Upon my first visit in an Orthodox Church, I remember thinking that it was a bit too ceremonial and flashy. There were fancy vestments worn by the priest, candles burning, incense being flung about in a censer, icons painted on the wall, and a procession around the inside of the church with the communion elements. But upon further reflection, it seems “showiness” is in the eye of the beholder.
Take your typical local mega-church for example:
When you walk in, there is often loud pop/rock/worship music blasting on a very large and expensive sound system. There are screens with some kind of video displaying, camera men setup on perches throughout the auditorium capturing every moment of the action, fancy stage lights that probably beat the heck out of whatever is at the local theatre for plays and drama, perhaps some fog machines, a worship band cranking out some kickin’ rock music, and an engaging sermon with some kind of accompanying power point or video.
I don’t mention any of that to condemn it, only to say that I grew up with that and it didn’t faze me much. Apparently, flashiness is in the eye of the beholder.
Understanding The Beauty
The more time I spent in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the more I realized that they are actually not flashy or showy. They simply continue to practice the rituals from the ancient church, which contain a great amount of depth and meaning.
A few examples:
- Icons are not works of art, but are windows to heaven. They display not photo-real images of the saints and Savior, but the spiritual reality of those persons to us. They also manifest presence.
- The bread offered on the altar is baked by those in the congregation as opposed to pre-packaged communion wafers. It represents us being on the altar offering ourselves and the work of our hands to Christ our Lord.
- At the highest point in the church is the icon of Christ Pantocrator (Ruler, Redeemer). Below that is the icon of the Theotokos (the Virgin Mary) who represents the link between Creator and Creation and strongly affirms that God wrapped Himself in flesh and dwelt among us. And below that icon are all of the saints gathered together with you and me.
- The Iconostasis (Icon Screen) that separates the altar from the rest of the people in the congregation was originally designed with the intention of holding icons. However, in partially blocking our view of the altar, we are reminded that God is mystery. He beckons us “further up and further in,” but we will never understand Him fully or figure Him out.
Here we are now, entertain us, convert us, be present
Despite all of that, the Orthodox are not there to entertain or amuse those attending; in fact, many Orthodox will bluntly state that the service is not about us. Having grown weary of the showmanship that dominates much of American Christianity, I welcomed that message.
That leads me to my next point. As my godfather told me, unlike the typical evangelical church service, Sunday morning is not about converting people. Following the customs of the early church, it is primarily for those who already believe. The Sunday morning Divine Liturgy is a time of prayers and praise (and a short sermon) that revolve completely around the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus and His presence with us and within us in the Eucharist.
Sunday is a Eucharistic Banquet, not an outreach program, which could certainly rile any good evangelical’s feathers.
“Why the inward focus?” they might ask, “What about all of those lost souls?”
To that I would say there are six and a half days for evangelism. Why is it wrong to spend a couple of hours each Sunday praising our Savior and praying for the salvation of the world?
May the peace and love that overflows from a life transformed in Christ be all of the witnessing that is necessary for us. Not that there isn’t room for discussion or even a friendly, light debate, but in the end, I find a life transformed and beautified to be much more compelling than a slick sermon or a well-rehearsed argument.
“Acquire the Spirit of Peace, and a thousand around you will be saved.”
~St Seraphim of Sarov
Have you attended an Orthodox service? What were your first impressions? Boredom? Confusion? Awe? Feel free to be honest, I struggled with the Liturgy for months before I could fully engage.
The one thing that struck me my first time, just as I was getting lost in the icons, or the artwork, the incense smells or thoughts of what was said five minutes earlier, and yes, even some people watching, a voice proclaimed, “Let us pay attention!.” Or, something like that. I heard the message. “Big stuff is about to be heard, so snap to and for all you’re worth. This is important.” It was forceful and yet so gentle and kind. Suddenly, I was again listening. It works. Just a gentle reminder to focus away from all that was around me and seen so that I could concentrate on the reason I was supposed to be present, fully present in a service that was both familiar and unfamiliar.
Sure the vestments alone left me gobsmacked as simple black robes or simpler gray suits were all I’d seen in pulpits during my youth. The Orthodox priests seemed to wear the garb of Emperors, translated today into standard issue priestly attire, all wonderfully over the top, yet just right for worshiping the Creator of the Universe. As my cousin says, worshiping the King of Kings demands sartorial splendor beyond spartan attire, hand-me-downs or hand-me-overs for all involved. As for the churches, the artwork all around is so splendid and captivating. Then again, many churches of all stripe are splendid and stuffed with all sorts of statuary, artwork, stained glass and carvings.
Growing up a Presbyterian, but seeking something more, caused me to embark on a few visits to many churches. I’ve been to a few Mega-Church services and walked out with horrible Mega-headache. I blamed the drummers, the sound engineer, the poorly aimed laser spotlights, and the multiple Mega-Tee-Vee Machines strategically placed to provide a dozen views of the main event simultaneously. My sensory overload, was compounded with a nagging feeling that all that was missing were smoke machines, glitter bombs, and some version of the Rockettes, rollicking across the stage in praise of whatever prosperity drenched celebrity preacher was giving the sermon. Each Sunday was a regular day, as in not a holiday, the message was the same beginner stuff of how to be saved, how the church would work for the convenience of, and enrichment of the newcomer, followed by an advert for whatever was on the money making schedule. It seemed shallow, glossy and empty, never getting past the surface of things.
Finally, despite being between two cities, I’ve decided there’s nothing quite like the original version of the Church at worship, in a place where I can touch Heaven and never check my brain at the door. Orthodoxy is worship that feeds all the senses, engages the brain and travels through the week with me, evidenced by regular prayer, study, and a deep sense of walking with God every step of the way,
I attended matins services for months before I was able to attend an actual Divine Liturgy. I was amazed at how much of the service was Scripture. I recognized verses I knew in the prayers and hymns. There was way more Scripture than I was used to in the Evangelical churches I grew up in.
Coming from a protestant background, I love this article. Especially the contrast in the “show”.
The modern churches offer, me, the impression of flash to get me into the door. Once I am in the door I feel a sense of loss because there is no tradition or history. The churches them selves feel the need to offer a rock show of flash. Did Jesus do an act in such a manner to have this followers leave their lives? I think not. Behind all the smoke and mirrors of the rock show is still the one true Lord. All of the modern churches, whom are trying to get back to the original church, of which all believe they are different and unique. My questions to all those churches are how can you deny the beginning of the church? Modern churches often try to duplicate of each other. Never the original. The whole situation is quite humorous fighting for attendance. When the original church has not changed for over 2,000. Isn’t there an old saying impersonation is the best from of flattery. Think about that statement the next time attending a non-denonminational church. When an individual wants the truth they usually go directly go to the horses mouth. So why not the same with church? Why reinvent the wheel? Just sayin…some food for thought.
The first thing that struck me was that the priest was facing away from me and toward the altar. I was not a customer. God was the center of attention.
The modern churches offer, me, the impression of flash to get me into the door. Once I am in the door I feel a sense of loss because there is no tradition or history. The churches them selves feel the need to offer a rock show of flash. Did Jesus do an act in such a manner to have this followers leave their lives? I think not. Behind all the smoke and mirrors of the rock show is still the one true Lord. All of the modern churches, whom are trying to get back to the original church, of which all believe they are different and unique. My questions to all those churches are how can you deny the beginning of the church? Modern churches often try to duplicate of each other. Never the original. The whole situation is quite humorous fighting for attendance. When the original church has not changed for over 2,000. Isn’t there an old saying impersonation is the best from of flattery. Think about that statement the next time attending a non-denonminational church. When an individual wants the truth they usually go directly go to the horses mouth. So why not the same with church? Why reinvent the wheel? Just sayin…some food for thought.
The first time I went to an Orthodox service was Christmas eve 2014. I asked the priest if they disconnected the fire alarm due to the incense fog. 🙂
I still serve at my Baptist Church as a minister, but I go on Saturday to Vespers. I’m finding it a nice quiet time where I can be with God without all the distraction and theatre.
I had the same question from an inquirer at my mission in Fairbanks when we met at UAF. Turns out she was the Catholic bishop’s secretary, and in the following year, one of our new members!