Comments on: The worshipping community http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/12/the-worshipping-community/ A journey through our Orthodox faith as we live it every day Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:33:11 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Fr. Vasile http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/12/the-worshipping-community/comment-page-1/#comment-607 Fr. Vasile Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:40:58 +0000 http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/?p=968#comment-607 Indeed the community can make a difference, you can either be encouraged or discouraged in joining a certain congregation based on the way people act during or after services. This being said we don't have to forget that this is only the physical part of our worship. The mystery, the sacrament, takes place no matter what the people do, because is the Holy Spirit that performs it, but, what each person takes home is proportionate with their involvement in the service. The church is in everyone's heart and if you have it open to receive the Spirit that flows through it you can receive as much in a noisy church full of people from a big city as well as in an isolated monastery from the mountains. The mystical liturgy is there, but only the one that has eyes to see sees it. I think the seeker that comes with an open heart, looking at what is beyond appeareances, will still be moved by the spirit of the Orthodox liturgical services, despite what the people may do. If one honestly looks for the Truth the Truth Himself will lead his way. Indeed the community can make a difference, you can either be encouraged or discouraged in joining a certain congregation based on the way people act during or after services.

This being said we don’t have to forget that this is only the physical part of our worship. The mystery, the sacrament, takes place no matter what the people do, because is the Holy Spirit that performs it, but, what each person takes home is proportionate with their involvement in the service.

The church is in everyone’s heart and if you have it open to receive the Spirit that flows through it you can receive as much in a noisy church full of people from a big city as well as in an isolated monastery from the mountains.

The mystical liturgy is there, but only the one that has eyes to see sees it. I think the seeker that comes with an open heart, looking at what is beyond appeareances, will still be moved by the spirit of the Orthodox liturgical services, despite what the people may do. If one honestly looks for the Truth the Truth Himself will lead his way.

]]> By: Serban http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/2009/12/the-worshipping-community/comment-page-1/#comment-546 Serban Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:15:30 +0000 http://dialogues.stjohndfw.info/?p=968#comment-546 Our beloved Bishop Kalistos Ware (whom I had the chance to meet some years ago) is also telling the story of how strickingly powerful such an exposure to a vivid liturgical prayer can be. It is as simple as that: sometimes it's profound dynamics can lead not only to stronger ties among the participants but to new converts and dramatic life experiences. Would have Bishop Kalistos experienced the same thing in a "deserted" church, in one where that gust of prayer could not be heard? Is this what makes one church different than the other? A monastery different than a parish church, in general? Our beloved Bishop Kalistos Ware (whom I had the chance to meet some years ago) is also telling the story of how strickingly powerful such an exposure to a vivid liturgical prayer can be. It is as simple as that: sometimes it’s profound dynamics can lead not only to stronger ties among the participants but to new converts and dramatic life experiences.
Would have Bishop Kalistos experienced the same thing in a “deserted” church, in one where that gust of prayer could not be heard?
Is this what makes one church different than the other? A monastery different than a parish church, in general?

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