Monday, March 26, 2012

Bishops at Vespers!



I went to Vespers Saturday night and I had forgotten that Bishop Michael was going to be for the weekend.
So that explains all the cars in the parking lot, I thought! Apparently, when the Bishop comes to town, the faithful make an extra effort. It was nice to see such a full house, although, I guess in truly Orthodox Churches, it is
always standing room only! :)

I have to admit I was surprised when I heard the censor. You see, I was told that during lent, the bells are removed from the censor but the bells were on. I figured it was either because it was the Feast of the Annunciation to the Theotokos or because Bishop Michael was there.
Would anyone know which?

I was also curious about the hat. Bishop Michael wore it except when he said certain prayers. Can anyone tell me about this?

I am ashamed to say that I had to leave before it was all over. Just as we were nearing an end to the Vespers, more and different prayers were being said and I could see that we were morphing into a different service. I had to work the next day (up at 330am for some overtime) so I quietly left.

I am also sorry to say that I haven't been to a pre-sanctified Vigil yet. God willing, this Wednesday.

Good Lent, everyone!

2 comments:

  1. Hi Jim,

    I am so glad you got to see the Bishop, and I giggled about the parking lot being full because of his visit. Isn't that the truth? I've had the pleasure of briefly meeting Bishop Michael, and I really liked his personality.

    As to your questions, there is a resurrectional tone to Liturgy, so the bells are put back on the censor (or another censor with bells on is used) on Saturday and Sundays of Lent. Someone who never went to a weekday Lenten service would not know that the bells were off of the censor.

    I just taught a Church School class on vestments, and I'm trying to remember exactly what was said about the Bishop's hat. There are specific times when it is worn and times when it is expressly supposed to be not worn, depending on when in the service it is.

    God willing you will be there on Wednesday indeed (eek, that's tonight ;) ) I hope your early workday went well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks, Mimi!
    never made it to the Presanctified service. Instead, my wife came to the bible study at my protestant parish. She rarely goes to the midweek thing so I thought I would go with her.

    ReplyDelete