But what happened at Pentecost runs much deeper than fire and wasn't just about speaking in a charismatic "tongues-of-fire" prayer language, as beautiful as both of these may be.
"He was fascinated by this concept of an isolated commune dedicated to self-purification through fire and prayer – and paradox, 'England and nowhere.
Then there were other incidents: a homemade grenade lobbed at a mosque, shots fired at prayer meeting, a blast at a kebab-restaurant, and later, more deaths — a policewoman and, separately, four shoppers at a kosher grocery store.
Then there were other incidents: a homemade grenade lobbed at a mosque, shots fired at prayer meeting, a blast at a kebab-restaurant, and later, more deaths—a policewoman and, separately, four shoppers at a kosher grocery store.
In the Parsi festival Fravartigan, the last 10 days of each year, each family honours the fravashis of its dead with prayers, fire, and incense.
He was making a queimada: a punch that he would set on fire, while saying prayers for the assembled and a spell to ward off bad spirits.
"Seeing Heresy in a Service for Sept. 11; Pastor Is Under Fire for Interfaith Prayers" (news article, Feb. 8) was a sad reminder of how close-minded and petty some religious leaders can be.
By Tuesday, more than 400 square miles in seven counties had been consumed by some 16 fires, flames fueled by high desert winds and hot temperatures that remained largely impervious to air attacks, garden hoses, fire retardant or prayers for relief.
A large group huddled around a man performing a ritualistic hawan, or prayer fire, and loudly chanting mantras.
After 14-year-old Michael Carneal opened fire on a prayer group at Heath High School in West Paducah, Ky., in 1997, it came out that he had made no secret of his plans.
At 14, Michael Carneal killed three girls and injured five other students when he opened fire on a prayer group at Heath High School in West Paducah, Ky., on Dec. 1, 1997.
