Sacred formality vs. Casual atmosphere? Effects on worshipfulness?

[Gxg (G²)]

God is good!

All the time...and all the time...God is Good

 

[~Anastasia~]

I might even get to go to a Divine Liturgy finally - that is if I don't get to go Saturday (which I am hoping I will!).

I offered to come help make palm crosses, if I can figure out how to do it.

But I join you in wishing everyone a blessed day!

Wow, GxG, not sure if it was your intention. Blast from the past - I know it's recent but SO MUCH has changed for me since this last time I posted.

And the whole question of why I posted this thread is no longer on my radar. Sure, the processional Cross at our Church is very decorated (I actually liked one of the Methodist ones better). And the altar is fairly nice. But those things don't have much impact on me at all anymore.

The icons add a lot as far as atmosphere though. And our stained glass windows are all iconographic too. That matters. The rest of what I "see" doesn't really register so much, though I appreciate that the overall atmosphere is one of sacredness, beauty, and makes for a reverential atmosphere.

I doubt any of this matters to anyone else. But I can appreciate where I've come from, and what questions and thoughts I progressed through, and where I am now.

Thanks for that, GxG.

 

[MoreCoffee]

Wow, GxG, not sure if it was your intention. Blast from the past - I know it's recent but SO MUCH has changed for me since this last time I posted.

And the whole question of why I posted this thread is no longer on my radar. Sure, the processional Cross at our Church is very decorated (I actually liked one of the Methodist ones better). And the altar is fairly nice. But those things don't have much impact on me at all anymore.

The icons add a lot as far as atmosphere though. And our stained glass windows are all iconographic too. That matters. The rest of what I "see" doesn't really register so much, though I appreciate that the overall atmosphere is one of sacredness, beauty, and makes for a reverential atmosphere.

I doubt any of this matters to anyone else. But I can appreciate where I've come from, and what questions and thoughts I progressed through, and where I am now.

Thanks for that, GxG.

Well, you did get to Divine Liturgy and look what's happened since

I like sacred formality for worship and warm informality for morning tea after worship

 

[~Anastasia~]

Well, you did get to Divine Liturgy and look what's happened since

I like sacred formality for worship and warm informality for morning tea after worship

No wonder the Orthodox Church says, "Come and see".

I'm not sure what would have happened if I had come completely unprepared though.


Probably something like the first two times I ventured into Pentecostal churches as an adult - though I managed to get over my fear and learn something there too.


It's funny to me - some of the questions I asked a few months ago, seeking to understand some things totally new to me. It was difficult to even frame questions, since I couldn't put my finger on what it was that mattered, and why.

I'm thankful for what I've learned since then. Of course I still have plenty more to learn.

 

[seashale76]

No wonder the Orthodox Church says, "Come and see".

I'm not sure what would have happened if I had come completely unprepared though.


Probably something like the first two times I ventured into Pentecostal churches as an adult - though I managed to get over my fear and learn something there too.


It's funny to me - some of the questions I asked a few months ago, seeking to understand some things totally new to me. It was difficult to even frame questions, since I couldn't put my finger on what it was that mattered, and why.

I'm thankful for what I've learned since then. Of course I still have plenty more to learn.

My very first time in an Orthodox parish was as a seventeen-year-old pentecostal. I walked in blind and completely unprepared (as per my instructions). I was extremely lost regarding what went on and simultaneously very impressed at the same time. It's all I could talk about for at least a week. I only went so I could write a ten page paper for a comparative religions class I was taking at the local university. I got an A on the paper, but I wish I still had it so I could recall what I actually wrote. I had no intention of converting at that time, but thirteen years later I wound up being Chrismated in the same parish.

 

[~Anastasia~]

My very first time in an Orthodox parish was as a seventeen-year-old pentecostal. I walked in blind and completely unprepared (as per my instructions). I was extremely lost regarding what went on and simultaneously very impressed at the same time. It's all I could talk about for at least a week. I only went so I could write a ten page paper for a comparative religions class I was taking at the local university. I got an A on the paper, but I wish I still had it so I could recall what I actually wrote. I had no intention of converting at that time, but thirteen years later I wound up being Chrismated in the same parish.

Thank you, interesting story. I'm sure that would be very interesting for you to read that paper!

Do you think that experience was what put you on that path? I'm guessing the instructions came from your professor? (To go in completely unprepared?)

I've been thinking on this.

My husband is terribly dissatisfied with church. I think he hasn't been in about 5 weeks now? He's bothered mostly because of the lack of importance the Baptist church places on frequent communion.

He gives me the Orthodox answer to hard questions I put to him about 60-70% of the time. He gets there on his own. I so wish he could be interested in coming to church with me, but he has such anti-"Catholic" biases that I'm not sure he would actually learn what is really meant, or if he'd just hold to the things we were both told Catholics believe (and of course I'm talking about an Orthodox Church anyway).

But it's great to read a bit of your history. And good to "see" you!

 

[GoingByzantine]

I forgot who exactly it was, but one of the Pagan leaders of Rus (or Ruthenia) sent his underlings on a church tour of Europe, and they walked blindly into the Church of Holy Wisdom in Constantinople and didn't need to see anything else. Today Russia is the largest Orthodox country in the world.

 

[GoingByzantine]

He gives me the Orthodox answer to hard questions I put to him about 60-70% of the time. He gets there on his own. I so wish he could be interested in coming to church with me, but he has such anti-"Catholic" biases that I'm not sure he would actually learn what is really meant, or if he'd just hold to the things we were both told Catholics believe (and of course I'm talking about an Orthodox Church anyway).

But it's great to read a bit of your history. And good to "see" you!

Perhaps you could have your priest come bless your home, it would be a good opportunity for your husband to meet your pastor.

 

[meadowlark]

Perhaps you could have your priest come bless your home, it would be a good opportunity for your husband to meet your pastor.

I know where you can get some pretty shiny shoes that should make anyone proud. They have pictures of a gutted person looking down on Christ from the cross. It's quite shameful what some wear these days.

 

[GoingByzantine]

I know where you can get some pretty shiny shoes that should make anyone proud. They have pictures of a gutted person looking down on Christ from the cross. It's quite shameful what some wear these days.

It is shameful how many dress these days, but I am not sure what it has to do with my comment??

 

[meadowlark]

It is shameful how many dress these days, but I am not sure what it has to do with my comment??

Shameless is likely the word your looking for?

 

[seashale76]

Shameless is likely the word your looking for?

The contraction of 'you are' (i.e you're) is likely the word you're looking for.


Your posts confuse me.

 

[GoingByzantine]

Shameless is likely the word your looking for?

I was agreeing that it is shameful how many dress. *But yes I guess shameless is what I am looking for*

I am just confused, because I am not sure what any of this has to do with Kylissa having a priest bless her house. I think it would be a nice way to enjoy the blessings of the holy spirit, and for her husband to meet the pastor.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Perhaps you could have your priest come bless your home, it would be a good opportunity for your husband to meet your pastor.

Thank you, GB. I have thought of asking him to do that. It's a bit of a drive for him (and he left yesterday to be gone for 2 weeks). But I may ask him, if it's not too much trouble.

They have met, but just "hello". My husband came to the Pascha picnic, and Fr. M. was serving lamb in the buffet line.

I would like for them to sit down and talk. Fr. M was raised Baptist. And I'd like to have the house blessed anyway.

 

[MoreCoffee]

I was agreeing that it is shameful how many dress. *But yes I guess shameless is what I am looking for*

I am just confused, because I am not sure what any of this has to do with Kylissa having a priest bless her house. I think it would be a nice way to enjoy the blessings of the holy spirit, and for her husband to meet the pastor.

Maybe the reply was intended for "shiny gospel shoes"?

 

[Mama Kidogo]

My very first time in an Orthodox parish was as a seventeen-year-old pentecostal. I walked in blind and completely unprepared (as per my instructions). I was extremely lost regarding what went on and simultaneously very impressed at the same time. It's all I could talk about for at least a week. I only went so I could write a ten page paper for a comparative religions class I was taking at the local university. I got an A on the paper, but I wish I still had it so I could recall what I actually wrote. I had no intention of converting at that time, but thirteen years later I wound up being Chrismated in the same parish.

When my husband suggested we attend an Orthodox service, I had absolutely no idea of what to expect. I had thoughts of trying to quietly blend in. It didn't work.

 

[~Anastasia~]

When my husband suggested we attend an Orthodox service, I had absolutely no idea of what to expect. I had thoughts of trying to quietly blend in. It didn't work.

Would love to hear that story sometime.

I hoped to "blend in" too. I didn't, lol. Not at ALL.

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Wow, GxG, not sure if it was your intention. Blast from the past - I know it's recent but SO MUCH has changed for me since this last time I posted.

Shalom, Kylissa

It actually was not my intention to bring back a blast from the past. I had been looking up something, which led me to this thread for a reference - and it turned out that I caught notice of a comment made by one poster to me which I never responded to. I hate it when it seems others make comments and it seems I don't get to them Better late than never...

And the whole question of why I posted this thread is no longer on my radar. Sure, the processional Cross at our Church is very decorated (I actually liked one of the Methodist ones better). And the altar is fairly nice. But those things don't have much impact on me at all anymore.

The icons add a lot as far as atmosphere though. And our stained glass windows are all iconographic too. That matters. The rest of what I "see" doesn't really register so much, though I appreciate that the overall atmosphere is one of sacredness, beauty, and makes for a reverential atmosphere.

Glad to see some of the progression in thought with what makes more of an impact for ya. The things we all tend to learn in time and view as time goes on..

I doubt any of this matters to anyone else. But I can appreciate where I've come from, and what questions and thoughts I progressed through, and where I am now.

Thanks for that, GxG.

Blessings

 

[Mama Kidogo]

Would love to hear that story sometime.

I hoped to "blend in" too. I didn't, lol. Not at ALL.

Being there with mouth agape from the culture shock doesn't lend well to blending in. But it puts us ready to receive the bread of friendship.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Shalom, Kylissa

It actually was not my intention to bring back a blast from the past. I had been looking up something, which led me to this thread for a reference - and it turned out that I caught notice of a comment made by one poster to me which I never responded to. I hate it when it seems others make comments and it seems I don't get to them Better late than never...
Glad to see some of the progression in thought with what makes more of an impact for ya. The things we all tend to learn in time and view as time goes on..
Blessings

I totally understand.

I didn't think you intended it as such, but to see a quote from me that I hoped for something a few days before everything changed ... Was nice.

Blessings to you too!