www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West Eastern Churches And Nativity Scenes

I was on my way home this afternoon, when I passed the Greek Orthodox Church a couple miles south of me, and noticed they had a Nativity Scene. I can't remember ever seeing a Nativity Scene (non-Iconic) in front of an Eastern Church, so I was wondering if this was something new.

There is a Nativity scene beside Holy Trinity Ukrainian Greek Catholic church in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. A coworker of mine is a parishioner there and maintains the website.

See it here, along with a picture of the Nativity scene:

Holy Trinity Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Carnegie, Pennsylvania [htucc.org]

Dear Lawrence,

I have seen nativity sets (creches) displayed in front of a few Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches for a long time now. Though many that do this tend to be in the minority and for the most part it is an adaptation from western religious culture. Unlike in the Catholic Churches, the Orthodox Churches make no ceremony or blessing about the display other than to have it serve as a reminder to community of the feast itself. I am also aware of many individual Orthodox that may personally have a Nativity set on display in their homes. I happen to own a Nativity set which I bought while in France from an order of nuns that produce them to sustain themselves and display it most years in a corner of my dining room.

This may be far from the norm as far as Eastern tradition, but it does not mean that the religious statue industry will be making a comeback anytime soon. For myself it is nice custom to keep one's focus visually on the feast, and brings back memories from my childhood when Nativity sets were a common thing in many places both public and private. I hope this answers your question.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

[font:Century Gothic]In addition to what Fr. Anthony said, one might consider the adoption of Nativity sets by Greek Orthodox (in public and private venues) both here and in Greece now, as a flattering gesture towards the West. Just as the West has now adopted icons, we too have adopted the religiously significant beauty of a creche, or Nativity set.

It would be said if we had only adopted the Christmas tree from the West without also adopting the creche and Nativity set.

Christmas is a holy day that brings all new calendar Orthodox, and Western Christians of all persuasions, together briefly in blessed unity in the body of Christ. For me, that is a most miraculous part of a miraculous, joyous and wondrous holiday!

A blessed Nativity to all!

With love in our newborn King and Saviour,
Alice[/font]