Unam Sanctam Catholicam et Apostolicam Ecclesiam

St.Peter's Basilica, Rome

Now, we will be discussing the important matters about the Church.

Q. What does the word Church means?

A. church (noun)

1. a building for public Christian worship.

2. public worship of God or a religious service in such a building: to attend church regularly.

3. (sometimes initial capital letter) the whole body of Christian believers; Christendom.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/church

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church (in which contains the official teachings of the Church) says:

The word "Church" (Latin ecclesia, from the Greek ek-ka-lein, to "call out of") means a convocation or an assembly. It designates the assemblies of the people, usually for a religious purpose.139 Ekklesia is used frequently in the Greek Old Testament for the assembly of the Chosen People before God, above all for their assembly on Mount Sinai where Israel received the Law and was established by God as his holy people.140 By calling itself "Church," the first community of Christian believers recognized itself as heir to that assembly. In the Church, God is "calling together" his people from all the ends of the earth. The equivalent Greek term Kyriake, from which the English word Church and the German Kirche are derived, means "what belongs to the Lord." -CCC 751

In Christian usage, the word "church" designates the liturgical assembly,141 but also the local community142 or the whole universal community of believers.143 These three meanings are inseparable. "The Church" is the People that God gathers in the whole world. She exists in local communities and is made real as a liturgical, above all a Eucharistic, assembly. She draws her life from the word and the Body of Christ and so herself becomes Christ's Body. -CCC 752

Q. Who is the FOUNDER of the Catholic Church?

According to the Wikipedia and an official magazine of the Iglesia ni Cristo(Manalo) though they are not the standard reference, tells us the Truth...

Catholic doctrine teaches that the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ.

History of the Catholic Church

History of Catholic Church

The Catholic Church which from the beginning was the Church of Christ. [Ang Iglesia Katolika na sa pasimula ay siyang Iglesia ni Cristo.]  -PASUGO Abril 1966, p. 46:

“Even secular history shows a direct time link between the Catholic church and the Apostles, leading to the conclusion that the true Church of Christ is the Catholic Church” -Pasugo, July-August 1988, page 6 

 “So we don’t question the claim of the Catholic apologist, that the Catholic Church alone could trace back its origin to the apostles.” -Pasugo, April 1965, Page 41, by Bro. C. P. Sandoval

Here are some of the Standard references that supports what is True about the Catholic Church:

The New Book of Knowledge, Page 287 

“Roman Catholic Church” –the history of the Roman Catholic Church begun in an upper room in Jerusalem almost 2,000 years ago. About 120 persons were gathered there.  They were followers of Jesus Christ, and they were awaiting the coming of Holy Spirit he had promised to send them from heaven.  The day on which the Holy Spirit came down is considered the birthday of the Church.  The Church may be described as the society that Jesus founded, which is vitalized by the Spirit of God and organized to a structure which he establish.  The history of Roman Catholic Church traces the destinies of that society from its beginning until now.

International Encyclopedia, Volume 20, Page 520 

“Roman Catholic Church” There are two equally valid definition of the Catholic Church, comparable to the twofold nature of Jesus Christ, its founder, who was both human and divine.

Young Students Encyclopedia, Volume 17, Page 261 

“Roman Catholicism” the largest of the Christian denomination is the Roman Catholic Church. As an institution it has existed since the 1st century AD,…”

The World Almanac and Book of Facts  Page 688 

“Roman Catholics” –traditionally founded by Jesus who named St. Peter the 1st vicar, developed in early Christian proselytizing, especially after the conversion of imperial Rome in the 4th century.

And many standard references (i.e. Hisotrical Books, Encyclopedias, etc.) admit that the Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ.

In the Sacred Scriptures have proofs that Jesus founded his Church...

Matthew 16:18 King James Version

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus built ONLY ONE CHURCH... Not CHURCHES...  and this Church is a Divine Institution not founded by a man.

Just take a look who founded your Church...

What is the History of Your Church? or Who is the FOUNDER of your Church?

Christ is the Head of the Church...

Christ "is the head of the body, the Church."(Col 1:18.) He is the principle of creation and redemption. Raised to the Father's glory, "in everything he [is] preeminent,"(Col 1:18.) especially in the Church, through whom he extends his reign over all things.-CCC 792

And Jesus will save his Church because he brought her in his own blood...

Acts 20:28 King James Version

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 

Q. So many churches around the world how can we know or how can we identify which is the True Church built by Christ?

A. We will able to know the True Church built by Christ by its marks namely: One Holy Catholic and Apostolic...

The Church is ONE because its FOUNDER is ONE no other than Our Lord Jesus Christ...One Baptism, Faith... Mat.16:18; Mat.28:19-20; Rom. 15:5; Eph. 4:3-5

The Church is Holy because its FOUNDER is Holy (Divine) and the Church PRODUCES saints and martyrs.All people are called for holiness... Mat.16:18; Jn.1:1; Heb.1:8; Mat.5:48; Lev.11:44; Rev.6:9;

The Church is CATHOLIC because it is UNIVERSAL will spread throughout the whole world...

The missionary mandate. "Having been divinely sent to the nations that she might be 'the universal sacrament of salvation,' the Church, in obedience to the command of her founder and because it is demanded by her own essential universality, strives to preach the Gospel to all men":339 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and Lo, I am with you always, until the close of the age."340  -CCC 849

Acts 9:31 New International Version

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Acts 9:31 Original Greek

“Ho men ho EKKLESIA KATHOLIS ho Ioudaia kai Galalaia kai Samareia.." 

1 CORINTO 14:23 Novum Testamentum latine

 “si ergo conveniat UNIVERSA ECCLESIA in unum et omnes linguis loquantur intrent autem idiotae aut infideles nonne dicent quod insanities’

Revelation 7:9 New International Version

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.

Isaiah 56:7New International Version

7 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

The Church is APOSTOLIC because Jesus built his Church in the foundation of the apostles...

The Church is apostolic because she is founded on the apostles, in three ways:

- she was and remains built on "the foundation of the Apostles,"362 the witnesses chosen and sent on mission by Christ himself;363

- with the help of the Spirit dwelling in her, the Church keeps and hands on the teaching,364 the "good deposit," the salutary words she has heard from the apostles;365

- she continues to be taught, sanctified, and guided by the apostles until Christ's return, through their successors in pastoral office: the college of bishops, "assisted by priests, in union with the successor of Peter, the Church's supreme pastor":366

You are the eternal Shepherd who never leaves his flock untended. 

Through the apostles you watch over us and protect us always. 

You made them shepherds of the flock to share in the work of your Son. . . .367  -CCC 857

 Jesus is the Father's Emissary. From the beginning of his ministry, he "called to him those whom he desired; .... and he appointed twelve, whom also he named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach."368 From then on, they would also be his "emissaries" (Greek apostoloi). In them, Christ continues his own mission: "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."369 The apostles' ministry is the continuation of his mission; Jesus said to the Twelve: "he who receives you receives me."370  -CCC 858

Ephesians 2:20 New International Version

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

Revelation 21:14 New International Version

14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

John 17:18 New International Version

18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them (apostles) into the world.(emphasis mine)

Q. Was the Church built by Christ is gone or was there a Great Apostasy?

A. No... by saying Yes or by believing that the Church is gone then you're making Jesus as a liar who promised that His Church cannot be overpowered by the jaws of death or by the gates of hell.(Mat.16:18)

Some would say that Jesus never leave his Church...but it is the people who were abandoning their faith.... Well, that's true there were people who abandoned their faith and accepted the strange teachings of the false prophets who in the latter times will come out.(Mat.7:15; Mat.24:11) And St. Paul said that these people must be accursed (anathema)! (Gal.1:8) 

But when we say that there were people abandoning their faith it means that the WHOLE CHURCH was abandoning Jesus? No.. that's why the apostles told their followers to hold fast what they have learned and to hold the Traditions...(2 Thes.2:15; 1Cor.11:2)

These people who hold fast the teachings taught by the apostles was preserved by them and by shedding their blood for the sake of the Gospel. There were saints & martyrs who refused to accept the offers of the Roman Emperors (Caesars) who persecuted them. They chose to die rather than to denounce Jesus. 

If you want to read the history of persecution just click the link: Martyr

First century martyrs and saints: 

They were being fed by the lions and others were burn as a torch during the night

Martyrs and saints are witnesses of the Faith...that's why St. John when he wrote the Book of Revelation he mentioned those who were slain because of witnessing..(Rev.6:9)

Peter was one the martyrs who died in a martyr's death because he was NOT the hire one who was tending the sheep would run away when the wolves is coming. (Jn.21:15-17; Jn.10:12; )

No other religion that was being persecuted by the Roman authority at that time--ONLY the Catholic Church!... No protestants suffered persecution under the hands of the Caesars...If there were, feel free to correct this article.

And if we accept the myth of great apostasy then, ALL CHRISTIAN (Protestants) DENOMINATIONS are USING the GREAT APOSTASY BIBLE...

The Bible was COMPILED under the Councils of Hippo and Carthage III and IV and approved by Pope Damasus and affirmed by Pope Innocent I in 411

There was a constant history of faithful people from Paul's time through the Apostolic and Post Apostolic Church.Melito, bishop of Sardis, an ancient city of Asia Minor (see Rev 3), c. 170 AD produced the first known Christian attempt at an Old Testament canon. His list maintains the Septuagint order of books but contains only the Old Testament protocanonicals minus the Book of Esther.The Council of Laodicea, c. 360, produced a list of books similar to today's canon. This was one of the Church's earliest decisions on a canon.Pope Damasus, 366-384, in his Decree, listed the books of today's canon.The Council of Rome, 382, was the forum which prompted Pope Damasus' Decree.Bishop Exuperius of Toulouse wrote to Pope Innocent I in 405 requesting a list of canonical books. Pope Innocent listed the present canon.The Council of Hippo, a local north Africa council of bishops created the list of the Old and New Testament books in 393 which is the same as the Roman Catholic list today.The Council of Carthage, a local north Africa council of bishops created the same list of canonical books in 397. This is the council which many Protestant and Evangelical Christians take as the authority for the New Testament canon of books. The Old Testament canon from the same council is identical to Roman Catholic canon today. Another Council of Carthage in 419 offered the same list of canonical books.Since the Roman Catholic Church does not define truths unless errors abound on the matter, Roman Catholic Christians look to the Council of Florence, an ecumenical council in 1441 for the first definitive list of canonical books.The final infallible definition of canonical books for Roman Catholic Christians came from the Council of Trent in 1556 in the face of the errors of the Reformers who rejected seven Old Testament books from the canon of scripture to that time.

-Short History of the Bible

Even the founder and father of protestantism Martin Luther admitted:

“We are obliged to yield many things to the Papists (Catholics)–that they possess the Word of God which we received from them, otherwise we should have known nothing at all about it.”  Martin Luther–Commentary on St. John, ch. 16

It is so absurd to believe that God would allow his to Church live in apostasy for 19 centuries!

And if the great apostasy occurred when was it? Why is it that they have NO DATES recorded in the standard historical books? 

The Lord will KEEP his PROMISE... and he will fulfill what he has promised...

"I, the Lord, have promised that I would do this—and I will.” 

-Ezek.36:36 Good News Translation 

Q. Where can we found in the Bible that the Lord made a promised about His Church?

A. There are so many passages in the Bible about the promises of Jesus about the His Church in the Bible..

From the Old Testament:

Isaiah 9:6-7New International Version

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it  with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Isaiah prophesied long long ago that the Kingdom that would be built is forever...NOT JUST FOR A WHILE or FOR A CENTURY but FOREVER.... to whom is WORTHY of believe? 

From the New Testament:

Luke 1:31-33 New International Version

31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 

Matthew 16:18 New International Version

18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it.

Matthew 28:20 New International Version

20  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

For those who believed that the Church was apostatized then you  are MAKING JESUS A BIG LIAR who CANNOT KEEP HIS PROMISE. 

Our Lord Jesus is the GOOD SHEPHERD he cannot afford to leave his sheep who died for him and for the sake of the Gospel...

John 10:11 New International Version 

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

Think about this... 
should you TRUST your soul to a CHURCH FOUNDED BY MEN (who are NOT appointed by God) or to the CHURCH FOUNDED BY JESUS?

Have a blessed day to you!

666 is the mark of the Pope as the Beast in the Book of Revelation??

The number of the beast

This an attempt to answer  the one of the LIES being spread by our separated brethren like Ms. Ellen Gould White, Mr. Eliseo F. Soriano, Mr. Conrad J. Obligacion and other who believed that the Pope is the fulfillment of the Apocalyptic vision of St. John when he wrote the last book of the Bible (Revelation).

First, let us read what the Bible said about St.John's vision:

Revelation 1:11-18 New International Version

The Beast out of the Earth
¹¹ Then I saw a second beast, coming out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb, but it spoke like a dragon. ¹² It exercised all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. ¹³ And it performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. ¹⁴ Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth. It ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. ¹⁵ The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. ¹⁶ It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, ¹⁷ so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name.
¹⁸ This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man.^[e] That number is 666.

In the passage above talks about the beast that bears the number 666. The verses can stand alone and has explanation already. But there are people who likes to play with illusions..ehehehe! That is why an understandable passage they complicate it!

Let us dissect the verses in Rev.13:

Q. What is the MARK TO BE GIVEN to the people?

A. The NAME of the BEAST or the NUMBER of its NAME.


Q.What is the NUMBER of the BEAST?

A. According to the New Int'l Version the NUMBER of the BEAST is 666. Some versions of the Bibles are 616 not 666.

Here is an example of 616:

Revelation 13:18King James Version

“Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”

While many Bible have footnotes saying the number translated from the original Greek could be 616, experts say new photographic evidence of an ancient fragment of papyrus from Revelation indeed indicates the number is indeed 616, instead of 666. -666 WRONG NUMBER OF PROPHETIC BEAST?

For me, I don't care about the number if which is true 666 or 616... In our Salvation History class it tells us that 6 is an imperfect number while 7 is the perfect number for the Hebrew people. Since it is a triple 6 it means that person bears that number is so wicked and imperfect.

But, as clear as the daylight sun that it is WRITTEN WORD for WORD that it is A NAME of the BEAST  NOT a TITLE... Since Vicarius Filii Dei is a TITLE then they got a wrong conclusion!

Q. Then who is the fulfillment of this passage?

A. According to the wikipedia an online encyclopedia..

Most scholars believe that the number of the beast (v.18) equates to Emperor Nero, whose name in Greek when transliterated into Hebrew, retains the value of 666, whereas his Latin name transliterated into Hebrew, is 616;^[4] The "mark of the beast" (v.16,17) which the narrative does not identify, is used to distinguish the beast's followers. It has been speculated that the "mark" may be an Imperial Roman seal, or the Emperor's head on Roman coins.

-Number of the Beast

Here is the calculations of the name of Nero...

Click: Nron Qsr

Domitian. Ethelbert Stauffer, a German Protestant theologian, said number 666 may refer to Roman emperor Domitian since he reigned at the time of the Apocalypse, as proposed in the Book of Revelation. Domitian was also said to be called "The Beast" secretly by Romans, Greeks, Christians and Jews.

From: ABS-CBN 

Second, let us take a look on the Papal Tiaras if they bears the alleged words Vicarivs Filii Dei

The Tiara of St. Pope Pius X

 The Tiara of John XXIII

 The close up view of the tiara of Pope Paul VI

The present Pope-- Pope Benedict XVI wearing a tiara

As we have noticed that all the tiaras DO NOT BEAR the title Vicarius Filii Dei... From this point we can conclude that all the accusations are ALL LIES and this title is a PRODUCT of HALLUCINATION these desperate people.

Third, Vicarius Filii Dei IS NOT THE OFFICIAL TITLE of the Pope.

Official list of titles

The official list of titles of the Pope, in the order in which they are given in the Annuario Pontificio, is: Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the State of Vatican City, Servant of the Servants of God.^[87]

-Wikipedia Titles of the Pope

Fourth, let us take a look of the calculations of our brethren...

Source: Resbak

I think they already forgot their elementary days when their teachers taught them on HOW TO COUNT the ROMAN NUMERALS... ^_^

Now, we will have some refreshment and review from our elementary days...

My teacher taught me that counting the Roman Numerals: if the BIGGER VALUE precedes by a SMALLER VALUE there will be a subtraction.

Example: I = 1 and V = 5; IV = 4; 1 -(minus) 5 = 4

If the SMALLER VALUE precedes by a GREATER VALUE there will an addition

Example: V = 5; I = 1; VI = 6; 5 +(plus) 1 = 6

Now, lets count CORRECTLY the value of VICARIUS FILII DEI...

V = 5
I = 1
C = 100
A = 0
R = 0
I = 1
U = 5 (in latin letter U can be substituted by letter V)
S = 0

F =0
I = 1
L = 50
I = 1
I = 1

D = 500
E = 0
I = 1

Following the CORRECT COUNTING of the Roman Numerals

V (5) + I (1 ) - C(100) A(0) R(0) + I (1) - U(50 S(0) = 143

5+1 = 6 minus 100 + 1 - 50 =

F =0 I = 1 - L = 50 + I = 1 + I = 1 =47

D = 500 E = 0 I = 1 = 501

TOTAL = 691 not 666 please count for yourself maybe I'm mistaken but I am sure that it will not sum up to 666...^_^

Heheheh!.. See? How their lies decoded? as clear as noon day sun that they are lying!

Local Government of Pangasinan Official Certification: Felix Manalo founded the Iglesia ni Cristo in 1914

The Logo of INC (Manalo) during the 98th Founding Anniversary

Pangasinan Province officially acknowledge the FACT that the INC was FOUNDED not by Jesus but Felix Manalo: "having been FOUNDED (all caps mine) on July 27, 1914 by the late Executive Minister Felix Y. Manalo"!

Source: pangasinan.gov

CERTIFICATION TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: THIS IS TO CERTIFY that at the regular session duly constituted of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, Province of Pangasinan, held on September 17, 2012 at Lingayen, Pangasinan, the following provincial resolution was approved: PROVINCIAL RESOLUTION NO. 329-2012 EXPRESSING CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 98th FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY WHEREAS, the Iglesia ni Cristo is known to be one of the oldest religious organizations in the country, having been founded on July 27, 1914 by the late Executive Minister Felix Y. Manalo; WHEREAS, today, the Iglesia ni Cristo has gone a long way from being a small group in the early 1900s to becoming a solid religious foundation in the Philippine archipelago and even all over the world; WHEREAS, throughout the years, the Iglesia ni Cristo has fostered the best interest of the country benefiting not only its members but also non-members of Philippine society through its meaningful activities and concerns like job placement, housing, educational, health and environmental programs; WHEREAS, the Provincial Government of Pangasinan recognizes the Iglesia ni Cristo as one of its formidable allies in the promotion of development and growth in the Province; WHEREAS, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Pangasinan expresses its deep admiration to the Iglesia ni Cristo, under the able leadership of Executive Minister Eduardo V. Manalo, as it continues to lead the spiritual upliftment of its members; WHEREAS, the upcoming 98th Foundation Anniversary celebration of the Iglesia ni Cristo will be on July 27, 2012 and the entire officialdom of the Province of Pangasinan wishes the Iglesia ni Cristo to gain more numerical strength and recognition; NOW, THEREFORE, on motion of SP Member Jeremy Agerico B. Rosario and co-authored by Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. and all Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members, duly seconded, it was - RESOLVED, by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan in session assembled to extend, as it is hereby extended, our congratulations and best wishes to the Iglesia ni Cristo on the occasion of their 98th Founding Anniversary; RESOLVED FINALLY, that copies of this resolution be furnished Bro. Eduardo V. Manalo, the Executive Minister of Iglesia ni Cristo, and the Iglesia ni Cristo’s Ecclesiastical District Offices in Pangasinan, Central Pangasinan – Bro. Librado V. Santos, Eastern Pangasinan – Bro. Eraño Augusto, and Western Pangasinan – Bro. Rodolfo de Vera, for their information.

Source: Local Government of Pangasinan Official Certification: Felix Manalo founded the Iglesia ni Cristo in 1914

4th century icons of Peter and Paul found in Rome

Icons of Sts. Peter & Paul (AP Photo)

ROME (AP/Yahoo!News) – The earliest known icons of the Apostles Peter and Paul have been discovered in a catacomb under an eight-story modern office building in a working-class neighborhood of Rome, Vatican officials said Tuesday.

The images, which date from the second half of the 4th century, were discovered on the ceiling of a tomb that also includes the earliest known images of the apostles John and Andrew. They were uncovered using a new laser technique that allowed restorers to burn off centuries of thick white calcium carbonate deposits without damaging the dark colors of the original paintings underneath.

The paintings adorn what is believed to be the tomb of a Roman noblewoman in the Santa Tecla catacomb and represent some of the earliest evidence of devotion to the apostles in early Christianity, Vatican officials said in opening up the tomb to the media for the first time.

Last June, the Vatican announced the discovery of the icon of Paul — timed to coincide with the end of the Vatican's Pauline year. At the time, Pope Benedict XVI also announced that tests on bone fragments long attributed to Paul "seemed to confirm" that they did indeed belong to the Roman Catholic saint.

On Tuesday, Vatican archaeologists announced that the image of Paul discovered last year was not found in isolation, but was rather part of a square ceiling painting that also included icons of three other apostles - Peter, John and Andrew - surrounding an image of Christ as the Good Shepherd.

"These are the first images of the apostles," said Fabrizio Bisconti, the superintendent of archaeology for the catacombs, which are maintained by the Vatican's Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology. Read more...

Source: 4th century icons of Peter and Paul found in Rome

An Update of the Preparation of the National Thanksgiving Mass in Honor of St. Pedro Calungsod

 The on-going construction of the templete (small temple) for the National Thanksgiving Mass at the South Road Properties

The official image of St. Pedro Calungsod holding the book of Doctirna Christiana and a palm (the symbol of martyrdom)

The miniature of the templete

During the ground breaking at South Road Properties Cebu City, Philippines

The altar (retablo) of San Pedro Calungsod Shrine

Source:An Update of the Preparation of the National Thanksgiving Mass in Honor of St. Pedro Calungsod

December 25 Proven

The Nativity scene: An Orthodox Icon

Ang artikulong ito ay ang mas bagong bersyon ng mga naunang naisulat ko tungkol sa December 25 bilang petsa ng Pasko

December 25 isinilang si Kristo:

AYON SA BIBLIA, KASAYSAYAN, SIYENSIYA

LIBONG taon nang ipinagdiriwang ng mga Kristiyano ang pagsilang ng Panginoong Hesus tuwing December 25 pero mayroong mga nagtatanong kung saan mababasa ang paniniwalang ito.

Sa pagdaan kasi ng panahon ay marami na ang mga limitaw para pagdudahan ang paniniwala tungkol diyan. Marami na rin ang gumawa ng sarili nilang paliwanag kung kailan isinilang at nagkatawang tao ang Diyos.

Bilang Katolikong nagtatanggol sa pananampalatayang Diyos mismo ang nagbigay sa tao, sinaliksik ko ang bagay na ito.

At sa aking pagsasaliksik ay natuklasan ko na matatag ang batayan na December 25 isinilang ang Kristo.

Iyan ay may ebidensiyang nakabatay sa Bible, sa kasaysayan, at sa siyensiya.

Unahin nating tingnan ang sinasabi ng kasaysayan.

Patotoo ng Kasaysayan

Sa pagitan ng 171 AD at 183 AD, isang obispong Kristiyano, si Theophilus ng Caesaria (Palestina), ang nagsabi na si Hesus ay isinilang ng December 25.

Sabi niya, “We ought to celebrate the birth day of our Lord on what day soever the 25th of December shall happen." (Magdeburgenses, Cent. 2. c. 6. Hospinian, de orign Festorum Christianorum)

Sunod diyan, noong 220 AD ay sinabi ni Hippolytus — isang Kristiyano na nabuhay sa pagitan ng 165 AD at 235 AD — na si HESUS ay ipinanganak noong December 25.

Dalawa iyan sa mga sinaunang patotoo na noon pa man ay kinilala na ang December 25.

Opisyal na talaan

Magandang pansinin na ang mga isinulat nina Theophilus at Hippolytus ay bago pa kilalanin at gawing legal sa Emperyo Romano ang Kristiyanismo.

Matapos na kilalanin at gawing legal ng Emperyong Romano ang Kristiyanismo noong 313 AD, isang koleksyon ng mga petsa at kapistahan ang naipon at nagawa noong 354 AD.

Sa koleksyon ng mga petsa na iyan ay may mga listahan ng mga kapistahan na ipinagdiriwang ng mga Kristiyano sa Roma.

Ang dalawang listahan na iyan ay ang Deposito Martyrum, o listahan ng mga kapistahan ng mga martir kay Kristo, at ang Depositio Episcoporum na naglalaman ng mga kapistahan na ipinagdiwang ng mga unang Kristiyano.

Ayon sa mga listahan na iyan, noon pa man ang kapistahan ng kapanganakan ni Hesus ay tuwing December 25.

Ibang Petsa?

May mga magsasabi na noon ding unang panahon ay may iba pang petsa na kinilala bilang araw ng kapanganakan ni Hesus.

May nagsabi na January 6 ang petsa at mayroon din namang naniwala na Mayo o Oktubre o Nobyembre ang petsa.

Pero iyan po ay noong mga unang taon ng Kristiyanismo na hindi pa talaga napag-uusapan o nabibigyan ng pansin kung kailan ang tamang petsa kung kailan isinilang si Kristo.

Isa sa dahilan ng iba’t-ibang petsa at hindi pag-uusap tungkol diyan (at sa marami pang bagay ukol sa pananampalataya) ay dahil illegal pa nga noon maging Kristiyano.

Kristiyano Inuusig

Dapat nating maunawaan na inuusig at pinapatay ang mga unang Kristiyano kaya hindi pa napagtuunan ng pansin ang mga bagay tulad ng petsa ng kapanganakan ng Panginoon.

Napag-usapan lang talaga ang mga bagay na iyan noong hipuin ng Diyos ang puso ng emperador na si Constantino at hinayaan na ni Constantino na makilala at lumaganap ang Kristiyanismo sa kanyang nasasakupan.

At diyan na nga nakapagpulong nang maayos at malaya ang mga Kristiyano para pag-usapan ang mga tulad ng petsa ng kapanganakan ng Tagapagligtas.

Hindi nga nagtagal ay kinilala na ng nakararami ang December 25 bilang araw kung kailan isinilang ang Kristo.

Tutol pa rin

Pero meron pa ring tutol sa December 25 at nagsasabi na iyan daw ay kapistahan ng diyus-diyosan na si Mithras.

Ang December 25 din daw ay kapistahan ng Sol Invictus, o kapistahan ng Araw, ayon sa paniniwala ng mga paganong Romano. At diyan daw kinuha ang petsa ng kapanganakan ni Hesus.

Sinasabi ng mga tutol na ipinalit lang ng Simbahang Katoliko ang kaarawan ng Kristo sa mga pistang pagano.

Sorry pero mali sila.

Ang kapistahan ng Sol Invictus tuwing December 25 bilang opisyal na ritwal ng paganong Roma ay noon lang 275 AD sinimulan ni Emperador Aurelian.

Kung babalikan natin ang mga naunang pahayag ukol sa petsa ng kapanganakan ni Hesus ay makikita natin na noon pang 183 AD (Theophilus) at 220 AD (Hippolytus) ay paniniwala na iyan ng mga Kristiyano.

Pagano Gaya-Gaya

Sa madaling salita, bago pa ipagdiwang ng mga pagano ang Sol Invictus ay kinilala na ng mga Kristiyano ang December 25 bilang birthday ni Hesus.

So, puwede pa nating sabihin na ang mga pagano ang nanggaya sa petsa na December 25 at hindi ang mga Kristiyano.

Kung kukuwentahin natin ay 92 taon pa bago sinimulan ang pista ng mga pagano na Sol Invictus ay may nasulat nang nagpapatunay na December 25 isinilang si Kristo.

So, mali po talaga at walang batayan ang sinasabi ng iba na ang Pasko tuwing December ay pista talaga ng mga pagano.

Biblical basis

Ngayon, kung titingnan natin ang Biblical basis ng December 25 ay makikita natin na unang siglo pa lang ay iyan na ang alam ng mga Kristiyano.

Sa madaling salita, higit na mas maaga pang kinilala ng mga Kristiyano ang December 25 kaysa ng mga pagano.

Ang batayan natin ay ang Ebanghelyong isinulat ni Luke kung saan inisa-isa ang mga pangyayari bago ang kapanganakan ni Hesus.

Sinimulan ni Lukas ang kuwento nang magpakita ang anghel na si Gabriel sa pari na si Zacarias habang ang huli ay nagsusunog ng insenso sa loob ng templo. (Luke 1:5-20)

Ang pagsusunog ng insenso ay ginagawa sa loob ng “Holy of Holies,” o ang Kabanal-banalang Lugar, ng templo ng mga Hudyo.

Ayon sa Bible, isang beses lang sa isang taon puwedeng pumasok ang sino man sa Holy of Holies. At ito ay sa tuwing "Day of Atonement," Araw ng Pagtitika. (Leviticus 16:33-34)

Tishri 10

Sa Lev 16:29 ay tinutukoy ang araw na ito sa ika-10 araw ng buwan ng Tishri, ang ika-pitong buwan ng kalendaryong pang-relihiyon ng mga Hudyo. (Sa kalendaryong sibil ng mga Hudyo, ang Tishri ay unang buwan)

Ang Tishri 10 ay maaring pumatak sa pagitan ng September 1 at October 5 ng kalendaryong gamit ng mga unang Kristiyano, ang Julian Calendar.

Kaugnay sa pagsunog ni Zacarias ng insenso sa templo, tinataya na nangyari ito sa pagitan ng 6BC at 1BC. Sa mga taong ito, ang Tishri 10 ay tumapat sa mga sumusunod na petsa ng kalendaryong Romano:

Tishri 10, 3756 = September 22, 6BC (Mierkules)

Tishri 10, 3757 = September 11, 5BC (Lunes)

Tishri 10, 3758 = October        1, 4BC (Lunes)

Tishri 10, 3759 = September 19, 3BC (Huwebes)

Tishri 10, 3760 = September   8, 2BC (Lunes)

Tishri 10, 3761 = September 27, 1BC (Lunes)

Sa mga iyan—maliban sa Tishri 10, 3758 at 3761—masusuportahan ang paniniwala na ipinaglihi si John the Baptist sa huling bahagi ng September, partikular sa September 25.

Makikita natin ang kahalagahan ng September 25 sa pagpapatuloy ng ating pagtalakay.

Si Elisabet

Sabi ng Bibliya, matapos ng pagsisilbi ni Zacarias sa templo ay umuwi na siya at saka “nagdalantao si Elisabet.”

Sa Lk 1:26 ay sinasabi, “Sa ikaanim na buwan (ng pagbubuntis ni Elisabet), ipinadala ng Diyos ang anghel na si Gabriel sa isang bayan ng Galilea na tinatawag na Nazareth, sa isang birhen na nakatakdang ikasal sa isang lalaki na ang pangalan ay Jose ng angkan ni David. Ang pangalan ng birhen ay Maria.”

Ang Maria na iyan ay ang ina ni Hesus.

Ang paghahayag sa magiging pagsilang ni Hesus ay tinatawag ng Iglesia Katolika na Annunciation, o ang paghahayag ng magiging pagsilang kay Hesus, ang “Anak ng Kataas-taasan.” (Lk 1:31-35)

Ika-anim na buwan

Dahil September 25 ipinaglihi si John the Baptist, bibilangin natin ang anim na buwan hanggang sa nagpakita ang Anghel na si Gabriel sa Birheng Maria ayon sa Luke 1:26. Ang petsa ay papatak sa March 25, ang unang araw ng pagbubuntis ni Maria.

Mula sa March 25 ay bibilang tayo ng siyam na buwan (ang panahon ng pagbubuntis ng isang babae) para matukoy natin ang araw ng kapanganakan ni Hesus. At ito ay sa December 25.

So, batay sa ulat ni Lukas at sa ebidensiyang bigay ng Bibliya ay malinaw na si Kristo ay ipinanganak ng December 25.

Mapagkakatiwalaan ba?

Ang tanong: Mapagkakatiwalaan ba natin ang ulat ni Luke?

Kung naniniwala tayo sa Bibliya ay magtitiwala tayo. Bakit?

Dahil sabi niya sa Luke 1:3-4, "Matapos kong suriin nang buong ingat ang mga pangyayari ... ako man ay nagpasya na isulat ito para sa iyo ... para makita mo ang katiyakan ng mga itinuro sa iyo.”

Hindi lang po pala nag-ulat si Luke. Siya ay nagsuri nang “buong ingat” at nakita niyang tiyak ang mga bagay na sinabi niya sa atin.

So, iyan po ang malinaw na Biblical basis na December 25 isinilang si Hesus.

Scientific proof

Tiyak na mayroong nagtatanong kung paano natin natiyak na pumapatak sa huling bahagi ng September ang Tishri 10 sa Lk 1:8-9?

Diyan natin ipapasok ang scientific na patunay na December 25 ipinanganak si Hesus.

Ang scientific na paraan na iyan ay sa paggamit natin ng calendar converter kung saan matutukoy natin ang magkakatumbas na petsa sa iba’t-ibang uri ng kalendaryo.

Ang ginamit natin ay ang calendar converter na nasa website na: http://www.abdicate.net/cal.aspx

Kung pupunta tayo sa website na iyan ay makikita natin na may iba’t-ibang espasyo para makuha ang katumbas na petsa sa mga kalendaryong “Jewish,” “Gregorian,” at “Julian.”

Kung may petsa sa “Jewish” calendar na gustong malaman ang katumbas sa “Gregorian” at “Julian” ay ita-type lang ang “Day,” “Month” at “Year” na gusto nating suriin at saka pipindutin ang button na “Jewish” na nasa kanan.

Julian Calendar

Sa ating pagtalakay ay ang Julian Calendar ang ating gagamitin. Ito kasi ang kalendaryong gamit ng mga unang Kristiyano hanggang 1582, kung kailan sinimulan nang gamitin ang Gregorian Calendar.

Ngayon, paano natin makikita na ang katumbas ng Tishri 10 sa Hebrew Calendar ay katumbas ng mga petsang ibinigay natin sa Julian Calendar?

Ganito.

Una, kailangang malaman natin ang taon kung kailan isinilang si Hesus.

Ideally, ang taon na iyan ay 1 AD, na ang ibig sabihin ay “Anno Domini,” o ang taon (Anno) ng Panginoon (Domini).

BC at AD

Nag-ugat iyan sa isang monghe, o monk, na si Dionysius Exiguus na mistulang tinukoy ang 1 AD nang sabihin niya na ang pamumuno ni Flavius Probus ay 525 taon “mula nang magkatawang tao ang ating Panginoong Hesu Kristo.”

May mga sumunod sa tantiya ni Exiguus kaya noong taon 731 ay ginamit ni Saint Bede ang “AD” sa kanyang panulat. Si Saint Bede din ang isa sa unang gumamit ng “BC” o “Before Christ.”

Ang pagkakaiba ng AD at BC ay dumadagdag ang bilang ng AD, samantalang pabawas ang bilang ng BC. Halimbawa, ang AD ay 1 AD, 2 AD, 3 AD, 4 AD, 5 AD etc. Ang BC ay paatras tulad ng 6 BC, 5 BC, 4 BC, 3 BC, 2 BC, 1 BC.

Sina Exiguus at Bede ay parehong gumamit ng Julian Calendar kaya iyan ang ginagamit nating batayan sa pagtukoy sa petsa ng pagsilang ng Panginoong Hesus.

Sa Pagitan ng 6 BC at 1 BC

Nitong mga nakaraang taon ay nadiskubre na mali ang tantiya ni Exiguus. Ayon sa mga researcher, hindi tama ang 1 AD bilang taon ng pagsilang kay Kristo.

Batay sa pagsusuri, naniniwala ang mga eksperto na ang pagsilang sa Panginoon ay sa pagitan ng 6 BC at 1 BC.

Tulad ng ipinakita natin sa itaas, apat sa anim na petsa sa pagitan ng 6 BC at 1BC ang pwedeng taon kung kailan nagpakita ang anghel kay Zacarias sa loob ng templo. Ibig sabihin, may apat na taon sa panahon na iyan na maaring doon isinilang si Kristo.

5 BC ‘Most Likely’

Sa sarili kong pagsusuri, nakita ko na malamang na noong December 25, 5 BC, isinilang  si Hesus.

Ibig sabihin, kung 5 BC isinilang si Hesus, ang tagpo sa Lk 1:8-9 ay nangyari sa sinusundang taon, o nung 6 BC.

Para makita kung suportado niyan ang December 25 ay gagamit tayo ang calendar converter, na sa pagkakataon ngang ito ay anghttp://www.abdicate.net/cal.aspx.

Dahil tiyak natin na Tishri 10 ang petsa noong maganap ang pagpasok ni Zacarias sa templo ayon sa Luke 1:8-9 ay hahanapin na lang natin ang katumbas na taon ng Tishri 10 na tatapat sa 6 BC sa Julian Calendar.

Para mabilis nating malaman iyan ay pumunta tayo sa hanay ng calendar converter na nakasulat ang “Julian.” I-type ang “25” sa ilalim ng “Day.” Piliin ang “September” sa hilera ng “Month.” At i-type ang “-6” sa ilalim ng “Year.” Saka pindutin ang button na “Julian” na nasa kanan.

Lalabas sa bandang itaas (puting bahagi ng screen) ang resulta ng mga katumbas na petsa sa “Gregorian,” “Julian,” at “Jewish” calendar.

Makikita natin na ang katumbas na taon ng “-6” o “6 BC” sa “Jewish” ay ang taon na “3756.”

Birthday ni Hesus noong 5 BC

Saka tayo babalik sa calendar converter at ita-type sa hilera ng “Jewish” ang “10” sa ilalim ng “Day.” Pipiliin natin ang “Tishrei” sa ilalim ng “Month” at ita-type ang “3756” sa ilalim ng “Year.” Saka pipindutin ang button na “Jewish” na nasa kanan.

Lalabas sa resulta ang katumbas na petsa ng Tishri 10, 3756, sa kalendaryong “Julian.” At iyan ay September 22, 6 B.C., araw ng Mierkules.

Ibig sabihin ay Mierkules nagpakita ang anghel kay Zacarias.

Sabi sa Luke 1:23, umuwi si Zacarias matapos ang mga araw ng paglilingkod sa templo. At dahil isang linggo (Linggo hanggang Sabado) ang paglilingkod ng mga pari sa templo, makauuwi lang si Zacarias sa darating na Sabado. Iyon ay noong Tishri 13, 3756, o September 25, 6 BC, ang mismong araw ng paglilihi ni Elisabet kay John the Baptist.

Tungo sa December 25

So, eksaktong September 25, 6 BC, ay umuwi si Zacarias at noon din nagbuntis ang asawa niyang si Elisabet.

Muli, sinasabi sa Luke 1:26 na sa ikaanim na buwan ng pagbubuntis ni Elizabeth ay inanunsyo ni Anghel Gabriel ang pagbubuntis ni Maria.

Kung bibilangin natin ang anim na buwan mula sa September 25, 6 BC, ay darating tayo sa March 25, 5 BC (Nisan 17, 3756)

At kung bibilangin natin ang siyam na buwan ng pagbubuntis ni Maria ay makikita natin nanganak siya noong December 25, 5 BC. Iyan ay Tevet 25, 3757 sa kalendaryong Hebreo.

So, kahit gamitan ng siyensiya at calendar converter ay malinaw nating makikita na ang kaarawan ng Panginoong Hesus ay December 25.

Matibay na Pruweba

At diyan natin makikita na saan man daanin ang pagkukwenta: sa kasaysayan man, sa Bibliya o siyensiya, ay lilitaw na December 25 ipinanganak ang Panginoong Hesus.

Katunayan, nagsusuportahan ang mga iyan sa pagpapakita na isinilang ang Kristo sa petsang December 25.

Sa madaling salita, ang Bibliya, ang kasaysayan at ang siyensiya ay nagbibigay ng iisa at matibay na pruweba na tama ang paniniwalang Katoliko kaugnay sa December 25, ang tamang petsa ng Pasko.

Source: December 25 Proven