Why dogs shouldn't go into church: reasons and history

How do clean animals really differ from unclean animals?

The division of animals into clean and unclean came from the Old Testament. It says that after the Flood, people were allowed to eat the meat of clean animals. These included only those ruminant mammals that had cloven hooves. All other animals were considered unclean, which means they could not be eaten. Accordingly, both dogs and cats are unclean animals. But the church is more loyal to cats. And there are reasons for this.

A little about dogs

Let's turn to religious sources to understand why the dogs didn't like it. And again we find that in the Old Testament the Apostle Paul compares apostate heretics with dogs and calls to fear them. Perhaps this attitude towards dogs echoes the Jewish tradition of treating them as despicable uncleanness. Superstitious people believe that most often a dog is possessed by the devil. Although this has not been proven.

If we consider a dog as an unclean animal, then this makes sense. She doesn't really take care of her fur like a cat does. In addition, this is a rather fussy and noisy animal that can start barking at the wrong moment. His behavior can distract those praying from thinking. Perhaps this is why priests do not allow dogs into churches. That is, the ban on letting a dog into the temple is primarily due to hygiene, there is no other explanation.

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Why are cats, unlike dogs, allowed into the temple, despite some prohibitions?

One of the rules of the Ecumenical Council states that animals have no place in the temple. They can be allowed into church only in case of mortal danger. However, in the case of cats, this rule is often violated. The gates of some monasteries even have special openings for these furry pets. Apparently clergy believe that cats are very neat and orderly animals, they are a symbol of comfort and warmth. Accordingly, these animals cannot in any way disrupt the course of the service; on the contrary, cats infect with their calmness and leisurely manner, which encourages parishioners to pray.

In addition, monks allow cats into monasteries purely for pragmatic reasons. These animals easily destroy mice and rats, which means they do not allow them to spoil church property - gnawing prosphora and wax candles. So cats also serve God. And so that they can carry out their work without hindrance, they are even allowed onto the altar.

History of cats

Historical facts indicate that the first domestic cat appeared in Egypt. Some researchers of this issue claim that cats lived in the East, since their remains were found there in the ancient city of Jericho. They date back to 5-6 thousand years BC. e. These animals found their way into Buddhist temples long before our era.

In the Middle and Far East, cats were treated with respect. According to researchers, cats have a special status in Islam. It all started with the cat becoming the savior of the Prophet Muhammad from a snake. The cat's name was Muizza. The Prophet highly appreciated what she did, and there is even a legend that Muhammad tore off the edge of his robe in order to get up without disturbing Muizza, who had fallen asleep on it. Thanks to her, all cats can go to mosques freely.

There are enough legends and stories about cats to honor this animal. For example, one of the venerable elders of Optina Pustyn, Nektariy, told a legend about how a cat saved Noah’s Ark by catching a mouse sent by the devil to gnaw a hole in the bottom.

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There is also a legend about how the mother of Emperor Constantine saved Cyprus from an invasion of snakes. By her order, 1000 cats were brought to the island, thanks to which the snakes were put to an end. Since then, cats have lived in the St. Nicholas Monastery on the Akrotiri Peninsula. Until the 16th century it was a men's monastery, and currently it houses a women's monastery.

Cats on Holy Mount Athos also perform their service of protecting church utensils and catching snakes.

Is it possible to be on the temple grounds with a dog sitting in a bag?

This evening I went with my husband and children to church for the Christmas service, the dog (Pomeranian) asked to come with us, well, of course, it wasn’t like he asked))) jumped around his walking bag, I “without a second thought” took him with me.

We stood near the temple, then my husband took the puppy for himself, and the children and I went to the temple, lit candles, we went outside and stood listening to the bells ringing. I saw a “blue-looking” girl with a couple of knocked out teeth heading towards me and hissing at us that we were sinners and that we should never go to church with a dog, I felt really uneasy, and the children got scared.

By the way, my puppy is 25 cm tall, only his ears stick out a little from the bag, he is afraid of everything, cannot bark at all, behaves in such a way that he cannot be seen or heard, he only looks around and blinks his eyes)))

There was an unpleasant aftertaste, maybe I really broke some commandments, but I never heard that dogs are prohibited from entering the church. Moreover, we didn’t go inside with him and didn’t even plan to, and he didn’t run around the territory, but just sat in his arms and kept quiet.

From the Internet: Hello! Can I walk through the temple grounds with a small pocket dog on a leash? Naturally, I understand that you cannot enter the temple with any dog, but can you walk through the temple grounds? Thanks in advance for your answer! Katerina (November 12, 2012)

*** It is better to act out of love for your neighbors, i.e. if a dog tempts someone so much, then do not take it. And I’ll explain a little more, perhaps you haven’t thought about it yet, people go to church not only to light candles, but to pray common prayer and participate in the Sacraments, without which there is no salvation. Installing candles in itself has no meaning, many people don’t know.

Source

Silent friends of the saints

“Elder Gerasim was great, that’s why he had a lion. And we are small - we have a cat,” said Elder Nektary of Optina, stroking his mustachioed pet - an unusually smart and obedient cat.

The Christian tradition is characterized by love for animals. Her example was shown to us by many ascetics who labored in monasteries and hermitages from Asia Minor to the Far North. As Isaac the Syrian said:

Sergius of Radonezh, at the beginning of his monastic journey, was living alone in a deep forest when he saw a large bear near his hut. He acted like a stranger, offering the beast a piece of bread. The bear got used to the treat and often visited the hermit. The monk thanked God for sending him the fierce beast as a consolation. Sometimes he himself was left without food, giving the last piece of food to the furry guest. Sergius preferred not to eat that day and starve, rather than deceive the beast and let him go without food, says the life.

Saint Philaret, reflecting on this, said that, perhaps, “in this peaceful treatment of the ferocious creature, he contemplated traces of the original obedience of all creatures to innocent man.” The bear became so tame that he obeyed Sergius like a lamb, and never distracted him from prayer, waiting for the hermit to find time for him. “Let every breath praise the Lord!” - exclaimed the psalmist David.

Pavel Obnorsky, a student of Sergius of Radonezh, adopted from his mentor a love for God’s creatures. At first he was in private obedience to the saint, but then, in anticipation of loneliness, he asked Sergius for blessings to go to uninhabited lands. He built a cell on the Nurma River, in the Vologda region. One day another disciple of Sergius of Radonezh visited Paul and saw a wondrous picture: flocks of birds were chirping near the hermit’s cell, some of them sat on his head and shoulders, and he fed them from his hands; a bear stood nearby, foxes and hares scurried around, there was a treat and a kind word for everyone. “This is the life of the innocent first man!” says the life. So Paul lived in peace with nature and God for 112 years.

Seraphim of Sarov, escaping into the thicket, also became friends with the bear. The monks who came to him witnessed this. The bear even served to save one lost soul. A certain Matrona, who labored in the Diveyevo monastery, once became homesick for the sinful world and decided to leave the monastic path. She went to Seraphim of Sarov for advice. Appearing before the elder, Matrona began to complain of despondency, and then she noticed a bear coming to the elder for a treat. Matrona wanted to run away, but Seraphim stopped her. He, as usual, began to feed the bear with crackers. Matrona watched the forest idyll in surprise.

- What despondency are you talking about, look what a guest came to us. A lion served Elder Gerasim, but the bear submits to us. Isn't this a miracle? I ask you, mother, do not lose heart for anything and never.

The elder told Matrona to also treat the bear, and she, in turn, fed the clubfoot with the remains of the bread. The sadness left her, the cheerful woman returned to her native monastery.

If there is peace in a person’s soul, born of the Holy Spirit, this evokes reciprocal kindness in animals.

Christianity's attitude towards animals

God created every creature, and it must be treated as His creation. First, the Almighty Creator created flora and fauna, and after that he created man. Adam became the owner of the Garden of Eden, God gave him the right to give names to animals and birds, so man is obliged to honor God’s creations.

God created the first people, Adam and Eve, in his own image and likeness

Based on the 10 commandments of God, Christians must first love and honor God, and then man; animals cannot be treated like people.

The cold Russian climate, especially in the north, did not become a reason to keep dogs in the house; they were used for hunting, for guarding, and in sleds.

To protect city apartments, dogs were initially housed in the corridors, but as decorative breeds were bred, pets gradually moved onto sofas and even into their owners’ beds, sometimes even having their place at the table. A dog cannot replace a human friend, because it is not created in God's image.

According to God's plan, only the human soul is immortal. Saint Basil the Great indignantly condemned some philosophers who spoke about the homogeneity of the human and animal souls.

Christianity does not deny caring for pets, but at the same time, it does not encourage increased attention to pets, which exceeds caring for people. Some dog and cat owners love them more than their children and neighbors.

Important! Orthodoxy in no way wants to discriminate against the role of animals; Christianity calls for treating people as people, and dogs and cats as animals. Sometimes, especially in the Western world, attitudes toward pets reach the point of absurdity.

Dogs and cats are left with an inheritance, they are chosen as bridesmaids for weddings, they are married to

Sometimes, especially in the Western world, the attitude towards pets reaches the point of absurdity. Dogs and cats are left with an inheritance, they are chosen as bridesmaids for weddings, and they are married to them.

The Orthodox Church says that the attitude towards animals cannot be brought to the level of worshiping them

By calling animals by human names, people deliberately sin against the Church, for each name is taken from the calendar. Such blasphemy is a desecration of Christ and an insult to the Almighty God, a disregard for the saints, then what kind of Christianity can we talk about? It is not good for an Orthodox believer to become like a creature, even the most beloved one.

An Orthodox house is always recognizable by the presence of a red corner with icons, images of saints, candles, where prayers are regularly read. Pets are not endowed with intelligence, and it would be a great sacrilege for a cat or a dog to lie down under the images.

Beautiful nicknames

The following euphonious names are suitable for tricolor cats:

Batman;
Lassie;
Beverly;
Megan;
Meg;
Shawon;
Rocky;
Tiffany;
Patrick;
Louis;
Hell;
Leslie;
Thea;
Yani;

Beverly Kitten:

Hiroko;
Emir;
Fumiko;
Yammy;
Candy;
Kelvin;
Brad;
Kim;
Arena;
Myrtle;
Harry;
Yumi;
Naoki;
Ricky;
Nori;
Lul;
Atsumi;
Kai;
Berne;
Handy;
Dilmah;
Sally;
Irish;
Dali;
Denis;
Emil;
Katsumi.

Boy Kim:

List of beautiful names for tricolor cats:

Ariel;
Bagheera;
Viola;
Weasel;
Iris;
Jazzy;
Chara;
Sima;
Lyme;
Marquise;
Grace;
Dara;
Eve;
Jacqueline;
Ivona;
Zlata;
Cleo;
Larsi;
Milady;
Adele;
Becky;
Vicki;
Groomy;
Dolly;
Zizi;
Isis;
Dili;
Mila;
Assol;
Bella;
Gabi;
Mickey;
Nika;
Java;
Audrey;
Juno;
Reyel;
Elsa;
Siddi;
Sherry;
Tessa;
Cherry;
Hella;
Naomi;
Yucca;
Ema;
Omi;
Charlie;
Roxy;
Tracey;
Chucky;
Fairy.

Girl Audrey:

Is it possible to keep dangerous exotic animals at home?

The Apostle Paul said on this matter long ago: “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is profitable” (1 Cor. 6:12). When I was a child, I kept a large spider at home. He fed him and took care of him. When he disappeared it was a tragedy. It turned out that his mother released him. Now I would like to have a python, but I understand that I have two small children at home, and therefore I am afraid for the health of the python. Seriously, I’ll say: you can’t risk the life of yourself or your loved ones. Dangerous animals can escape, bite, or harm in some way. But if your work involves studying the life of such animals, why not? I think this is acceptable, although we still shouldn’t forget about caution. If you bring your friends and say: “Look, I have a cobra, let me get it!” - and this cobra then gnaws at a friend’s nose, then this is definitely death, because in Ukraine there are no vaccines even for the venom of an ordinary viper.

Having wild animals in the house is very difficult and responsible. Last year an eagle lived with me. My wife and I picked it up on the road. This is a dangerous animal. Those few months while we were nursing him, I was all scratched up, he pecked at my hands, I had to buy gloves for feeding. And one of my friends had piranhas in an aquarium. They seemed harmless, but one day one of them ate all the others. Here's a safe variety for you.

Cool nicknames

You can call your animal that brings joy and happiness a funny or original nickname:

Agate;
Cinderella;
Iris;
Citrus;
Smoke;
Aster;
Bead;
Basil;
Atlant;
Kitty;
Nyusha;
Krosh;
Mimosa;
Masyanya;
Puma;
Fanta;
Simka;
Boomer;
Porsche;
Sweetie;
Ferrari;
Mercedes;
Lusha;
Zlat;
Zay;
Moire;
Lelya;
Melissa;
Sancho;
Gogol;
Cecil;
Alexis;
Ray;
Damian;
Cassandra;
Vanilla;
Julie;
Sakura;
Yarosh;
Lada;
Yula;
Oxy;
Frida;
Mimi;
Afonya;
Ivy;
Lulu;
Miranda;
Moon;
Lyubava;
Dusya;
Milka;
Dosya;
Klepa;
Tasya;
Peach;
Moore;
Tosya;
Alice;
Kasya;
Plush;
Fortune;
Asya;
Vasilisa;
Alicia.

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Church rules for women

She must wear a long dress or floor-length skirt. The jacket must have long sleeves. No temptation! And she shouldn’t speak in church. You need to ask your husband about everything, and at home.

They may not allow you to wear trousers at all.

Trousers are considered men's clothing, so ladies should not wear trousers to church. Why is this attitude towards these clothes? In ancient times, only barbarians wore trousers, so they are considered barbarian, not Christian clothing.

The religious roots of this attire also go back centuries and are associated with pagan buffoonery. In paganism, on holidays, women dressed in men's clothing, and men dressed in women's clothing. But with the advent of Christianity, this disguise stopped.

It is curious that the cassock of the church ministers is women’s clothing, and even wraps around the left side.

You cannot enter the temple without a headscarf.

Moreover, the scarf should hide the ears and hair. This rule also has an interesting interpretation:

A husband should not wear a hat because he is answerable to God. He is the image and glory of God;
The wife is the glory of the husband: for man is not from woman, but woman is from man;
The husband was not created for the wife, but the wife for the husband.

Most likely, such a ban was made because men, instead of praying, stared at pretty parishioners, leading themselves into fornication! Only harlots walked around with their heads uncovered.

Women are not allowed to enter the Altar, this is the church order.

Even girls are not brought into the Altar at baptism in church, but boys are placed at the Holy Altar. Only altar girls, that is, cleaners, can enter the Altar.

Some nuns, after forty years, are allowed to help the priest: read, serve the censer, go out with candles.

How does the Christian Church view cats?

On the role of the cat in Orthodox asceticism

In every point of the globe you can find any living creature, even a penguin in Africa, if, of course, some eccentric brings it there. Only inside the church fence animals are prohibited from entering. They have nothing to do there, because animals do not have the ability to perceive the Holy Spirit, the grace that is poured into the church space. But they can disturb those praying because they do not know how to control their behavior.

The only exception is made

for cats. Once in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra of St. Petersburg, I observed how during the service, when the deacon exclaimed: “Catechumens, come forth!”, an impudent white-and-red cat waddled out of the altar, walked under surprised glances along the salt and went back to the Holy of Holies . No reprisals followed; the priests did not pay any attention to the cat. Many cats can be found in monasteries, where they are welcomed and even fed, albeit with lean food. Pussycats have to obtain meat on their own by hunting mice.

Why are cats given such privileges in the Church? It is traditionally believed that cats were allowed into the church precisely because they so cleverly clear the premises of rodents. Maybe that's true. I would, however, like, at least as a joke, to give this fact a theological explanation.

A cat is a purely individual animal. She treats even her own kind with suspicion. And for a cat to demonstrate its independence to a person is a common thing. She often forces her beloved owner to keep his distance - this is when he does not please the purr in some way. Try giving the pussy food that it doesn’t like, patting it on the belly when it’s not in the mood for affection, or putting it in a carrier when returning it from the dacha to the city apartment in the fall. You will immediately receive a pound of contempt if the slipper is not described. No educational measures will help.

A cat demands respect, the fulfillment of its desires, which are not always clear to us, and it demands it actively. The owner has no other choice but to accept the cat's ultimatum, submit to her whims, and adapt to her behavioral reactions.

But precisely this style of behavior is the most correct for an Orthodox person.

Trying to change someone else is the most futile thing in the world. Outwardly, a person can accept the role imposed on him, but internally he will still remain himself, and will either quietly hate his “guru” or laugh at him. This means that in order to successfully communicate with others, you need to change yourself. Learn to respect another, accept him for who he is, don’t be offended by him, don’t get angry, don’t judge, come to terms with his shortcomings, don’t take all his actions personally... That is, love.

Only this is not the kind of love that is considered the norm for modern civilization, not love as a feeling, as an attachment to a chosen object of love. This is love for any person simply because the image of God is hidden in him, this is the Love that the Lord bestows on us and which we comprehend precisely in the Church.

Egyptian gods

Don't forget that the ancient Egyptians simply idolized cats. They were considered sacred animals and were worshiped. Even people stood lower on a social level than cats. If there was a fire or other incident, these pets were the first to be rescued, not women and children. Cats became a real cult, and killing them, even if it happened accidentally and unintentionally, was considered the most terrible sin.

According to the biblical canons, the worship of idols or animals was prohibited, because the creation of an idol belongs to paganism. While studying the Bible, readers might have some associations between the cat and the Egyptian goddess Bast, and then the meaning of the spiritual teaching would be lost.