Author's Note

Hello there!

I've received some few reviews and PMs regarding the nature of Christian beliefs across the spectrum of Christianity. And they weren't all agreeable to what I've written so far. So I decided to write this "Author's Note" in the hopes of clearing some perceptions up.

Two points that more than a few of you out there did bring up in particular were as regards the "Name of God". Another point is the supposed nature of the holy sacrifice in Christianity. And these are fair points. They are both truly kind of controversial all by their lonesomes!

Since the last thing on my mind is to insult anyone's beliefs, let me say that this is a STORY. And as Our Hero is a Greek through and through, that he's now become a member of the "Greek Catholic Eastern Orthodox Church" is kind of a given.

But his beliefs are not what this story is about. And neither is there anything in what I've written to compare Catholicism to Presbyterianism, or any other denominations. Apples is apples and they ain't oranges!

Now to start with:

The Name of God.

God has had quite a collection of names throughout history. To the Patriarch Abraham He was El-Shaddai. Likewise to Samuel and Isaiah, to Esau and Jacob. To Moses and Aaron He was called El-Elohim, but His "secret name" was I AM. That was the secret Name He gave to Joseph at the beginning of Israel's Egyptian captivity so when He did send an emissary to His people, they would know he was telling the truth about He Who Sent him (Moses).

This was the God of power, of might and a relatively short temper! God then became known as Adonai and nowadays is called Hashem by ultra-orthodox Jewish communities. This is a 'non-name' to refer to The Divine and this phrase means very simply in English, "The Name". And I do NOT want to offend anyone by referring to His Holy Name or names on a constant basis. I do NOT wish to be perceived as "Irksome".

I'm writing a work of fiction here, not another Gospel!

As for the Eucharistic elements of bread and wine, please keep in mind that although many hard-core Protestants out there refer to the Eucharist as a "commemeration" only, a remembrance of the Last Supper, Catholics, and not just Roman or Latin Rite Catholics but also all Catholics including Copts, Malankarans, Armenian Rite, Eastern Orthodox, Episcopal Churches and all churches "in communion" (in terms of belief structure) with any other or each of those also in communion with either Jerusalem, Alexandria, Constantinople (Eastern Orthodox) and/or Rome, the Eucharist is the consecration of the bread and wine which (in the pan-Catholic belief structure) actually becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus.

This is an absolutely literal belief. And anyo ne reading this story needs to keep in mind that while this is only a story, that belief is NOT. It's a serious issue and must be treated with the utmost respect by me within the context of my tale.

What all this is, is a story about Percy J taking refuge from the Olympians who've harmed and quite literally abused him and his good nature, and surrendering, if you will to the Creator of All Things, the Father in Heaven as well as coming to a belief system that acknowledges God's Son made flesh by His Will and used as the One Sacrifice for all sin for all time. Percy eschews all belief and devotion to the Hellenic/Roman pagan gods and changes his entire life.

Percy had a crisis of faith in his old belief system and heard the Gospel and the Catechism from Papas Stavrious, and asked then to be Baptized into this new and warm Faith. This story is all about the genesis (if you will) of that decision and what happened as a result of it. Nothing more, nothing less.

I ask NO ONE to believe in anything I write; this is a work of fiction, a story that I've been working and thinking on for a long time.

I don't wanna try to convert anybody; the presence of the Beloved Disciple should be proof of that ss he is an historical figure and his alleged living continuity is only a story all by itself, an old legend based in a conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter.

But the Twelve Apostles are actual historical persons, and we have their writings as well as the Gospels to point to these facts. So please do not take seriously any liberties I take with this work of fiction.

I truly hope you will all keep on reading and leaving reviews and a big thank you to everyone who has already left me one… or more!

Thank you again, all of you.