www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization ByzanTEEN Straw Poll

Alex, don't know about how courageous....have you ever heard the saying "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread"? I know lately I have really been a jerk at times...I just get so tired of all the negativity on this forum and like you have done in the past I keep telling myself I just need to stop coming here. So many of us who post on here need a good dose of Dr. John's wisdom. We get so wrapped up in all the "churchiness" that we lose sight of what Christianity is supposed to do. I love my Byzantine Church and traditions, but if it can't reach people where they are, then it is just a museum piece. There are problems in all churches...Catholic (East and West), Orthodox of every jurisdiction, Protestant and in all religions. But that is to be expected in any institution. Where human beings are involved, there will be problems. But we can't lose hope and go on doing the best we can. I have heard it said that we get the priests and bishops we deserve...that gives much food for thought. To solve the problems of the churches we need to look to our own lives first. To reform the church I can only begin by reforming myself. And leave my neighbor, my bishop, my priest and everyone else to God. I've had it here. Most of the posters see the church's problems as caused by someone else...a bad priest, a bad bishop, too many gays, people who like a modern approach to Liturgy, those who like Latinisms, everyone but him or herself. I'm over it!
moe

Dear Moe,

Yes, I can well understand you!

May God bless you richly in your witness and your calling!

Alex

1) Generally, No

2) I think the trend in today's youth toward
reverance and mystery is coming to be
readily acknowledged. Some have tried to
explain it in terms of a "rebellion" or going
"counter" to their parents that grew up in
a generation that stressed informality and
comfort and "laid back" in most things.
I'd like to think it's the work of the Spirit.

3) Fully eastern. I'm Orthodox, but I believe your Pope has said the Eastern liturgy should be authentically Eastern. I think he is against such hybrids.

4) Practical and realistic considerations. For example, in the Antiochian Orthodox church we have evening divine liturgies on major feast days so lay people can attend. Since these usually last 1.5 hours at our parish our priest usually does not give a homily in order to shorten things a bit. Strictly speaking I guess the homily is not part of the rubrics, though. Otherwise I don't think the priest has the authority to shorten the liturgy.

5) Yes - but only because that has been the trend for the last 2 decades. I think things are changing with young people entering their teens and twenties now. Using rock music because people want it would not be organic growth of the liturgy anyway so shouldn't be used.

6) A liturgy in one of our Western Rite Orthodox parishes - basically the pre-Vatican II liturgy done in English. Very, very beautiful.

Dear Eric the Antiochian!

Which Rite was that, that of St Gregory or ST Tikhon?

I know a priest in your Church of the Western Rite and his way of serving the Liturgy is awesome!

Alex