In this series I have pointed out a bunch of key differences between worship in the Protestant West and in the Orthodox East — architecture, candles, icons, processions and so on. I fear, though, that even with all these things in mind, many Protestants will have a hard time on a first visit to an […]
Monday Meditation: RCL Year B, 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Mark 3:20-35
The Gospel for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary time (Mark 3:20-35) is what I think of as a “sandwich” passage. A Mark 3:20-35 Sandwich There are two stories, more or less related, but instead of putting them one after the other (as was the case last week), one story is split in two like slices […]
First Visit to an Orthodox Church (pt. 5): Drama vs Narrative
If you read last week’s post in this series, you know my musical metaphor: Orthodox worship is to jazz as Western worship is to a singer-songwriter concert. There are several individuals and groups which, like instruments or sections, pick up important themes in turn, transforming each theme and adding to it. On your first visit […]
First Visit to an Orthodox Church (pt. 4): Jazz vs Ballads
I asked one Orthodox priest what he thought the typical newcomer would experience when visiting the Liturgy. His response: Chaos! He was joking. His congregation has a lot of free-range children. But I think he was right. Once the service begins in that icon-filled space, your typical Protestant is hard pressed to make much sense […]
Monday Meditation — RCL Year B, 7th Sunday of Easter, John 17:6-19
In Between Next Sunday’s Gospel text comes at a unique moment in the Church year. We had 40 days of Lent in preparation, culminating with Holy Week and the events of the Passion. Then the great even itself, Easter Sunday, which begins a new season of 50 days ending at Pentecost with the outpouring of […]
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