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Dear Ung,

Thank you for sharing that!

St Tikhon Zadonsky, a great "radical" Christian who read and lived the Gospel, had "Stations" of the Cross in his cell - life-size as a matter of fact.

The Orthodox Metropolitan Innocent of Odessa wrote his beautiful Akathist to the Passion of Christ by way of reflecting the Stations liturgically and this is now part of the tradition of Orthodoxy.

The Orthodox Stations of the Cross begin with the Trisagion prayers, Ektenies, liturgical hymns at each Station and end with the 15th Station of the Resurrection.

Again, it is a tradition that has won its right of citizenship in certain areas of Eastern Europe by way of long-time usage, especially during the trials of war and occupation where the pain and suffering of the people is assuaged in meditation on the Passion of Christ.

As a private devotion, I would recommend saying a decade of the Rosary for each of these 15 stations throughout the Great Fast.

I'm in tears by the time I get to the end.

Tears can be very cleansing and soothing.

We don't cry enough . . .

Alex

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear Alex,

Thank you for the Way of the Cross, "Khresna Doroha." I still have been unable to visit the parish at the proper time. It is held at 12 Noon on Fridays. It is a bad time for me. I will try again tomorrow.

Two different versions of the Way of the Cross are availible from Basilian Press. Apparently this devotion is still popular among Ukrainians. These books are only listed in the Ukrainian section of the catalog.

Presviataya Bogoroditza Fatimskaya, spasi nas.
RusOrthCath Martyrs and Confessors, pray for us.

Paul,
Nativity of the BVM there in L.A. is very nationalistic, the have put tryzubs (national symbol) in the windows. I dont know if speaking Russian is the best idea, because they won't be too receiving. I know these people because we go to that church pretty often. I am not trying to be hard on you, I am just speaking from what I know about the parishoniers. Tell us about your expiernce at the church tommorow. Thanks,
-ukrainiancatholic

Paul,
How did it go at the church for the Stations of the Cross? Was Fr. Oleh there?
-uc

Dear Paul,

You are more than welcome!

Yes, how was the experience?

Forgive me a sinner,

Alex

Glory to Jesus Christ!

Dear friends,

I was unable to attend. I will try again this coming Friday. You are quite correct about the parish being rather "nationalistic." A few members of the congregation told me not to employ the "Moscow style" while at Nativity. I have been warned against kissing the base of the chalice after Communion. Sometimes parishoners stare if I bow at the invocation of the Holy Trinity or at the opening and closing of the royal doors.
I was also told not speak Russian at functions.

I have become quite comfortable there. I was asked to carry the cross in the procession on their patronal feast day. You can see me in the photographs. I am wearing a light blue jacket.

Presviataya Bogoroditza, spasi nas.
RusOrthCath Martyrs and Confessors, pray for us.

Paul,
I think its great that you are carrying the corss and participating there but I don't think doing Russian things is ok there. Many of the parishoners might have been members members of the UPA and like many of those soldiers they many lost friends and family due to Russian Comminists so it may cause bad feelings. Also speaking Russian to a Ukrainian can be very offensive. Sorry to sound negative but I guess a good rule is When in Rome do as the Romans, and when in a Ukie establishment, do as them (except for latinizations hehehe).
-ukrainiancatholic

Dear Paul,

How fascinating!

I kiss the base of the Chalice all the time and no one has ever said anything to me. If they did, they would remember our encounter for all time . . .

That in itself is a Kyivan devotion introduced in Kyiv in the time of St Peter Mohyla!

He also approved of the practice of people lining up, following Communion, toward the side table so that the priest could touch their heads with the Chalice on his way there.

Bowing after the invocation to the Trinity? Again, a practice that is Eastern and not simply "Russian."

Perhaps, and I'm only guessing, if they've pegged you as a "Russkie" then anything you do that is even slightly different from what this Latinized bunch does is considered "Russian."

But, good for you for putting up with that nonsense!

God bless,

Alex