That time I caught on fire in church

02/04/2025 • View profile

On Divine Liturgy of Holy Saturday, I think in 2021, I caught on fire. And I don't mean metaphorically. I mean, literally, on fire.
(Before we get started, please see my previous article, here,Clout chasing clerics) (Also, my latest on Locals; Caffeine induced anxiety)
Some background. I am not canonically an Eastern Catholic, but I've been fascinated by Eastern Catholicism since 2010.
So, as a result, I sometimes go to a Melkite Divine liturgy on Easter (Pascha).
Part of the Divine Liturgy involves reverencing icons.
At the time, my diocese (The Diocese of Charleston), still had COVID protocols in place. So, I thought they would, too.
So, what happened was, I was wearing one of those masks that we were originally told not to, and, at the time, I had a very long beard, and I went to kiss an icon, and my face become engulfed in flames. My niece was there. And would you believe that she remembers it, and I do not?
I just remember fire, people being in shock, then walking to the parish hall.
One of the altar servers talked to me, asked if I was alright, etc. I mentioned that we still had to wear masks in South Carolina, and he said “do you see anyone else wearing one”? Well, a few people.
But, I got his point. Those masks are dangerous! And extremely flammable!
Anyway, so, the rest of the Divine Liturgy went on normally (relatively). But, would you believe that I wasn't the first person to catch on fire in that church?
Anyway, after the liturgy, the priest it was the “Fire of the Holy Spirit”.(Sister Irene O'Connor - Fire) Okay, that was pretty funny!
Could have been!
Anyway, so, after, I had some food and drink. A little bit of coffee, and, also, some brandy, I think, though, I'm not much of a drinker.
I went home to take a picture if my half beard, and send it to my friends and family. I've since learned to go to church beardless on Easter.
So, you might be thinking “aren't you the guy who knows The Bible inside and out, forwards and backwards”? No, that's Tim Staples.
But, do you recall what I said? The priest said it was the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Well, it COULD be. And let's talk a little bit about that.
Think about what John the Baptist says in John 3:10-11,
“For now, the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall be cut down, and cast into the fire.
I indeed baptize you in water unto penance, but he that shall comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire”.
Or what Jesus says in Luke 12:49-50,
“I am come to cast fire on the earth; and what will I, but that it be kindled?
And I have a baptism wherewith I am to be baptized; and how am I straightened until it be accomplished”?
And when the days of Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place; and suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a might wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues, as if it were of fire, and it sat upon them: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and begin to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak”. (Acts 2:1-4).
May we set the world ablaze with the fire of the Holy Spirit.