Orthodox liturgy

[CelticRebel]

I have watched several Orthodox worship services on the web. I thought I would love it, but I really didn't care for it.

 

[gzt]

C'est la vie. It's not really a spectator sport.

 

[Anhelyna]

Wot he said !

Strangely enough I was having a conversation with our Chancellor by email yesterday - actually letting off steam to him about the use of choirs and ended up by saying

"Singing IS worship - we worship with ALL our senses "

You cannot watch our services - it's an impossibility - you are led into them and you find yourself taking part in them.

Celtic Rebel - I know you say you don't live near a church - but please do go once and see and experience for yourself.

 

[CelticRebel]

Wot he said !

Strangely enough I was having a conversation with our Chancellor by email yesterday - actually letting off steam to him about the use of choirs and ended up by saying

"Singing IS worship - we worship with ALL our senses "

You cannot watch our services - it's an impossibility - you are led into them and you find yourself taking part in them.

Celtic Rebel - I know you say you don't live near a church - but please do go once and see and experience for yourself.

I would like to go. I hope I can soon. Maybe that would change my mind.

I have worshiped many times in Anglican churches, and I like their liturgy.

 

[xenia]

Sometimes when I am sick and have to miss church I try to watch a live Liturgy on the Internet. I last about ten minutes. You just have to be there, like the others have said.

 

[ArmyMatt]

always remember also that what we like does not matter that much, especially since our personal tastes change. I know plenty of folks who hated Liturgy and now love it, I know plenty who loved it and now it is a struggle. what matters is if it is true. and yes, it is very different seeing one online then actually being there.

 

[CelticRebel]

always remember also that what we like does not matter that much, especially since our personal tastes change. I know plenty of folks who hated Liturgy and now love it, I know plenty who loved it and now it is a struggle. what matters is if it is true. and yes, it is very different seeing one online then actually being there.

I'll take you and Zenia at your word. I can understand how that could be the case, too.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Celtic,
Don't jump to conclusions, mate! When I was still Anglican, my wife and I were intrigued by what we read about Orthodoxy. Everything about it fascinated me frankly. My wife was a bit chicken, though, to go attend that Divine Liturgy 50 miles north of here. So... She suggested I go with an Orthodox friend and "scout" it out ahead of her.

The result? "That was freakin' weird, man!" was what I told her on the drive back. Too long, too repetitive, off wording, not my taste....

That was my INITIAL appraisal of the Divine Liturgy.

Ugh.

I told my wife and she said, "are you sure?"

Meh....ok, we'll try it again.

This time Kate went with me....

"Holy moly that was INCREDIBLE!!!!" was her response.

Huh?

My wife isn't much into reading theology or liturgical stuff, but she was hooked day one!? I thought it was ok the second time.

The third it got better....

The fourth it got pretty awesome.

The fifth was incredible!!!

Then I watched videos, read into specific parts and what their significance was!? So THAT'S what the Cherubic Hymn is for! So THATS that story of the Trisagion!? Oh, now I know what the Little Entrance is for!? Oh, so the Kontakion and the troparion are different? Why and how?

What are the tones for? Oh!!!!

Then each week if learn that this liturgy is like an onion!! You keep learning something new!!!

You just can't beat this liturgy....period!!!!

Any other liturgy pales in comparison to be sure. Our Father Among the Saints knew how to worship the living God. The DL can't be watched, heard, or just plain viewed. It must be experienced...in my case it took several times for this dullard to "get" it. Once you do, look out!!!

Don't diss it off, brother!!!!try it in person. If by the fifth episode of this beautiful pageant of God you aren't into it, then it really ISNT for you...

 

[E.C.]

One does not simply watch a Divine Liturgy

 

[CelticRebel]

Celtic,
Don't jump to conclusions, mate! When I was still Anglican, my wife and I were intrigued by what we read about Orthodoxy. Everything about it fascinated me frankly. My wife was a bit chicken, though, to go attend that Divine Liturgy 50 miles north of here. So... She suggested I go with an Orthodox friend and "scout" it out ahead of her.

The result? "That was freakin' weird, man!" was what I told her on the drive back. Too long, too repetitive, off wording, not my taste....

That was my INITIAL appraisal of the Divine Liturgy.

Ugh.

I told my wife and she said, "are you sure?"

Meh....ok, we'll try it again.

This time Kate went with me....

"Holy moly that was INCREDIBLE!!!!" was her response.

Huh?

My wife isn't much into reading theology or liturgical stuff, but she was hooked day one!? I thought it was ok the second time.

The third it got better....

The fourth it got pretty awesome.

The fifth was incredible!!!

Then I watched videos, read into specific parts and what their significance was!? So THAT'S what the Cherubic Hymn is for! So THATS that story of the Trisagion!? Oh, now I know what the Little Entrance is for!? Oh, so the Kontakion and the troparion are different? Why and how?

What are the tones for? Oh!!!!

Then each week if learn that this liturgy is like an onion!! You keep learning something new!!!

You just can't beat this liturgy....period!!!!

Any other liturgy pales in comparison to be sure. Our Father Among the Saints knew how to worship the living God. The DL can't be watched, heard, or just plain viewed. It must be experienced...in my case it took several times for this dullard to "get" it. Once you do, look out!!!

Don't diss it off, brother!!!!try it in person. If by the fifth episode of this beautiful pageant of God you aren't into it, then it really ISNT for you...

Thank you for that wonderfully thoughtful post!

 

[CelticRebel]

One does not simply watch a Divine Liturgy

I don't doubt that, but it's the best I can do for now.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

refresh my memory---do you live near or far from an Orthodox parish? If there is one or more near, which are they? Greek? Russian? OCA? Serb? Antiochean?

I'd say just pray about it and visit. The hardest part is getting over the nerve-wracking hump that must be driven over to actually VISIT an Orthodox parish! I took a while to get my nerve up. You'll hear "they're too ethnic!" and "why visit an Orthodox church? You're not a Russian?" and other junk, but in the end you'll be surprised how many Protestant and Catholic converts of all ethnic stripes are there! I know I was very surprised.

Let us know what we can do to help.

I don't doubt that, but it's the best I can do for now.

 

[Cappadocious]

I have watched several Orthodox worship services on the web. I thought I would love it, but I really didn't care for it.

I would have thought the same thing I'm sure. Some things don't look good on video.

 

[CelticRebel]

refresh my memory---do you live near or far from an Orthodox parish? If there is one or more near, which are they? Greek? Russian? OCA? Serb? Antiochean?

I'd say just pray about it and visit. The hardest part is getting over the nerve-wracking hump that must be driven over to actually VISIT an Orthodox parish! I took a while to get my nerve up. You'll hear "they're too ethnic!" and "why visit an Orthodox church? You're not a Russian?" and other junk, but in the end you'll be surprised how many Protestant and Catholic converts of all ethnic stripes are there! I know I was very surprised.

Let us know what we can do to help.

Thank you very much for your kindness and concern!

I live about 90 minutes from an OCA church, and about two hours from an Antiochian Archdiocese church.

 

[Antony in Tx]

Wherever you decide to go, be sure to stick around for cofee hour afterward. All of the Yayas/Babushkas (think elderly grandmotherly types) will be prying into your business and wanting to know who you are! You will also probably be fed pretty well!

 

[CelticRebel]

Wherever you decide to go, be sure to stick around for cofee hour afterward. All of the Yayas/Babushkas (think elderly grandmotherly types) will be prying into your business and wanting to know who you are! You will also probably be fed pretty well!

 

[dzheremi]

Meh. I wouldn't put much stock in the impressions videos can leave with you (I've seen great and terrible liturgy videos; in most ways it's highly subjective which is which). That's like saying you've decided you don't like Mexican food because you saw some pictures of tacos that didn't interest you. Once you try it, you might love it, but you can't know beforehand.

 

[CelticRebel]

Meh. I wouldn't put much stock in the impressions videos can leave with you (I've seen great and terrible liturgy videos; in most ways it's highly subjective which is which). That's like saying you've decided you don't like Mexican food because you saw some pictures of tacos that didn't interest you. Once you try it, you might love it, but you can't know beforehand.

I don't like the looks of tacos or the taste, but I get your point.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Wherever you decide to go, be sure to stick around for cofee hour afterward. All of the Yayas/Babushkas (think elderly grandmotherly types) will be prying into your business and wanting to know who you are! You will also probably be fed pretty well!

Ain't that the truth!?!

I love the yiayias!

 

[ArmyMatt]

coffee hour is also usually the best time you can catch the priest and get better details on Orthodoxy. and yeah, Orthodoxy and food go hand in hand, and it is awesome.