"The Church is not just an earthly institution that seeks to control us by rules and limit our worship to stale rites. It is a living, breathing being, literally the Body of Christ. This means that our life in Christ can only be lived within the life of the Church, His Body. All aspects of this life nurture and form and protect our spirit. The boundaries set by the Church are not there to restrict us but to give us freedom. Within these walls, our spirits can soar. When we stay within the embrace of our mother Church, we can know that we are with our Lord. We can fully open ourselves to Christ's love, to the blossoming of our spiritual lives in limitless joy and peace" (written by a certain monk).
Main points of Lesson #17
We learned that things could change in the Orthodox Church as long as those changes do not violate the Dogma/Theology/Ethical ethos of the Church. The Ambon where from the Deacon used to read the Gospel passage was in the middle of the Solea; then it was moved to the top of the north column; soon after it was read from an Ambon like the one we have in our Solea etc etc...The Gospel Book was presented for reverence by the faithful after it was read in every Divine Liturgy. Because of to much noise and interruption to the Divine Service the practice was abolished and kept at the Orthros service only.
We learned also that the Orthodox chanting is very logical. Some responses or hymns are chanted in a slower mode in order to increase our attention to something greater and/or give adequate time to the Priest to finish certain manual tasks. It was brought to our attention that the Preacher is an instrument of God's Word, interpreting the Scriptures which, according to Saint Paul, are "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
You heard that you the laity have as much responsibility as the priests to pray for those who are studying to become Orthodox. Even though we no longer read the petitions for the catechumen aloud in the Divine Liturgy, we certainly do the 'exercise' during Lent in the Pre-sanctified Liturgy. Participation in the Services was asked from you again; when the priest blesses you 'Peace be to all' to respond with the choir 'And to your spirit.'
The Church Fathers call the Gospel 'Paradise' and 'Salvation' and 'Gates to heaven' and 'Fountain of life' and... is it proper then of you not to be here when it is preached? Saint John Chrysostom with no hesitation or worry that someone may be offended says "it is very difficult to attain salvation without knowledge of Scripture." We Orthodox lack knowledge of Scripture. We avoid studying the Word of God. WHY?
There are three giants that can bring down to the pit any man! IGNORANCE, LAZINESS, FORGETFULNESS. Find the one that keeps you from studying the Word of God and you will be saved.
Glory to You Lord, glory to You!
Father Christos