If you disdain liturgy, you'd hate the ancient Church then, because they were quite liturgical. The Didache shows us this and so does Scripture. In fact, often people see the term "minister" in English translations when Blessed Paul speaks of himself. Technically the word he uses in Greek means "liturgist!"
The worship of Christ Jesus should be liturgical. It is a drama that unfolds that repeats throughout the ages. Christ our True God is sacrificed at Calvary for our sins and the throng of the heavenly Hosts are there, God the Father looks down, the Theotokos His Mother is with Him, and so are we. It is a triumphal pageantry that took place 2,000 years ago, and each time there is a Divine Liturgy, Christ's glorious conquest of death and His Triumph on the Cross is re-presented for us. And thanks to liturgy, we get the awesome honor of actually participating in the self-same moment at calvary through the mysteries of an awesome God.
If you view liturgy this way, and see that it is an ACTIVE participation in a timeless (truly) event 2,000 years old and counting, that God brings His Very Self to us to be our spiritual and tangible meal so that we might touch the divine, then you'll see liturgy not as some repetitive silly script with a bunch of goofy liturgy fans. You'll see it's a LIVING odyssey upward to the heavens, not some bland monotone bunch of old fuddy-duddies.
Most people who don't like liturgy want something dynamic, hip, cool, modern, something to stave off their A.D.D. or drifting minds. They want to be inspired and hear a dang good sermon that grabs 'em and wakes them up with a call to action. They want to hear praise bands, drums and bass guitars and giant screens with pastors who have microphone units. I just don't see how the technology and hipster tendencies of modernity could hold a candle to the ancient liturgy that was
a) good enough for men like St. John Chrysostom
b) practiced in the Jewish synagogue by the first Christians
c) universally practiced in various forms by the ancient Church
d) continues the glories of the re-presentation of Calvary coupled with the kingliness of incense, the majesty of an altar, the beauties of a choir, the richness of icons, the symbolism of heaven and earth with the iconostasis wall, the wording of our Father Among the Saints, the Real Presence of Christ, a shower of blessings, a nice sermon, and divine grace
Yes, liturgy is predictable...but so is the constant love of God. I don't see the need to "shake things up" with God. We don't need a dynamism with worship. We're not there to learn so much as grow and be supernaturally zapped with grace, glory, praise, love, and hope from on-high.
What I recommend to you, brother, is to sit down and read the entirety of the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church online. You can read it for free. Just Google it. Read and study it page by page and you'll see it a divine ascent to the heavens. You'll see it not only has everything you need, but more! It is grounded in history, rich linguistics, and each and every moment is steeped in meaning. It's a bit daunting a task, but it's a rich tapestry.
Try to view things through the eyes of the ancients, not the modern flavor of the week entertainment didactic approach we've all been taught is somehow more palatable.
You are indeed welcome here at all times, but when you rip on liturgy or showing videos from your church, though I didn't myself report you, don't be surprised if you are. If the video has any sort of didactic element whatsoever and it contradicts the Holy Orthodox faith, don't be surprised if people find it a funky sort of teaching tool of sorts. St. Justin's is the best place to share such things with questions or debating, etc.
Like Kylissa, I'm glad you're here. But keep an OPEN MIND to the One True Church that Christ created---ours. Orthodoxy is the real deal. I'm a guy with English, German, Irish blood who grew up Roman Catholic and spent years as a quasi-Protestant Anglican about as Western and Red blooded 'merican as you can get....yet I converted to a religion predominant to Russia, Serbia, Greece, and other Eastern block lands. Go figure! If you'd have told me I'd make such a conversion a decade ago, I'd tell you that you'd have sampled some of Mr. White's blue meth from Breaking Bad. No way I'd convert to those long-bearded Eastern exotic icon-kissin' folks! Yeah? Well think again! We did! LOL
God has a funny way of smacking us upside our head with new ways of seeing and learning about Him.
Keep an open mind, brother.
You're correct in that...... but only to a point. Yes, I have been to the GO church, and as you well know, it is not my thing. But, that goes for any heavily Liturgical assembly. I even feel phony sitting in a Lutheran service. I actually know nothing, personally, about the EO group except for what I have seen here (meaning the 'local' HERE, this time), and a little checking out of them on the internet.
Of course, I cannot deny that my opinion has been heavily influenced by the far-less-than-hospitable treatment I have consistently received here. At one time I was even <REPORTED> for posting a very humorous video my church group did about Communion misconceptions. (totally derived from what we have, in our group, experienced from main stream Protestant congregations... since most of us hardly even knew the EO existed) They said I was "teaching". This was as foolish a comment as could have been made about that video, but I hit the defensive EO nerve, and the reaction was instinctive.
And you already know about that character, "Orthodoxy". That guy, alone, is probably the most negative representative that has ever breathed the word EO.
But, my main reason for not digging this religion is not anything to do with EO, itself, but simply that I disdain Liturgy.
