www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Visited an Antiochian Orthodox parish today.

Shlomo lkhulkhun,

I had the opportunity to go to a Byzantine Divine Liturgy today at a very nice Antiochian Orthodox church here in Naples (St. Paul's Antiochian Orthodox Church in case anyone was wondering). I went with my Latin roomate and a Melkite friend (whose father is a priest at Holy Transfiguration in McClean, VA). We all enjoyed it and I found there to be a lot of similarities between the Byzantine Liturgy and the Maronite Liturgy, as well as the Tridentine in some aspects. The chanting was beautiful and the iconostasis had an ancient Greek feel to it. I tried to follow along as best I could, and it was a great experience. I would not mind going back sometime.

I did notice something odd. They had a female reader. I thought that sort of thing was taboo in Eastern Christianity. Other than that, I had a very enjoyable experience even if I did not understand all of what was going on. A nice women brought up three pieces of what I assume was the antidoron for my friends and myself. It also turns out that one of the Classics professors here at Ave Maria used to attend there, but now attends the Russian Orthodox church in town.

We weren't pressured too hard to convert. Anyways, just thought I'd share my experience with you all.

Alloho minokhoun,
Andrew

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I had a similar experience at an OCA church today it was great and easy to follow along I love English they had a female reader to for the epistle and three con celebrating priests and every one was very kind

David
P.S.
Italian Papist whats your Maronite church?

My Maronite parish is St. Elias in Roanoke, VA. I miss it a lot and it doesn't help that there isn't one for two hours in either direction where I am in Florida.

Alloho minokhoun,
Andrew

that stinks at least there a catholic church of some kind in nearly every town

Shlomo oH Andreos,

Contact the school. Tom the founder of Ave Maria is a big supporter of the Maronites.

Poosh BaShlomo,
Yuhannon

Shlom lokh oH Yuhannon,

Interesting. Apparently Mr. Monaghan is around a lot, but I've yet to meet him or talk to him. Abouna back home had mentioned that the Eparchy was approached to donate money for a Maronite retreat house or something of that nature. I was thinking it would be awesome if there was an "Eastern Christian Studies Academy" or something like that. They could teach Greek, Syriac, Old Church Slavonic, Eastern Patristics, etc. Of course they could have a Maronite (very authentic) chapel and a Byzantine chapel as well. How cool would that be? It would be awesome to reach out to the rest of the Churches, Catholic and Orthodox alike.

Alloho minokhoun,
Andrew

It probably depends on the jurisdiction as far as Female readers go. Since the lay reader is not behind the screen then I do not know if there is a huge problem with it. Obviously only men can be ordained readers : p

Slava Isusu Christu!

Women reading the Apostol is accepted in the Ruthenian Church since they are not in the Altar. The theology of the Eastern Church also includes women, through their baptism and chrismation, into the royal priesthood of Christ, Prophet, Priest, and King--we are all priests, although not of the ministerial order. Although, they cannot function in the Altar, women are fundamental to the life and operation of Eastern Churches. This really isn't an issue and one that will not lead to women clergy. However, according the the Pedalion Readers are clergy so, if a hierarch makes a woman a Reader she is technically clergy. I know the Greeks have done this, I am not sure about others. I think theologically women, as images of the Theotokos, could read the Apostol or epistle as a great service to the Church, but normally a male Reader should give it. Eastern women usually do not have the 'feminist itch' to participate in traditional male clerical roles, so their reading the epistle is not a strategy to get women presbyters. There could be a few feminist women in the Eastern Churches, but that is such a small segment of the Church as to never really have an effect even at the parish level. Eastern women tend to be very devout and respectful of Church tradition.

In Christ,


Robert