This Sunday: The Feast of Pentecost

[Tangible]

LLOJ - Purple is for Lent.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

LLOJ - Purple is for Lent.

What does purple symbolize tho and how do you, the EOs and RCC relate it to the Richman in Luke 16 and the Woman in Revelation 17?

 

[Polycarp1]

LLOJ - Purple is for Lent.

And Advent, unless you have deep Royal Blue specifically for Advent.

It's the color of penitence, preparation, expectancy, and royalty. We are preparing ourselves, in penitence, for the two great feasts of the King of Heaven.

 

[Standing Up]

What does purple symbolize tho and how do you, the EOs and RCC relate it to the Richman in Luke 16 and the Woman in Revelation 17?

Royalty

 

[Lulav]

I don't know the reason "white" is used in the west, or whether it's just the English speaking countries that have come to use that term. Someone else would have to answer that for you.

No, Orthodox celebrate the Feast of Pentecost on Sunday, but it also continues on Monday and Tuesday, and the rest of the week. In Orthodoxy, All Saints is the Sunday after Pentecost. I don't know why it's November 1st in the western churches.

I copied this regarding Pentecost from the Orthodox Church in America website:



Hope that helps.

Mary

That was lovely, thank you. Now I wish I'd have been able to find a service near me this past Sunday. Now when you say East, are you referring to the Greek Orthodox church? I think I have one not that far from me and would be interesting in attending. Do you have to call ahead, what should I be prepared for? Do the ladies wear head coverings? no pants, what is acceptable dress?

 

[Mary of Bethany]

East = shorthand for Eastern Orthodox, which includes Greek, Russian, Serbian, Antiochian, Romanian, American, whatever - we're all Eastern Orthodox.

Eastern Christianity could also include Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Rite Catholics, but as I'm not that familiar with them, I was only referencing EO.

Mary

 

[Mary of Bethany]

That was lovely, thank you. Now I wish I'd have been able to find a service near me this past Sunday. Now when you say East, are you referring to the Greek Orthodox church? I think I have one not that far from me and would be interesting in attending. Do you have to call ahead, what should I be prepared for? Do the ladies wear head coverings? no pants, what is acceptable dress?

These things can vary greatly from parish to parish. Parishes from the Russian tradition are much more likely to have women wearing headcoverings than Greek or Antiochian parishes, though it is never out of place. Russian tradition is also less likely to have pews, though even that partly depends on what area of the country you're in. There will be chairs or benches around the perimeter though for anyone to sit in. Dress also varies. I've noticed that Greek parishes tend to be "dressier". My parish, otoh, is pretty relaxed. The most important thing is modesty, though - as long as you are modestly dressed there shouldn't be a problem.

Calling ahead is not necessary, but is a good idea if the priest knows you are coming and can introduce himself to you and maybe have someone sit/stand with you to help explain things. And if you want to check out what parishes are near you - use this link and put in your zip code:

Orthodoxy in America - Home

Mary

 

[katherine2001]

And Advent, unless you have deep Royal Blue specifically for Advent.

It's the color of penitence, preparation, expectancy, and royalty. We are preparing ourselves, in penitence, for the two great feasts of the King of Heaven.

During Nativity season, the EO use red (usually a darker red, not really bright red). Blue is used for the feasts of the Theotokos. Green is used for Pentecost. White is used during the Paschal season (from midway through the liturgy on Holy Saturday through the 40 days of Pascha. Purple is used during Lent (representing repentance). Gold is used most of the year.

 

[Lulav]

These things can vary greatly from parish to parish. Parishes from the Russian tradition are much more likely to have women wearing headcoverings than Greek or Antiochian parishes, though it is never out of place. Russian tradition is also less likely to have pews, though even that partly depends on what area of the country you're in. There will be chairs or benches around the perimeter though for anyone to sit in. Dress also varies. I've noticed that Greek parishes tend to be "dressier". My parish, otoh, is pretty relaxed. The most important thing is modesty, though - as long as you are modestly dressed there shouldn't be a problem.

Calling ahead is not necessary, but is a good idea if the priest knows you are coming and can introduce himself to you and maybe have someone sit/stand with you to help explain things. And if you want to check out what parishes are near you - use this link and put in your zip code:

Orthodoxy in America - Home

Mary

Thank you once again Mary for answering me. I have no problem with the modesty, in fact in all services I attended I was looked down upon for being too modest. So I guess I should fit right in there. Now what about the chair situation, is the whole service done standing? because I have a back injury that doesn't allow for me to stand long, especially if the floor isn't flat.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

Even pewless parishes have chairs or benches to sit on. The norm is to stand, except during the sermon, but it is perfectly fine to sit as much as you need to. No one expects someone to stand all the time if they have physical problems, or even if they're just tired. Sit!

Mary