Robby Sawyer - Church visit #1

St. Joseph Orthodox Christian Church

412 Crescent Street, Wheaton, IL. 60187

January 19^th, 2014

Eastern Orthodox (Orthodox Church in America)

Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

When I entered the inner room of St. Joseph’s church building, I was immediately struck by the overwhelming sensory experience that flushed through my system. My mind, heart and soul was simultaneously shocked and in awe of the sheer magnitude of the beauty within the church. As the liturgy began, the sweet smell of fresh incense coupled with the icons and the melodic chanting of the members of the Dioceses and clergy shook me to my core. At first, I was uncomfortable being back into an orthodox church, but as the liturgy continued and I gained pace with the rest of everyone else, I felt at home. I come from a Mennonite Church background, which is not unfamiliar to the liturgical tradition, but this was significantly more liturgy than I have ever done before. The liturgy lasted for an hour and a half straight and then concluded with a short fifteen-minute homily.

What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?

            I found that all members who were in attendance, both young and very old, were committed to following the physically exhausting liturgy. From, repeatedly, responding to the Trinity by way of motioning the sign of the cross, to kneeling and bowing before the cross, I found it interesting how everyone was still very attentive and ever watchful. The second thing I found interesting was the fact that the actual gospel book followed by the incense was paraded around the room, demanding everyone to turn and face out of reverence and deep respect. It was hard, at times, being an outsider to track with the service. Sometimes, I was unable to quickly respond or follow instructions like a lot of the others who clearly knew it by heart. The people who knew the extensive liturgy without the assistance of the 40 page manual and still responded correctly was utterly astounding and, for me, was most appealing.

What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?

            Like previously described, I found that the pace of the Orthodox Church liturgy was very quick and difficult for any outsider to understand. For this particular Sunday, I witnessed a friend undergoing chrismation or as the west knows it, confirmation. Even though I was very happy for him, I was wrestling in my own heart for the reasons why I don’t show the same amount of devotion to my own church. When you make the decision to join the Orthodox Church, it is final. The “chrismation”, as it is called in the Orthodox Church, is equivalent to getting married to that particular church tradition.  This Orthodox Church unintentionally, challenged my thinking of my position and participation at Lombard Mennonite (my home church). Secondly, as an artist, I found that the creative atmosphere present at St. Joseph’s combined with deeply rooted and ancient Christian theology was very attractive and confronted me with the idea of considering the Orthodox tradition.

What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?

            I believe St. Joseph’s Orthodox Church illuminated for me their comprehensive knowledge of the Christian faith as passed down to them from many ancient generations. I have always heard it said that it takes hundreds of people and several decades to complete and receive confirmation of certain creeds and liturgical elements as legitimate. But now I can see, smell, and say the very words that were deeply contemplated over by very knowledgeable and expert theologians. It was a true blessing to participate in. For that matter, what I was a part of last Sunday was something very special. I felt a part of something much greater than I, even though sometimes I didn’t know it. I, only now, realize that by saying those creeds and singing the liturgy, I was joining a tradition and community of people that spans beyond death who all together worship the creator and Lord, Jesus Christ.