May the Cubans get in touch with their Catholic Roots.

[okeanos33]

To be more correct about this.. the first orthodox church in cuba is Saint Nicolas church. its in the center of the city, built in 2003 and it was donated by the cuban goverment and fidel castro himself to the ecumenical patriarchate and the ecumenical patriarch bartholomiew

[AegeanKing]

Fuck communisim!!!! Communism has done more damage to Orthodoxy than any other force in the history of the Church.

[livatha]

Actually, this is not the first Orthodox church built in Cuba. The very first church built since Fidel Castro came into power was a Greek Orthodox church. I am very happy to see another Orthodox Church, and a very beautiful one at that, built in this beautiful country, I just wanted to clarify a mistake. May God Bless Cuba!

[21StCenturyWarfare]

God Bless Cuba our Orthodox Brothers !!

IC XC NIKA

[NUSRPKINA]

God bless Cuba God bless our orthodoxy!

[uip68t]

many communists are christians too....and communism generally has the opinion that people should believe in everything they want...there isnt an official state religion...

[Blacktony86]

Thats a good news/Thank God.

[ihphlp]

If only this report was true. There is a Greek Orthodox Cathedral built by the Cuban Government just one block from this church. It was consecrated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in 2004. Let´s get our facts correct.

[BurnAllLiberals]

GOD Bless Cuba. Cuba was all about independence, they were never really about Communism, they just saw Communism as a way to break away from the American Global Liberalism. Liberalism is worse than Communism, and unforunately the US government is still STUCK on the "Revolutionary" Mentality, while other nations just want to move on.

[BurnAllLiberals]

GOD BLESS CUBA!!!

[mauroprovatos]

oh shit!

obviously the revolution is starting to decay

[jesujoyofmansdesirin]

it started to unravel the day it began

[cuban1959]

Just another way to keep control on the Cuban people. Let's see what kind of treats they give away to keep the Cubans coming to this church they had never seen before. The Cuban Gov. has allowed Russia to go back to the island as they will probably help them stay in power longer. We never liked the Russian presence in Cuba. Of course, we have nothing against the Russian people but their Gov. intentions.

Just hope the new president addresses the situation ASAP.

Death to Castro!!!!!

[ArisVelouhiotis13]

Go fuck yourself! LONG LIVE CASTRO AND THE CUBAN PEOPLE!!!

[kombosta]

EL PUEBLO UNIDO JAMAS SERA VENCIDO.

That's right commrade Aris!!!

[stagml]

I am Greek Orthodox and commounist!!! I am very happy for Cuba and Findel!!! I hate USA and capitalism... You can visit my 2 channels

Lenin476

Orthodoxia476

[EverythingZen14]

Communism? Socialism? You mean those terrible systems of government that forced true Russian Orthodox practitioners into the catacombs during the Soviet era?

I'm not a believer in any man-made system. Capitalism has its flaws, as does Socialism, as does Communism, etc. Christ is the only solution to the world's problems. The only people in history that had the opportunity to be perfect were the Jews, but they wanted to appoint leaders rather than trust God to lead them - so they blew it.

[Spanky00Cheeks]

@EverythingZen14

"I'm not a believer in any man-made system. Capitalism has its flaws, as does Socialism, as does Communism, etc. Christ is the only solution to the world's problems."

Jesus and the countless religions based on his story (all claiming to be true) are also man-made systems. Just like every other religion. Just like every other superstition.

I still support individuals' freedom of belief to everyone, btw.

[EverythingZen14]

You falsley assume that all institutions and/or groups who call themselves Christian are false (for any man-made Church is false). But there is a true manifestation of Christianity from which all the perversions of it sprang. The truth of Orthodox Christianity testifies for itself in the heart of every man. Even atheists have found no greater ideals than those laid out in Orthodox Christian teachings. That is, to love all men and all things selflessly and to the greatest of one's ability.

[Spanky00Cheeks]

I liked ur 1st post. It was more honest and less politically crafted

At most 1 can be right, at least 0. Most ppl dont choose their religion: parents/society chooses their "1 true" religion for them. Hence a baseless belief, hence absurd to believe

~'I would expect demons & fallen human nature to create many perversions of the real 1'

Funny! I would expect for the "True Word of God" to be unperversable.

How would u or some1 know of yours is a perversion? You wouldn't. = absurd to believe

[EverythingZen14]

perversion is only impossible in a world void of free will. However, the Orthodox Church strongly asserts that God gives us our free will, and also gives the demons their free will.

My conviction: there is One Church that proclaims the true, unperverted Gospel, which God has preserved, and many 'churches' which are a product of a schism from the Church and preach some heretical perversion of the Truth.

That is my conclusion. What you conclude, brother, I cannot control. God bless you.

[Spanky00Cheeks]

2/2

"theres a true manifestation of Christianity from which all the perversions sprang"

Thats definitely a baseless assumption -a false assumption IMHO. There was a FIRST christianity, & it evolved (changed) and diversified, so its not represented anywhere now.

"testifies for itself in the heart of every man"

I'm a man & SERBIAN. Where is the Otho in my heart? I just proved you wrong. Where are you getting this nonsense? Every church (perversion)says the same stuff.

Sorry to be harsh there.

[EverythingZen14]

If this is true, then perhaps you can back up your claim by showing me exactly where in history the collective Orthodox Church changed Her doctrine. If you can show me that, conclusively, I will leave the Faith.

[Spanky00Cheeks]

@EverythingZen14

hey where did you go?

[EverythingZen14]

I normally do not engage in debates, but, since you seem to value my input, I will provide some responses to your comments.

Peace be upon you.

[Spanky00Cheeks]

3/2 (lol)

"atheists found no greater ideals than those of Orthodox teachings: love all men/things selflessly to the greatest of ability."

theists claim to have divine powers/morality; not atheists, so not required to develop greater ideals than "treat people selflessly" (communism is an fanatical reading of that ideal). If a church was about THAT, I would attend. Too bad they all have so much unjustifiable superstitious medieval/cavemen disproven claims that they either embrace or ignore.

[EverythingZen14]

I dont have much to say to that. All that can be said is, without God, morality is relative and, therefore, meaningless and, itself, subject to change.

A key concept in Orthodoxy is that people are created to be selfless because God is selfless. Better said, God is Love, and men, as temples of the Holy Spirit, are created to be vessels of Love, showing God to all creation.

Now, we are corrupted by desires for ungodliness, but, he who overcomes shall eat from the tree of eternal life.

[rares19bv]

@stagml

you cannot be a communist and orthodox in the same time. communism represented the suppresion of all religons, enspecially orthodoxy.please read more about this, enspecially about what happend in eastern orthodox europe like in romania or moldavia or russia.In russia alone 60 millions of christians died under the communist regime.May God bless you and enlighten your mind

[TTFLS]

@rares19bv Uhmmmmmmmmm wtf r u talking about? Wtf does communism have to do with the way certain countries implemented it? Communism has NOTHING to do with religion..

[JCistGottMitUns]

@rares19bv YES YOU CAN BE COMMUNIST AND CHRISTIAN AT THE SAME TIME, its called Christian National Bolshevism, and most of those "sixty millions" you cite were not Christian, but it was false socialist Jews who did the killing, not the nationalists! Stalin became good leader and tried to help Russia.

88 (Limonov is a traitor!)

[jerallovesyou]

@stagml um, yeah, u cant be Christian and communist at the same time, they jus dont go together...

[TTFLS]

@jerallovesyou Wtf r u talking about? One = religion, the other = financial system.. Have NOTHING to do with each other..

[jerallovesyou]

@TTFLS exactly....they dont go together....communists would gladly shut down/burn down our churches and not think twice about it....

[TTFLS]

@jerallovesyou That's like saying, well the Germans did kill Jewish people in the past, Germans and life do not go together.. Its like saying, well muslims and christians have fought on many occasions, the two religion defo do not match.. Again, wtf r u talking about?

[jerallovesyou]

@TTFLS um, i was responding to and agreeing with someone else's comment on here a while back....stop reading into it too much and trying to pick a youtube argument with me k bye...

[TTFLS]

@jerallovesyou Uhm, actually that is not at all true! You are just saying that because you a, don't want to recognize your wrongs here or b, just do not see it! And its of course likely that its some sort of a mixture of both!

Listen guy, we just shouldn't slander communism! Its the way of the future! Its like saying that capitalism is shit because its the financial system in a country with a crude dictator.. We once all where communists and so shall we become again, don't fight it!

[jerallovesyou]

@TTFLS wow u got 2 much time on ur hands..ur sorta right about one thing tho..as CHRISTIANS we were the world's first socialists/communists--we shared our wealth with the widowed & poor....your brand of communism-of today and the future-is highly flawed & is an error. i leave you w this: "--My peace I leave to you, my peace I give you" this is the end of discussion w u & me. CHRIST IS RISEN INDEED. he is the beginning,end, first & last, our past present & future. love always, --jerry.

[TTFLS]

@jerallovesyou looooooooooooooooooooooooooooo­ooooooooooool :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D Why silly religious people always need lies to spread the one and only truth? lmao :D:D Go back to school guy, its where a wondering mind like yours belongs :D

[AegeanKing]

@stagml You're an idiot.

[comunistahijodeputa]

Raul Castro gets protection from the Russian Mafia!

[comunistahijodeputa]

Raul Castro get protection from the Russian Mafia!

[TomaSkTemplar]

So even if there are these´deviates´, there are good priests usually who help others even when not asked for, as every true Christian should. 1 more thing: its not so much about´constitution´, even if its difficult. This is why prayer, work and confession exist to help one if he has a problem´containing´himself. When trying to end some negative stuff I wanted to it really helped me and I could feel it. So I guess all the problems can be fixed that way if one has the will to do it.

[TomaSkTemplar]

Yeah, I will tell you there are some of these (at least here its not that bad) but those are well known of and are usually made short work of. Not always tho. To continue what I thought of: The recent generation especially is degenarated by the amount of sex on the screen and in the net. Problem is allowing the person itself to say it has done something wrong (pride hopefully right word) The priests who came after my bro he said as of selfish ppl who only do what is asked and on their own way.

[TomaSkTemplar]

I dont care if its Orthodox or Catholic (and me being one),I have respect for only these ´two´religions.Other religions have gone away from the true teachings in hopes to gain control of people (power)- that is from selfish aims. Even when some things started as good,ended badly.1054 was the year we became´two´, mostly because west wanted to command the east. About 10 years ago I knew nothing about Orthodoxy and I thought its yet another sect.Problem is people dont know each other I guess

[Jizuschrist]

The eastern church has less black marks then the Latin catholic one,Koiné Greek is the tongue which the earliest christian movement including apostles spoke.

Unlike the catholic church , Orthodox Priests can marry and noticeably you don't hear about pedophile priests in the orthodox clergy.

[TomaSkTemplar]

1 thing is: 1 wife may not be always enough- same as no wife, this´pedophile´stuff is mostly made up anyway (media ftw). Because you don´t hear, it is not true this doesnt happen. My bro is a cath. priest, and I know he doesnt have any problems like this. He does have problems with people who go to church only because´they must´and throw all problems on somebody else. Problem with´black marks´: Deus lo vult is likely to come to mind=Misuse of religion

[Jizuschrist]

I know a former abbot who mentioned a monk who once worked under him who was charged in later years for molestation, He pretty much said the maladjusted individual is the one most likely to become like that,He saw to many having mistresses and running double lives, In his view some would be better off marrying as few have the constitution for celibacy.

[TomaSkTemplar]

I believe its not that simple: I think the problem is with people in general: what is acceptable and what is not. US is a country where ppl start with this stuff very early and its a commonly acceptable imo.(makes kids minds corrup) Here on the other hand it is known it is bad. But the trend is that kids are going to grew up themselves and that there is nothing bad.

[Cossakfreedon]

Hope to visit this church in Jan-Feb...

[Teslacoil12]

LONG LIVE ORTHODXY!

[Swordman85]

Wow, beautiful building for Havana.

[banostor]

Fantastic, God bless Cuba and its people.

[Swordman85]

Why blessing the icon of Our Lady of Kazan, instead of blessing the icon of Christ, who was, according to Christian faith, greater than the Lady of Kazan?

[lecudas]

Awesome news! I am glad to see that the Orthodox believers on Cuba now has a place to worship. I pray there will soon be many more.

[Nihilismmm]

Religions holds back the advancements of the human race. No matter what it is called or where it is.

[RussianRuffRyder84]

people by themselves hold them back and not the religion, ok Islam is a religion which holds everything back, even freedom of mind.

[manwiththecalicobag]

good one