I finished reading "Becoming Orthodox" and it was a very interesting read actually. A little slow at the beginning but it became pretty good. I even laughed a few times during the read. As all things religious are, it is up to interpretation, but something I didn't know is that Orthodoxy was actually first and Catholicism is a branch off of it. I thought it was the other way around. That said, Orthodoxy is actually more true to the beginnings of church.
Next up on the reading list is a short book called "Let Us Attend: A Journey Through the Orthodox Divine Liturgy" which explains the history and symbolism of the typical Sunday morning service. I'm all for tradition but as an outsider who can't understand what is being said during service I want to know what things represent (like the incense) or why everything is done in three's. I asked Milan and he said, "I don't know, it just is the way things are, been that way since I was a kid." I said "It's actually been that way since AD 32...but you never wondered why?" "Nope, it just is." Maybe I'm just odd but unless there is a reason for something then I want to change it. (My coworkers would attest to me not accepting, "We've just always done it that way" as a reason for not changing a process. I think they hate me for it.) Obviously I have no plan to change the Divine Liturgy, but I know there's a reason behind it all and I have to know what it is so I have a better grasp of what is going on.
Also, I need to find out what prompts everyone to make the sign of the cross during service. I'm not opposed to doing it but I don't want to do it just because everyone else is, I want to know why otherwise it means very little. This is something else I asked Milan and he said , "I'm not always sure when either, so I just follow the old ladies." WHAT WHAT WHAT!?!?! SIGH. I told him I'd explain it when I figured it all out. He jokes that I'm going to end up more Serbian than he is.
Also, I think I have decided to have Eric baptized with me...contrary to the input from some friends. One of the reasons I had for not doing it is that I like the fact that at 31 I am choosing the beliefs I want to embrace. But even if I had been baptized Methodist as a kid (as my parents tried to do) I would still be making this choice now...I just wouldn't have to go through the official process. Besides...what is it going to hurt? I know my kid and Lord knows he'll need all the help he can get! (Recall the post about him doing devil horns in church?)
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3 times - Holy Trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. so you use 3 fingers when making sign of cross. sometimes you do that 3 times. make prayers 3 times. etc... all since AD 30+ :)
ReplyDeleteas for when to do it - you wont make a mistake, if you do it while priest (or his helpers) sing about "the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" and "Virgin Mary". that's way of showing respect to them, i suppose.