Re: orthodox worship

Nick, I always seem to be the officious intermedler, coming into already well thought out and very documented responses. I have a feeling that you are interested in the art of worship. The manifestation of the communication with God. As a former Lutheran, I felt that the Lutherans went part way, but not all the way, the Catholic and Episcopalians were the same way, but had more of the actions of worship. When I went to my first Orthodox service, I saw and realized that the manifestations of worship were everywhere. Even in a somewhat tacky little church, there was a presence of beauty in the art, the lamps, the vestments, the choir. Then there was the art of the language or Orthodoxy. Poetry of the highest order, prayers of great implication, and emotion. All these things were of great importance without being theatrical. There was not the sense of religious-tainment, like I was seeing creeping into the Lutheran Church. There is nothing hoakey about the expression, better word than manifestation, I think. I went to my first Orthodox funeral, the art of language, pithy, early, heavenly, would give Shakespear a run for his money. The music, get a couple good renditions of Rachmininoff (sp) Tchaichowski (sp) of their vespers, or divine liturgy. The music from Vaalam, (the monk, who leads the chants was a former German punk rocker) best chanting voice I have ever heard. The Orthodox say come and see, I say come see, hear, smell, experience.