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Sunday, April 16, 2006
Going against the stream- Orthodoxy
Well today marks the first full day being an Orthodox Christian. Yesterday, at approximately 10:30 a.m., My son & I were accepted into the Orthodox faith. This fulfills a dream I've had for over 15 years. Several detours happened along the way. During a separation & inevitable divorce the Episcopal denomination helped me get back on my feet...My spiritual feet that is. Something about the repetition of the liturgy, both during the service and at home, gave me a terrific sense of peace and stability during a time when for three months I couldn't tie my own shoe laces.
That led to a 12 year period of tenure with the E.C.U.S.A. Met my wife there, had my son there, got lassoed into being on the vestry...Then, and I saw this coming inevitably, the denomination left the mores of the gospel by accepting an openly, practicing bishop who embraced same sex attraction. A sodomite. Had to bolt then.
My family took a 2 year hiatus from church. We said our prayers every night, read and studied the Holy Scriptures, but needed that break from a very draining congregation.
I saw the opportunity to act on my yearnings that surfaced while I was in seminary. The unbroken line of historic Christianity still existed in the Orthodox faith. So Saturday, at the celebration of the resurrection of Lazarus we were received.
Our priest snipped off some of our hair. Burned it in the incense holder, anointed us with Holy oil, had us recite a confession and several vows. Nothing made me feel so solid and glad to please my Lord as this. I could hear the silent whisper of the Holy Trinity saying "Welcome home...We've been waiting."
Now I actually feel tired at the end of church. I'm not a spectator. I'm rendering humble service to the Holy Trinity. I'm consuming the Holy Eucharist again. For several months prior I was truly missing it.
There are times in the service when the very presence of God permeates the congregation. It is truly mysterious but it is also evident the Holy Trinity is pleased.
In another post ( very soon) I will relate an 'incident' with an icon across the room...But that's another time. ¶ 4:56 PM 0 comments
That led to a 12 year period of tenure with the E.C.U.S.A. Met my wife there, had my son there, got lassoed into being on the vestry...Then, and I saw this coming inevitably, the denomination left the mores of the gospel by accepting an openly, practicing bishop who embraced same sex attraction. A sodomite. Had to bolt then.
My family took a 2 year hiatus from church. We said our prayers every night, read and studied the Holy Scriptures, but needed that break from a very draining congregation.
I saw the opportunity to act on my yearnings that surfaced while I was in seminary. The unbroken line of historic Christianity still existed in the Orthodox faith. So Saturday, at the celebration of the resurrection of Lazarus we were received.
Our priest snipped off some of our hair. Burned it in the incense holder, anointed us with Holy oil, had us recite a confession and several vows. Nothing made me feel so solid and glad to please my Lord as this. I could hear the silent whisper of the Holy Trinity saying "Welcome home...We've been waiting."
Now I actually feel tired at the end of church. I'm not a spectator. I'm rendering humble service to the Holy Trinity. I'm consuming the Holy Eucharist again. For several months prior I was truly missing it.
There are times in the service when the very presence of God permeates the congregation. It is truly mysterious but it is also evident the Holy Trinity is pleased.
In another post ( very soon) I will relate an 'incident' with an icon across the room...But that's another time. ¶ 4:56 PM 0 comments
