History of cats
Historical facts indicate that the first domestic cat appeared in Egypt. Some researchers of this issue claim that cats lived in the East, since their remains were found there in the ancient city of Jericho. They date back to 5-6 thousand years BC. e. These animals found their way into Buddhist temples long before our era.
In the Middle and Far East, cats were treated with respect. According to researchers, cats have a special status in Islam. It all started with the cat becoming the savior of the Prophet Muhammad from a snake. The cat's name was Muizza. The Prophet highly appreciated what she did, and there is even a legend that Muhammad tore off the edge of his robe in order to get up without disturbing Muizza, who had fallen asleep on it. Thanks to her, all cats can go to mosques freely.
There are enough legends and stories about cats to honor this animal. For example, one of the venerable elders of Optina Pustyn, Nektariy, told a legend about how a cat saved Noah’s Ark by catching a mouse sent by the devil to gnaw a hole in the bottom.
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There is also a legend about how the mother of Emperor Constantine saved Cyprus from an invasion of snakes. By her order, 1000 cats were brought to the island, thanks to which the snakes were put to an end. Since then, cats have lived in the St. Nicholas Monastery on the Akrotiri Peninsula. Until the 16th century it was a men's monastery, and currently it houses a women's monastery.
Cats on Holy Mount Athos also perform their service of protecting church utensils and catching snakes.
Prayer to Saints Florus and Laurus
Among the patrons of livestock in old times were Saints Florus and Laurus. They were considered protectors of horses, which in ancient times were faithful helpers of humans. In gratitude to them, a “horse holiday” was even established. On this day, horses were brought to churches, prayers were read to the saints for the protection and health of animals, and they were sprinkled with holy water. This strengthened the health of horses and healed them from diseases.
Today this tradition is a thing of the past, but it is known that a dog was no less faithful friend to man. The Church is loyal to keeping it in a house where there are icons. However, the animal must have its own place. You can turn to Saints Florus and Laurus, as well as Blasius, with a prayer for the health of your dog. If she is seriously ill, the owner's tearful prayers will help in her healing.
Praiseworthy martyrs, honorable brothers Florus and Laurus, hear all those who flock to your intercession, and just as during your life you healed horses, so now deliver them from all ailments. Listen to the prayer of those who come running to you, so that the most holy name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit will be glorified by everyone, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
The Church's attitude towards cats and dogs
It is a fiction that the priests of the Orthodox Church consider a dog to be an unclean animal, and if, God forbid, it crosses the threshold of the temple, it will be necessary not only to wash the floor, but also to consecrate the temple. There is a breviary of Peter Mogila in the church, which sets out the order of rites. So, there is no rite of consecration of the temple after dogs and other animals.
It is not clear why dogs have fallen into such disfavor that they are almost equated with evil spirits. But the churchmen do not touch the mustachioed and striped ones, and they are even happy. And some monasteries even have holes for cats in the gates.
Why is a cat cleaner than a dog? The concept of “clean and unclean animals” comes from the Old Testament. We carefully read the explanation of the teacher of the Department of Biblical Studies of PSTGU, Priest Alexander Prokopchuk:
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...The concept of clean and unclean animals comes from the Old Testament. After the Flood, people were allowed to eat animal meat. In the 11th chapter of the biblical book of Leviticus there are detailed instructions for the children of Israel which animals can be eaten, and they are called clean, and which animals cannot be eaten - they are called unclean. Of the animals that we now call mammals, it was allowed to eat animals that had cloven hooves and chewed cud. Therefore, among the Jews, a pig is an unclean animal: although its hooves are cloven, it does not chew the cud...
Thus, four-legged animals that walk on their paws, and these are cats and dogs, according to the definition of the Old Testament, are unclean animals. From what we read above, it is clear that clean animals are those that were allowed for human consumption. Currently, there are no more authoritative sources for defining the concept of “pure and unclean”.
Prayer for the cat's recovery
Today, cats occupy the lead among domestic animals kept by humans, along with dogs. Since ancient times, these representatives of the animal world have been treated very carefully, believing that they are connected not only with the world of the living, but also the dead. However, they are all creations of God, and require care and attention if a person has taken responsibility for their maintenance. Just like people, they are susceptible to various diseases that need to be treated, alleviating the suffering of the animal. You can read a prayer to Saint Blaise for the recovery of your pet cat.
Blessed and ever-memorable Hieromartyr Blasius, wondrous sufferer and warm representative of ours, after your departure into eternal life, assist those who call on your holy name and promise to be heard in all petitions! Behold, now to you, the saint of God, as to the true intercessor of salvation, we come and humbly pray: come to our aid, bound by the bonds of sins, move to your all-powerful prayers to God and pray for us sinners: we dare to call you, unworthy, to intercede , and we wish to receive liberation from all our sins through you. Oh, Holy Blaise of God! In the contrition and humility of our hearts, we fall before you and pray: shine upon us, darkened by the slander of the enemy, with the light of grace from above, so that walking in it, we will not stumble our feet on a stone. You, as a vessel chosen in honor and filled with the grace of God, we pray: grant us sinners the desired acceptance from your fulfillment, and heal our mental and physical ulcers, and ask the Lord for forgiveness of our sins and for our mental and physical health, salvation that is beneficial, so that we may always glorify Father and Son and Holy Spirit, and your merciful intercession for our souls and bodies, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
From the rules of the Ecumenical Council
Let's turn to the rules of the Ecumenical Council, perhaps there is something there related to allowing cats to walk around churches without hindrance. Rule 88 states that no animals should be in the temple. The only exception is the case of mortal danger.
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However, cats have lived on the territory of both Orthodox and Catholic churches since time immemorial. The clergy explain this as the only way to preserve shrines and church utensils from rats and mice, and not allow them to gnaw church candles and prosphora. That is, cats have a privileged position due to the fact that they bring benefits by catching rodents.
Prayer to the Lord for the salvation and health of animals
Our Lord protects not only people, but also “all creatures,” which can be confirmed in the Bible. Therefore, in case of illnesses in domestic animals, you can turn the words of prayer for the health of the animal to God, being firmly convinced that it will be heard.
Lord, our God, mighty and mighty God, who has the power of life and death, who saves people and livestock and quickly sends what they ask to everyone who comes to You with faith and their petitions. performing graciously! To You we, Your unworthy servants, falling humbly, with faith in a contrite heart, we ask and tenderly pray: look mercifully on this cattle, overcome by heavy weakness and disease. lip, and quickly heal with the power of Your blessing, extinguishing the fire burning inside its (cattle) and relieving illness; change the winds that are harmful and destroy him to favorable ones and grant him life and health, for the sake of the prayers of Your faithful people who cry to You: according to the prayers of our Most Pure Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, by the power of the Honest and Life-giving Cross, by the protection of the heavenly Forces, bodiless, honest and glorious the prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John, the holy glorious and all-praised apostles, the holy victorious martyrs, the holy unmercenary doctors: Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Panteleimon and all of Your saints, for You are the source of life and its giver, and You save people and livestock , and we give glory to You, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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A little about dogs
Let's turn to religious sources to understand why the dogs didn't like it. And again we find that in the Old Testament the Apostle Paul compares apostate heretics with dogs and calls to fear them. Perhaps this attitude towards dogs echoes the Jewish tradition of treating them as despicable uncleanness. Superstitious people believe that most often a dog is possessed by the devil. Although this has not been proven.
If we consider a dog as an unclean animal, then this makes sense. She doesn't really take care of her fur like a cat does. In addition, this is a rather fussy and noisy animal that can start barking at the wrong moment. His behavior can distract those praying from thinking. Perhaps this is why priests do not allow dogs into churches. That is, the ban on letting a dog into the temple is primarily due to hygiene, there is no other explanation.
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Prayer to Saint Blaise
Animals, like people, have heavenly patrons, and it is believed that each species has its own. Contacting them will help his recovery. Among those who are approached with prayer for the health of the animal is Saint Blaise. His biography says that in his earthly life he saved people who were near death and healed animals with prayer.
People turn to him with requests to protect animals from diseases. They pray to him for increasing the number of offspring in the herd, the health of cattle, pigs and wild boars. Now many city residents have dwarf pigs living in their apartments. In the event of their illness, turning to Saint Blaise with prayer would be quite appropriate. You can also turn to him in prayer when other pets are sick.
Having heard us from the villages of paradise where you live, Holy Hieromartyr Blasius, look upon us on earth, celebrating your holy memory with love. You asked the Lord for grace to heal those who are sick with the larynx, and also to heal animals and people from various ailments, as we read about this in your life. You yourself, Holy Hierarch, prayed to the Lord like this: “Lord, hear my prayers and, if illness occurs in cattle and someone remembers my name, saying: God, through the prayers of Your servant Blasius, help him, you, Lord, hasten to help and grant healing to the glory and honor of Your holy name!” Heal, O venerable Blasius, our illnesses and keep our livestock healthy, for all are creatures of God created by the One Creator. Look upon us graciously, Saint Blaise of God, for you have loved every creation on earth, as being called to be by God. Hearken to us, the worthy Blasius, because before your death you prayed to our Master and Lord 6 those who want to commemorate your memory, that they may be filled with the gifts of God and remain blessed. Hear, Hieromartyr Blasius, from us who honor your honorable memory, and pray to the Lord, who has promised to always fulfill your requests; May our homes abound in all kinds of blessings, and may our prayers for all needs be heard. You know, Saint Blaise, that, having everything he needs, a man of thanksgiving sighs to God and from contentment of spirit becomes kind and gentle. Do not reject us who pray to you, Saint Blaise, and be an intercessor for us before the Lord, so that we may live in prosperity and in all piety, and after our death we will be worthy to present ourselves without condemnation to the throne of the Savior Christ, glorifying Him with His Beginning Father and His life-giving Spirit forever. Amen.
