Worship differences

[Patristic]

Since I have only had the privilege to attend the Liturgy at one Church I can't fall back on a diversity of experiences to answer this question, so that is why I pose it to the rest of you here. Are there any distinct differences between the way a Church composed of primarily cradle Orthodox participate in and respond to the Liturgy compared to the same activity in a Church comprised of mainly converts?

 

[Eusebios]

I haven't noticed a lot of difference, though it seems to me that convert heavy parishes seem to take a more active and particpatory role in the Liturgy. This is just a personal impressin mind you. I too would be interested in hearing other's thoughts on this topic
His unworthy servant,
Eusebios.

 

[Patristic]

I haven't noticed a lot of difference, though it seems to me that convert heavy parishes seem to take a more active and particpatory role in the Liturgy. This is just a personal impressin mind you. I too would be interested in hearing other's thoughts on this topic
His unworthy servant,
Eusebios.

I think it was always an unverified assumption of mine that convert heavy parishes are more participatory in the Liturgy. In my Church there are a few of us who sit together and take an active role in reciting the Liturgy. To tell you the truth, sometimes it feels awkward because a majority don't recite the Liturgy but are more reposed and receptive. I am wondering if anyone else here can verify if convert composed parishes are more active?

 

[Photini]

I think it was always an unverified assumption of mine that convert heavy parishes are more participatory in the Liturgy. In my Church there are a few of us who sit together and take an active role in reciting the Liturgy. To tell you the truth, sometimes it feels awkward because a majority don't recite the Liturgy but are more reposed and receptive. I am wondering if anyone else here can verify if convert composed parishes are more active?

My parish is mainly cradle Orthodox (Greek)...and I've attended an OCA church, and also a Serbian church, both of which were mainly converts. My observation is that the converts are more participatory.
But that is a totally different story with pilgrims at the monastery, which is mainly all cradle Orthodox. But truly, that place is a little piece of heaven on earth. I remember the vigil I went to last year (the Annunciation)...there was an elderly Greek woman there who was standing catty-corner from me. We were all squished together inside the little church for this six hour vigil. This woman was in a different world. I think she wept the whole time. And I remember the way she made her cross, and prostrated herself....and I thought to myself, "What she has, is what I want." I didn't take my eyes from her the whole time practically. I just stood there listening to the chanting, praying and watching her. I'll never forget her. I wonder if she'll be there again this year.

 

[Patristic]

My parish is mainly cradle Orthodox (Greek)...and I've attended an OCA church, and also a Serbian church, both of which were mainly converts. My observation is that the converts are more participatory.
But that is a totally different story with pilgrims at the monastery, which is mainly all cradle Orthodox. But truly, that place is a little piece of heaven on earth. I remember the vigil I went to last year (the Annunciation)...there was an elderly Greek woman there who was standing catty-corner from me. We were all squished together inside the little church for this six hour vigil. This woman was in a different world. I think she wept the whole time. And I remember the way she made her cross, and prostrated herself....and I thought to myself, "What she has, is what I want." I didn't take my eyes from her the whole time practically. I just stood there listening to the chanting, praying and watching her. I'll never forget her. I wonder if she'll be there again this year.

Thanks for sharing about your experience. After reading your account I have a desire to experience a worship service performed at a monastery.

 

[Eusebios]

Worship in a Monastic setting is indeed intensive. I have had the oppurtunity to do so both at St. John The Theologian OCA in Hyram , Oh. where I attended the Little Compline and Nocturn as well as the GOA Monastery of Dt. Gregory Palamas (http://www.bright.net/~palamas/) where I was fortunate enough to attend Heirarchal Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of the Pittsburgh diocese. It is really worth doing.
His unworthy servant,
Eusebios.