Church address: 412 Crescent St., Wheaton, IL
Date attended: 11/2/2014
Church category: Different demographic/ethnicity/language
Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?
Although Saint Joseph's has a Synod in a Syrian/Coptic language I decided to go to the English service knowing that there would still be a large difference in experiencing an Orthodox liturgy for the first time. The people in the congregation behaved quite differently than what I am very familiar with and it felt more like what we observed in the Holy Lands and in Ethiopia. Although the church building was quite modern and well-kept it couldn't compare to the antique beauty of Meteora and Lalibela. It was refreshing to be able to understand the liturgy and to read along however trying to sing the lines myself actually became distracting. I felt torn between listening to the beautiful unaccompanied yet perfectly harmonized voices while trying to engage myself. I realized this was the prayer of many, and it lasted much longer than any emotionally hyped praise music that I am accustomed to. There was nothing similar in the entire experience except for when the priest came out to give announcements. He was actually really funny and sweetly sarcastic. After the solum proceedings of the morning I felt like I had to keep quiet and very still, even the little kids were incredible well-behaved! Once the liturgy was over, people were still more quiet than at my church, but it was very interesting to hear worship in a style that seems only ancient to me, now in my own language.
What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?
I really enjoyed remembering my international experience but it was personalized this time. Rather than being a foreign observer, unsure of whether the differences I was experiencing were cultural, based on the language barrier or the theology, or a simple difference in worship, this time it was a chance to be a participant. There were a number of things discussed in class that stood out to me when observing a Russian Orthodox service. While I was trying not to compare it to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, I noticed the lack of [and the Son] in the Nicean Creed and was surprised at how many times they said "the ever-Virgin Mary". I remembered this from Gondar, Ethiopia where they told us a long story abut Mary and believe that her marriage to Joseph involved his "protection" of her, not a consummated marriage that could provide any natural children for Joseph. It was also interesting to light a candle at the beginning. Most of them lit the candle and then kissed the icon, my friend told me that lighting the candle was simply a symbol, but they meant it as a prayer. I think its incredible to learn different ways that people across traditions pray. Why would my prayer (out loud) be any more holy than one of a true heart seeking to honor God by not speaking, and rather by listening?
What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?
It was difficult to realize that I couldn't take communion with these people. It was strange to hear prayers to Mary and to Saint Joseph and I found myself mumbling words when we kept coming to "ever-Virgin Mary". I started wondering if it mattered if she stayed a Virgin despite giving birth, even though I study the human body in school. The mystery of the Incarnation became more evident to me. I felt less master of the theology that I've grown up with and more accepting of the reality that I don't know - really anything about God, except that He is revealed in Scripture, and even this is confusing. Even so, it was challenging to not participate, a good reminder of the impression people have when brought as non-Christians into a church community. I felt like an outsider even though I've always felt very much on the inside.
What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?
As mentioned already, there were aspects of Scripture, although not necessarily cited, which were confusing. Mary as a Virgin forever, Joseph as a saint that we pray to, the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father [not the Son] and the titles upon titles that were listed and even sung about the bishops and the priests that administered the service, even though once they stopped singing they became incredibly normal guys. Everything was out of context. When they took Communion it was a common cup and the priest spoon fed every person like they were little tiny birds. There were alter boys all dressed up in long gold robes. They had icons on the walls, many of which I recognized. There were candles at the front door that were lit, the liturgical notebooks told everyone what we were singing and it made me think about the ancient people who must have had all of those songs completely memorized even though they were so complicated. The devotion, the community, the humility in prayer, the proclivity for mystery and wonder all stood out to me and enhanced my perspective of worshiping the Lord that we cannot comprehend, who's love we require and yet fail to replicate.
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