On May 15, 2:42 pm, Sound of Trumpet <soundoftrum...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:
> http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1988353/posts
>
> Former Soviet Leader Admits He is a Christian
>
> The London Telegraph ^ | March 19, 2008 | Malcolm Moore
>
> Posted on 03/19/2008 1:46:50 PM PDT by rrstar96
>
> Mikhail Gorbachev, the last Communist leader of the Soviet Union, has
> acknowledged his Christian faith for the first time, paying a surprise
> visit to pray at the tomb of St Francis of Assisi.
>
> Accompanied by his daughter Irina, Mr Gorbachev spent half an hour on
> his knees in silent prayer at the tomb.
>
> His arrival in Assisi was described as "spiritual perestroika" by La
> Stampa, the Italian newspaper.
>
> "St Francis is, for me, the alter Christus, the other Christ," said Mr
> Gorbachev. "His story fascinates me and has played a fundamental role
> in my life," he added.
>
> Mr Gorbachev's surprise visit confirmed decades of rumours that,
> although he was forced to publicly pronounce himself an atheist, he
> was in fact a Christian, and casts a meeting with Pope John Paul II in
> 1989 in a new light.
>
> Mr Gorbachev, 77, was baptised into the Russian Orthodox Church and
> his parents were Christians.
>
> In addition, the parents of his wife Raisa were deeply religious and
> were killed during the Second World War for having religious icons in
> their home.
>
> Ronald Reagan, the former United States president, allegedly told his
> close aides on a number of occasions that he felt his opponent during
> the Cold War was a "closet believer".
>
> Mr Reagan held deep religious convictions himself. However, until now
> Mr Gorbachev has allowed himself to express only pantheistic views,
> saying in one interview "nature is my god".
>
> After his prayers, Mr Gorbachev toured the Basilica of St Francis and
> asked in particular to be shown an icon of St Francis portraying his
> "dream at Spoleto".
>
> St Francis, who lived in the 12th century, was a troubadour and a poet
> before the spiritual vision caused him to return to Assisi and
> contemplate a religious life.
>
> Even in his early days, St Francis helped the poor, once giving all of
> his money to a beggar. As well as spending time in the wilderness, he
> also nursed lepers and eventually became a priest.
>
> "It was through St Francis that I arrived at the Church, so it was
> important that I came to visit his tomb," said Mr Gorbachev.
>
> "I feel very emotional to be here at such an important place not only
> for the Catholic faith, but for all humanity."
>
> He also asked the monks for theological books to help him understand
> St Francis's life.
>
> Father Miroslavo Anuskevic, who accompanied the former Soviet leader,
> said: "He was not recognised by any of the worshippers in the church,
> and silently meditated at the tomb for a while. He seemed a man deeply
> inspired by charity, and told me that he was involved in a project to
> help children with cancer.
>
> "He talked a lot about Russia and said that even though the transition
> to democracy had been very important for the world, it was very
> painful for Russia. He said it was a country which has a great
> history, and also a great spirituality."
>
>
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> TOPICS: Catholic; Orthodox Christian
> KEYWORDS: catholic; mikhailgorbachev; orthodox; russia
>
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>
> This is a wonderful conversion story, being reported during Holy Week
> no less.
> We should all wish the former Communist leader a grace-filled
> spiritual journey he appears to be taking in earnest.
Admitted? Very good! Now it is time for exorcism!
Regards,
http://andriusblo.blogspot.com
|
