The Catholic Encyclopedia on John of Damascus
But the largest measure of the council's spleen was reserved for John of Damascus. He was called a "cursed favourer of Saracens", a "traitorous worshipper of images", a "wronger of Jesus Christ", a "teacher of impiety", and a "bad interpreter of the Scriptures". At the emperor's command his name was written "Manzer" (Manzeros, a bastard).
But the Seventh General Council of Nicea (787) made ample amends for the insults of his enemies, and Theophanes, writing in 813, tells us that he was surnamed Chrysorrhoas (golden stream) by his friends on account of his oratorical gifts.
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Are they sure he wasn't called "Golden Stream" for the large measure of spleen reserved for him by the council?
Personally I would consider it a blessing to be called "a bad interpreter of the Scriptures."
A Recap of This Year's Emmys Past
Jerry Orbach steps up to the mike: Ladies and gentlemen it is my privelege to read to you tonight the nominees for the category of Best New Musical Show. The nominees are:
Rotten Gymlocker Jockstrap
Cat Poop on the Windowsill
Funky Fart Smell on Tuesdays, and
Urinetown
And the winner is.... (opens envelope, looks out to audience)... Urinetown.
(Band plays, everyone applauds.)
A Joke Jay Leno Would Throw Away
Dick Clark is laid up with a stroke this year, so they decided to get Regis Philbin to do the New Year's Rockin' Eve. Imagine that, they decided to replace the world's oldest teenager with the world's oldest man.
(Ba-da bing! Audience laughs, some booing...not much).
Uncle Dave Lewis