The Antiochian


He's at a difficult place where he doesn't understand what is causing us to consider leaving the ECUSA, and yet he isn't patient enough to want hear it all.

...We are going to attempt to keep to an Orthodox fast during Western Lent this year, but it will be difficult. If you follow the entire Orthodox "program" you end up meatless for 8 weeks, and dairyless for the better part of 7 weeks.... Its a great spiritual discipline and since we in the West have relegated it to a once a year giving up of sweets, the "traditional" Christian fast seems too hard.

So we visited St. Anthony's Antiochian Orthodox Church today, in our process of exploring the Eastern Orthodox Church. It was such a wonderful experience. All of the chanting was in English, which allowed us to participate with the whole service. Fr. Jon, a convert from the Campus Crusade movement during the '70's gave an absolutely fantastic sermon on the last judgement.

We have committed to ourselves and others that this will be a process which will take some time. Before the service, none of the kids wanted to go. Afterwards, only Joshua continued to be opposed. He doesn't want to leave his friends, nor go to a Church miles and miles from home. He's at a difficult place where he doesn't understand what is causing us to consider leaving the ECUSA, and yet he isn't patient enough to want hear it all. He is also to mature to want a simple answer as he sees a lot of similarities, I'm sure. Another major problem, besides this meaning we will need to leave our friends, is the distance. This parish is a good 30 minute or more drive away, with Sunday school starting at 9 am, and the Divine Liturgy at 9:30. If you really do it right, you'll attend Matins at 8:30.

Of course, one thing that will be a major challenge will be the fasting rules. We are going to attempt to keep to an Orthodox fast during Western Lent this year, but it will be difficult. If you follow the entire Orthodox "program" you end up meatless for 8 weeks, and dairyless for the better part of 7 weeks. Its a great disservice within the Western Church that they basically abandoned fasting. Its a great spiritual discipline and since we in the West have relegated it to a once a year giving up of sweets, the "traditional" Christian fast seems too hard.

Posted: Sun - February 26, 2006 at 02:11 PM        

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