www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization New building for Holy Cross

http://holycrossmelkite.org/NewBuilding.htm


excited,

David,

Wonderful news. Holy Cross has long needed a new temple!

Many years,

Neil

With two exceptions the plans look beautiful, and I wish Holy Cross every success..

The two exceptions are:

a) the location of a lavatory in the apse - somebody has failed to understand the significance of the apse.

b) the pews - perhaps the parish could raise money by accepting substantial donations from people who like the pews removed!

Fr. Serge

These are just the basic plans and I'm sure much will change by the time they come into being, not that I am unhappy with them, quite the opposite . I love the little church just the way it is tho.

Very beautiful! Thank you for sharing this.

I agree with Fr. Serge about the pews. Why not just build a Temple without them in the traditional Byzantine style?

In ICXC,

Fr. Deacon Daniel

St Philaret of Moscow said �It is better to sit and think of God, than to stand and think of your legs�.

Indeed so, and that has often been repeated. But this does not necessitate massive, immovable pews which both impede the worshippers (somebody immured in a pew cannot possibly make a prostration) and turn the congregation into an audience.

Fr. Serge

Dear Father Serge,

I was just teasing--playing 'devil's advocate' as it were!!!

I know that this is a touchy topic...

Anyway, pews are not as comfortable as the armchair 'rows' which churches in Greece (as well as my home parish in NY) have...infact, pews are dreadfully 'UNncomfortable'.

I think that they make for a nice compromise and look more 'Eastern'. On the other hand, although you can push them forward, they still impede prostrations for those traditions that incorporate them.

Here is a photo link to the armchairs: http://www.gocoos.org/galleries/98/33/

Respectfully,
Alice

Those chairs certainly look comfortable. Perhaps I might think of them when we get around to building here - presumably the chairs can be removed when that would be appropriate.

One of the problems is that once people have become accustomed to pews, they feel threatened (!) by a pew-less space. I've often been in a large monastery church where the narthex is jam-packed and no one will come and stand in the nave. Go figure.

Fr. Serge

One supposes that the most comfortable place to sit (or to sleep during the homily) would be a potential source of donated armchairs.

Say, Lazyboy, Barcalounger, etc.

Hopefully the parish can acquire the land around the present parish property in order to build this magnificent church.

If I made a full prostration - the firehouse down the street, the EMTs - well they would have to come and pick me up. That is if I could stand the pain to get down to the floor.

So for those of us who just can't - pews along the side would be good.

That is a beautifully designed Temple.

Regarding pews:
I have been to some churches which have a few folding chairs on the sides. These metal chairs make a lot of noise and people do occasionally tip over. Then those who want a seat will come early and place their purse or jacket on the seat to reserve it.

However, there is another alternative that I have seen. Have pews but only have narrow pews on the sides (sitting only two to four people) leaving the nave mostly open.

What will it be like in heaven? No pews! Yeah!

Слава Ісусу Христу!

Individual furniture chairs work well. The motherhouse temple of the Sisters of St. Basil Major in Jenkinstown (Philadelphia suburb) is a good example. They are movable but found in the front so if you want to stand the back of the church is open, and on events folding chairs are brought in. You just want to be sure the chairs don’t become mini-pews in weight or expense. The pews do have a practical side as a place to bed small children, and a place to display the half dozen books needed for certain services. Those turn of the 20th century Jersey barriers were introduced for tax reasons, no pews you were a hall and taxable. Is that designation still on the books in your location?

Hello,

It may sound silly coming from a man, but why is the ladies room not close to the bride's room? Heh.

SPDundas
Deaf Byzantine