#c | marcus bishop.

[isaiahwarren]

WHO — @marcusbishop WHEN — sunday night WHERE — the pentalty box

"Come on, man, don't leave me hangin' with that one," he pleaded in a tone that exemplified their camaraderie. "You can't ask me what's goin' on and me blab on and on without you sayin' something in return. That just ain't fair." There hadn't been much to share since the last time they'd met up for some drinks and catchup time. Like usual Zey mostly worked. The schedule he kept typically had him moving from one thing to the next pretty steadily. "It's a small town but we ain't boring, come on now."

#c | marcus bishop. #c1 | marcus bishop. #hi i hope this is okay! #please let me know if i should change anything!

[broiderie]

Lost Princessa: Meet the Reaper 7

Alrighty.... are we ready for a CHAPTER. Like... this thing got away from me. Sorry. (But not really.) I have the albuterol jitters and your reap the benefits.

Don't copy my shit.

Warnings: cursing, shopping, self image issues and references to emotional abuse. Megan's past is bleeding into her present.

They met back up with the others in yet another clothing store. Megan looked anxious as hell, and Hank immediately went to check on her. “You okay, mi princessa?” he asked, pulling her close. 

Megan relaxed into his chest. “Am now. Tía Diana doesn’t like that I don’t shop well, I don’t think. She keeps trying to get me to try things on.”

Hank stroked the back of her neck gently and held her close. “Your tío will rein her back in. Don’t worry, sweetheart.”

Megan giggled a little. “I have a feeling she’s going to want to play dress up this evening before the party and I don’t know how I’ll say no.”

Hank tilted her chin up to kiss her softly. “It’ll be alright, mi princessa.”

Taza wandered over with a smile. “Catching up on the missed affection of the last half-hour?”

Megan giggled but didn’t deny it. Hank just flipped him off. 

Taza chuckled. “Good. Chica, how about you choose the next store. Your tía seems to think you need more girly shit, but I know you’re getting bored.”

“C-Could we… maybe…” Megan asked stuttering and stopping herself.

“Could we what, mi princessa?” Hank encouraged gently.

“Could we go to the book store? We don’t have to. I can send EZ to the library when we get back, but my favorite author just put a new book out and she always puts it out in paperback first…” Megan said in a rush.

Taza beamed. “Of course we can, sweet Chica. Why didn’t I think of that?” He went to round up the others. 

Megan bit her lip. “I won’t take long. I promise,” she said, looking up at Hank.

Hank stroked the soft skin of her jaw. “Princessa, we can spend as long as you want in the bookstore. And we can buy whatever you want there.” He press a gentle kiss to her lips.

“Oh no. I promise I’ll just run in real quick to get the paperback. I still have some money from my last check. It won’t take long.” Megan insisted.

Hank tugged her chin up to meet his gaze. “Don’t make me call the prospect for a list of books and authors, Princessa/ I want you to buy whatever you want to buy. Take your time and enjoy it. We aren’t in a hurry.”

“What if everyone else wants to move on?” she asked fiddling with the zipper pull of his kutte.

Hank smiled. “Then they can and we can meet up with them later.” He kissed her gently again - conscious of where they were.

“I really only want the one book…” she tried.

“Bullshit. I will text the prospect - don’t make me.”

“Okay… maybe two…”

Hank chuckled and tugged her close by her waist. “Buy the whole damn store, baby. I don’t mind. Neither will your papa. I will make the prospect drive the van up here to pick up a load of books if I need to.”

They headed across the mall to the bookstore, but Megan got distracted as they passed Build-A-Bear. She watched as kids chose stuffed animals and customized them to their hearts content with a tiny smile. “Tío Marcus?”

“Si, Poquito?”

��Could we make one for Tessa? There’s a jacket on the wall that nearly matches the one we bought for her…” Megan asked, turning to look at him with big brown eyes full of hope.

Bishop laughed. “Oh Poquito… who could say no to that face?”

Marcus laughed as well. “Only the devil himself, Primo.” He shook his head, still smiling. “Alright Poquito - but you need to make one for yourself as well, hmm. Something besides you caballero to cuddle.”

Hank smiled and nudged her. “Go on Princessa.”

Megan chose a unicorn for Tessa, but struggled choosing one for herself. As Diana and Marcus took the unicorn to the stuffing station line, Megan reached for the most basic bear.

Taza stepped up. “Nuh uh. I know that’s not what you really want, Chica. Which one?”

Megan bit her lip. There were so many to choose from. “I’m not sure…”

Bishop wandered off to let Marcus know they’d be a minute.

Hank noted that Megan’s eyes kept resting on certain stuffed animals. “Which ones are you debating, mi princessa?”

“Well…. The bear with the dark fur and the bunny.” She pointed to the two he’d noted. “I’m not sure which to pick.”

A staff member overheard her and came over with an overly chipper smile. “It’s a hard choice! You know, we have a buy one get one half off deal going on right now on any of our basic plushes. Those both fit that category.”

“But Tío Marcus already has Tessa’s unicorn - that’s the second one…”

THe staff member looked where she was pointing. “Oh! The fantasy pets aren’t part of the basic plushes, so that doesn’t fall under the sale, I’m afraid. But both the bear and bunny do!”

Hank smiled and grabbed them both. “We’ll get both. Thanks for the help.”

Megan started to protest, but Taza wouldn’t let her. “We’re getting both, Chica.” He kissed her forehead as she growled a little. “You wouldn’t deny your papa the experience of buying you a stuffed toy.”

Megan laughed a little and shook her head. “Like I could really stop you, Papa.”

In the end, Marcus bought the unicorn and Taza bought Megan the bear and bunny. She dressed the bear in jeans, a green t-shirt, black boots, and a leather jacket. She put the bunny in a sundress with sneakers - and Hank snuck another leather jacket into the bag along with a little crown.

Taza wouldn’t even let her see the final total. He explained it was a gift to the cashier and she was only too happy to turn the screen where she could see it and have Taza come behind the counter to complete the transaction.

After they were done - Megan looked for the rest of the family only to find them sitting on a bench outside patiently waiting. Bishop immediately presented Megan with a one-shoulder backpack that had a pocket on each side for her new stuffed friends. Megan laughed as he tucked the bunny in carefully so her dress wouldn’t fly up.

“Getting hungry, Poquito?” Marcus asked.

“Hmmm. Sure I guess.” Megan smiled up at him.

He chuckled. “Well how about we hit that book store you wanted and then head to the house for lunch? We can eat and give you girls plenty of time to get ready for tonight.”

“Sure, Padrino,” Megan said. “If you are hungry now, we can skip the book store…”

“Oh no you don’t,” Hank said. “Sneaky thing.” He pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

Bishop looked puzzled at Hank. “What’s she doing?”

“That book store is the only request she’s made all day for herself. NOW she’s trying to give it up since she thinks we’re done,” Taza said.

Diana frowned. “Oh hell no. Now the bookstore is a requirement.” She stood and offered her hand to Marcus. “Let’s go buy a bookstore.”

Marcus laughed and stood. “Yes, mi reina.”

They started towards the bookstore with Megan tugging Hank’s hand nervously and whispering “She’s joking… right?”

Hank just smiled, kissed her hand and then her lips, and said out loud, “Hey Bishop - maybe we should call the prospect. He knows what’s missing on Megan’s bookshelf still.”

Megan growled and narrowed her eyes at Hank. “You wouldn’t…”

Taza chuckled and sent a mass text to all their phones with a list of titles. “Way ahead of you, hermano. I texted him when she first asked to go.”

The men laughed and Megan growled some more.

Diana smiled and fell back to walk with the newest princess. “I know you must think we’re crazy, but do me a favor. Add up the cost of everything you’ve had them buy for someone else today.” She waited a moment as Megan thought.

“There’s been… a lot,” Megan admitted.

“Mmmhmm. And you haven’t asked for a single thing all damn day, sweetheart. You know, I was dirt poor growing up. Marcus and Bishop were too. They worked their ass off so that their children wouldn’t have to go through the same shit that we did. 

I know, you definitely didn’t have it easy either, but these men - they love you. Bishop - he’s had a really difficult life. I haven’t seen him this happy in years. Taza too. Taza lived for the club alone. Then you found him and all of a sudden life was worth more than a case of beer to him again. For all of them - this is the most sober they’ve been in years.” She stopped and made Megan look up into her eyes. “Your family loves you. More than you could ever know. You know they’ll kill for you. The question is - can you let yourself live for them?”

Megan sniffed and wiped at her face with her good hand. “I hadn’t thought of it that way.”

Diana kissed her forehead gently. “I know.”

Megan thought for a moment and then nodded her head. “I can do that, I think.”

Diana smiled. “Good girl. Now come on before Hank comes to your rescue and scolds me for making his princessa cry.”

Megan giggled and nodded, leaning into the arm Diana slipped around her shoulders as they went to catch up with the men who were standing by the entrance to the bookstore giving them space.

When they got there, Megan immediately went to her papa for a quick cuddle before going to each of her padrinos for the same as Diana looked on with a smile. After Bishop’s cuddle, Megan went to Hank and practically buried herself in his chest.

Hank wrapped himself around her carefully. “You okay, mi amore?” he asked quietly.

Megan nodded. “Yeah. Tía Diana just put some things into perspective for me. That’s all.” She snuggled under his kutte to be close.

“And that made you cry?” he asked carefully, stroking down her spine soothingly.

“Not a bad cry, Hank. Promise.”

Hank nodded and let her settle. She couldn’t seem to get close enough so he indicated to Taza that he was taking Megan over to sit on a bench that was semi-secluded. Once there, he pulled her into his lap and she burrowed close. “You’re okay though?” Hank asked her carefully. “You still have some time before your next dose of medicine, but if you’re hurting we can move it up a bit.”

“I’m okay. Just emotional. Tía Diana pointed out some things and I’m adjusting my thinking processes.” She unconsciously copied Hank’s breathing pattern to calm her emotions.

Hank noticed and made his breathing a bit more pronounced. “Alright. We’ll get some time for you to decompress at El Padrinos, okay? And we’ll head there right after this store.”

Megan nodded. “Okay.”

“Good girl. Do you realize you were over thirty yards away from both your papa and me without you tío even for support?”

Megan froze and replayed the conversation with her aunt in her head only to realize that Hank was right. She’d done it all on her own without realizing it. “I was, wasn’t I?”

Hank kissed her head with a smile.

Megan finally relaxed against him. She looked up at him with a grin. “I’m getting better.”

“Yes - you are. And I’m proud of everything you’re doing.” He kissed her softly. “C’mon, mi princessa, let’s go get some books.”

They headed over to the others to find Marcus and Diana missing. Before Megan could ask, Bishop smiled. “Your tía needed some things from the make-up store down the way so Marcus took her to get them. They’ll meet us inside when they’re done.”

Megan smiled. “Okay.”

Taza opened the bookshop door. “C’mon, Chica, let’s find your books.”

Hank grabbed a basket as they went inside. “Lead the way, Princessa. We’ll let your papa and tío work on the prospect’s like. You just find things you want.”

Megan perused the shelves looking for the book she’d came in to buy. Any time she stopped to read the jacket cover of a book. Hank would pause with her. If it seemed interesting, she’d show him. He’d just smile and put it in the basket. She tried very hard not to stop herself from looking. Hank could see the hesitancy in the first few books she picked up. She’d bite her lip and her hand would shake as she lifted the book to look it over. She shrugged and put it back saying “I don’t need it.”

“This isn’t about need, Princessa. It’s about want. Is it something you’d want to read if someone loaned it to you?” She nodded and it went into the basket.

They met everyone else up by the registers when Megan noticed that they were all done. She’d found her book - in hard back at Hank’s urging - along with nearly half a basket of other books. Both Bishop and Taza had large bags of books from the list. Diana had gone the opposite way. She’d gone to the accessories side of the store buying things like bookmarks and book themes art pieces.

After checking out, they headed to the car. It was time to get ready to meet the Reaper.

After a relaxed lunch and a nap for Megan, Diana called Megan into the master bedroom. Hank smiled and settled himself in the armchair closest to the doorway when Megan looked nervous. She took a deep breath - and then went.

DIana smiled gently at her. “Good girl. I know Hank has been helping you dress usually, but I thought tonight I’d offer.”

Megan smiled. “I do like his reaction when I shock him…”

Diana laughed. “It’s fun to do. I still like shocking your tío occasionally.” She winked. “Besides - tonight’s your first party. Men don’t understand sometimes.”

“Neither do I Tía!” Megan snorted. “I never wore a dress until last week”!

“That’s alright, sweetheart. That’s what a tía is for.” She texted Taza who brought Megan’s duffle bag in for her. 

He smiled and rested a hand on Megan’s shoulder for a second. “Do you want me to braid your hair up for you tonight, Chica?”

Megan relaxed a little. “Please, Papa?”

“Of course.” He looked at Diana. “Can we use your dressing table?”

“Go for it,” she gestured. “I’ll look at outfits for her.”

“No heels.” Taza reminded her.

“Shit. RIght. No shoe swap yet - no heels in public. Got it.” She dug through Megan’s bag to hand him the jewelry case and Megan’s hair brush. “That’s fine. She’s got legs for days anyways despite her height.”

“And Tía?” Megan said.

“Hmm?” Diana acknowledged as she laid the dresses Megan packed out along with the purchases from earlier in the day.

“Nothing Hank won’t like me wearing in public -”

Taza froze as he was unbraiding her hair. “What?” he asked.

Megan met his eyes in the mirror. “There will be other patches there, Papa. I don’t want to embarrass him -”

Taza closed his mouth with a snap and his jaw flexed as he ground his teeth a bit. “Do I need to talk to Hank, Chica? Where is this coming from?”

Megan looked puzzled. “What do you mean, Papa?”

“Has Hank said something about how you dress?” Diana asked gently.

Megan shook her head. “No. Of course not. I just know I shouldn’t show off anything in public…”

Diana snorted. “This is from the asshole ex-, isn’t it?”

“But Jimmy said…”

Taza growled. “I don’t give a shit what that… thing… told you, Chica.” He gently turned her head so she’d look at him. “You are gorgeous and no one - not Hank, not me, no one- can tell you what to wear or how you should look, Megan.”

She swallowed hard. “But Papa…”

“No.” He said shortly. “No one. Do you hear me? The only person who decides how you dress is you.” He took a page from Hank’s book and tilted her chin until she met his eyes with her matching ones. “If anyone has a problem with that, you send them to me, you understand?”

Megan nodded and swallowed her tears. “Yes, Papa.”

He kissed her forehead gently. “Good girl.”

He let her turn back around and braided her hair into a crown for her. “There, sweet Chica. Do you want your combs in?”

“Hold on, Taza.” Diana said with a smile. “I also found these today.” She placed some hair combs decorated with roses and marigolds on the table. “I thought the silk flowers would be pretty against her dark hair.”

“Thank you, Tía. They’re beautiful.” Megan smiled. “Can I have the flowers tonight, please Papa?”

“Of course.” He gently slid the large combs in towards the back of her braided crown. “Beautiful.” He kissed her hair. “Now, I’ll leave you girls to get ready.” He smiled and slipped out the door.

Hank wasn’t in the arm of the chair anymore. He was in the bedroom he and Megan were staying in. He’d changed to his dark button down and jeans - styling his hair carefully. Taza tapped the doorframe. “Yeah?”

Taza propped himself up in the doorway and waited until Hank looked at him. “Has Megan said anything to you about the way she dresses?” he asked.

Hank sat down to pull his boots on. “Not really. Every once in a while she asked if she looks okay, but that’s it. Why?”

Taza crossed his arms. “She just told Diana not to choose anything you wouldn’t want her to ear in public…”

Hank’s head snapped up. “She what?”

“Said that she knew she shouldn’t show off because it’d embarrass you…”

Hank’s jaw dropped. “What the fuck? She could be wearing a fucking sack and all I’d be worried about was if she was cold!” He stood as if to go to her.  “What the fuck gave her that idea?”

Taza stalled him with a raised hand. “Her past. She said something about Jimmy, but I didn’t get the full story.” He sighed.

“Fucking hell…” Hank thought back to packing with her. “She’s been doing it and I didn’t even notice.” He sat back down on the bed and scrubbed at his face with his hands. “When she was packing - she put the green dress back. Asking me to choose which jeans she brought… Damn it. I didn’t even notice. She offered to put her sweatshirt back on last night before we went into the clubhouse too.”

Taza nodded. “I told her in no uncertain terms that she should dress how she likes and no one can tell different.” He uncrossed his arms and put his hands in his pockets. “Just wanted to check we were on the same page.”

Hank sighed. “That we definitely are. Fuck. Okay. I’ll pay more attention when she pulls that shit. See if we can’t help where that fucker brainwashed her.”

Taza nodded and patted the door. “Hopefully that’ll help.”

The men were done dressing long before Diana and Megan. Hank resumed his seat near the door to the bedroom. He could hear Megan giggling and the murmur of voices but not what they were saying.

He checked his watch and smiled. It was almost time for Megan’s next dose of ibuprofen, but he didn’t want to interrupt her fun with her Tía.

Taza brought him a bottle of water with a smile. “Sounds like she’s having fun in there.”

Hank smiled. “Yeah. I don’t want to interrupt, but she is gonna need to take a dose of medicine soon.”

“They won’t be much longer, Tranq.” Marcuse chuckled. “Mi reina is a lot of things, but she can’t stand to be late. Give them another ten minutes and they’ll be out here asking what’s taking us so long.”

They laughed quietly and talked about what they expected tonight.

“When will you do it?” Taza asked quietly.

“Once we get there, but before we go inside - like with the earrings,” Hank said smiling as he remembered giving her the pearls that she still hadn’t removed from her ear lobes.

The other men chuckled. “Who’s have thought - Tranq is a romantic.” Bishop teased.

That just got another shrug from Hank. “Only for her, Pres. Only for her.”

A few minutes later the bedroom door opened and DIana peeked out. “Megan says she needs her pain meds…”

Hank handed them to her through the crack in the door. “Yes ma’am. Here they are.”

She took them with a smile. “We’ll be out in just a minute, but I didn’t want her to get too behind.”

“Thank you.”

It wasn’t much longer before the door opened and Diana came out. “Alright boys. We’re ready.” She had on leather pants, red heels and a white shirt with a deep v neck. She stood and accepted the compliments from Marcus with a smile.

Hank heard a giggle from behind her and he shifted to try to see Megan.

Diana moved out of the way and gestured for Megan to join them.

Megan laughed and followed DIana out into the living room.

Hank’s jaw dropped. Taza had braided her hair into a crown and someone had put silk flowers in her hair like La Calavera Catrina. She was wearing a short black dress that showed off her figure to absolute perfection and made her legs look miles long. She had on thigh highs that were small fishnets that had to be Diana’s with her combat boots on. Diana had lined Megan’s eyes with something that made them look huge and dusted glitter or something that made her skin absolutely glow. The neckline of the dress dipped just low enough to show a little of her black lace bra and - it had to be new because Hank didn’t remember packing it - it made her curves even more pronounced. The elbow length sleeves were made of fine mesh as well.

“Well aren’t you pretty as a picture, Poquito,” Bishop said.

“Oh - you haven’t seen the best part-” Diana said. “Give us a spin sweetheart.”

Megan rolled her eyes with a smile, but gave a slow spin revealing her back. All of it. Right down to her waist. The sling strap bisected it but her tattoo and every bit of skin from her hairline to her lower back was on display.

Hank’s mouth went dry. “Dios mio eres hermosa…” he said quietly.

Megan turned back around. “Too much?” she asked with a shy smile.

“Mi amore - you look beautiful.” Hank stepped up with a smile. “You always do, but I can’t breathe.” He took her hand and kissed each knuckle gently.

She smiled and relaxed a little revealing her necklaces - the one that matched Taza’a and her silver princessa crown resting in her cleavage. 

Taza smiled and brought her a large box that was wrapped beautifully with green ribbon. “You look gorgeous, Chica. I have something to perfectly top this off.”

Megan smiled and untied the bow to remove the lid revealing the painted leather jacket he’d bought at the mall. “Oh Papa! It’s beautiful!”

“Perfect for you, sweet girl.” He took it from the box and draped it over her shoulders with a smile. “Second star to the right…”

Hank smiled softly. “La Princessa de los Mayas. Can’t wait to show you off tonight.”

“Let’s load up so you can then,” Bishop said with a smile.

Just about a half hour drive later, the gate rolled open to the Teller-Marrow Automotive and the rebuilt Sons of Anarchy Redwood Original clubhouse. 

Taza, Bishop, Coco and Marcus backed their bikes into line with the other Mayans. Marcus offered Diana his hand to help her off his bike.

“Should we wait for Hank and Megan to go inside?” she asked.

Marcus chuckled. “Let’s get a drink and wait for them by the door. Hank’s got to give Megan a… pep talk… first.”

Hank parked the car with a smile and looked at Megan. “Are you alright, mi amore?”

Megan nodded nervously. “Mmmhmm. Sure.”

He chuckled and reached across the console to turn her face towards him. “Look at me. You’re going to be perfect.”

“How do you know?” she asked.

“Because.” He reached into his kutte and pulled out the ring box he’d stashed there earlier. “You’re always perfect, mi princessa. And I promise to always remind you of that as my Ol’ Lady. Will you be mi reina?” He opened the box to reveal the golden crown ring he’d chosen earlier in the day. A simple gold crown with a dark green stone set in it.

Megan’s jaw dropped. “Oh Hank! Really?”

He smiled. “Really Princessa. It’s just a promise ring, but -”

“Yes! Yes, yes, yes!” Megan threw herself across the car and into his lap causing him to laugh and press kisses to her face.

“What’s this mean?” Megan asked once she’d settled down enough for him to slip the ring on her left ring finger.

Hank smiled and kissed her hand again. “It’s just a physical reminder of what we already know. I’m yours. The Arthur to your Guinevere. And it’s a promise…” he paused to kiss her softly “that I’m all in. And that once we’re ready - I’ll replace it with an engagement ring.”

She smiled at him softly and snuggled close pressing kisses to his neck as he held her. “And it’s your marker, huh? So when we walk in there it’s obvious who I belong to.”

His chuckled vibrated through his chest. “That too - but once we get inside, I have a way to make it even more obvious.”

Megan smiled against his skin as he lifted his chin to give her more room to explore. “Mmm. What’s that?”

“Happy is waiting inside with his gear. He’s gonna mark me with your crown too.”

Megan sat up to give him a brilliant smile. “Really?”

“Really.” Hank said with a smile as he lifted his hips to get his hand into his pocket, shifting them both. He pulled out a small piece of paper from one of his sketchbooks to show her the design of her new ring. Then he flipped his right wrist to show her the bare skin over his pulse point. “Going right there, Princessa. For everyone to see.” He chuckled when Megan threw herself into him with more kisses.

When she finally settled down enough, they got out of the car to head toward the door. Just inside, waited their family talking to a man Megan didn’t know.

As soon as they were through the door, Taza turned to greet them with a smile. “Well?”

Megan smiled and raised her left hand for her Papa to see the ring.

He laughed and opened his arms for a hug, before examining the ring closer. “Beautiful choice, hermano,” he said, patting Hank’s shoulder. 

There were hugs all around and Diana demanded to see the ring before also praising Hank’s choice of golden crown. Once everyone settled a bit, Marcus introduced Megan to the man she didn’t know. “Poquito - this is Tig Trager, VP of Samcro and a good friend of mine. Trager, meet my goddaughter, Megan.”

The man with brilliant blue eyes and crazy curls grinned and gently shook Megan’s left hand. “Finally! Good to meet you Little Bit. Your Tío has talked about you endlessly. And I see congratulations are in order.”

Megan turned on her Southern Company smile. “Nice to meet you too, Mr. Trager. Good to put a face to the name.”

Tig offered Hank a handshake and a man hug. “Had to lock her down early, huh Tranq?”

Hank grinned. “Had to do something to prove she was off limits to your pasty ass.”

Tig threw his head back with a laugh. “Truth, but you know Venus - she’d have my balls for breakfast.”

“Don’t I know it. Where is your lady?”

Tig’s smile and eyes softened. “She’s mingling. I’ll tell her you’re here.”

They chatted a moment before Hank asked, “Seen Hap tonight?”

Tig pointed to a table at the back where Happy had a portable tattoo rig set up. “Bet you’re the reason behind that too.”

“You know it.” Hank kissed Megan softly. “I’m going to go see him. You stay with your papa and tíos, alright mi princessa? Won’t take long. I know they need to introduce you around.”

Megan smiled and kissed him back. “I know you hate it, but use tegaderm? So it’s visible?”

He chuckled. “Yes, mi reina.” He winked and released her to stand on her own.

Bishop grinned. “What’s he got planned Poquito?”

Megan laughed a bit. “Just a bit of fair play, Padrino.”

Marcus and Diana were chatting with Tig when Bishop gently interrupted. “Primo, I’m going to take Poquito to meet Chibs. Make the proper introductions. You good with that?”

Marcus grinned lazily with Diana tucked under his arm. “He should be at the bar.”

Bishop nodded and sipped his beer. “Alright. We’ll be back.”

He grinned at Taza. “Let’s go introduce her to the Scot while Tranq’s busy otherwise we won’t get a word in edgewise.”

Taza grinned and nodded indicating for him to lead the way. 

They walked over to the bar where a man with gray hair and faded facial scars sat sipping from a whiskey tumbler. The men greeted each other cheerfully and chatted a moment before the stranger turned his attention to Megan. “And who’s this then? Don’t tell me you’ve gone and settled down, Taza. I see that necklace on her neck.”

Taza chuckled and drew Megan under his arm. “Nah, though she is taken. This is my daughter, Megan. Megan - Chibs Telford.”

Megan turned that hundred watt smile on again. “Nice to meet you.”

“Ah - so this is the little princess Happy pulled from that wrecked truck.” Chibs placed a kiss on the back of Megan’s good hand. “Glad to see you’re alright.” He noted the ring on her finger. “And it looks like Tranq decided to put a claim on ya.”

Bishop chuckled. “Believe me, it’s necessary.”

“Aye. Don’t need to many of my lads in the rind wi’ him. Though I wonder if Quinn could take ‘im.”

Taza grinned. “I’m sure Hank would oblige your curiosity sometime - but I warn you - the bigger they are, the harder they fall.”

“And give it a year and I’d wager, Poquito could take more of your men her damn self.” Bishop added with a smile. “She’s a damn natural in the ring.”

“Oh ho! A wee fighting lass. I see why he locked ya down, love.”

Megan smiled. She liked this man. He made her comfortable. She nodded towards the table where Hank was watching the exchange as Happy worked over his wrist with a smile. “I think the feeling’s mutual.”

Chibs turned on his stool to look at the table. “Don’ tell me the lads getting his own mark?”

Megan giggled as Taza smiled.

It was Bishop who answered, “Of course. When a man is lucky enough to be claimed by la princessa de los Mayas he wears her mark with pride.” He grinned. “She may be his Ol’ Lady, but she’s Taza’s daughter AND mine and Marcus’ goddaughter.”

Chibs’ eyebrows raise. “I see why you call her la princessa, brother.”

Happy was doing a last wipe of Hank’s tattoo at the table when Hank caught Megan’s eye and invited her over with a tilt of his head. She smiled and made her excuses before walking across the crowded bar by herself to Hank’s side. Taza watched tensely until she made it to the big man. Then he relaxed.

Chibs indicated the bar stools to invite them to take a seat. “How is the lass? Alvarez hasn’t been forthcoming with information since Hap got back.”

Taza sipped the beer that was placed in front of him. 

“Bruised and cracked ribs, a concussion, broken wrist, and broken collarbone,” Bishop answered.

“She already had PTSD before the bastard took her - now it’s ramped up to eleven.” Taza added.

“I wondered why you brought her along. Didn’t want to say anything in fron’ o’ her but-” Chibs tilted his head and drank from his glass.

“She’s attached at the hip to Hank. Will only accept certain others as an anchor when he’s got to be away from her. Even then she won’t sleep. Today’s the first day she’s been able to stand being out of eyesight of one of us for more than a few minutes.” Taza fiddled with the label on his beer. “She had to come.”

Bishop nodded. “It doesn’t matter though. She’s all in. No secrets from her with the club. If women could patch, she’d already be at the table.”

Chibs raised his eyebrows again and turned to take a second look at the tiny girl. “Really? She doesn’t look -”

Taza smiled, but with a hard edge. “She’s stronger than she looks.”

Meanwhile, Happy was wrapping Hank’s wrist in tegaderm after Megan saw it. He watched her out of the corner of his eye. “Good to see you up and about, Little Girl.”

She smiled. “Thank you - for everything.”

Happy grunted and started putting away his gear as Hank pulled Megan down to perch on his knee.

Suddenly loud voices broke out and someone was shoved onto a table with a bang, causing Megan to flinch hard and bury herself in his chest. The fight was quickly broken up with the men being sent to cool off, but Hank cradled Megan close, hearing the hitch in her breathing that he hated.

“Easy, mi princessa. I’m right here. You’re safe. Easy.” He stroked up and down her back soothingly.

Happy watched quietly with his toothpick in his teeth. After a few minutes, he nodded to himself. “She like dogs?” he grunted out.

Hank continued to soothe her with his hands and answered the tacturn man. “She likes horses. Likes animals in general.”

Happy nodded again and then indicated that he wanted Hank to bring her and follow him out the back door of the clubhouse. Hank did so - forgoing getting her to stand and just picking her up to carry her.

Outback was a makeshift kennel. Inside were two white pitbulls and a dark gray one. The two white dogs greeted Happy cheerfully, but the other was standoffish. Hank recognized the lighter dogs as Tig’s female Angel and Happy’s male Opie.

“Who’s gray?” he asked.

Happy rubbed Opie’s ears. “Hers. Found him last week when I got back. Needs a home.”

Hank put Megan’s feet on the ground just inside the kennel doors. Angel and Opie started toward her, but Happy held their collars.

The darker dog cautiously came forward to sniff Megan’s boots. His sniffing made her snap back to reality with a little ‘oh’. She offered the dog her hand to sniff and when he did, she gently rubbed his ears. Soon she was sitting with a lap full of dog giving him affection.

“What’s his name?” she asked quietly as the big dog licked her chin.

Happy shrugged. “Dog. Needs a name. Needs a home.”

Megan smiled softly.

Hank moved to lean against the fence near Happy. “Is he trained?”

Hap nodded. “House broke. Basic commands. Doesn’t like when things get rough. Bit the shit out of the prospect when he tries to come in my house without me.”

“Protective?” Hank asked.

“Very.” Was the answer. “Likes her.” A smirk crossed the bald man’s face. “A birthday gift.”

Hank chuckled. “And one she won’t fight.” 

Megan was too busy telling the dog what a good boy he was to hear their conversation.

“Princessa?” Hank called to get her attention. Megan looked up at him with a small, but real smile.

“Name him. Happy says he’s yours.”

Megan’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Happy nodded.

She was too busy hugging the big dog whose tongue was lolling out in a doggy grin to pounce either man but she thanked Happy profusely.

Happy brought her a black harness and leash. “You can take him in. Keep him with you. Might help his nerves.”

Megan smiled again a little tearily, but put the harness and lead on him. “Rex,” she said quietly. “His name is Rex.”

Taglist:

@jemmakates

@msjava1972

@drabbles-mc

@delightfulheroshoeflap

@xeniarocks

@iamthegraham

@oureternalbond

@lyly00

@camelia35

#lost princessa #meet the reaper #lost princessa sequel #bishop losa #taza x daughter!oc #taza romero #che taza romero #hank loza #megan(oc) x hank #hank loza x oc!megan #obispo losa #marcus alvarez #happy lowman #tig trager #chibs telford

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: Joel Kotkin

Published: Jun 21, 2023

In an age of darkness, glimpses of light are rare — but all the brighter for it. As the censorious progressivism embraced by Joe Biden and much of his Democratic party grows into an increasingly pervasive quasi-religion, ordinary people are finding ways to push back. Like democratic Leftists in the Cold War, old-style liberals are becoming a key force in challenging today’s new orthodoxies.

And this rising tide of liberal apostasy, coupled with a growing pushback from grassroots businesses and consumers, represents a far more profound challenge to the established order than the one routinely mounted by conservatives. In the Renaissance, the impetus for change did not come from Jews, Muslims, devil-worshippers or pagans, but devout Christians such as Erasmus, Luther and Calvin.

In our era, the most powerful critics of progressive theology once again tilt to the Left: Andrew Sullivan, Matt Taibbi, Ruy Teixeira, to name but three. Their apostasy rises to uphold the basic principles once central to liberalism — equality of opportunity, free speech, and open inquiry. This battle is also reminiscent of the struggle waged by the Renaissance critics of the all-powerful Catholic Church. Today, it’s not bishops or popes who seek control, but the oligarchs and their media platforms which, with the sometimes exception of Twitter, favour a censorship regime that brands dissidents largely as purveyors of “misinformation”.

Like earlier apostates, religious or scientific, ours face an uphill struggle. They must contend with forces within the C-suite and, particularly, academia, where even the sciences are now constrained by ideological edicts. This is where the money flows, often to a host of non-profits, some secretly funded, that spread the gospels of censorship, police reduction, indoctrination in schools and an apocalyptic environmental agenda. One problem the apostates face is therefore an obvious one: despite often impressive media resumes, their research rarely makes it into the mainstream, their voices being carried no further than Twitter, Substack and the more broad-minded corners of the media.

This pushback comes at a propitious time, extending beyond a few dissident intellectuals to the grassroots and business moguls such as Elon Musk, Ken Griffin and Bernie Marcus. The latter, in particular, understand that the new progressive orthodoxy undermines the entire system by embracing anti-capitalist memes and reducing the role of merit in a system built around it. And so a critical front has been the rebellion against ESG (environmental, social, governance) standards. Many US states have moved to take their pension funds out of firms that embrace this ideology; some investment houses, notably Vanguard and upstart Thrive Asset Management, are eschewing corporate policies that stress climate change and other issues over fiduciary obligation to investors.. The fact that returns to ESG firms have been poor, when compared with those tied to fossil fuels and basic industries, could presage a further awakening among financial and business leaders that the balance sheet, rather than ideological back-slapping, constitutes the primary mission of business.

More important still, apostasy is also rising among the general population. The pressure for reparations, for example, is opposed by upwards of two-thirds of Americans. All major ethnic groups, notes Pew, reject race quotas, including African-Americans; overall, almost three in four oppose this, as do a majority of both Democrats and Republicans.

In the race debate, the role of black apostates is particularly critical. As John McWhorter has long argued, preferential policies encourage “therapeutic alienation” among black people and other minorities — leading some to adopt a mentality of “anger and scapegoating”, instead of doing “the work needed for success”. In the bizarre world of modern progressivism, any opposition to this agenda is “racist”, even if it comes from people who support equal rights and access to opportunity. Critics of race-based discrimination such as McWhorter and Glenn Loury are far from Klansmen incarnate.

Similarly, assaults on European culture have proven unlikely to win over the masses in these countries, the bulk of whom still express some pride in their heritage. The notion that Western societies are eternally oppressive and racist seems a bit of a stretch given that millions of Africans, Middle Easterners, and south Asians continue to flock to these countries, largely to experience higher levels of economic and cultural freedom. The progressive assault on heritage also is likely to stir up far-Right sentiment, as we can see in France, Denmark, and, perhaps most dangerously, Germany.

The ever-more edgy cultural agenda of the Left, particularly its obsession with transgenderism, provides additional fuel for apostasy. People generally believe in the existence of two genders, and are hostile to efforts to impose either sexual or explicitly political curricula on young people. The idea of parental rights, for example — making sure parents are informed if their child decides to transition — has broad support, including nearly four-fifths of Californians, reflecting what appear to be national trends. In defiance of the transgender advocacy from the White House down, the opposition to sporting categories based on gender, rather than sex, has actually grown over the last two years, with even more Democrats now opposed to the practice than in favour.

Critically — and, no doubt, shocking for some — many opposing the progressive agenda are themselves minorities. In Britain and Europe, for example, Muslims tend to be more religious and socially conservative than whites, and Indians, particularly Hindus, have been drifting Right-wards for a generation. In America, surveys show that foreign-born Americans are also more culturally conservative than the native-born.

Perhaps the most economically significant apostasy relates to climate-change policy. Despite growing moves to censor contrary opinions, here the liberal apostates are not classic deniers or oil company executives, but respected scientists such as former Obama advisor Steve Koonin, and climate scientists Roger Pielke and Judith Curry. Even some environmentalists — including Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore — openly denounce “Net Zero” and “de-growth” policies as both impractical and deeply flawed. They recognise that these policies are already leading to the immiseration of poorer people, particularly in California and Germany. They are not calling for an end to climate change mitigation, but for policies that are more realistic and less economically damaging for the working and middle classes.

And then there are grassroots protests at European governments’ attempts to impose emission reductions on farmers and ban chemical fertilisers — regulatory moves at a time when food prices are rising throughout the West. Efforts to reduce agricultural output, now being suggested in the United States and Canada, also could have dire consequences for billions in the developing world. It’s hardly surprising, then, that there is growing scepticism about climate policies globally; in surveys, it barely registers as a priority for people either in Africa or the US where, according to Gallup, climate is stated as a primary concern for barely 2% of the population.

Other troubles, notably the loss of industry amid soaring energy costs, are already creating a popular backlash, which has been a boon for the far-Right in Germany and Italy, among others. Some centrist regimes have taken fright, with France’s Emmanuel Macron stepping back from climate extremism. Less than a year ago, Germany signed an EU target to ban the sale of cars with internal combustion engines by 2035, but quickly backtracked.

Overall, for all the talk of ideological polarisation, public opinion may well be tilting more towards the apostates than those of the progressive zealots. Despite the media profile of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and her fellow “Squad” members, the majority of Democrat members consider themselves moderate or conservative, while barely one in four sees themselves as “very liberal”.

Of course, even with public support, supporters of traditional liberal values face a number of challenges when it comes to enacting meaningful political change. But there is some good news. Many companies are now rethinking their marketing strategies in the face of negative consumer reaction. There are even glimmers of hope for liberal apostasy in some big cities, as demonstrated by the election of New York’s pro-police Eric Adams and San Francisco’s recall of progressive school board members.

As was the case during the Reformation, the apostate’s course is still not an easy one. But their critique remains critical to undermining the current progressive theology — a far more effective weapon than the reactionary antics of DeSantis, which are focused primarily on Right-leaning GOP voters. In contrast, the apostates speak the same language and share many of the values that once constituted progressive ideals. They are, in other words, both the key to restoring rationality — and to keeping liberalism alive for future generations.

==

I'm a-Woke for the exact same reasons I'm a-theist.

#Joel Kotkin #classic liberalism #liberal ethics #liberal values #liberalism #illiberalism #woke nonsense #woke #wokeism #wokeness as religion #cult of woke #wokeness #centrism #the sane middle #tribeless #politically homeless #religion is a mental illness

[whencyclopedia]

Melito of Sardis and his Apology for Christianity

Melito of Sardis (d. c. 180 CE) was a bishop in the city of Sardis (near modern-day Sart, Turkey) who was regarded as one of the greatest Christian thinkers, writers, and apologists of his time. In the modern age, he is best known for his Apology for Christianity sent to emperor Marcus Aurelius regarding the persecution of Christians.

He is also, however, recognized for his lists of Old Testament works, commentary on scripture, and advocacy of celebrating Easter at the same time as the Jewish Passover in order to maintain the relationship between Judaism and Christianity. His work Peri Pascha (On the Pascha or On the Passover), only discovered in the past 100 years, focuses on the validity of the practice of those known as Quartodecimans who maintained that Easter needed to be celebrated on the 14th of the month Nisan (March-April) in keeping with the Jewish tradition of Passover and, because of this and other details in his works, it is believed he was a convert from Judaism.

Continue reading...

#EarlyChristianity #MelitoOfSardis

[troybeecham]

Today the Church remembers St. Pontius of Rome, Martyr.

Ora pro nobis.

St. Pontius lived during the third century AD, the son of the pagan Roman senator Marcus and his wife Julia. While with child, Julia had gone with her husband to the temple of Jupiter. Upon seeing the pregnant Julia, the pagan priest suddenly shouted out that the boy in Julia’s womb would destroy Jupiter and his pagan temple. When the boy was born, his mother wanted to kill him out of fear of the prediction, but his father opposed this and the child was left to live. He was named Pontius, and he grew up sharp of mind and eager for study.

On his way to the pagan school, Pontius happened to go past a house, where Christians were attending the morning services. Hearing the words of the Psalm which the Christians were singing: “the idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the works of men’s hands” (Ps. 114/115: 4 and Ps. 134 /135: 15 ). Pontius became very interested in this verse and he paused at the gate.

Saint Pontian, who was celebrating the service, invited Pontius and his companion Valerian to come in. After the service, the bishop talked for a long while with the youths, revealing to them the Gospel teachings, and after a certain while he baptized them. Saint Pontius, in turn, converted his father to Christ, whom Saint Pontian also baptized, together with his whole household.

After the death of his father, Saint Pontius, then 20 years old, was appointed by the emperor Severus Alexander (222-235 AD) as a senator, to take the place of his deceased father. In the Senate and the surroundings of the emperor, Saint Pontius enjoyed universal esteem for his good nature, sound sense, and fairness. When emperor Severus died, a period of profound instability wracked the Roman empire, known as the Crisis of the Third Century, which included nearly fifty years of civil war, foreign invasion, and the collapse of the monetary economy.

Under the successor to the emperor Alexander Severus, Maximinus’ brief rule (235-238 AD) was marked by chaos. In 238 AD (which came to be known as the Year of the Six Emperors), a senatorial revolt broke out, leading to the successive proclamation of Gordian I, Gordian II, Pupienus, Balbinus, and Gordian III as emperors in opposition to Maximinus. Maximinus advanced on Rome to put down the revolt, but was halted at Aquileia, where he was assassinated by disaffected elements of the Legio II Parthica. It was in this period of chaos that any who were deemed disloyal to the emperor or to the stability of Roman life were singled out. Christians, in particular, we’re accused of being disloyal for abandoning the ancient traditions of Rome. St. Pontian was accused of being a Christian, and therefore an enemy of the state. When put on trial, he was offered the opportunity to recant his Christian Faith and to te-embrace the gods of Rome. He steadfastly refused to renounce Jesus. Saint Pontian finished his life as a martyr, being condemned to death by beheading c. 237 AD.

Almighty God, who gave to your servant Pontius boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

#father troy beecham #christianity #jesus #saints #god #salvation #peace #martyrs #faith #early church

[belovedblabber]

Also for the fandom ask: something very nerdy and obscure relating to your field of study (if you want!). Like, 12th Century Despots or Most Annoying Middle Age Saints. IDK EXACTLY but I think it would be cool to know some History Facts

Oh this makes me so happy thank you!

Favorite Male Character: King Leovigild, of Visigothic Iberia c. 568-586CE. Most of what we know about him comes from a seventh-century work of Visigothic hagiography, vitas patrum emeretensium aka The Lives of the Fathers of Merida. He gets a bad rep from certain sections of it, and a lot of hagiographical tropes apply, but by doing a careful reading and cross referencing with some chronicles and law codes (primary sources on Visigothic Iberia are scarce!) it's possible to get a much more nuanced picture of him. Anyway I'm weirdly defensive of this random Visigothic king fghjk. Okay other favorite male character, so to speak, is Saint Francis. I love him, I almost wrote a thesis on him, he's my fave. ALSO Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, who wrote "The Meditations" which were his personal musings and notes to self never intended for publication. I would highly suggest the Gregory Hays translation, as it's really easy to connect to. My students loved reading bits of it and really connected with the text, which was a real breakthrough. If I talk about Marcus Aurelius too much I start tearing up fghjghjk

Favorite Female Character: Queen Radegund of Poitier. She's so fascinating! She's a great case study in the avenues of power and autonomy open to sixth-century noblewomen, and there's so much to glean from the various accounts about her. She escaped her husband and became an abbess, and her story is worth a read! I also love Saint Christina the Astonishing who is just...wild. I highly suggest googling her if you don't know her already

Least Favorite Character: Tik tok 'historians' dfghjk

Favorite Ship: Gonna pass on this one although one time I made a joke about writing a slash fic of Leovigild and Masona, the bishop he was fighting with. A JOKE

Favorite Friendship: I find the friendship between Queen Radegund and the poet Venantius Fortunatus really interesting. He wrote about her!

Favorite Quote: Anything from my seminar paper eyyyyyyy. Also a whole bunch of excerpts from "The Meditations" because there's so much to connect to in them. It's like reaching back through the ages and touching the mind of this man who is so utterly different than me in every way, but I still understand things he expresses and feel this deep sense of connection even as I know that we're so profoundly different. It's such a personal work because it was never meant to be published! It would be like if someone published my notesapp stuff sdfghj. Also he addresses himself as 'you' in his notes to himself which I also do, and I love that. Anyway there are so many great moments in that text. At one point he talks about not wanting to get out of bed in the morning. Mood. There are also so many beautiful parts that I connect to on a more painful level. I find many sections of the work to be legit helpful and inspiring to me in my daily life, and it's gotten me through some hard times, so it's a very special text to me. And I get a little teary thinking about how this long dead man's words can resonate today. It's like he's talking to us. Me and my parasocial relationship with roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. But anyway my very favorite quote from the entire work is one that ends in "While you're alive and able--be good." There's something that really hits me about that, not least of which is because when I was a teenager I wrote almost exactly the same sentiment on my bunkbed, as a note to self. I hadn't read The Meditations yet back then, I was just expressing this sentiment as a reminder or a call to action or some such thing, and then years later I read the words of a random Roman emperor from the second century CE that were an exact echo of my own words (or my words were an echo of his?) And idk, that struck me. That a teen girl in the 2010s and a roman emperor in the second century could write down the same little note to self.

Worst Character Death: uhhh...Jesus. That one caused some long-term issues (this is a joke I do not have a least favorite death from my areas of study dfghj)

This made me so happy you have no idea Moment: I just love everything about the periods and people I study, I love history, I love the fact that people are people are people, I love engaging with the parts of the past that I study on their own terms, but also feeling this connection and seeing these shared threads of humanity. That's what it's all about to me, you know?

Saddest Moment: When I have to actually put my ideas into essay form. Or I mean, at least the initial bit of that process is hard

Favorite Location: Visigothic Mérida, let's say

Anyway thank you for asking me this made me wildly happy!

#ask game #i RAMBLED here omg #i had so much fun though! #and thank you for also asking about the tlt but celestialkindliness beat you to it asdrftyhjk #there are probs so many typos and weird grammar issues in this answer

[vincentcatagainsttheworld]

#Repost Deborah Harkness FB page A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES REAL TIME READ, Chapter 39 “When Em entered, she had a tray laden with wine, milk, bowls of berries and nuts, and an enormous plate of cookies. “God, cookies make me wish like hell I was still warmblooded,” Marcus said reverently, picking up one of the golden disks studded with chocolate and holding it to his nose. “They smell so good, but they taste terrible.” “Have these instead,” Em said, sliding him a bowl of walnuts. “They’re covered in vanilla and sugar. They’re not cookies, but they’re close.” -A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES Em’s Famous Vanilla Vampire Walnuts Serves: 16 warmbloods or 1 vampire INGREDIENTS: 2½ tablespoons vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 pound shelled nuts (walnuts are traditional, ½ cup granulated sugar ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground coriander ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon nutmeg SPELL/METHOD -Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F/160 C -Blend the oil with the vanilla extract. -Blanch the nuts for 1 minute in boiling water. Drain. While still hot, put them in a bowl with the oil/vanilla mixture and the sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes. -Arrange the nuts on a rimmed baking sheet. -Bake for 30–35 minutes, turning and stirring them every 5–10 minutes until brown and crispy -Combine the salt, coriander, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. Add nuts and toss -Spread in a single layer to cool (they will get crispier as they cool). -Store in an airtight container. -THE WORLD OF ALL SOULS, pg 373 Is this a book about a couple, falling in love, or is it something else? The house is expanding, people keep showing up at the Bishop House, they’re holding war councils at the dining room table, and Matthew and Diana are planning to travel to the past to find witches to help Diana. What is happening to our story of two creatures falling in love? When you’re recommending this book to others, how do you describe it? If you were a book seller and you knew that the next book would involve historical time-travel, where would you shelve these books in your store and why?What did you discover in your own rummage through TWOAS? What other questions did this chapter raise for you? https://www.instagram.com/p/CkBRf4TocmI/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#repost

[wikiuntamed]

On this day in Wikipedia: Wednesday, 22nd November

Welcome, Selam, Bienvenida, Välkommen 🤗 What does @Wikipedia say about 22nd November through the years 🏛️📜🗓️?

22nd November 2022 🗓️ : Event - 2022 Chesapeake shooting A shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia leaves seven workers dead, including the shooter, and four others injured. "On November 22, 2022, Andre Marcus Bing killed six co-workers and injured four others before killing himself, in retaliation for perceived workplace harassment at the Walmart Supercenter where he worked as a night-supervisor in Chesapeake, Virginia, United States. Bing's suicide note cited concern..."

22nd November 2017 🗓️ : Death - Dmitri Hvorostovsky Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Russian operatic baritone (b. 1962) "Dmitri Aleksandrovich Hvorostovsky (Russian: Дми́трий Алекса́ндрович Хворосто́вский, pronounced [xvərɐˈstofskʲɪj]; 16 October 1962 – 22 November 2017) was a Russian operatic baritone. ..."

Image licensed under CC BY 4.0? by www.kremlin.ru

22nd November 2013 🗓️ : Event - Magnus Carlsen Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen (pictured) defeated India's Viswanathan Anand to become world chess champion. "Sven Magnus Øen Carlsen (born 30 November 1990) is a Norwegian chess grandmaster. He is a five-time World Chess Champion, the reigning four-time World Rapid Chess Champion, the reigning six-time World Blitz Chess Champion, and the reigning Chess World Cup Champion. He has held the No. 1 position in..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0? by Этери Кублашвили (Eleri Kublashvili), ruchess.ru

22nd November 1973 🗓️ : Birth - Andrew Walker (rugby) Andrew Walker, Australian rugby player "Andrew Walker (born 22 November 1973) is an indigenous Australian former professional rugby footballer who represented his country in both rugby league and rugby union - a dual code international. Walker was the first dual code international to represent his country at rugby league before..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0? by paddynapper

22nd November 1923 🗓️ : Death - Andy O'Sullivan (Irish republican) Andy O'Sullivan died on Hunger Strike "Andy O'Sullivan (died 22 November 1923) was an Intelligence Officer and regional leader in the Irish Republican Army who died during the 1923 Irish hunger strikes while in prison...."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0? by MicheleCahill76

22nd November 1820 🗓️ : Birth - Katherine Plunket Katherine Plunket, Irish supercentenarian (d. 1932) "Katherine Plunket (born as Catherine Plunket; 22 November 1820 – 14 October 1932) was an Anglo Irish aristocrat and artist from Ballymascanlan, County Louth, a prolific Botanical illustrator and painter., the oldest person ever to be born and die in Ireland and the fourth oldest-lived Irish person..."

22nd November 🗓️ : Holiday - Christian feast day: Pragmatius of Autun "Saint Pragmatius of Autun (French: Pragmace; fl. c.520) was Bishop of Autun in the 6th century. He was a friend of Sidonius Apollinaris and Avitus of Vienne, and he participated in at least one of the councils of his time. He is venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church; his feast day is..."

Image licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0? by Zairon

#OnThisDayInWikiHistory #WikiUntamed #WikiWandering #WhereNext

[prayingthelabyrinth]

Awaiting the Last thing of this World

Awaiting the Last thing of this World

The church leader most well-known for taking on the Gnostic eschatology that was being promoted was Irenaeus. (130 – c. 202 AD) A Greek bishop noted for his role in guiding and expanding Christian communities in what is now the south of France and, more widely, for the development of Christian theology by combatting heresy and defining orthodoxy. During the persecution of Marcus Aurelius, the…

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[padawan-historian]

From @ericcervini's Instagram

——

I know what many of you may be thinking: who cares what’s in the Bible? Why should we even discuss it? Well, this lesson is for those who do care about what’s in the Bible, and for those with family members or neighbors who use it as a weapon against their identity or sense of belonging. I hope this lesson proves that such a weapon is deeply flawed––its anti-queerness is an imaginary, modern invention––and I hope that this knowledge empowers queer folks with the ability to combat religious-based bigotry when they witness it firsthand.

For more on queerness in the bible, see:

Robert K. Gnuse, “Seven Gay Texts: Biblical Passages Used to Condemn Homosexuality,” Biblical Theology Bulletin, 2015.

Lisa McClain, “A thousand years ago, the Catholic Church paid little attention to homosexuality,” The Conversation, April 10, 2019.

Idan Dershowitz, “The Secret History of Leviticus,” The New York Times, July 21, 2018.

John Boswell, Same-Sex Unions in Pre-Modern Europe, Villard Books, 1994.

John Boswell, Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century, University of Chicago Press, 1980.

Deryn Guest, Mona West, Robert E. Goss, Thomas Bohache, The Queer Bible Commentary, United Kingdom, SCM, 2006.

S. D. Powell, Do not press me to leave you: Narrative desire and the book of ruth, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global, 2015.

John C. Stephens, “The dreams of Perpetua: An historical application of the continuity hypothesis,” Stephens International Journal of Dream Research Volume 6, No. 2, 2013.

Philo Alexandrinus, Francis Henry Golson, George Herbert Whitaker, Ralph Marcus, Philo - Volume 6, Heinemann, 1929.

St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, “The Passion of SS. Perpetua and Felicity, MM: A New Edition and Translation of the Latin Text,” United Kingdom, Sheed and Ward, 1931.

#eric cervini #queerness #history #politics #religious imperialism #queer topics

[broiderie]

Lost Princessa: Meet the Reaper 10

See! I'm not that mean! I typed up 10 this evening so you wouldn't have to wait past the cliffhanger for very long. You guys better love me because I worked a 12 hour shift before typing this up.

Warnings: panic attack, guns, talk of human trafficking, cursing, a little steam at the end. All Spanish is from google so don't come for me too hard. I try to keep it at pet names mostly, but Hank doesn't like to cooperate. Be responsible for your own media consumption and don't steal my shit.

Megan couldn’t breathe. She could see everything happening in the room, but couldn’t hear it. She saw her father lose his temper for the first time ever. When Hank moved towards Palo the first time, Coco had drawn his gun. He’d had the patches with Diana and Tessa move them to a safer room, but he knew he couldn’t move Megan. By the time Hank’s gun was against the VM president’s head, Megan was sobbing in panic. She sank to the floor with Rex doing his best to overfill her lap.

Coco looked at her. “Ma. I know you’re scared, alright. I know. Just keep breathing, hold your dog, and stay down. Ain’t nothing gonna hurt you. I got you. I’m gonna put my hand on you, a’right. Just so I know where you are without lookin’. I got you. Promise.”

Megan nodded shakily and fought to breathe.

Coco put his body between Megan and the door with his free hand back and down on her head. He figured seeing Hank wasn’t going to help right then, so he blocked her view of the room. “Jus’ breathe, ma. Ain’t nobody gettin’ through me.” He watched the scene through the doors.

When the shot fired, Megan jumped and let out a breathless scream as she scrambled to see who’d been shot. Coco used his free hand to keep her head down. “Easy now. Ain’t us. We’re whole. Jus’ breathe. You got yer gun?” At her nod, he smiled. “Good girl, ma. Get it in your hand jus’ in case. Stay down. Taza and Hank will come when they can.”

Megan sat on Rex’s leash as she gasped for breath, but managed to draw her 9 mm so she’d be ready for anything.

The doors opened and Taza hurried out them with Hank right behind him. They both nodded and sighed in relief when they saw the situation.

Coco stepped away, but kept his gun out and his eyes scanning. “She’s a’right. Just scared. Didn’ see nothin’.”

Hank scooped her against his chest, handing Rex’s leash to Coco as he sank down with her in his lap. Megan reached for Taza and found him already reaching for her as well. “Wha- Wha- ha-pen?” she gasped out.

“Easy, Chica. Breathe for us. We’ll explain in a minute. First you need to breathe.” Taza held her good hand and pressed it to his chest so she could feel his breath. “There ya go. Good girl. Breathe.”

Hank buried his face in her hair. “You’re alright, mi amore. We’re here. You’re safe.” He rocked her gently. “Breathe with Taza.”

With gentle coaxing they got Megan’s breathing evened out. She hiccuped on sobs still, but the panic was easing surrounded by her father and Hank.

Marcus had hurried off to check on Diana and Tess when he saw that they weren’t with Megan, but came back as soon as he’d seen them and assured them that everyone was okay. He’d sent them home with his men as guards and given instructions to lock them down in the clubhouse.

The Sons and other Mayans started clean up. Chibs and Tig came to join the little family along with Bishop.

Chibs sank a glass of whiskey. “Fucking hell. Sorry about tha’. We didn’ know.” 

Bishop nodded. “We know. We just couldn’t let it go. Too much bad blood without what we found out here today. Now…”

Tig chuckled. “You can say that again.” He looked past Taza to Megan. “You alright there, Little Bit?”

Megan nodded and buried her face in Hank’s collar.

Chibs frowned and looked around. “She’ll need water. Where’s a damn prospect?”

Coco snorted. “They headed for the other side of the building and the fire doors as soon as the hardware came out. Ain’t seen ‘em since.”

Tig growled, but went behind the bar to find Megan water. He came back with two bottles and sat them down next to Taza and Hank.

Hank coaxed Megan to drink a little.

Taza kissed her forehead softly. “Will you be alright if I stand up, Chica? I’m not leaving. Just going to talk to your tíos.”

Megan nodded again. Hank held her close and rubbed her back gently as she began to shiver in reaction. Coco maintained his hold on Rex’s leash, keeping the big dog back despite him straining to reach Megan.

Taza stood with a sigh. “She’ll be alright.”

“You gonna tell her?” Tig asked quietly.

“Later,” Taza assured him. “In the meantime - what do we do about the guns?”

Tig flinched and glanced at Megan indecisively. “Hey-”

Chibs waved him off. “The girl’s alrigh’. Alvarez and Bishop both vouch for her. Say she knows everythin’.” 

Bishop nodded. “No secrets from her. Only reason she wasn’t at the table with us today was protocol.”

Tig threw his hands up in surrender.

Marcus sighed. “We need a port.”

“Aye. And fast,” Chibs agreed. He looked to Marcus. “What about your cartel contacts?”

“We’d lose it completely. Galindo would just use it as an in to cut out the middle man,” Bishop said.

“How long do we have?” Marcus asked.

Chibs sighed and ran a hand through his silver hair. “Last shipment is in two weeks. Port will close - maybe three days after tha’. Got maybe a month, but the Irish will want a plan sooner than tha’.”

The men all nodded.

Taza shook his head. “None of us is thinking clearly right now. We need time, and Megan needs rest.”

Marcus nodded. “He’s right. Poquito has had enough.”

Bishop looked at Coco. “Take the dog out, huh? She’s in no shape to do it. That way we can leave soon.”

“Course.” He started out.

Hank took Megan’s gun from the floor and tucked it into his kutte before he lifted her bridal styled and sat on the couch facing away from the meeting room with her in his lap.

Tig smiled a little at the sight of the pistol. “Tough chick. First, she didn’t run AND she was armed - damn.”

Bishop chuckled and patted Tig’s shoulder. “You have no idea, brother. And she’s STILL armed.”

About 20 minutes later, Happy came out of the meeting room wiping his hands on a black cloth. “How’s the girl?” he asked Tig.

Tig pointed at the couch where Megan remained in Hank’s lap. She was wrapped in the blanket roll from Bishop’s bike with Rex sitting on Hank’s feet on guard. “Recovering.”

Happy nodded before he approached the couch. He squatted to scratch Rex’s ears. “Hey, Little Girl. You good?”

Megan nodded and smiled slightly at the bald biker.

Happy grunted. “Good.” He looked down at Rex again. “Good dog.” He stood up and watched as Hank shifted Megan a moment to get a hand free for a handshake.

“You knew -” Hank said quietly.

Happy nodded. “Just an hour or so. No time to explain.”

Hank nodded back. “Thank you.”

Happy nodded again and gripped Hank’s shoulder. “Take care of the girl.”

“I will,” Hank assured him.

Happy turned and headed back into the meeting room to finish cleaning up.

Packer and his men walked the two remaining VM patches out in zip cuffs. They took them to a van waiting outside and loaded them up.

Megan watched worriedly and chewed her lip.

“Nah lass. Don’ ye worry ‘bout them. We’ll sort them out,” Chibs came over the perch on the coffee table nearby. “Yer safe. We’ll be sure o’ it.” He gently reached out to pat her knee. Then he looked up at Hank. “How long has she got left in the sling?”

“Two weeks, more or less,” Hank said. “Why?”

Chibs nodded. “That’ll be because of the wrist cast, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

He smiled down at Megan. “Tell ye wha’ - when that sling comes off, yeh come and see us.” He winked. “We’ll show you a real party then.”

Megan giggled. “When the sling and cast comes off - you should come to Santo Padre with Happy. We’ll see who can party at my quince.”

Chibs chuckled. “A royal invitation. I wouldna miss it, lass. I’ll be there.”

Bishop appeared at the doors. “We’re ready to head back to Oakland whenever she is, Tranq.”

Megan smiled a little. “I’m ready Tío.” She started unwrapping herself.

Chibs stood and then helped her to stand before he placed a whiskery kiss on her cheek. “Ride safe, lass.”

“You too, Chibs.”

Outside, Taza took the time Hank took putting up the top on the car to cuddle his daughter close. Megan rested more or less quietly against his chest with his chin on her hair. “Papa?”

“Yes, Sweet Chica?”

“You are going to tell me what happened, right?” She looked up at him.

Taza nodded and kissed her forehead. “Of course. I’ll tell you when we get back to Oakland.”

“Okay.”

He helped her into the passenger seat of her new car and buckled her in carefully as Hank loaded Rex into the back seat from his side. “Rest now. We’ll talk at your padrino’s.”

Once on the road, Hank covered Megan with his hoodie. “Are you warm enough, Princessa?”

She smiled at him. “I’m okay. Sorry I broke again.” She reached for him and he took her hand to place kisses on her knuckles.

Hank kept her hand close, breathing deeply. “But you didn’t break, mi amore. You were terrified - but you still drew your weapon. You followed Coco’s instructions. You followed chain of command and in a situation like that… that’s all anyone can ask for.” He kissed her palm and then her inner wrist.

“But Tía Diana didn’t -”

“Princessa - your Tía Diana has been the queen of the Mayans since before you were born. And I’m willing to bet she has her own breakdown tonight after Tessa goes to bed.”

They stopped at a red light and he turned to face her in the afternoon haze. “Just because you panic or are scared, doesn’t mean you’re broken. I was terrified in there. Terrified someone would make a wrong move and bullets would start to fly. Terrified you’d be hurt or that you’d be taken again while I was bust with club shit. Being afraid is natural. Acting through that fear is what makes you such a badass.” He leaned over to kiss her softly. “You aren’t broken, mi princessa. No more than any of the rest of us.”

Megan smiled up at him a little and nodded.

“Good girl.” He kissed her again and then sat back to drive.

Megan rested back against the seat and watched him with a deep breath. “Hank?”

“Yes, mi amore?”

“Did I cause that fight? Was it my fault that man died?” she asked quietly.

Hank sighed. “It wasn’t your fault, mi princessa. Palo was itching for a fight. He knew what he was doing. He just thought that he had the upper hand. He didn’t count on our willingness to fight for our family.” He pressed another kiss to the tender skin of her inner wrist.

She nodded quietly. “So, it wasn’t my fault?”

“No. It was not.” He smiled and adjusted her ring for her.

The drive back to Oakland was longer as they his evening traffic. They turned off at the exit that would take them to Marcus’ house and the bikes followed them. Bishop, Taza, and Coco stayed really close.

Marcus and the Oakland Mayans split off to the clubhouse. El Padrino wanted to check on his girls, but also wanted to give them time to fill Megan in without too large of an audience.

They pulled into the drive and Taza came to help Megan out of the passenger seat. Rex followed her faithfully. They met Hank and the others at the garage door, where Bishop unlocked it with a key from his pocket. They settled quickly into the den with Megan on the couch with Hank on her good side and Taza perched on the coffee table in front of her. Bishop sat nearby in the easy chair, but Coco roamed the room. He could never be still when he was anxious.

Megan took a deep breath and met her father’s eyes. “What happened today, Papa? Why were the VM there?”

Taza ran his ringed fingers through his hair with a heavy sigh. “Chibs called the meeting because SoA is ready to hand over the Irish gun trade. We’ve known it was coming for years. That wasn’t the problem.”

Megan leaned forward as Rex lifted his head from the rug to watch her. “Okay. What is?” She reached for her father’s hand to squeeze it. “I’m okay, Papa. You can tell me. I won’t break again.”

He smiled at her. “I know, Sweet Chica. I know.” He squeezed her hand gently back. “The port that SoA uses up here is being shut down. We have about a month to figure out how to get the guns into the country another way. Chibs thought that he had the problem already solved. Vatos Malditos have control of a port in Mexico. They were supposed to store and assemble the weapons there. We would transport to the buyers. That… didn’t go over well.”

Megan looked at all the men. “Why? I know Papa has bad blood with the VM…”

Bishop sat forward. “The VM are known for human trafficking, Poquito. Especially in young women. We won’t work with someone like that. Especially not after…”

“Brandon.” Megan said quietly. She swallowed and looked down to play with her rings. “Was he… did he…”

Hank stroked down her back firmly. “Yeah. He was connected to them.”

A single tear rolled down Megan’s cheek and she sniffed before wiping it away with the back of her hand. “That’s where he was taking me. Wasn’t it?” She looked up. “And Palo threw it in your face… didn’t he Papa?”

Taza nodded and swallowed. “There’s more, sweetheart.”

Megan straightened her spine and looked him in the eyes. “What else?”

Taza sighed. “Apparently, Palo… obtained… Gabriella the same way he intended to you, years ago. She was given her freedom as long as she kept Palo’s baby brother occupied and out of his hair…”

Megan covered her mouth in shock. “David?” she asked quietly.

Taza nodded. “And when Gabby fled - he just cut his losses on her. Until he went to Tennessee to meet with the ring Brandon was attached to.”

Bishop picked up the story. “Poquito - Palo found your mom after she had you. He’s the one who got her hooked on the drugs. He’s the reason you were in the system.”

Coco fired off curses under his breath in Spanish and paced faster.

“Did he track me?” Megan asked quietly. “Did he know where I was? Who I was? Is that what he threw at you?”

Taza nodded. “And he was the buyer Brandon had arranged.”

Everyone was quiet as Megan breathed deeply. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. “And he tried to use me as a bargaining chip to get his way. That’s why the Mayans exploded like that.”

“Not just the Mayans, Princessa,” Hank said quietly. “Happy had his gun to the bastard’s head before anyone. And Happy made sure that he and I were the only ones in that room with guns.”

“Chibs made the call for Palo’s death-” Bishop said.

“Because he didn’t want the deal tainted. He didn’t want the Mayans to be the ones no one trusted to sit down with…” said a voice from the door. Marcus joined them. “If it had been anywhere else beside a sit down, Chibs would have gifted Palo to us to finish.” He walked in to sit in the other arm chair, pausing only to press a kiss to Megan’s hair.

“How’s Tía Diana and Tessa?” Megan asked softly. “Did Tessa see anything?”

Marcus smiled a little. “Mi Reina is pissed. She doesn’t like when things go sideways. She’s calming down at the park with Tessa. And your prima is fine, Poquito. She didn’t see or hear anything thanks to those fancy ass headphones and her game.” He looked up at Coco. “My guys say I have you to thank for that. You told them to get them out early.”

Coco nodded. “Little kids don’t need to see that shit. I told them to move them to a room where they could get them out if they needed to. Sorry, Padrino. I know I shouldn’t have been ordering your guys, but Megan was my charge and she had to stay put.”

Marcus shook his head. “No apologies needed, hermano. You did exactly what you needed to. And you kept Poquito shielded too.”

“Yeah, well next time - no offense, ma - but next time whoever I’m guardin’ is getting fuckin’ kevlar, man. That shit was reckless. Stray bullets happen.” Coco adjusted his kutte.

“Agreed.” Bishop said. “Next time, Poquito wears a vest if we don’t know exactly what we’re walking into. I don’t give a fuck who it offends.”

Taza nodded, but didn’t speak. He was in his own head, lost in the past, again. Megan could see it. She reached for his hand again. “Papa?”

Taza started a little, but smiled when he looked at Megan. “Yeah?”

“Palo is dead. He was the last one who could come for me - and he’s dead now. He was the one who hurt David too, right? He’s gone forever.” She smiled at him . “That means I really am safe now.”

He smiled and tugged her into his lap to cuddle her close. “Yeah. You really are.”

Marcus smiled, but cleared his throat. “Unfortunately - today isn’t over yet. I got a call from Galindo’s man, Nestor. He needs a sit down - as soon as we can manage it. Apparently Galindo was held by the Feds along with his entire family. He’s got something he needs to talk to us about.”

Bishop sighed and rubbed his beard. “Alright. We could drive tonight. Meet him at the casino tomorrow. I’ll have the rest of the club meet us there.”

Hank sighed and looked at Megan. “Damn it.”

Marcus chuckled a little. “Sorry, hermano. I know you had plans for Poquito tonight.”

Megan looked puzzled. “But the club… after the meeting…”

“Could have waited one more night, mi princessa. I was supposed to take you out tonight for your birthday.” Hank smiled at her where she leaned against Taza’s side. “I swear, we WILL get a date night eventually.”

Taza laughed and pressed a kiss to Megan’s hair as he shook off his gloomy thoughts. “At least we’ll be at the Rez.” He looked at Bishop and Marcus. “I’ll call Adam. Get us rooms. Maybe he’s got a conference suite open.”

Marcus sighed. “For two of my guys too.”

“Alright.”

Everyone split up to pack. Megan giggled as she realized that the entire trunk of her new mustang was filled with shopping bags from the day before. There would be barely any room for their duffles. “Don’t you think y’all went a little overboard, Hank?”

Hank chuckled. “Never, mi princessa.” He pressed a kiss to the back of her neck.

She arched slightly into him to encourage more contact.

He gave in and paused in his packing to pull her back into his chest and nuzzle and kiss the skin of her neck. “I am sorry, mi reina. I had big plans for tonight.”

“Mm?” Megan gave a tiny gasp of pleasure as he found a particular spot and leaned into him.

He smiled and pressed his palm to her lower belly to hold her close. “I promise, we will celebrate your birthday properly, mi amore. Even if it’s a little late and not quite what I had planned.”

She shivered a little at the feeling of his breath on her neck and nodded lacing her fingers through his with a smile. “I don’t care. As long as we’re together.:

He pressed her close and used his other hand to guide her face around so he could kiss her deeply. When he pulled back, he did it very slowly. “Always, mi reina.”

She smiled sweetly up at him. “Then it will be perfect.”

Hank sucked in a breath at that beautiful smile and buried his face in the crook of her neck and left shoulder. “Te amo mi reina hermosa. No tienes idea de cuanto.” He held her close until his emotions and body calmed. “C’mon, mi princessa. Let’s finish packing. Your papa will be waiting.”

Taglist:

@jemmakates

@msjava1972

@drabbles-mc

@delightfulheroshoeflap

@xeniarocks

@iamthegraham

@oureternalbond

@lyly00

@camelia355

#lost princessa #lost princessa sequel #meet the reaper #taza x daughter!oc #taza romero #che taza romero #megan(oc) x hank #hank loza x oc!megan #hank loza #coco cruz #johnny coco cruz #bishop losa #obispo losa #marcus alvarez #chibs telford #filip telford #happy lowman #tig trager #mayansmc #mayans imagine #mayans fx #mayans #mayans mc #mayans mc fanfic #mayans mc fanfiction #sons of anarchy

[spiderandthesims]

1880s Names

A

Boys

Abel, Abraham, Adam, Addison, Adelbert, Alexander, Alfred, Aloysius, Alphonse, Ambrose, Amos, Anderson, Andrew, Angus, Anthony, Anton, Archibald, Art, Arthur, Aubrey, August, Augustine, Augustus, Avery

Girls

Ada, Adelaide, Adele, Adeline, Agatha, Agnes, Alice, Alma, Almeda, Alta, Anastasia, Angeline, Anna, Annabelle, Anne, Arizona, Augusta, Augustine, Aurelia, Aurora

B

Boys

Barney, Benjamin, Bennett, Bernard, Bishop, Bradford

Girls

Beatrice, Bernadette, Bess, Bessie, Beulah, Birdie

C

Boys

Carlton, Carson, Casper, Cassius, Cecil, Charles, Chauncey, Chester, Christian, Christopher, Clarence, Claude, Clement, Clifford, Coleman, Conrad, Cornelius, Curtis

Girls

Camille, Caroline, Catherine, Cecilia, Celestia, Celestine, Celia, Charity, Charlotte, Christine, Claire, Clara, Clarice, Claudia, Clementine, Conception, Constance, Corda, Cordelia, Cornelia

D

Boys

Dallas, Daniel, Darius, David, Dennis, Dewitt, Dorsey, Douglas, Dudley, Dwight

Girls

Daisy, Delia, Della, Delphia, Docia, Dollie, Dolly, Dolores, Dora, Dorcas, Doris, Dorothy, Dove, Dovie, Drucilla

E

Boys

Early, Edmond, Edward, Edwin, Eldridge, Eli, Elias, Elijah, Elliott, Ellis, Ellsworth, Elmer, Elton, Elwood, Emerson, Emery, Emil, Emmett, Enoch, Ephraim, Erasmus, Erastus ,Eric, Ernest, Ervin, Erwin, Eugene, Everett, Ezra

Girls

Edith, Edmonia, Effie, Elaine, Elda, Eldora, Eleanor, Elise, Eliza, Elizabeth, Ella, Elma, Elnora, Eloise, Elsa, Elsie, Emily, Emma, Emmaline, Era, Erma, Erna, Ernestine, Essie, Esta, Estella, Estelle, Esther, Ethel, Ethelyn, Etta, Eudora, Eugenia, Eula, Eulalia, Eunice, Euphemia

F

Boys

Felix, Ferdinand, Francis, Franklin, Frederick, Fredrick

Girls

Fanny, Fay, Felicia, Fern, Fidelia, Flora, Florence, Florida, Francis

G

Boys

Gabriel, Garrett, General, George, Gideon, Giles, Golden, Gregory

Girls

Geneva, Genevieve, Georgia, Georgie, Goldie, Grace, Gwendolyn

H

Boys

Harmon, Harold, Harris, Harrison, Henry, Hollis, Homer, Horace, Howard, Howard, Howell, Hugo

Girls

Harriett, Hattie, Henrietta, Hester, Honora, Hope, Hortense

I

Boys

Irving

Girls

Imogene, Indiana, Iona, Iris, Isadora

J

Boys

Jack, Jackson, Jacob, James, Jasper, Jeremiah, John, Jonathan, Joseph, Josiah, Judson, Jules, Julian, Junius

Girls

Jane, Josephine, Judith, Julia, Julie, Juliet, June

K

Boys

Kenneth

Girls

Kathleen

L

Boys

Lawrence, Lawson, Leander, Leonard, Lewis, Lionel, Logan, Lucien, Lucius, Luther, Lyman

Girls

Lacy, Lillian, Lilly, Louise, Lucia, Lucille, Lucinda, Lucretia, Lucy

M

Boys

Major, Malcolm, Marcus, Marshall, Martin, Mason, Mathias, Matthew, Maurice, Maxwell, Michael, Miles, Milo, Milton, Monroe, Morgan, Mortimer

Girls

Mabel, Madeline, Magnolia, Marie, Mary, Matilda, Maude, May, Melinda, Mildred, Millicent, Millie, Minerva, Minnie, Miriam, Missouri, Mollie, Mona

N

Boys

Nathan, Nathaniel, Neil, Nelson, Newton, Nicholas, Noah, Noel, Norman, Norris

Girls

Netta, Nettie, Nevada, Nona, Nora, Norah, Norma

O

Boys

Oliver, Oren, Orson, Otis, Otto, Owen

Girls

Odelia, Odessa, Ola, Olive, Ona, Opal, Ophelia, Ora, Orpha, Ottilie

P

Boys

Patrick, Percival, Percy, Peter, Phillip, Pierce, Pleasant

Girls

Pansy, Parthenia, Patience, Pearl, Penelope, Permelia, Philomena, Phoebe, Polly, Priscilla, Prudence

Q

Boys

Quincy

R

Boys

Raymond, Richard, Richmond, Robert, Rodney, Roger, Ross

Girls

Rita, Rosalie, Rose, Rowena, Ruby, Ruth

S

Boys

Samuel, Seymore, Sidney, Silas, Simon, Solomon, Stanley, Stephan, Sterling, Stewart, Sylvester

Girls

Samantha, Sophronia

T

Boys

Thaddeus, Theodore, Thomas, Thorton, Tillman, Timothy, Tobias, Truman

Girls

Tennessee, Thelma, Theodora, Theodosia, Theresa, Tillie

U

Boys

Ulysses

Girls

Una

V

Boys

Valentine, Vernon, Victor, Vincent, Virgil

Girls

Vera, Verona, Vesta, Victoria, Viola, Violet, Virginia, Vivian

W

Boys

Walker, Wallace, Walter, Warren, Watson, Webster, Wesley, Wilber, Wilbert, Wilbur, Wiley, Wilfred, Willam, Willard, William, Wilson, Winfield

Girls

Wilda, Wilhelmina, Wilma, Winifred, Winnifred, Winona

Z

Girls

Zella, Zora

#1880s #baby names #sims 4 decades challenge #ts4 historical #This is part one of a series of posts #if you have trouble naming sims especially for the decade and historical challenges feel free to use this as a resource #i went thru the top 1000 names of the 1880s in the ssa name census and picked the ones i liked and hated the least lol #txt

[troybeecham]

Today the Church remembers the Martyrs of Scillium.

Orate pro nobis.

The Scillitan Martyrs were a company of early North African Christians who suffered under Marcus Aurelius in A.D. 180, and whose Acta are at once the earliest documents of the Church of Africa and the earliest example of Christian Latin. The martyrs take their name from Scilla (or Scillium), a town in Numidia (Algeria). Their trial and execution took place in Carthage under the Pro-consul Vigellius Saturninus, whom Tertullian declares to have been the first persecutor of the Christians in Africa.

The date of their martyrdom is the 17th of July A.D. 180. It is thus the concluding scene of the persecution under Marcus Aurelius, which is best known from the sufferings of the churches of Vienne and Lyons in South Gaul. Marcus Aurelius died on the 17th of March of the year in question, and persecution ceased almost immediately upon the accession of his son Commodus. A group of sufferers called the Madaurian martyrs seems to belong to the same period: for in the correspondence of St Augustine, Namphamo, one of their number, is spoken of as “archimartyr,” which appears to mean protomartyr (first martyr) of Africa.

We have in this martyrdom an excellent example of “Acts of Martyrs” properly so called. The document is in brief legal form, beginning with the date and the names of the accused, and giving the actual dialogue between them and their judge. It closes with the sentence, based on “obstinate” persistency in an illicit (illegal) religion, and with the proclamation by the herald of the names of the offenders and the penalty. All this may quite well be a transcript of the Acta, or official report of the proceedings. A Christian appends the words: “ And so they all together were crowned with martyrdom; and they reign with the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, for ever and ever. Amen.”

The Scillitan sufferers were twelve in all—seven men and five women. Their names were Speratus, Nartzalus, Cintinus (Cittinus), Veturius, Felix, Aquilinus, Laetantius, Januaria, Generosa, Vestia, Donata, and Secunda. Two of these bear Punic (Carthaginian) names (Nartzalus, Cintinus), but the rest Latin names. Six had already been tried: of the remainder, to whom these Acta primarily relate, Speratus is the principal spokesman. He claims for himself and his companions that they have lived a quiet and moral life, paying their dues and doing no wrong to their neighbours. But when called upon to swear by the genius of the emperor, he replies: “I recognize not the empire of this world; but rather do I serve that God whom no man hath seen, nor with these eyes can see.” Here he uses the language of 1 Tim. vi. 16; and it is interesting also to note that in reply to the question, “What are the things in your satchel?” he says, “Books and letters of Paul, a just man.”

The dialogue between the Proconsul and the martyrs shows that the former entertained no prejudices against the Christians. He was simply upholding the laws of the empire and the official order of persecution of Christians. He exhorts them to comply with the law, and when they decline he suggests that they take time to think on the matter. The martyrs are offered a delay of thirty days to reconsider their decision, but this they all alike refuse. They were then put to death by the sword.

These Acts have been long known in an expanded form, or rather in a variety of later recension’s. The fame of the martyrs led to the building of a basilica in their honour at Carthage. Agobard, archbishop of Lyons (c. AD 779–840) stated that the relics of Speratus (along with those of another martyr named St. Cyprian, bishop of Carthage, who was martyred under emperor Valerian in AD 258) were taken by Charlemagne's orders from Carthage to Lyons.

Almighty God, who gave to your servants Speratus, Nartzalus, Cintinus, Veturius, Felix, Aquilinus, Laetantius, Januaria, Generosa, Vestia, Donata, and Secunda boldness to confess the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

#father troy beecham #christianity #jesus #saints #god #salvation #peace #martyrs #faith #early church #christian martyrs #christian persecution

[xxskycrystalxx]

ADOW Season 3 Thoughts [Spoilers Heavy]

Finally finished ADOW S3 and wow. Just wow. Still in shock that it’s over but here are my thoughts on the last season. (also, I have not read the third book yet, so I will make another post afterwards, this will be based on show only)

Bishmont will forever and always be a part of me, I love them to death and I think that this season wrapped up their story well enough (gotta read time’s convert soon). Their love story is one of the best I’ve seen (and read), Matthew & Teresa did an absolutely wonderful and fantastic job of portraying them both and their love for one another. Chemistry is off the charts, and there were plenty of moments/nuances between them, that I loved this season. Their “goodbye” to each other at ep. 6 and Matthew waking up brought some tears to my eyes, and THAT scene in ep. 5 ;) And the birth of the twins!!!! They did it so well, I think the birthing is my favorite thing of s3 ngl (tho Ysabeau should’ve been there), and that dance at the end was just perfect~! Besides the fact that it was funny how they were casually dancing and making out while everyone else was just doing their own thing, I guess you can say they’re in their own world ;) Also them being parents just warms my heart, so many “aww” moments. 

Matthew calling Diana mon coeur and ma lionne has set the standards for me, because I mean c’mon how can it not?

Miriam & Chris? I SHIP THEM SO HARD, they had really good chemistry in the short amount of scenes we see them in, I’m not sure if it’s like that in the books but I’m going to stick with it. 

Chris & Fernando really came in and said “people love us” and there’s no doubt about that. 

Jack having blood rage surprised me a bit but I got over it real quick. He’s like a bean with anger issues lol but still a bean. 

Idk if we were supposed to feel pity for Benjamin but I surely didn’t.

Satu really became the next Peter Knox huh? Sorry (NOT) but she had it coming.

Phoebe & Marcus? C U T E!! Can’t wait to read Time’s Convert. Truth be told, I liked them way more in S3 than in S2 for some reason and I have no idea why....

Baldwin was iffy to me. He’s literally such a jerk but he’s not a bad guy. Liked him so much more towards the end of the season, I liked the moments between him and Matthew, and him and Ysabeau. 

Gallowglass, dear dear Gallowglass. My poor boi. Tbh, him liking Diana was kind of out of nowhere to me? I never really got that sense from him while watching the show (maybe in the books it’s more fleshed out), but I rlly just felt bad for him because he’s pining for someone he can never have. If I didn’t like Matthew as much as I did, I could see him with Diana. He deserves to find happiness for himself so hopefully Deborah will write a book on him? Pretty please? He is one of my favorite characters. 

Agatha Wilson, Sarah Bishop, Ysabeau DeClermont, Miriam Sheppard, Phoebe Taylor, Diana Bishop are quite literally ✨BADASS QUEENS ✨

The fights/conclusion of the villains in ADOW was kind of anti-climatic for me. I was kind of expecting more tbh, like with Knox I didn’t think he’d be taken out just like that, Benjamin.... was kind of expecting the others to take him down but I’m fine with how he went out with Diana and her Goddess’s arrow, and with Satu... was expecting some actual fight? But then again Diana is so overpowered at this point that I shouldn’t have expected much LMAO

The magic moments never fail to excite and amaze me. 

Ransom and Geraldine, would’ve liked to see more of them.

Domenico coming through at the end was great. 

The twins!! Rebecca & Philip are precious and will grow up with lots of love. That moment at the Christening when the priest was asking about the God parents and like 10 people stood up had me laughing, but it was great. Also, I’m still a bit puzzled on what the twins actually are. I know Rebecca is a vampire? And Philip is a witch? But it seems like they’re both? But it wasn’t really specified, or did I just miss it and is actually dumb? LOL

Marcus & Matthew & Jack: Matthew has much to make up for and improve on (he is quite a flawed character but he’s trying to be better), but I think he’s a good father-ish (with Jack, but he needs to be way better for Marcus) and will be a better one with the twins. Loved seeing his moments with his sons, and he looks way too good with babies <333

Diana’s outfit when going to the Congregation? ABSOLUTELY STUNNING and Agatha becoming the new leader? As she should.

Good ol’ Hamish.

Timothy deserved better and Philip should’ve been alive to see the twins. 

The DeClermont family is the best family. (problematic but also very wholesome)

Overall, though difficult to come in terms that ADOW has ended, the season was a good one and a good conclusion to the story. Thank you to Deborah Harkness for creating these characters and story that we know and love and to the wonderful and irreplaceable cast that played them. Thank you to Matthew Goode and Teresa Palmer for giving us such a impactful performance and giving us Matthew & Diana. I hope to see you guys work together again. 

“It begins with absence and desire. It begins with blood and fear. It begins with a discovery of witches.” 

“In every ending, there is a new beginning.”

#a discovery of witches #adow #adow 3 #my thoughts #diana bishop #matthew de clairmont #matthew goode #teresa palmer #wasn't going to write this much but once i started i couldnt stop #its been a great journey #adow will always have a special place in my heart #adow spoilers

[confusedgenzstudent]

MP's who voted against free school meals: Part 1

Nigel Adams (Selby and Ainsty),

Bim Afolami (Hitchin and Harpenden),

Adam Afriyie (Windsor),

Imran Ahmad Khan (Wakefield),

Nickie Aiken (Cities of London and Westminster),

Peter Aldous (Waveney), Lucy Allan (Telford),

David Amess (Southend West), Lee Anderson (Ashfield),

Stuart Anderson (Wolverhampton South West),

Stuart Andrew (Pudsey),

Edward Argar (Charnwood),

Sarah Atherton (Wrexham),

Victoria Atkins (Louth and Horncastle),

Gareth Bacon (Orpington),

Richard Bacon (South Norfolk),

Kemi Badenoch (Saffron Walden),

Shaun Bailey (West Bromwich West),

Duncan Baker (North Norfolk),

Steve Baker (Wycombe),

Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire),

Steve Barclay (North East Cambridgeshire),

Simon Baynes (Clwyd South),

Aaron Bell (Newcastle-under-Lyme),

Scott Benton (Blackpool South),

Paul Beresford (Mole Valley),

Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen),

Saqib Bhatti (Meriden),

Bob Blackman (Harrow East),

Crispin Blunt (Reigate),

Peter Bone (Wellingborough),

Peter Bottomley (Worthing West),

Andrew Bowie (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine),

Ben Bradley (Mansfield),

Karen Bradley (Staffordshire Moorlands),

Graham Brady (Altrincham and Sale West),

Suella Braverman (Fareham),

Jack Brereton (Stoke-on-Trent South),

Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire),

Steve Brine (Winchester),

Paul Bristow (Peterborough),

Sara Britcliffe (Hyndburn),

James Brokenshire (Old Bexley and Sidcup),

Anthony Browne (South Cambridgeshire),

Fiona Bruce (Congleton),

Felicity Buchan (Kensington),

Robert Buckland (South Swindon),

Alex Burghart (Brentwood and Ongar),

Conor Burns (Bournemouth West),

Rob Butler (Aylesbury),

Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan),

Andy Carter (Warrington South),

James Cartlidge (South Suffolk),

William Cash (Stone),

Miriam Cates (Penistone and Stocksbridge),

Maria Caulfield (Lewes), Alex Chalk (Cheltenham),

Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham),

Jo Churchill (Bury St Edmunds),

Greg Clark (Tunbridge Wells),

Simon Clarke (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland),

Theo Clarke (Stafford),

Brendan Clarke-Smith (Bassetlaw),

Chris Clarkson (Heywood and Middleton),

James Cleverly (Braintree),

Therese Coffey (Suffolk Coastal),

Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe),

Alberto Costa (South Leicestershire),

Robert Courts (Witney),

Claire Coutinho (East Surrey),

Geoffrey Cox (Torridge and West Devon),

Virginia Crosbie (Ynys Mon),

James Daly (Bury North),

David T C Davies (Monmouth),

James Davies (Vale of Clwyd),

Gareth Davies (Grantham and Stamford),

Mims Davies (Mid Sussex),

Philip Davies (Shipley),

David Davis (Haltemprice and Howden),

Dehenna Davison (Bishop Auckland),

Caroline Dinenage (Gosport),

Sarah Dines (Derbyshire Dales),

Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon),

Michelle Donelan (Chippenham),

Nadine Dorries (Mid Bedfordshire),

Steve Double (St Austell and Newquay),

Oliver Dowden (Hertsmere),

Jackie Doyle-Price (Thurrock),

Richard Drax (South Dorset),

Flick Drummond (Meon Valley),

David Duguid (Banff and Buchan),

Iain Duncan Smith (Chingford and Woodford Green),

Philip Dunne (Ludlow),

Mark Eastwood (Dewsbury),

Ruth Edwards (Rushcliffe),

Michael Ellis (Northampton North),

Tobias Ellwood (Bournemouth East),

Natalie Elphicke (Dover),

George Eustice (Camborne and Redruth),

Luke Evans (Bosworth),

David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford),

Ben Everitt (Milton Keynes North),

Michael Fabricant (Lichfield),

Laura Farris (Newbury),

Simon Fell (Barrow and Furness), Katherine Fletcher (South Ribble), Mark Fletcher (Bolsover), Nick Fletcher (Don Valley), Vicky Ford (Chelmsford), Kevin Foster (Torbay),

Mark Francois (Rayleigh and Wickford),

Lucy Frazer (South East Cambridgeshire),

George Freeman (Mid Norfolk),

Mike Freer (Finchley and Golders Green),

Richard Fuller (North East Bedfordshire),

Marcus Fysh (Yeovil),

Mark Garnier (Wyre Forest),

Nusrat Ghani (Wealden),

Nick Gibb (Bognor Regis and Littlehampton),

Peter Gibson (Darlington),

Jo Gideon (Stoke-on-Trent Central),

Cheryl Gillan (Chesham and Amersham),

John Glen (Salisbury),

Robert Goodwill (Scarborough and Whitby),

Michael Gove (Surrey Heath),

Richard Graham (Gloucester),

Helen Grant (Maidstone and The Weald),

James Gray (North Wiltshire),

Chris Grayling (Epsom and Ewell),

Chris Green (Bolton West),

Damian Green (Ashford),

Andrew Griffith (Arundel and South Downs),

Kate Griffiths (Burton),

James Grundy (Leigh),

Jonathan Gullis (Stoke-on-Trent North),

Luke Hall (Thornbury and Yate),

Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon),

Matt Hancock (West Suffolk),

Greg Hands (Chelsea and Fulham),

Mark Harper (Forest of Dean),

Rebecca Harris (Castle Point),

Trudy Harrison (Copeland),

Sally-Ann Hart (Hastings and Rye),

Simon Hart (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire),

John Hayes (South Holland and The Deepings),

Oliver Heald (North East Hertfordshire),

Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry),

Gordon Henderson (Sittingbourne and Sheppey),

Darren Henry (Broxtowe),

Antony Higginbotham (Burnley),

Damian Hinds (East Hampshire),

Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton),

Philip Hollobone (Kettering),

Adam Holloway (Gravesham),

Paul Holmes (Eastleigh),

John Howell (Henley),

Paul Howell (Sedgefield),

Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire),

Eddie Hughes (Walsall North),

Jane Hunt (Loughborough),

Jeremy Hunt (South West Surrey),

Tom Hunt (Ipswich),

Alister Jack (Dumfries and Galloway),

Sajid Javid (Bromsgrove),

Ranil Jayawardena (North East Hampshire),

Mark Jenkinson (Workington),

Andrea Jenkyns (Morley and Outwood),

Robert Jenrick (Newark),

Boris Johnson (Uxbridge and South Ruislip),

Caroline Johnson (Sleaford and North Hykeham),

Gareth Johnson (Dartford), David Johnston (Wantage),

Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough),

Fay Jones (Brecon and Radnorshire),

David Jones (Clwyd West),

Marcus Jones (Nuneaton),

Simon Jupp (East Devon),

Daniel Kawczynski (Shrewsbury and Atcham),

Alicia Kearns (Rutland and Melton),

Gillian Keegan (Chichester),

Julian Knight (Solihull),

Greg Knight (East Yorkshire),

Danny Kruger (Devizes),

Kwasi Kwarteng (Spelthorne),

John Lamont (Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk),

Robert Largan (High Peak),

Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire),

Edward Leigh (Gainsborough),

Ian Levy (Blyth Valley),

Andrew Lewer (Northampton South),

Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth),

Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater and West Somerset),

Chris Loder (West Dorset),

Mark Logan (Bolton North East),

Marco Longhi (Dudley North),

Julia Lopez (Hornchurch and Upminster),

Jack Lopresti (Filton and Bradley Stoke),

Jonathan Lord (Woking),

Craig Mackinlay (South Thanet),

Cherilyn Mackrory (Truro and Falmouth),

Rachel Maclean (Redditch),

Alan Mak (Havant),

Kit Malthouse (North West Hampshire),

Anthony Mangnall (Totnes),

Scott Mann (North Cornwall),

Julie Marson (Hertford and Stortford),

Theresa May (Maidenhead),

Jerome Mayhew (Broadland),

Karl McCartney (Lincoln),

Mark Menzies (Fylde),

Johnny Mercer (Plymouth, Moor View),

Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle),

Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock),

Robin Millar (Aberconwy), Maria Miller (Basingstoke),

Amanda Milling (Cannock Chase),

Nigel Mills (Amber Valley),

Andrew Mitchell (Sutton Coldfield),

Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire),

Robbie Moore (Keighley),

Penny Mordaunt (Portsmouth North),

David Morris (Morecambe and Lunesdale),

James Morris (Halesowen and Rowley Regis),

Wendy Morton (Aldridge-Brownhills),

Kieran Mullan (Crewe and Nantwich),

David Mundell (Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale),

Sheryll Murray (South East Cornwall),

Andrew Murrison (South West Wiltshire),

Robert Neill (Bromley and Chislehurst),

Caroline Nokes (Romsey and Southampton North),

Jesse Norman (Hereford and South Herefordshire),

Neil O'Brien (Harborough),

Guy Opperman (Hexham),

Owen Paterson (North Shropshire),

Mark Pawsey (Rugby),

Mike Penning (Hemel Hempstead),

John Penrose (Weston-super-Mare),

Chris Philp (Croydon South),

Christopher Pincher (Tamworth),

Rebecca Pow (Taunton Deane),

Victoria Prentis (Banbury),

Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin),

Jeremy Quin (Horsham),

Will Quince (Colchester),

Tom Randall (Gedling),

John Redwood (Wokingham),

Jacob Rees-Mogg (North East Somerset),

Nicola Richards (West Bromwich East),

Angela Richardson (Guildford),

Rob Roberts (Delyn),

Laurence Robertson (Tewkesbury),

Mary Robinson (Cheadle),

Andrew Rosindell (Romford),

Lee Rowley (North East Derbyshire),

Dean Russell (Watford),

David Rutley (Macclesfield),

Gary Sambrook (Birmingham, Northfield),

Selaine Saxby (North Devon), Paul Scully (Sutton and Cheam),

Bob Seely (Isle of Wight), Andrew Selous (South West Bedfordshire),

#never trust a tory #tory incompetence #tory mp #united kingdom #pandemic #kids #marcus rashford

[orthodoxydaily]

Saints&Reading: Tue., Aug. 18, 2020

Commemorated on August 5_Julian Calendar

The Martyr Pontius (267)

     The Martyr Pontius lived during the III Century, the son of a pagan Roman senator named Marcus and his wife Julia. While with child, Julia had gone with her husband to the pagan temple of Jupiter. The devil, inhabiting the temple, shouted from the lips of the pagan priest that the boy in Julia's womb would destroy Jupiter and his pagan temple. When the boy was born, his mother wanted to kill him out of fear of the prediction, but his father opposed this and the child was left to live. He was named Pontius, and he grew up sharp of mind and keen for study. On his way to the pagan school Pontius happened to go past an house, where Christians were making the morning Divine-services. Hearing the words of the psalm which the Christians were singing: "pagan idols be silver and gold, the works of the hands of men..." (Ps. 113: 12 [115: 4]). Pontius became very interested in this verse and he paused at the gate. Pope Pontian, who was making the service, invited Pontius and his companion Valerian to come in. After the service, the pope talked for a long while with the youths, revealing to them the Gospel teachings, and after a certain while he baptised them. Saint Pontius in turn likewise converted his father to Christ, whom Pope Pontian also baptised, together with his whole household. And after the death of his father, Saint Pontius, then 20 years old, was appointed by the emperor Alexander Severus (222-235) as a senator, to take the place of his deceased father. In the Senate and the surroundings of the emperor, Saint Pontius enjoyed universal esteem for his good nature, sound sense and fairness. Under the successor to the emperor Alexander Severus – Maximian (235-238), Pope Saint Pontian finished his life as a martyr (+ 235).      Pope Saint Antherus was elected Bishop of Rome in place of Pope Saint Pontian, and he too soon accepted suffering and death for Christ (+ 236). His successor was Pope Saint Fabian (Fabius), who as a presbyter fearlessly gave burial to the bodies of martyrs. Pope Saint Fabian loved Saint Pontius as though he were his own flesh and blood son. Saint Pontius distributed with Saint Fabian all his substance on the needs of the poor. After the perishing of impious Maximian, the new emperor Gordian (238-244) did not persecute Christians, and thereafter in turn the emperor Philip (244-249) together with his co-regent son Philip was persuaded by the conversations and preaching of Saint Pontius to believe in Christ and to accept Baptism from holy Pope Fabian. With the permission of the emperors, Saints Pontius and Fabian threw down the statue of Jupiter at the pagan temple and on this place built a church. For 4 years the Church of Christ dwelt in peace and tranquility. But then Decius (249-251) ascended the throne, having organised a rebellion and murdered the emperor Philip and his son. And during this time Sainted Fabian, Pope of Rome (+ 250), accepted death for Christ. But Saint Pontius left Rome for the city of Cimelum (on the border of Italy and Gaul-France) and lived there like a stranger. During the time of the emperor Valerian (253-259), cruel torturers were sent out with full authority to all ends to seek out and kill all Christians. And thus Claudius and Anubius arrived in the city of Cimelum for this purpose. Saint Pontius fearlessly confessed himself a Christian and refused to offer sacrifice to idols. They shackled him in irons and threw him in prison. From the very beginning of the torture the saint calmly admonished the torturers, that the Lord would bring to naught the torture and they would see the power of God. And indeed, as soon as the servants attempted to tie Saint Pontius to the rack, it fell apart to pieces, and the torturers fell to the ground as though dead.      "Be convinced, O man of little faith, in the power of my Lord", – said Saint Pontius to Claudius, but on the advice of Anubius he gave Saint Pontius over to be devoured by two bears in the circus. The wild beasts, while not touching the saint, fell instead upon their keepers and tore at them. The spectators began to shout: "God only is the Christian God, in Whom believeth Pontius". By order of the torturers a bon-fire was built, but it burnt out, and the saint remained alive, and even his clothes did not burn. The crowd shouted all the more strongly: "Great is the God of the Christians!" Saint Pontius then was sentenced to beheading by the sword, and the execution was made out beyond the city in the year 257. The body of Saint Pontius was given burial at the place of execution by his comrade and friend Valerian.

© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.

Martyr Eusignios of Antioch (362)

     The Martyr Eusignios was born at Antioch in the mid III Century. Over the course of sixty years he served in the Roman armies of the emperors Diocletian, Maximian Hercules, Constantius Chlorus, Constantine the Great and his sons. Saint Eusignios was a companion of Saint Basiliskos (Comm. 3 March and 22 May), and he provided an account of his deed of martyrdom (+ c. 308). At the beginning of the reign of Saint Constantine the Great, Saint Eusignios was a witness to the appearance in the sky of the starry Cross, a prediction of victory. Saint Eusignios retired in his old age from military service and returned to his own country. There he spent his time in prayer, fasting, and attending the temple of God. And thus he lived until the reign of Julian the Apostate (361-363), who yearned for a return to paganism. Through the denunciation of one of the Antioch citizens, Saint Eusignios stood trial as a Christian before the emperor Julian in the year 362. He fearlessly accused the emperor of apostacy from Christ, and reproached him with the example of his relative, Constantine the Great, and he described in detail how he himself had been an eyewitness to the appearance in the sky of the sign of the Cross. Julian did not spare the quite old Saint Eusignios, then 110 years old, but rather ordered him beheaded.

© 1996-2001 by translator Fr. S. Janos.

2 Corinthians 2:14-3:3

14Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.15For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.16To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

1Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? 2You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

Matthew 23:29-39

29Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous,30and say, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.'31Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.32Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers' guilt.33Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?34Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,35that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.36Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!38See! Your house is left to you desolate;39for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'

#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristianity #ancientfaith #firstchristian #spirituality #sacredtext #gospel #scripture