'Ark of the Covenant' about to be unveiled?'

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:03 am

Original story

Recent follow-up

The patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia says he will announce to the world Friday the unveiling of the Ark of the Covenant, perhaps the world's most prized archaeological and spiritual artifact, which he says has been hidden away in a church in his country for millennia, according to the Italian news agency Adnkronos.

Abuna Pauolos, in Italy for a meeting with Pope Benedict XVI this week, told the news agency, "Soon the world will be able to admire the Ark of the Covenant described in the Bible as the container of the tablets of the law that God delivered to Moses and the center of searches and studies for centuries."

The announcement is expected to be made at 2 p.m. Italian time from the Hotel Aldrovandi in Rome. Pauolos will reportedly be accompanied by Prince Aklile Berhan Makonnen Haile Sellassie and Duke Amedeo D'Acosta.

The one line in the original article that stood out right away to me was, "...to defend the treasure, a copy was placed in every single church in Ethiopia."

Immediately it struck me as them giving themselves an "out", in case examination casts doubt on the ark. While I find any claim of a sudden revelation of such a storied object to be dubious (I instantly think of the "we've got bigfoot corpse in a meat freezer!" guys), I also wonder about the timing and motive(s) involved.

I also understand that the (non-canonical) book of 2 Maccabees says that Jeremiah hid the ark in a cave and there it would remain until God decided to reveal its location.

Of course, in the end I must temper excitement over such an event with the skeptical eye of detecting false signs and prophets. As the event (or non-event) unfolds, we shall see...

(And please, try and refrain from bashing the Bible, Christianity or religion in general if replying.)

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:15 am

So one of the greatest discoveries is going to be revealed at a hotel with zero security?

I won't buy it until 3rd parties can verify it's authenticity.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:26 am

JawZ wrote:So one of the greatest discoveries is going to be revealed at a hotel with zero security?

I won't buy it until 3rd parties can verify it's authenticity.

Exxxxxxactly.

The motive behind such an announcement is what interests me.

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:36 am

Burke wrote:Exxxxxxactly.

The motive behind such an announcement is what interests me.

Does the discovery of the Ark set certain things in motion? What group or ideology would it galvanize by being discovered in Ethiopia? When the Ark was transported from Jerusalem, many Jews turned to Islam along the way. With all the crap going on in Iran right now...I'm not sure what to make of all this.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:48 am

JawZ wrote:Does the discovery of the Ark set certain things in motion? What group or ideology would it galvanize by being discovered in Ethiopia? When the Ark was transported from Jerusalem, many Jews turned to Islam along the way. With all the crap going on in Iran right now...I'm not sure what to make of all this.

I believe at least one sect of Islam believes the ark will be found or unveiled by the mahdi at the end of days, so perhaps this is a Rome-centric method of blowing the mahdi-believing Ahmadinejad out of the water.

I don't believe they will reveal anything, but should they, there's one test to see if it's the real McCoy. Touch it.

TonyT · Post by **TonyT** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:28 am

I also understand that the (non-canonical) book of 2 Maccabees says that Jeremiah hid the ark in a cave and there it would remain until God decided to reveal its location.

Caves and all sorts of out of the way dwellings were used as meeting places and churches during times of religious turmoil. Perhaps the unveiling is statement implying that God has spoken to the unveilers, further implying which religion is the "right one".

My general opinion is that any PR centered around such events usually only leads to more controversy which in turn serves to ensure the continuance of the mid east conflicts.

Shinobi · Post by **Shinobi** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:32 am

Interesting news... Thanks..

Sava700 · Post by **Sava700** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:41 am

Indiana Jones already found it and put it on display... see

tao_jones · Post by **tao_jones** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:55 am

Burke wrote:I believe at least one sect of Islam believes the ark will be found or unveiled by the mahdi at the end of days, so perhaps this is a Rome-centric method of blowing the mahdi-believing Ahmadinejad out of the water.

Very Interesting. I don't believe that the Orthodox Church of Ethiopia is in communion with the Vatican but they did meet with the Pope.

Sounds like something out of a Dan Brown book.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:02 am

Will be an interesting thread to follow. So much mystique out in public knowledge about the Ark due to Indy Jones movies.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:28 am

Hmm, 2 PM Italian time is 8 AM Eastern here...

No breaking news on the ark, although given our mindless culture I'm not sure it would trump Michael Jackson news...

lance-tek · Post by **lance-tek** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:08 am

Interesting thread... I am definately curious to see what comes of this. I did a quick look on CNN and they have nothing of the topic on teh main page. Obviously not something the editor 1) cares about or 2) puts much stock in

-lance

Leatherneck · Post by **Leatherneck** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:26 am

Certainly don't need another "thing" to worship.

tao_jones · Post by **tao_jones** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:58 am

Leatherneck wrote:Certainly don't need another "thing" to worship.

I don't think anyone is going to worship the ark. It would be a huge archeological and theological find.

David · Post by **David** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 11:19 am

JawZ wrote:So one of the greatest discoveries is going to be revealed at a hotel with zero security?

I won't buy it until 3rd parties can verify it's authenticity.

It always struck me as odd that said building (the "resting site") had so little in terms of protection. Many thought the claims were questionable.

tao_jones · Post by **tao_jones** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 11:27 am

David wrote:It always struck me as odd that said building (the "resting site") had so little in terms of protection. Many thought the claims were questionable.

Strikes me as odd too but if you put it somewhere inconspicuous people might not look for it there.

David · Post by **David** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:20 pm

tao_jones wrote:Strikes me as odd too but if you put it somewhere inconspicuous people might not look for it there.

Most with a casual interest have heard of, and seen photos of this possible resting site. It would seem that if pharaoh's treasures could be looted, why would this stone be left unturned?

tao_jones · Post by **tao_jones** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:22 pm

David wrote:Most with a casual interest have heard of, and seen photos of this possible resting site. It would seem that if pharaoh's treasures could be looted, why would this stone be left unturned?

Disguise it so it doesnt look like anything of importance or put a sticker on there that says protected by The Big Guy.

Leatherneck · Post by **Leatherneck** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:44 pm

tao_jones wrote:I don't think anyone is going to worship the ark. It would be a huge archeological and theological find.

Are you serious? People worship weeping Marys, saint relics and just about anything they believe is sacred in some way. If someone actually got there hands on the chalice or Ark or Noah's Ark, stone tablets, etc..who knows how people will act. heck people buy toast and chicken breasts in the shape of the Pope!

And, yes it would be a terrific archeological find in every way imaginable.

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:07 pm

Aaaaaaaaaaaand it's a bust.

http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=P ... eId=102274

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:32 pm

Burke wrote:Aaaaaaaaaaaand it's a bust.

http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=P ... eId=102274

waterboard em!

blebs · Post by **blebs** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 7:26 pm

When the Ark of the Covenent is found. You'll know, without question.

Leatherneck · Post by **Leatherneck** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:26 pm

blebs wrote:When the Ark of the Covenent is found. You'll know, without question.

Without question indeed. It will cause many things to happen and certainly won't be third page news in the Podunk Press.

tao_jones · Post by **tao_jones** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:34 am

Leatherneck wrote:Are you serious? People worship weeping Marys, saint relics and just about anything they believe is sacred in some way. If someone actually got there hands on the chalice or Ark or Noah's Ark, stone tablets, etc..who knows how people will act. heck people buy toast and chicken breasts in the shape of the Pope!

And, yes it would be a terrific archeological find in every way imaginable.

There is a difference in worship and holding something in reverence.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:21 pm

The part referencing Bob Cornuke gives hope. Still though I feel cheated; Was hoping this would bear fruit.

Leatherneck · Post by **Leatherneck** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:11 pm

tao_jones wrote:There is a difference in worship and holding something in reverence.

Sure for you and I perhaps, but tell that to a devout Catholic who chases weeping Statues and holds "relics" in worship.

tao_jones · Post by **tao_jones** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 4:19 pm

Leatherneck wrote:Sure for you and I perhaps, but tell that to a devout Catholic who chases weeping Statues and holds "relics" in worship.

I am Catholic so if you have any questions regarding my beliefs feel free to ask away. That said there is a difference behind worship and veneration. You've got to remember that Catholicism is around 2000 years old and full of traditions. A lot of those traditions older than some Protestant denominations.

http://www.catholic.com/library/Do_Cath ... tatues.asp

Brk · Post by **Brk** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 4:52 pm

Okay, let's nip this brewing debate before it starts, as it will only devolve into more name-calling.

It's irrelevant to the subject, which now happens to be dead for the time being.

brembo · Post by **brembo** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:51 pm

Ethiopia just wanted to get some media coverage, that's all.

Next week Liechtenstein will say it has some yeti remains.

Leatherneck · Post by **Leatherneck** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:29 pm

tao_jones wrote:I am Catholic so if you have any questions regarding my beliefs feel free to ask away. That said there is a difference behind worship and veneration. You've got to remember that Catholicism is around 2000 years old and full of traditions. A lot of those traditions older than some Protestant denominations.

http://www.catholic.com/library/Do_Cath ... tatues.asp

I am NOT debating that there is a difference between worship & veneration only that it WILL indeed become an object of worship to many if such a find ever materializes.

Burke, name calling? Can't remember a debate I've ever participated in that resulted in such.

tao_jones · Post by **tao_jones** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:41 am

Leatherneck wrote:I am NOT debating that there is a difference between worship & veneration only that it WILL indeed become an object of worship to many if such a find ever materializes.

I am sure there would be a few folks out there that would worship but I am sure that those instances would be few and far between.

tao_jones · Post by **tao_jones** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:42 am

Leatherneck wrote:Burke, name calling? Can't remember a debate I've ever participated in that resulted in such.

I wouldn't even call it a debate just a couple people discussing a topic.

Leatherneck · Post by **Leatherneck** » Tue Jun 30, 2009 6:53 pm

tao_jones wrote:I wouldn't even call it a debate just a couple people discussing a topic.

Nah, no debate..