photo by Paul Golm, used under the creative commons license.
check out his work at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulcalypse/
One thing I have been noticing regarding those who lead in Worship - whether the choir or the reader or the Deacon or the Priest- is when they are doing their part, they are not performing but rather worshiping. I am not saying that protestants don't worship but there seems to be more showmanship in protestantism in general. My church uses a video screen to display the lyrics to the hymns and choruses, my own pastor, who is a godly man, tends, in his preaching, towards the dramatic. But at Vespers, I see John the reader, leading us in Psalm 51 and doing metanies, and crossing himself along the way. I see choir members Crossing themselves at appropriate times when they could, by rights, just read the music. Father Gary, in his homilies, exhorts us in an undramatic way, to follow Christ. Again, I am not doubting the sincerity or piety of my protestant church, who, by what I can see, are closer to Christ than I, but I think in Orthodoxy it is easier to Worship because Tradition has shown us the best way to do so.
photo by Fred Dawson, used under the creative commons license.
check out his work at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fwp-dawson/
During the Service, there were prayers to James, First Bishop of Jerusalem, and I was reminded of something I read an Orthodox Forum regarding picking baptismal/christmation names- the forum writer recommended that converts stick to their given Christian name when choosing a patron because, he contended that the Patron had been praying for us since we received our name and could feel insulted if we look for a "fancier" name. If that is true than the Apostle James has been praying for me for nearly 50 years. I confess that I have always been on the look out for a saint to call a patron, trying to find a "hero" who I can claim but I am thinking that James will do fine. After all, being baptized in the Roman Church, I was given this name and being named after the first Bishop of Jerusalem isn't too shabby.
Fr. Gary reminded everyone that the oils were a sacrament of the church and only those who were in communion with the Church should participate. Those who were not in communion could venerate the cross, kiss the Gospel and, instead of being anointed with oil, could receive a blessing. Well, after I did that, I approached Fr Gary and he was about to apply the oil when I reminded him, "Father, a blessing." which he gave. Perhaps since he has been seeing me hang out for almost a year now, he forgot that I am not a member?
In the past being excluded like that would have really bothered me but, in truth, it made me realize that I have something to look forward to. It seems right that sacraments (or mysteries) should only be given to those in full communion and, God willing, that will be me some day.
After I received my blessing and I continued towards the icons to venerate, it made the veneration more special and more sincere.
I was one of the first in line so I exited right away and, on the way out, an older lady commented, "The knees, Father, the kness! I am glad Fr Gary anointed my hands but I could really use anointing on my knees," she joked. I then told her of my own arthritis in my knees which makes standing a challenge sometimes. She then said, "I have seen you at Vespers for a while, my name is Betty and this is my husband Dave." I then told her my story of coming to church after being inspired by Ancient Faith Radio and that I hoped to be Christmated soon. She said, "Well, we have been praying for Catechuemens."
Hopefully, dear reader, you can join them in prayers for me, as I do for you!
Today is Holy Friday and I intended to go the 3pm service...I will let you know how that goes!
One thing I have been noticing regarding those who lead in Worship - whether the choir or the reader or the Deacon or the Priest- is when they are doing their part, they are not performing but rather worshiping. I am not saying that protestants don't worship but there seems to be more showmanship in protestantism in general. My church uses a video screen to display the lyrics to the hymns and choruses, my own pastor, who is a godly man, tends, in his preaching, towards the dramatic. But at Vespers, I see John the reader, leading us in Psalm 51 and doing metanies, and crossing himself along the way. I see choir members Crossing themselves at appropriate times when they could, by rights, just read the music. Father Gary, in his homilies, exhorts us in an undramatic way, to follow Christ.
ReplyDeleteThis is so profound and true, Jim, and it is something I haven't considered enough. "Leitourgia" means "work of the people" or "the people's work." Some hear this and hear "saved by works" (which is not accurate), but I'd wager an equal number look at our Liturgy and instead see the Priest, Deacons, Readers, etc. as somehow placing themselves above the rest of the congregation, when the truth is they are within the congregation by their participation in the common "work" of the parish in worship.
David,
ReplyDeleteThe idea of the service being for worship to God and not just a "show" for us- even if it is a show that would edify- is when I witnessed the man reading from, what I now learned is the book of Acts on Holy Saturday before the Vigil started. He was reading out loud but not in a voice that was meant for all of us to hear. Rather, it was for God. That "background noise" really helped me in me centering my heart on Worship. I was there to worship the Risen Christ!
When I was on my journey to Orthodoxy, the difference I noticed the most between my charismatic Baptist church & the Orthodox church is that the Protestant church mostly talked *about* God & sang *about* God. The Orthodox mostly talked *to* God and sang *to* God. I felt that this was a profound difference. To this day I can't tell you why this seems like such an important difference: except that the church who talked the most about a personal relationship, seemed to stand at arm's length. Conversely, the Orthodox were immersed in God, or at least in conversation to Him.
ReplyDeleteMarianna,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right! I never really put my finger on it before but many of the songs in my protestant church are about God, rather than to God. What a difference!