www.byzcath.org Forums Mysteries: The Life of Worship Vespers, Matins & the Divine Liturgy Nativity Vigil and Liturgy

So this year will be the first Christmas for my family away from the Anglican church. The parish we have been attending celebrated the Nativity on Dec. 25th. Due to an unplanned shutdown at work I was able to go home and visit family for Christmas.

So we are back home now, and are thinking seriously about celebrating the Nativity of our Lord with a friend at their Russian Orthodox Church.

Unfortunately due to distance and work schedule I are unable to make it to Vespers, Vigil, and Liturgy. So my question is related to the Vigil and Liturgy. Would one service be more desirable over the other? We are tentatively planning on going to the Liturgy in the morning opposed to the Vigil.

Thanks for any input.

I know nothing of the Russian liturgies.

All I know is that because of a Christmas Eve snow (and a penultimate meltdown by my autistic young adult son) spoiling the Christmas Eve Liturgy--no, ruining, most precisely--my only REAL Christmas was the Royal Hours with my local Antiochians on Christmas Eve morning.

I rather enjoy the Christmas Vigil (Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great) myself. My wife and I went this year to Vigil at our Ruthenian Church. Last year (2011) we went to Liturgy on Christmas day. I think from now on our family will go to Vigil.

Hope that helps. Also, I noticed you were or are an Anglican..I myself was baptized in the Episcopal church. If you are heading east and have questions shoot me a pm.

Nelson

Pastor Thomas I am so sorry!

My husband always told me by paying attention to the children God would give me what I needed. I would think, even though your son is grown, God gave you far more to receive because you were taking care of his little one. I know in the natural it doesn't really help. You are an amazing Pastor!

So sorry to hear that. Children can be trying. We also have had our share of pain, frustration, and let downs (Not to forget all the joys). We lost a child a year back, and have another who was born with a crippled leg. Still in all of this God is faithful. Peace be to you brother. I will say a prayer for you and your family.

Thank you Nelson for the reply. I read online what to expect at the vigil, and apparently it is like compline with added parts. Blessing of wine, bread, and oil I think? The oil then is used to anoint the faithful, and the bead and wine are consumed. Similar to vespers within some churches. I guess that is the case since it is not at our local parish.

You are correct I am a former Episcopalian. I left the church this July after General Convention. It became very apparent that the church was dead set on leaving me, and the doctrine that is the Anglican Church.

I very much would enjoy talking with you in pm. I will try to send one out sometime in the next day or two. If not please feel free to pm me.

Pax

Yes, I, too, attended both the Vigil and Nativity Day Liturgies at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, and agree that the Vigil Caroling, Compline, Vespers, and Divine Liturgy are indeed better. On top of that, it was a Pontifical Liturgy to boot (considering it was at the Cathedral of the Eparchy of Parma, that's to be expected).

Thanks for the information. Unfortunately due to distance, tired from work I was unable to attend either service... Maybe next year.

Thanks again everyone