My first Divine Liturgy experience.

[eduardo89]

I prefer the Tridentine over the Byzantine. It is truly the closest thing to heaven on earth...a matter of taste I suppose.

They both have their beauty, but I do agree, the Tridentine Mass is perhaps the most beautiful celebration of our love for God.

 

[TER]

HB, listen to this young man chant one of the most solemn hymns of Holy Week



They have stripped me of my garments and clothed me in a scarlet robe. They have set upon my head a crown of thorns, and have given me a reed in my right hand, that I might dash them to pieces, like a potter’s vessel

 

[heavenlyboy34]

HB, listen to this young man chant one of the most solemn hymns of Holy Week



They have stripped me of my garments and clothed me in a scarlet robe. They have set upon my head a crown of thorns, and have given me a reed in my right hand, that I might dash them to pieces, like a potter’s vessel

Thanks! ~hugs~

 

[heavenlyboy34]

Update-I've confirmed a time for a lesson in Byzantine chant with Fr. Salamy on 12/3. w00t!

 

[TER]

Update-I've confirmed a time for a lesson in Byzantine chant with Fr. Salamy on 12/3. w00t!

 

[heavenlyboy34]

Not a lot of new happenings this week. There was a new epistle and gospel reading of course, and the sermon was based on that. Chris is a very entertaining pastor. There was a prayer for the armed forces and civil government which kind of turned me off, but I’ll let it slide. My allergies are kind of bothering me, giving me a bit of dry mouth, so I elected not to get blessed bread. New this week was a dedication of babies, which I was impressed with. I have never before seen an orthodox dedication, so it was quite interesting to see Father Chris holding the children and making the sign of the cross with them.
Although it will annoy our resident anti-orthodox types here, I again kissed the holy icons. I was less awkward about it, and Fr Salamy said “good job”.
As usual, the choral music and chant was amazing. I am impress. J So, afterward I went to the fellowship hall for a bit. Deacon Abrahams saw me and motioned me to come over. He greeted me and we chatted a bit, and he introduced me to Fr Pheiffer, who speaks Russian. We had a brief chat in Russian. A very nice fellow. I chatted with friends for a while and had a snack. I had the sad that Phil’s mom wasn’t there to chat in Russian with. :/
That’s all I can think of for now. More later if need be.

btw, I am still disappoint hugz n' kissez aren't common.

ETA: I'm behind on the NT reading challenge, but I'll catch up ASAP.

 

[TER]

Not a lot of new happenings this week. There was a new epistle and gospel reading of course, and the sermon was based on that. Chris is a very entertaining pastor. There was a prayer for the armed forces and civil government which kind of turned me off, but I’ll let it slide. My allergies are kind of bothering me, giving me a bit of dry mouth, so I elected not to get blessed bread. New this week was a dedication of babies, which I was impressed with. I have never before seen an orthodox dedication, so it was quite interesting to see Father Chris holding the children and making the sign of the cross with them.
Although it will annoy our resident anti-orthodox types here, I again kissed the holy icons. I was less awkward about it, and Fr Salamy said “good job”.
As usual, the choral music and chant was amazing. I am impress. J So, afterward I went to the fellowship hall for a bit. Deacon Abrahams saw me and motioned me to come over. He greeted me and we chatted a bit, and he introduced me to Fr Pheiffer, who speaks Russian. We had a brief chat in Russian. A very nice fellow. I chatted with friends for a while and had a snack. I had the sad that Phil’s mom wasn’t there to chat in Russian with. :/
That’s all I can think of for now. More later if need be.

btw, I am still disappoint hugz n' kissez aren't common.

ETA: I'm behind on the NT reading challenge, but I'll catch up ASAP.

The amount of hugz n' kissez are parish dependent! It is a cultural phenomenon! Here in the west, hugz n' kissez during greeting are not as commonplace as it is in European/Middle Eastern cultures and this is also reflected in many of the parishes here in the US, especially in the southern states. But these things are merely cultural and cultures change depending on the people. Who knows?! Perhaps you will be part of the reason why your parish will one day begin to show more of such types of warm greetings!


This should not be any reason to discourage you. Your main purpose amongst the assembly of believers (that is, the ekklessia, translated: the church) is to come together as members of one body in worship of God and to assist one another and the whole world through prayer and fellowship. The church is not called 'Apostolic' simply because it is directly connected to, and built upon, the teachings of the Apostles, but because we all have been sent on a mission (the actual translation of the world apostle is to send on a mission) to proclaim the Gospel and pray and love one another. Sometimes this includes lots of huggin, and sometimes tearful prayer.

Where are you at with your reading through of the NT? Perhaps we can go through it together? I have a great book written by St. Theophylact which goes line by line through the NT offering Patristic commentary. This book has LOTS of pearls of wisdom!

 

[heavenlyboy34]

The amount of hugz n' kissez are parish dependent! It is a cultural phenomenon! Here in the west, hugz n' kissez during greeting are not as commonplace as it is in European/Middle Eastern cultures and this is also reflected in many of the parishes here in the US, especially in the southern states. But these things are merely cultural and cultures change depending on the people. Who knows?! Perhaps you will be part of the reason why your parish will one day begin to show more of such types of warm greetings!


This should not be any reason to discourage you. Your main purpose amongst the assembly of believers (that is, the ekklessia, translated: the church) is to come together as members of one body in worship of God and to assist one another and the whole world through prayer and fellowship. The church is not called 'Apostolic' simply because it is directly connected to, and built upon, the teachings of the Apostles, but because we all have been sent on a mission (the actual translation of the world apostle is to send on a mission) to proclaim the Gospel and pray and love one another. Sometimes this includes lots of huggin, and sometimes tearful prayer.

Where are you at with your reading through of the NT? Perhaps we can go through it together? I have a great book written by St. Theophylact which goes line by line through the NT offering Patristic commentary. This book has LOTS of pearls of wisdom!

I'm up to Matthew 9:18 as of this writing. I think for tonight I'm going to skip up to today's reading-Luke chapter 1-3 and catch up on Matthew later. :o

I'm not too discouraged WRT the lack of hugz n' kissez. The worship is so beautiful and sincere it mostly makes up for what it lacks.

btw, the Orthdox study bible you suggested to me a year or so ago is still in my amazon cart. I plan to buy a copy when I pay off my bills in 1-3 months or so.

 

[TER]

I'm up to Matthew 9:18 as of this writing. I think for tonight I'm going to skip up to today's reading-Luke chapter 1-3 and catch up on Matthew later. :o

I'm not too discouraged WRT the lack of hugz n' kissez. The worship is so beautiful and sincere it mostly makes up for what it lacks.

btw, the Orthdox study bible you suggested to me a year or so ago is still in my amazon cart. I plan to buy a copy when I pay off my bills in 1-3 months or so.

Luke 1-3 it is! (as a physician, there is a special place in my heart for St. Luke In fact, my residency training was in a hospital named after him.

green73, if you are reading this, join our reading group!

 

[TER]

With regards to churching of the infant which you witnessed today...

The 40 Day Churching of Infants
The biblical history of "churching" infants 40 days after birth


The Church Tradition

The Feast of "Our Lord's Presentation in the Temple, (Feb 2) " takes place 40 days after the Nativity of Christ or Christmas. The readings for the Divine Liturgy that day are as follows: Epistle Lesson: Hebrews 7:7-17; and Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:22-40.

Christ was presented to the Temple in obedience to the Mosaic Law which he as the Messiah had come to fulfill. The parents would bring the child along with a sacrifice, "a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons."

Why did Jesus submit to the Law?

Jesus submitted to the Law so that the Law might be fulfilled in Him, and in all who accept Jesus as Messiah. The old people, Simeon and Anna symbolize the dying of the Old Covenant and the establishing of the New Covenant in Christ.

The Purification of Mary

The Hebrew Tradition of Leviticus 12 portrays a woman as being unclean for forty days after the birth of a male child and 80 days after the birth of a female child. The woman would come with a lamb, if she could afford it, or if not, two turtle doves or two pigeons. Mary and Joseph were poor because they could not offer a lamb, but offered two turtles doves. However, Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Purification

Human beings feel impure in the presence of God, it is a humbling experience. Such times occur at birth and death. Giving birth is not a sin, neither is conceiving a child, however coming to the Church and acknowledging Him as the Giver of Life and thanking Him for protecting the Mother during child birth is why it is now done.

Church Tradition

The woman has been absent from the Liturgy for forty days since the birth of her child and is in need of re-establishing herself in the assembly of the Church. She enters the Church, having encountered the miracle of Birth and prayers of thanksgiving are offered for having protected the mother during child birth. The child is also prayed over for God to watch over it and protect it until the time for its baptism. The Child is brought before the icons of Christ and up the steps in front of the Royal Gates of the Holy Altar and offered to God.

 

[TER]

Coincidentally, it is in Luke chapter 2 (which we are studying tonight) where we learn how the baby Jesus was presented to the temple at 40 days old. So you witnessed today a practice started by Moses (as instructed by God), fulfilled by Jesus, and continued by the Church.

 

[RJB]

The amount of hugz n' kissez are parish dependent!

I'll trade ya. I'm a Midwesterner of German descent. MEN DON'T HUG where I'm from!!!! I might have hugged my dad once or twice in spontaneity and my grandfathers (who I loved a lot) never.

Now I live in an area with a lot of hippies who always want to hug me. I put up with it, but it's a cross I bear.

 

[Matthew5]

Not a lot of new happenings this week. There was a new epistle and gospel reading of course, and the sermon was based on that. Chris is a very entertaining pastor. There was a prayer for the armed forces and civil government which kind of turned me off, but I’ll let it slide....

Concerning the part of Liturgy where we pray for the President, civil authorities, and the armed forces. I too had an issue with this because it seemed like the church was supporting the evil that these men do. However, my priest explains it as this:

"First, we don't pray for the mission of the troops, we pray for the human souls on both sides of conflict. We must remember that even men who do evil are not beyond salvation. We pray for a peaceful resolution and that armed conflict would quickly come to an end.

Concerning the President and civil authorities, like St. Paul says in Romans, government can be used to bring peace and to punish the wicked. The President is in need of salvation just as much as we are. We pray that he has the wisdom to do the will of God. Not an endorsement, but a plea."

One can certainly differ on opinion and still pray for the person. In fact, if we condemn evil, but don't pray for the evil doer, it's worthless.

 

[TER]

Concerning the part of Liturgy where we pray for the President, civil authorities, and the armed forces. I too had an issue with this because it seemed like the church was supporting the evil that these men do. However, my priest explains it as this:

"First, we don't pray for the mission of the troops, we pray for the human souls on both sides of conflict. We must remember that even men who do evil are not beyond salvation. We pray for a peaceful resolution and that armed conflict would quickly come to an end.

Concerning the President and civil authorities, like St. Paul says in Romans, government can be used to bring peace and to punish the wicked. The President is in need of salvation just as much as we are. We pray that he has the wisdom to do the will of God. Not an endorsement, but a plea."

One can certainly differ on opinion and still pray for the person. In fact, if we condemn evil, but don't pray for the evil doer, it's worthless.

Exactly! The way you described that part of the prayer litany (that is, the prayer for the civil authorities and military) is how it was explained to me. Namely, that we pray for their souls, not exactly how they are leading or why they are fighting. It is not an endorsement at all, but a petition for their souls that they do what is good and according to the will of God.

 

[eduardo89]

In fact, if we condemn evil, but don't pray for the evil doer, it's worthless.

That is a very good point and covers every instance in which we condemn sin and evil. It is completely worthless to condemn the sin, but not to pray for and help the sinner.

 

[heavenlyboy34]

Finished my reading for tonight. ATM, my favorite is Luke 1:52. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble

 

[TER]

Finished my reading for tonight. ATM, my favorite is Luke 1:52. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble

The Magnificat. Only of the earliest hymns of the Church.

 

[heavenlyboy34]

The Magnificat. Only of the earliest hymns of the Church.

Да! While we're on that subject:

 

[heavenlyboy34]

Just wanted to bump this for green to see what he thought of the gospel reading last night. Today's gospel is Luke 4-7.

 

[heavenlyboy34]

today's reading is Luke chapter 8-11, btw.