100 Years Ago ...

HeBrews

Christmas and Chanukah fell on the same day.

Isn't that cool?  Answering my own question, I guess so.  I say that because I'm told, and it has always been my understanding that Hanukkah isn't a big deal for Jewish people, except that it was something they could celebrate to take the emphasis off of Christmas - for the kids.  I may have over simplified that, but Purim might be more like Christmas - maybe not.  Fact is, the High Holidays are Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover - and now Chanukah.

Nevertheless, it is a nice coincidence that the two festivals of light coincide this year.

When polled, cats insisted they like Christmas the best

because of the trees and decorations, but Purim is fun too.

Still, cats love Jewish holidays and Shabbat

mainly because there is usually gefilte fish served.

100 years ago in 1917 ...

With the New Year, there are many significant centenaries.  Catholics are aware of the Fatima Jubilee, some attach ominous predictions to the hundred year celebration, and speculate endlessly on it.  Coincidental to the Fatima centenary, is the Russian Revolution - the Bolshevik Revolution in March of 1917.  Many martyrs emerged, great persecution of the Church, yet the Church survived ... That is important to keep in mind.

Another important anniversary for 2017 commemorates the 1917-1918 Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church, which completed the reforms begun in the late 19th century.  The Revolution impeded any implementation of the reforms within Russia, although the Church outside Russia adhered to the ideal proposed.  Although I don't know enough about Sobornost and I'm not sure how or what that means in Russia today.

It's interesting to note however, that the Council ended and tribulation followed.

Highest Authority of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1917.