www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Those darn pews!

Seriously, is this a majority opinion, or a very vocal minority one ?

Great idea - care to come to our place and make one ?

For many excellent reasons I hope this is the majority opinion.

CDL

Some young man volunteered to do just that a few years ago. I can't remember his name, although I think he was from Toronto. Some sort of Ukrainian, I think.

Yup - believe it or not I remember that - It was Ilya our goat loving friend from Brampton who wanted to use a chainsaw and produce something useful

At my church, it is, unfortunately, a vocal (or not so vocal) minority. I just keep dropping it into conversations hoping it plants a seed that will bloom some time.

It seems to be majority opinion at this forum.

However, it is not my opinion. Also, it does not seem to be the opinion of most of the people at my parish.

-- John

Do any of the people know why the idea even comes up? How would they have an alternate opinion if they don't know why pewless is Apostolic?

CDL

I simply refuse to use pews. I have never seen a rule that states that "If a Church has pews, the pews must be used."

Eventually, if enough people are cramming into the back of the Church and the aisles, rather than in the pews, the pews will have to be removed.

With all respect - what can you do when the Church is full of pews ?

I will admit that when I went back to my Parish today - I really felt cramped - there is only a small space at the front without pews .

Since I'm just an occasional visitor, I don't think I should voice a personal opinion regarding what should be done here, however at the Ukrainian Rite church I attend, judging by the amount of white hair I see in the congregation, I doubt the idea of removing the pews would go over well. And to be honest, I don't mind walking for over an hour or running for a half hour, but standing for the duration of a liturgy, isn't something I'd care to do. But that's just me speaking as an occasional visitor.

Originally posted by Lawrence:
Since I'm just an occasional visitor, I don't think I should voice a personal opinion regarding what should be done here, however at the Ukrainian Rite church I attend, judging by the amount of white hair I see in the congregation, I doubt the idea of removing the pews would go over well. And to be honest, I don't mind walking for over an hour or running for a half hour, but standing for the duration of a liturgy, isn't something I'd care to do. But that's just me speaking as an occasional visitor.


You would be amazed at how easy it is to stand after a while. It just takes getting used to. Most of the elderly I see do a pretty good job. My 75 year old father did a good job of an hour and a half today. (That new knee is working out well!)

IN terms of the thread starter and the quote from kallistos Ware, I'd agree about the attitude of Orthodox to their churches. But I'd also say that it is also observed in Italy, southern France etc.

I'd like to think it is less a function of furniture and more a function of East vs Western culture; with the Irish and Spanish influeneces on Catholicism particularly tending to formalise.

One could look at the parade ground quote another way; especially speaking as someone who has passed out on a military parade ground due to standing too long.

The tradition of the church I attend is to stand; I like the tradition, and try to abide by it; but after I had pneumonia recently I did sit down at times; wasn't it St. Paul who said something about basing community on the weakest members not the strongest?

Bring on the pews, but around the sides of the church; the area around the soleya should be free of them.

Ned

Dan,

Some of them do, based upon my conversations with them. They get the concept of no pews. However, they don't like the idea. Most of them are elderly; and they need (physically) the pews; and they feel that pews or chairs only around the sides of the church building would be shunting them aside.

-- John

John,

I'm always troubled by a Church that only serves the elderly and only those who want their own way. If they aren't bringing in new converts one wonders why. I have several ideas but I'll bite my keyboard for the time being.

CDL