www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Can it be Orthodox without an Accent?

So here I am, listening to Ancient Faith Radio (God bless them) on the computer. I just heard someone reciting a prayer in honor of the Theotokos in a perfectly normal American accent (which, because I'm American, doesn't sound like an accent but "normal.") And I thought to myself, chuckling, "That can't be Orthodox because there's no accent!"

I'm laughing, but I'm also seriously wondering:

How much of the appeal of "Orthodoxy" is really just the appeal of "Exoticness"? because it has an Eastern European, Greek, Middle Eastern, or even Indian accent? and culture? and a way of worship that is different?

It's one thing to hear Fr. Aristotle or Sr. Michaelina tell us about metanoia or theosis -- but what about Fr. Jim who is telling us (in our own accent) to "re-PENT and become holy" while there still is time?

I'm asking *myself* these questions, but I thought it might be an interesting topic to bring up for discussion.

peace.

-- John

What answers did you give yourself and did you give them to yourself in a "normal American accent" (I assume that means you speak 'Californian'). <Pavel ducks quickly as shoes flies over his head>

He means this Pavel:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_American

Sure, it's part of the appeal and when rightly understood and limited there's nothing wrong with that.

I think it sinks to exoticism, like when 'spiritual not religious' folk play with Buddhism, when Modernists use icons, preferring them to the statuary of the Western Catholicism they think they know and definitely hate. Not at all understanding icons' place as (per Ouspensky?) quasi-sacramental presence (not spiritual wallpaper) and yes, their catholic context.

The Orthodox' ties to Eastern Europe and Asia are good because those cultures have something that mediæval Western Europe did but post-Protestant Anglo-America lost long ago: Godwardness in a communal way.

I thought it was called 'Standard American'...

I can't answer, because I prefer to hear Orthodoxy spoken in American! But then again, I come from a different perspective. Being born into it, living in and around a city of immigration, and having heard too many foreign accents in my lifetime, (some which could not be understood in English during the Liturgy, so it didn't make a difference what language they were using), I like it spoken properly in my cultural language!

Fortunately, my priest speaks like the native born Chicagoan he is in English, and in Greek, he sounds okay too. (No offense meant to all the excellent and holy priests, hieromonks, and hierarchs with foreign accents...after all, they can't help it any more than I can help having a slight accent when speaking Greek)--

I have had quite a few compliments from the jordanian/palestinian members of my church. Im sure the last thing you would expect in a Melkite parish in the U.S is a Welsh/English accent during Orthos

Perhaps some get into Orhodoxy because of how exotic it all seems. There is a drive towards the strange abnd differet to spruce up life.

But not all, and I think some are attracted to the theology.

This will especially be true of Cultures traditionally Orthodox.

Ah yes, there are a few Melkite priests serving for the Church in the UK with English accents right? In Perth, we have an Irish accent for the Melkites. Most beautiful.

Aussie accents for Ukrainians anyone ?

We have some Polish in our Church. Just imagine this, Palestian and Lebonese with a southern American accent. One of the favorite breakfasts here, grits and kebee, with scambled eggs.

Keep those grits away from my kibee!

Although scrambled eggs with kibee sounds ok - I may try that

Indeed actually. I met the Ukrainian Vicar General (Fr. Alex Kenez) when he came to Perth and he sounded like a professor of sorts... a true blue Australian one at least. Reminded me of Fr. Serge a little bit. Even Fr. Wolodymyr (whom we call Fr. Wally), is as Australian as can be. Even Bishop Peter himself has a Western Canadian accent.

On another note, I heard a nice comment from an Arab at my parish of late because we had a Tamil couple (obviously Latin) visit for Divine Liturgy. He said it was nice to see other races coming to church. I feel so happy for starting a revolution.

Met Kallistos is a good example of an inspiring speaker without the typical accents as well as Met Anthony Bloom.

I have the pleasure of knowing both Bishop Peter and Father Alex; excellent people. But I can't imagine why their accents should remind anyone of your humble servant.

Metropolitan Anthony of Surozh had a pronounced accent, but it seemed to be unique to himself. Metropolitan Kallistos tends to speak with an Oxonian accent.

Fr. Serge