Sailing to Byzantium
Sailing to Byzantium
One of the things that Erin and I like to do is go and check out different churches. It's interesting and educational and a way for us to discover new neighborhoods and the beauty of some of the old churches here in greater Cleveland.
Well this past Sunday we decided to go to St. Andrew's which is a Byzantine church near him - for some reason we have nick-named this place Saint Mojo's - apparently I said something about it (perhaps my love can fill in the blanks here) and the name has stuck.
I have never been to a Byzantine church before - I knew a little about the rites performed in their churches and that they celebrated Christmas and Easter on different days - I knew they were considered Catholic as well and of course, I've studied history.
However, nothing prepared me for this small church that seemed to be like a rec room filled with 'icons' - and the fact that the priest was behind a wooden 'gate' and curtain (like an idiot I actually whispered to Erin 'Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain - cause it was so well...'Oz'-like). Nor was I prepared for the continuous use of some seriously potent frankincense pouring forth from a censor as the priest made his way around the 'chapel' several times and we were all expected to face him as he made his way around the room...it was dizzying.
I was also surprised by the rituals wording - basically stating that those who were not of the true faith could be viewed as 'enemies' - I got the feeling this was a very persecuted lot and they did not take kindly to 'strangers' in their midst even if said strangers were fellow 'Catholics' - also we were given 'instructions' as to how to receive communion (something I've been doing since I was 8 yrs old) - because of course the priest made note that 'several' people who did not belong to the church were 'present'...talk about feeling singled out....
The priest was kindly though and I felt like it was definitely a 'Gnostic' experience. I'd love to go check out some of the more 'populated' congregations of a different 'Orthodox' church - yeah there were less than 30 people in attendance which is why we probably stuck out like sore thumbs...but hey our hearts were in the right place - even though we stumbled through the rites...
One of the things that Erin and I like to do is go and check out different churches. It's interesting and educational and a way for us to discover new neighborhoods and the beauty of some of the old churches here in greater Cleveland.
Well this past Sunday we decided to go to St. Andrew's which is a Byzantine church near him - for some reason we have nick-named this place Saint Mojo's - apparently I said something about it (perhaps my love can fill in the blanks here) and the name has stuck.
I have never been to a Byzantine church before - I knew a little about the rites performed in their churches and that they celebrated Christmas and Easter on different days - I knew they were considered Catholic as well and of course, I've studied history.
However, nothing prepared me for this small church that seemed to be like a rec room filled with 'icons' - and the fact that the priest was behind a wooden 'gate' and curtain (like an idiot I actually whispered to Erin 'Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain - cause it was so well...'Oz'-like). Nor was I prepared for the continuous use of some seriously potent frankincense pouring forth from a censor as the priest made his way around the 'chapel' several times and we were all expected to face him as he made his way around the room...it was dizzying.
I was also surprised by the rituals wording - basically stating that those who were not of the true faith could be viewed as 'enemies' - I got the feeling this was a very persecuted lot and they did not take kindly to 'strangers' in their midst even if said strangers were fellow 'Catholics' - also we were given 'instructions' as to how to receive communion (something I've been doing since I was 8 yrs old) - because of course the priest made note that 'several' people who did not belong to the church were 'present'...talk about feeling singled out....
The priest was kindly though and I felt like it was definitely a 'Gnostic' experience. I'd love to go check out some of the more 'populated' congregations of a different 'Orthodox' church - yeah there were less than 30 people in attendance which is why we probably stuck out like sore thumbs...but hey our hearts were in the right place - even though we stumbled through the rites...
Labels: Religion
posted by Colette at 2:18 PM
2 Comments:
We didn't know very much about St. Andrew as we were walking by the church together in those early days of dating, and you asked the question something to the effect of, "What makes his (St. Andrew) mojo so special?" Thus the name was invented, "St. Mojo".
We did not know at the time the travels that St. Andrew had taken to the Byzantium and the region and the effect he had there.
http://home.it.net.au/~jgrapsas/pages/St_Andrew.htm
Some churches are beautiful and amazing, and that's coming from an ex-catholic. Call me crazy.
Post a Comment
<< Home