My Introduction to Eastern Orthodoxy
My personal encounter with the everyday beliefs and practices of the faith since the apostles.
Beginnings
In my recent move to a new city, I took up interest in going to visit a new “denomination.” I have only experienced Western traditions of Christianity (Protestant and Catholic), but I have never experienced the Eastern side of the faith.
Before moving in, I went to visit my apartment and explored the new area to get a feel for it. I came across a large church that reminded me of Roman Catholicism. “My roommate is Roman Catholic” I thought to myself, “Maybe he can take me there for service.” A few weeks pass, I found myself looking for a church to attend before the first sunday after the move in day. My roommate had yet to move in, so I thought, “I’ve always wanted to go to an Orthodox Church; I’ll see what’s around.”
St. Elijah’s came up on Google Maps. I checked out their about page and briefly watched a service: “Looks good to me.” I went to visit.
Awkwardly, like any other morning being the new guy at a new church, I walk through the front doors and I’m greeted by icons. My eyes are captivated, and I immediately start trying to find the meaning behind the iconography while walking through the hall. Upon entering the sanctuary, I come across people kissing icons, lighting candles, and talking to each other. I, of course, immediately avoid these things and make my way to some rear seating. Mainly, I have no idea what I am doing and I am alone. This way, I can not look too much like a bumbling baboon.
As I take my seat, my ears catch chanting throughout the liturgy. Only the homily (preaching of the word) and the announcements did not have a chanting tone. “Reminds me of the Psalms” I reflected.
We stood, sat, and I said nothing because, again, I didn’t know what I was doing. Then, the young man who was sitting next to me greeted me pointing to the liturgical book: “Hey man, we’re right here if you want to follow along.” I was happy to take in any help I could get. The young man led me through the liturgy.
The priests blessed us with incense, making the sign of the cross with the incensure as he walked up the aisle. My nostrils were filled with the sweetest sent. I felt my young friend’s hand on my back as he helped me to receive the blessing by bowing me alongside him.
After all this came the Eucharist. My young friend led me down to receive a blessing (“Only orthodox Christians who have attended confession and fasting may take part in communion”). I asked for a blessing and bowed my head to receive it (I think spaghetti was falling out of my pockets the whole service).
I was stopped before walking up the aisle. “Here, please take” one of the ushers told me. He gave me bread of the offering. If only I could partake in the blood. My tongue was greeted by a savory bread that truly was a blessing to my empty stomach.
“Blessed bread” I was later told “anyone can take it.”
Afterward, the divine liturgy was coming to a close and we got to go back down to receive more bread. “I’ll take all the blessings I can get,” I felt honored to be in a guest house of worship.
My young friend led me to the coffee hour hosted by the church. That’s where I met my friends today (We play Catan every Sunday after lunch now).
Certainly, I was amongst a reverent group of brothers and sisters. I have been attending the church for a month since that first visit and currently am attending an inquirers class led by the deacon.
Relations
Orthodoxy Itself: In every belief in orthodoxy, I can seldom find a corner unfilled. As God filled the heavens and the Earth with good things, so too the Eastern Orthodox fill their beliefs and places of worship with good things. From the icons and beautiful structure to the people who help fill the places of worship and the dead who are forever remembered, the Eastern Orthodox faith seeks to constitute day to day life by bringing peace to the challenges and difficulties of life. The goal of Eastern Orthodoxy is to submit to Christ in all things physical and spiritual through time. Not only do I simply enjoy Orthodoxy’s reverent attitude and practices, but I find myself in line with some of those beliefs from my own personal beliefs.
All senses are engaged: Never have I seen liturgy display a sense of order and normalcy in life that brings about a mystical peace that only the giver of life, the Holy Spirit, can provide. Throughout the entirety of the liturgy, all of my senses are being used: Touching and seeing icons, smelling incense, hearing chanting, and tasting bread. All the senses are engaged.
The Trinity: The Orthodox are trinitarian through and through. Of course, so are protestants, but the emphasis and practices of the Orthodox make known and implement their belief of the Trinity within their liturgy. The sign of the Cross is always made when God is glorified: “Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.” Or when this is said in the prayer: “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.” This is said three times when praying because each person of the Godhead are deserving of the praise.
Sign of the Cross: The sign of the cross also reminds the believer that it was the thief on Christ’s right who was the first one brought to paradise. Not the thief to his left. That’s why when the sign is made, the right shoulder is done first and not the left. I am in constant need of that reminder, for the man who was neither baptized nor took part in communion received mercy upon mercy and grace upon grace.
Liturgical Chanting: I did not realize how much I would come to love the chanting throughout the divine liturgy. The church I attend has some really good vocals that tends to fill the air with beauty. I find myself consistently singing along during and after service.
Icons: “We are the living icons of Christ,” remarks McGuckin. I have been listening to an audiobook about the Eastern Orthodox faith: The Eastern Orthodox Church: A New History by John Anthony McGuckin. McGuckin explains that the priest who walks down the aisle to bless the icons also blesses the congregation because they are the living icons of Christ, representing and honoring Christ wherever they go.
Paradosis: Finally, the importance of the apostles and the saints through paradosis (“handing on”). Not only do the apostles make up the foundation through the cornerstone of Jesus, the 7 Ecumenical councils are the marble columns of that same foundation. They are the pillars to lean on when difficult questions or problems arise in the church. They nuance the founding of the faith through unparalleled teaching that establishes what beliefs are held within Christianity. Some Orthodox sects do not hold onto certain councils, but McGuckin claims that discussions are beginning on those issues for the first time in almost two-thousand years. The church has passed down Christianity through paradosis since the apostles received the Holy Spirit.
Hurdles
Scripture is no longer the center, but the Eucharist and the rule of faith: Don’t misunderstand me, Scripture is absolutely essential to the Orthodox faith. Orthros (morning devotion before divine liturgy) always has a time of honoring and commemorating the Holy Gospels, Epistles, Letters, Law, and Prophets. This is also preparation to receive the word of the Holy Bible during divine liturgy. Unlike Protestant denominations, the Eucharist lies in the center of the sanctuary, not the word. Always look at the layout of a church, there you will see what lies as the center. Protestants keep the podium center; Orthodox, Anglicans, and Catholics keep the altar at the center.
Theotokos (Mary, the mother of God): The blessed mother is highly honored along with the abundancy of other saints. She stands in as a symbol of salvation because it was her womb who contained the uncontainable God, the second person of the Trinity. She intercedes on behalf of Christians to pray for salvation for them. When it comes to honoring her, McGuckin explains the place of the Theotokos veneration. Veneration does mean worship, but the Greek is nuanced when it comes to worship. McGuckin explains that Mary is honored above all other saints in reverence, but she is not adored like the Holy Trinity. Therefore, only adoration (special worship) is considered true worship apart from reverence and honoring alone.
Intercession of the Saints and relics: The saints play an important role within the life of the Orthodox Church. They are the great cloud of witnesses who consistently participate within the faith and pray on behalf of the other saints who are on the Earth. Christians ask for intercession because a specific saint may have been known for healing or anything else. That saint goes on that persons behalf to ask of God for healing. The saints are seen to still be working miracles to this very day. It’s also their relics that continue to do work. I don’t understand how it necessarily works, but I am reminded of Acts when a fragment of Paul’s robe continued to provide healing for those who touched it (Acts 19:11–12).
All the kissing: I’ll be honest, I never considered myself a germaphobe until I was challenged with kissing another object that so many other people kiss in one sitting. It is a traditional way to honor people, so I can’t complain too much. Plus, its meant for a blessing. The only hurdle is my fear of getting sick.
Conclusion
I’m thankful to participate in such a rich history of the ancient church that continues to pass down the faith to this very day. I wonder why the reformation didn’t seek out Eastern Orthodoxy if they wanted to go back to the ancient faith. I especially wonder that today with any Protestants because they are not held down by any ancient tradition (autonomy of believers). Plus, most protestants hold onto Nicaea II, which allows for icon veneration. Anyways, I’ll leave with this beautiful remark from the homily of deacon Ezra at St. Elijah’s: “We remember the story of Mary and Joseph today, as the people who founded this church did almost 100 years ago. We remember this Christmas season to commemorate and worship our Lord, so that 100 years from now our children will be blessed by the same story as our ancestors blessed us.” God bless you.
