Can someone please explain this?

[Wildflower08]

I grew up in an Episcopalian Church as well as Episcopalian Schools. My school was associated with a high Episcopalian cathedral where they did many things we didn't do at my "lower" Episcopalian church -- such as ringing bells and using incense. The reasons behind those practices were never explained to me, and I am curious about why those things are done. Is it a tradition or scripture based?

TIA for your answers!

 

[wayseer]

I grew up in an Episcopalian Church as well as Episcopalian Schools. My school was associated with a high Episcopalian cathedral where they did many things we didn't do at my "lower" Episcopalian church -- such as ringing bells and using incense. The reasons behind those practices were never explained to me, and I am curious about why those things are done. Is it a tradition or scripture based?

TIA for your answers!

The only response I could make is that such practices are relics of the past in a time when incense was used to cover the general smell of unwashed bodies and that bells were used to wake people up during the long dreary liturgy.

The only reason such practices are continued is that is 'looks' good.

But the more important issue is that the Anglican church does not give any explanation for its liturgy. You are meant to accept it without asking questions.

 

[Conor7]

Here's what I know, which isn't much. Bells are used in Christianity as a call to worship, in much the same way as a horn is used in Judaism and the human voice is used in Islam.

As for the incense, it's an ancient tradition to use incense in religious ceremonies. Incense was used at the Oracle of Delphi to induce a trance state, and incense is still used today for its believed purification properties. For instance, Wiccans will use smudge sticks made of sage to rid one's environment of negative energy.

 

[MKJ]

They are I guess you could say traditional parts of the liturgy, though they may lso have some Scriptural references.

Incense is a symbol of prayer, just as Moses was told (IIRC) to offer incense to God as a form of prayer. I think it is also mentioned in the psalms. It was used in the Jewish temple and throughout Christian history.

The bells are rung at particular important points in the prayer of consecration, to show their importance and to hold our attention.

In a larger sense, an important purpose of the liturgy is to prepare us spiritually and psychological to receive the Eucharist, and to offer praise and worship to God. It does that through the text, which gives us the doctrine and theology of what we are doing, but is also prepares us through appealing to the body as well as the mind - the eyes, ears, nose, even the way we move our bodies at different times in the liturgy.

This is because we are understood not only top be spirits, but creatures with bodies who need to incorporate the body into our worship. The liturgy is more effective if it can use all the tools on offer to help us to worship and receive God.

 

[elahmine]

They are I guess you could say traditional parts of the liturgy, though they may lso have some Scriptural references.

Incense is a symbol of prayer, just as Moses was told (IIRC) to offer incense to God as a form of prayer. I think it is also mentioned in the psalms. It was used in the Jewish temple and throughout Christian history.

The bells are rung at particular important points in the prayer of consecration, to show their importance and to hold our attention.

In a larger sense, an important purpose of the liturgy is to prepare us spiritually and psychological to receive the Eucharist, and to offer praise and worship to God. It does that through the text, which gives us the doctrine and theology of what we are doing, but is also prepares us through appealing to the body as well as the mind - the eyes, ears, nose, even the way we move our bodies at different times in the liturgy.

This is because we are understood not only top be spirits, but creatures with bodies who need to incorporate the body into our worship. The liturgy is more effective if it can use all the tools on offer to help us to worship and receive God.

I believe, as far as incense goes, a lot people point to Revelation as to why it should be used at mass.

 

[elahmine]

Revelation 8 3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.

Incense is mentioned multiple times throughout Revelation. It is the reason I hear most often.