I haven't been in Divine Liturgy since June 30th, mostly because I've had trouble getting someone to take my shift at work. Well, I was happy to be at Church yesterday. I wasn't able to stay for coffee hour because I was wanted to meet my wife and we had lots to do with the dog (It's dog grooming day!) but, of course, the main reason to go to Church is the Divine Liturgy. It was great to participate in the prayers of the people, singing Psalms and Hymns once again.
I actually was able to pray the hours before the Liturgy and below is a link to a 15 second video of that. Reader John leads us in those prayers. Yes, I know we're all sitting down but, give us a break, we're old!!!! :)
I love the order and structure of Orthodox Worship. It doesn't matter how you "feel" but you just have to show up and participate. I've been in many Protestant services where the leaders try to "rev up" the crowd so that it "feels" like church but that isn't necessary in Orthodoxy. Things are done decently and in order, as St. Paul said in his first letter to the Corinthians. One such example is the blessing the Reader gets before he reads from the Scriptures. Reader Tim left the choir loft during the Trisagion prayers, walked through the side doors into the Altar. There, Fr. Gary gave his blessing to Reader Tim. Tim kissed Fr. Gary's hand and the Scripture book and then exited out the side door to the center of the Nave, ready to read from the Epistles. This is great that it happens each and every time before the Scripture reading. It reminds everyone about proper order and, I believe, keeps us humble. And, without humility, no one sees God.
During Communion, of course, I do not go because I am not Orthodox, not yet part of the faithful. Something I've been thinking about for a while and have kept forgetting to ask. I notice that right before the Mysteries are distributed to the Faithful, all the kids line up first and they receive first. So This Question:
What is the reason the kids receive communion first? Is it a theological reason?
I'd love to know the answer to this. Are things done differently in other parishes? Keep in mind, that all of my "Live" Orthodox experience has pretty much just happened in one place so I am not sure how things are done in other places. Please comment below if you know the answer.
As always, keep me in your prayers as I remember you in mine.
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
No theological reason that I'm aware of, I think people just let them go first. In every parish I've been to, the kids are super excited and rush to line up faster than adults. Some parishes dismiss kids for Sunday School following communion so they go first for that reason.
ReplyDeleteThe thing about Sunday School makes sense. It is not true in our parish, though. I love the idea that they are so excited that they rush to the front of the line!
DeleteIn the OCA parish in which I'm a member, the kids do go first, though I'm not sure why; I think it's just a matter of enthusiasm. In the Antiochian parish in which I grew up, ushers began at the front of the church and indicated when those seated in each pew should rise to line up for Communion. I visit that parish regularly and that's how it's still done there, so I suspect the kids going first has less to do with theological reasons than local practices.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rebecca, I suspected it was just a local practice.
DeleteOur Parish has kids go first, but I am sure it is just aas others have said. If we are working in the kitchen and need to head over to the Parish House we will get towards the front of the line.
ReplyDeleteSounds very practical :)
DeleteWe don't do this in my parish. The children go up with their parents or godparents, which I think is partly to preserve order and have someone teaching the children proper church etiquette. The children are not dismissed for Sunday school until later in the service, a hymn or two after everyone has had Communion.
ReplyDeleteAlso I bet it is to emphasize the importance of the parents providing an example, and being involved with the child's spiritual life. For example, the priest might say to the child, "You need to come to confession," and the parent would be there to get the message and be held responsible.
Because it's a large parish, it also makes it easier for the priests to keep straight who goes with whom, especially with families who are sporadic in attendance.
I don't have children in the Church, but you have made me curious now, and I will try to ask my priest if I'm right about these things. :-)
I like the idea of keeping parents involved
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