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Monday 21 March 2016

The long night is dark indeed

Christendom died in the Somme with the warrior poets.

It took chivalry with it and though it took a long time to die, it took masculinity as well.

And in its place, Western Civilization was born.

A cruel mockery of its parent, Western Civilization, despite its name, did not have its birth with the Greeks over two thousand years ago, as if Christendom was merely a phase, a guise of what now is. This is nothing but propaganda and a wash of history to get you to accept the current as the norm, accept that what is is better and is always better than what was, that history is always a forward direction. It is one of the more subtle victories of Whig history and one very few people realize.

What the Greeks had was not 'Western Civilization. It was Greek civilization for certainly the Greeks did not consider themselves equal to the Egyptians, the Persians or those Etruscan imposters masquerading in Greek styles called 'Romans'. Though the Romans eventually taught the Greeks the errors of their judgement of Latins as being 'Etruscan' in due course. And the Greeks and all the mediterrenean civilizations were no more 'Western' than that of the Celt, the Teuton or the Iberian.

No what has happened has rather been a succession of civilizations, certainly one could see the succession of Greek Civilization in the might and glory of Rome and its civilization. And certainly Christendom, when came its time in turn, echoed the might and glory of Rome, crystallised as all things were, through Christ. The strength of Christendom, ignoring all theological virtues or what have you, was that it was not, truly 'one' civilization.

It was something altogether different, something more, and something truly human.

Under Christendom the Gael and Gaelic civilization could turn to the Slav in the east of Europe and call him brother, and see in him and his otherwise alien civilization kinship, fellowship and commonality, not in spite of their differences, but because of it. That the converted Norseman could see the Spanish crusader and call him friend and know him though his tongue and his ways was as alien to the Scandic peoples as the East Asian. It was a gathering force, weaving the coloured threads of human civilizations into one cohesive whole, even if in the end the brothers it made of peoples bickered and fought and feuded.

But that is to be expected, is that not what brothers do?

This is, truly, what it means to be a part of Christendom. That one should revel in the fact his neighbour is at once alien and at the same time his brother. And this is why Western Civilization as it is, is such an abomination.

Where Christendom celebrated liberty in service, Western Civilization applauds licentiousness and rebellion. Service, true personal service is slavery, and anonymous slavery is service. Whereas Christendom celebrated and fought and died over issues of legitimacy, Western Civilization will only ever fight and die over tyranny, whether to relieve one man of his tyranny in order to impose its own or to replace one tyranny with another. The question of 'legitimacy' matters not. Where Christendom, unspoken and without coercive or even truly conscious of what it was doing, weaved together peoples and races without destroying them, without diluting them, changing them on their own terms. Western Civilization seeks to ape and mock with multiculturalism and destroy all cultures and races until man is nothing more than a blank slate with which it can mould to suit its perverse ends.

Western Civilization is not dying because Islam is stronger, Western Civilization is dying because it is already a dead thing, a still-birthed horror born from the hell of Paschendale. It is dying because it never truly 'lived', the heroic materialism of tall towers, wildly uncontrollable and corrupted capitalism and existential warring over ideologies is just this lost zombie creature trying desperately to make up for what is lost from the world. Unlike the civilizations that came before, it is not a true successor because it does not echo its forebears, it is not truly the son of Christendom, but some Frankenstein's monster hewn from its corpse. Just as Islam is not a successor of the glories of the Persian empire, nor of the vaunted history of the Egyptians, nor is it even a successor of the Semitic peoples that made up Arabia before the people we now know as Arabs destroyed them. It destroyed them and took its throne, just as Western Civilization took Christendom's.

I talk about this now because it is now obvious to all, not just monarchists or Christians and those sensitive to the dire spiritual warnings we've been getting for well over a decade now, that psychic shroud that entire populations felt that 'something' is coming. I talk now because now more than ever, my fellow faithful Catholics are despairing utterly because of the state of the Church in the world, the genocide of our brethren in the East and other continents, the celebrated holocaust of the unborn, defeat on every front and a Pope who just does not seem to care.

There are worse horrors to come, the problem though, is I don't think people are really aware of the signs, the hints of the spring to come even in the depths of winter, the rays of light hinting at a more glorious dawn awaiting at the end of this long and terribly dark night. They do not see that others are awaking as they do, in the east of Europe, hundreds of thousands at a time are awakening to the danger of the world as it is, the suicide of Western Civilization and casting off the shackles that were disguised as its clothing. Russia's Putin, though there is much wrong with him and what he does, was the earliest indication. He and the New Russia are not 'European'.

Neither am I.

For today the word European means one is a member of this 'New Europe', the Europe of abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, sodomy, bureaucracy and multiculturalism, Russia for all its faults and there are many, is slowly getting better, it is not 'European'. Neither is Poland, Hungary or any of the nations opposing this 'New Europe'.

Rather they are the echoes of what was 'Old Europe'. They are not the new Christendom, but rather they are the hints and promises of a Christendom that might one day be. Perhaps, but only after Europe and the rest of the world undergoes a Passion unlike anything seen before.

It is said Saint Patrick, while he was on his deathbed was shown a vision of Ireland, of what would become of the isle after his work, he was shown the island as if alight with fire. Then to his horror he was shown it to dim, and fade into almost nothing, the isle as dark as coal apart from a few places. If that is not what it is like today in Ireland, I know of no other time in our history when our isle was darker, bloodier, yes, but even a bloodied isle is always better than a dark one. Yet even he was shown hope, with the isle becoming brighter, and more fiery than it ever was before. Hope springs eternal, one should not expect that there will not be suffering, only that the suffering will one day end.

It's dark out there, light a candle.

7 comments:

  1. Very good Servant. Well written. I think I heard of that story about St. Patrick seeing Ireland burn life fire, then dim, only to burn even more gloriously than before. Do you know where that comes from?

    Indeed, we are living in dark times. I would go even further and talk about the disturbing issue of "trans" people. At least with homosexuality it's honest about itself' with trans issues it is such a cruel act of deceit.

    I remember I used to feel very hopeless about the entire thing too, but I think I've come to finally accept that things will become atrocious, and we may never live comfortable lives in our generation, and perhaps the next few Though ultimately, Western Civilization will fall victim to its own atrocities, and then hopefully things can begin anew.

    P.S.:
    In the story of St. Patrick, do you think that once the fires burn after the period of darkness, this will remain the case until the end of time? Or is that being a bit optimistic? Assuming the story is true of course.

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    1. Assuming any of the prophecies and stories of St.Patrick are true at all (even though its a pious belief and pretty much everyone agrees he 'Wrestled' with God on the top of Crogh Patrick, we do not even know if he really will be deputised to judge the entire Irish race on the day of Judgement. But it would be so cool if he did. Scary, but cool).

      The earliest indication I can find of the Prophecies of St.Patrick were relayed by Irish monks to another monk or Scholar in France. These monks relayed the prophecy of the flooding of Ireland. Where God promised Saint Patrick that he would prevent Ireland from being conquered by the Antichrist by flooding it, refusing to yield the island to the enemy's rule, seven years before the end of days. Obviously we won't know of the truth of this, but I would happily welcome becoming a new Atlantis any day of the week rather than be given over to the rule of the antichrist.

      Another, this being one of the promises made to Patrick on the mountain, was that Ireland would not succumb to 'the barbarians', the pagan invasions that was wrecking the Roman Empire on the continent, the Church in Ireland would never succumb to them. This, i believe, actually held true in the end. For while the pagan Vikings did defeat many Irish Chieftains and settled cities in Ireland, they never conquered us, there was never anything in Ireland similar to the Danelaw in England that terrorized the Saxons. The vikings Christianized and Gaelicized, and Ireland while conquered by the Normans, who were catholic and not Barbarians who also subsequently Gaelicized, was only ever conquered by Protestant British, heretics... but not barbarians, and the Church never succumbed.

      The prophecy of the Burning Ireland is also relayed by the monks, but one tradition has it be a vision relayed to St. Patrick upon the mountain and another has it be a vision shown to him at his deathbed while St.Brigid was by his side. But the story itself was relayed by the monks to the scholar. In the prophecy as stated, Ireland burns with faith, as it has done historically, it fades to almost nothing, as it is now, but then reignites in such a conflagration as never seen before. The catalyst, according to one version of the prophecy is what has been dubbed as 'The light of Ulayd'

      If you know your Irish, this means the light of Ulster. The reignition of the Irish faith supposedly will happen in the northernmost province of Ireland and spread from there. Again, this makes sense as northerners, both Catholic and Protestant are on the whole more religious than the rest of the island. Not by much but enough to be noticeable.

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    2. 2nd part: However this Light of Ulayd is never specified wether it is a person, a movement or an event (such as a Marian apparaition) but if it is true at all, I don't think it'll happen just on the last days or the day of judgement, kind of would defeat the purpose. And if it does happen, it also makes sense that other prophecies, such as the prophecy that Ireland will play a key role in the rediscovery of England's Catholic faith, would come to pass. Ireland cannot give a light it does not have to give, so if the English prophecy comes to pass then at least spiritually things will get better in Ireland.

      The scholar upon hearing these prophecies and looking at Irish history at the time (he was writing sometime during or after the 11th century mind) considered the viking invasions the 'dark time' for the Church in Ireland and the subsequent Norman invasion as the restoration of the Church upon the isle. I, naturally, disagree with the scholar, especially considering the Church has never had a darker period of time on this island than it does now.

      Keep in mind I only discovered what I know of these prophecies from piecemeal information I have gathered on the internet by being bored one day and googling Prophecies regarding Ireland. There is surprisingly very little about the topic, even the tinfoil hat wearing types you'd expect to eat up this sort of stuff have next to nothing on the topic.

      Also not nothing I have said here has been confirmed nor purported by the Church officially, so take everything I have typed with a grain of salt. But I for one, like to believe such things can be so, although having lived in Ulster all my life, I know of no one nor anything that could possibly be this 'Light of Ulayd' the prophecy speaks of.
      The earliest indication I can find of the Prophecies of St.Patrick were relayed by Irish monks to another monk or Scholar in France. These monks relayed the prophecy of the flooding of Ireland. Where God promised Saint Patrick that he would prevent Ireland from being conquered by the Antichrist by flooding it, refusing to yield the island to the enemy's rule, seven years before the end of days. Obviously we won't know of the truth of this, but I would happily welcome becoming a new Atlantis any day of the week rather than be given over to the rule of the antichrist.

      Another, this being one of the promises made to Patrick on the mountain, was that Ireland would not succumb to 'the barbarians', the pagan invasions that was wrecking the Roman Empire on the continent, the Church in Ireland would never succumb to them. This, i believe, actually held true in the end. For while the pagan Vikings did defeat many Irish Chieftains and settled cities in Ireland, they never conquered us, there was never anything in Ireland similar to the Danelaw in England that terrorized the Saxons. The vikings Christianized and Gaelicized, and Ireland while conquered by the Normans, who were catholic and not Barbarians who also subsequently Gaelicized, was only ever conquered by Protestant British, heretics... but not barbarians, and the Church never succumbed.

      Delete
    3. 3rd part: The prophecy of the Burning Ireland is also relayed by the monks, but one tradition has it be a vision relayed to St. Patrick upon the mountain and another has it be a vision shown to him at his deathbed while St.Brigid was by his side. But the story itself was relayed by the monks to the scholar. In the prophecy as stated, Ireland burns with faith, as it has done historically, it fades to almost nothing, as it is now, but then reignites in such a conflagration as never seen before. The catalyst, according to one version of the prophecy is what has been dubbed as 'The light of Ulayd'

      If you know your Irish, this means the light of Ulster. The reignition of the Irish faith supposedly will happen in the northernmost province of Ireland and spread from there. Again, this makes sense as northerners, both Catholic and Protestant are on the whole more religious than the rest of the island. Not by much but enough to be noticeable.

      However this Light of Ulayd is never specified wether it is a person, a movement or an event (such as a Marian apparaition) but if it is true at all, I don't think it'll happen just on the last days or the day of judgement, kind of would defeat the purpose. And if it does happen, it also makes sense that other prophecies, such as the prophecy that Ireland will play a key role in the rediscovery of England's Catholic faith, would come to pass. Ireland cannot give a light it does not have to give, so if the English prophecy comes to pass then at least spiritually things will get better in Ireland.

      The scholar upon hearing these prophecies and looking at Irish history at the time (he was writing sometime during or after the 11th century mind) considered the viking invasions the 'dark time' for the Church in Ireland and the subsequent Norman invasion as the restoration of the Church upon the isle. I, naturally, disagree with the scholar, especially considering the Church has never had a darker period of time on this island than it does now.

      Keep in mind I only discovered what I know of these prophecies from piecemeal information I have gathered on the internet by being bored one day and googling Prophecies regarding Ireland. There is surprisingly very little about the topic, even the tinfoil hat wearing types you'd expect to eat up this sort of stuff have next to nothing on the topic.

      Also not nothing I have said here has been confirmed nor purported by the Church officially, so take everything I have typed with a grain of salt. But I for one, like to believe such things can be so, although having lived in Ulster all my life, I know of no one nor anything that could possibly be this 'Light of Ulayd' the prophecy speaks of.

      Delete
  2. I would seriously question whether or not there really is a religious revival happening in Russia, as opposed to religion being co-opted in the service of nationalism. There was an article in a recent Brandsma Review from a Russian who is highly critical of the Kremlin's cynical use of Orthodoxy for its own agenda. The West certainly has its evils, that I do not deny, but I am really doubtful that we should emulate a country that has one of the highest abortion rates in the world.

    Or a country that destabilises its neighbours use the use of proxies like Jobbik and other such parties dotted across Europe.

    Or a country that for all its talk of protecting Christianity is actively persecuting the Catholic Church within its borders.

    Or a country that claims to support the sovereignty of nations, yet sees no problem in interfering in the affairs of Georgia and Ukraine, among other nations.

    Or a country where criticising the Kremlin's policies can lead to you being assassinated under mysterious circumstances (ask the family of Boris Nemtsov or Alexander Litvanenko for instance).

    Of course, we have our own problems in the West and we should try to rectify this, but turning towards Kremlin-style authoritarianism is not the solution. I leave you with this quote from the Merchant of Venice which sums up my view nicely:

    “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
    An evil soul producing holy witness
    Is like a villain with a smiling cheek,
    A goodly apple rotten at the heart.
    O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!”

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    1. My apologies to how late I am in responding to you, YI, but I feel I may have misrepresented Putin in the above post.

      The fact fo the matter is that Putin and Putin's Russia is not the godsend we are all hoping for but the fact remains that it IS much much better than what it was and what it could've been. Perhaps it is not being reChristianized as fast as we could hope but Christianity IS growing in that country, and abortion rates are slowing down if not reversing (and at least they make it outright illegal after 12 weeks which is a miraculous turnaound for what it was Under the Soviet Union).

      As for Russia's foreign policy hypocrisy I will not contest the matter, but I will hardly hold it against them int he light of... well everyone else's Foreign Policy hypocrisy. Also I sincerely doubt Russia is propping up the far right parties alla cross Europe, unless I see hard evidence thats nothing more than tinfoil hat conspiracy to me. I have encoutnered far too much propaganda from mainstream sources that are using Russia as the Devil for every wrong and ill the establishment is suffering, from Jobbik to the DNC leaks. Russia doesn't even have to DO anything to get blamed for things anymore, I'd rather we keep the reporting of their evils to evils they have actually committed rather than try to use them to explain away the massive discontent all over Europe with the modern liberal establishments.

      That all said Putin is using Orthodoxy for his own cynical gains but thats nothing new for Eastern nations and Orthodox Christianity in general, has been that way ever since Emperor Justinian. Sad, yes, but if it results in a less Atheist Russia overall, then all the better for their souls. The Devil can deceive yes, but God can use even bad men for the furthering of his plans and greater glory.

      I do not advocate the emulation of Russian Authoritarianism, rather I see it as the way Russia has always been ruled and hence why I use it as an echo of 'old Europe', other Eastern European countries are echoing this old spirit in their own ways, equally imperfect, but equally inspiring of a springtime yet to come.

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    2. Thank you for your detailed and considered reply, Servant. I only saw your post this evening, hence why I am replying so late.

      I do agree that Russia could be in far worse state than it currently is and certainly so compared to the USSR, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it is in a good place at the moment. Christianity is growing, but from a very, very low base and only about 4% of Russians actively practice their faith. Certainly it is an improvement, but I remain sceptical for reasons I will outline below.

      Part of the reason why there has been a revival is that Orthodoxy has been a symbol of Russian nationalism for centuries, and since Putin came to power in 2012, he has recognised this and has used it in order to restore Russia, as he sees it to its former glory. However, Putin sees this glory as including the reign of Joseph Stalin, whose personality cult the Kremlin has partially revived at the same time as the apparent religious revival. Indeed, I believe that more than half of Russians believe that Stalin was good for their country! Also relevant is the links between the Orthodox and the KGB and Putin's remark that the collapse of the USSR was the greatest geopolitical disaster of the 20th century. As you can see, because of these I think that there is considerably more style than substance to the revival in Russia, though I don't deny that such is happening on a small scale.

      It is correct that Russia is not the only country with a hypocritical foreign policy, and indeed the West has made some pretty big blunders over Syria and elsewhere (in fact I think that Obama's weakness on foreign policy is only emboldening Putin). As for Russian influence in European politics, it is not difficult to find evidence, for example the FN received a very generous loan from a Russian bank last year. Also, many of these parties and movements have openly expressed admiration for Putin, like PEGIDA. The latter may be a case of chicken-or-egg, but in conjunction with the loan to the FN, and the fact that Moscow seems to host a lot of extreme right (and left, lest we forget) conferences, this all seems to suggest some connection with the Kremlin, if not how deep it actually is. You are correct that Western media can often be biased, but Russian outlets like RT and Sputnik are even more so, and in fact are directly bankrolled by the Kremlin in order to influence public opinion in the West.

      I agree with your point about Orthodoxy being used by leaders to justify their own agenda, and indeed that God can use these to bring about good, though that does not mean that we should ignore the very deep flaws inherent in such machinations.

      To close, I think that because Russia has always been ruled in an authoritarian manner does not mean that it has to remain so (though I admit that the Yeltsin years might tempt Russians to think otherwise; still, it can always be tried again). As for the other Eastern European countries, I have serious doubts about Viktor Orban's sincerity when he brandishes Hungary's Christian values at every opportunity, yet apparently sees no contradiction between this and describing migrants as "poison". Whatever one's position on the migrant crisis, these people have a right to human dignity like everybody else, and terms like that only dehumanise them and make ill-treatment easier to justify. As such, I think that this phenomenon is not really a springtime, but rather a winter, albeit with the odd snowdrop or light in the darkness signalling better times in the distant future. (Not that I think that the current state of affairs in the West is much better mind you.)

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