Ortholic Relations

[Br. Xavier]

I just attended Vespers today, and the priest and family invited me to dinner. Some of the nicest people I've ever met.

That is so cool!

I am soooo jealous! I've always wanted to venerate his relics. Ah maybe one day.

This was helpful for me during my first visit:


First Visit to an Orthodox Church: Twelve Things I Wish I'd Known | Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese

Haha, I've seen this article all over the web, and the church I just attended for Vespers had it printed out onto a pamphlet. Thank you.

 

[MariaRegina]

I just attended Vespers today, and the priest and family invited me to dinner. Some of the nicest people I've ever met.








Haha, I've seen this article all over the web, and the church I just attended for Vespers had it printed out onto a pamphlet. Thank you.

That is so wonderful, brother.

What did you think of the Vesper's service?

 

[Br. Xavier]

That is so wonderful, brother.

What did you think of the Vesper's service?

I definitely enjoyed and got a lot out of it, but it was kind of hard to hear as there were two children screaming through some parts.

Questions:
Is Vespers a part of the Divine Liturgy? I saw that he (the priest) was reading out of the Divine Liturgy book from the pews, but I hadn't seen Vespers in the book itself.
Also, how active is the congregation in the Divine Liturgy?

 

[Apophatic80]

Ahhh, screaming kids! My old Catholic parish was full of em. At any rate, I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, and you're welcome for my earlier posting. Furthermore, I think the Divine Liturgy is the most spiritually touching service, which makes sense due to the Eucharistic processions made by the clergy. Check it out on Sunday!

 

[Apophatic80]

No, Vespers isn't DL. DL is used for distributing communion to the faithful and is usually reserved for Sundays (it's different during the Lenten Season). If you show up for your Sunday service, that'll be your intro to DL. Orthros should be done before DL, which is known as Matins in the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours, yet your EO parish might do things differently. Check the schedule and email your priest.

 

[Bessie]

The congregation is not active in the same way that a they are at a standard RC Mass, but don't be fooled. The choir is primarily responsible for the "responses" but in many parishes the congregation will also sing along. Even if they do not actively sing, people tend to be actively involved in the liturgy, making the sign of the cross, etc. The people also light candles, venerate icons, say prayers together.

It is definitely a different paradigm, though. Although there are many things that are similar and familiar, there is plenty that will be different too. As you already know from your vespers experience, I am sure.

 

[Br. Xavier]

Also, which just occurred to me, should they be on the Old Calendar, or does it not matter? I just realized they're (the Orthodox church I had just visited) celebrating Christmas on the Gregorian 25th.

 

[MariaRegina]

Some OCA and Greek Orthodox Churches are on the Old Calendar.

Serbians, Ukrainians, MP (Moscow Patriarch), and the ROCOR are also on the Old Calendar.

 

[cobweb]

Also, which just occurred to me, should they be on the Old Calendar, or does it not matter? I just realized they're (the Orthodox church I had just visited) celebrating Christmas on the Gregorian 25th.

Honestly, most Orthodox in the USA do celebrate it on the new calendar.

What jurisdiction is the Church (GOARCH, OCA, etc...)?

 

[Br. Xavier]

I was just wondering if that mattered.

Honestly, most Orthodox in the USA do celebrate it on the new calendar.

What jurisdiction is the Church (GOARCH, OCA, etc...)?

OCA

 

[cobweb]

I was just wondering if that mattered.



OCA

Several of us here are in the OCA.

One thing that may be different in the OCA is that you may have "3rd hour" prayers instead of Orthros before the Divine Liturgy. I know that it is done this way in our OCA mission and several of the Churches locally.

 

[E.C.]

Questions:
Is Vespers a part of the Divine Liturgy? I saw that he (the priest) was reading out of the Divine Liturgy book from the pews, but I hadn't seen Vespers in the book itself.
Also, how active is the congregation in the Divine Liturgy?

Vespers is Vespers. It is not part of the Divine Liturgy, yet still very good to attend.


The congregation is active in different ways. Since the Liturgy is not as "clear cut" as the Roman Catholic mass, it is a bit different. When I was becoming Orthodox in Miami the cathedral I attended had a Romanian lady who would be singing all the hymns and prayers and doing all the "Lord have mercys" in her native Romanian even though the choir sang in English.

Also, which just occurred to me, should they be on the Old Calendar, or does it not matter? I just realized they're (the Orthodox church I had just visited) celebrating Christmas on the Gregorian 25th.

It doesn't matter. The only ones that make a dogmatic issue of it are "Old Calendarists" schismatics who are not in Communion with the Orthodox Church.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

Vespers is the first service of the day, and is when we first hear in the hymns and readings, about the Saints or feasts for the day. In parishes with regular services, there is always a Vespers on the evening before a Divine Liturgy, whether a Sunday or a Feast Day.

I'm sorry the children were loud, but we believe that children should be in the services with us, soaking in the presence of the Saints and Angels, and receiving the Holy Mysteries as soon as they are baptized. Our parish is full of young families with lots of children, so it's not always a "peaceful" place, but it's full of joy.

Welcome to TAW, Br. Xavier!

Mary

 

[Christos Anesti]

Vespers is awesome. It was the service that most attracted me to Orthodoxy at first. I love the hymn:

O Gladsome Light of the holy glory of the Immortal Father, heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ. Now we have come to the setting of the sun and behold the light of evening. We praise God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For it is right at all times to worship Thee with voices of praise, O Son of God and Giver of Life, therefore all the world glorifies Thee.

​

We always have the lights off and its just lighted by candles and there are not as many people there. Very tranquil and meditative atmosphere.

http://www.oca.org/OCchapter.asp?SID=2&ID=61

 

[Br. Xavier]

I'm sorry the children were loud, but we believe that children should be in the services with us, soaking in the presence of the Saints and Angels, and receiving the Holy Mysteries as soon as they are baptized. Our parish is full of young families with lots of children, so it's not always a "peaceful" place, but it's full of joy.

Of course. By all means, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Welcome to TAW, Br. Xavier!

Thanks.

 

[ArmyMatt]

glad to hear you had a good time! keep us posted!

(I'd normally chime in, but everyone has already posted good answers)

 

[Br. Xavier]

I will be seeing my priest again on Sunday, but until then I ask:
What is the normal protocol for converting to Orthodoxy for Catholicism. I am a confirmed Catholic. I can't believe this slipped my mind when last I saw him, but I was caught up in our conversation and the new liturgical experience.

TIA

 

[prodromos]

Vespers, Matins and Divine Liturgy are all parts of what was once a single service and can still be experienced if your Church performs any Vigil services throughout the year. In a Vigil service, Vespers will start later in the evening and the Divine Liturgy will complete in the early hours of the morning. I have been to a Vigil service in Greece which began around 10pm and finished at 4am. That was awesome, but most of the Vigils services I have attended go from around 11pm to 2am.

Another book I can recommend is "Church, Papacy and Schism. A Theological Perspective" by Philip Sherrard. I have it somewhere on my old computer as a scanned and ocr'd version of my own copy of the book. Send me a private message if you would like me to send it to you.

God bless,
John

 

[ArmyMatt]

I will be seeing my priest again on Sunday, but until then I ask:
What is the normal protocol for converting to Orthodoxy for Catholicism. I am a confirmed Catholic. I can't believe this slipped my mind when last I saw him, but I was caught up in our conversation and the new liturgical experience.

probably you will be first made into a catechumen when Father feels you are ready. usually that is accompanied with some kind of class to learn about the Church, and normally you should start going to as many of the services as you can.

since you are confirmed Catholic, you will probably be chrismated when you are received into the Church.

most of when this will take place is up to your local priest

 

[Br. Xavier]

probably you will be first made into a catechumen when Father feels you are ready. usually that is accompanied with some kind of class to learn about the Church, and normally you should start going to as many of the services as you can.

since you are confirmed Catholic, you will probably be chrismated when you are received into the Church.

most of when this will take place is up to your local priest

Thank you very much.