Saint Michael the Archangel Church

[vlinder]

To Life Immortal

Today I visited a Russian Orthodox Church. Saint Michael the Archangel is a good way (about 5km) from my home in Haddington. I took the Blue train to Spring Garden and after a short walk, I was there. It is a small parish of the Moscow Patriate (sp?).

People were friendly to me and even though I can read a little Russian, I was glad that Divine Liturgy was in English. Unlike the Russian church I saw on telly, the building had pews. People mostly stood anyway throughout the service.

The choir sang above us in a loft and it was beautiful 4 part Russian harmonizing. One of the reasons why I decided to visit was the hear the singing.

I noticed some minor differences in their Divine Liturgy. Different bishops were mentioned in the Great and Little Prayers. (Antiochians mention Phillip and they mentioned Alexis; I think they are patriarchs of the respective synods, i'm not sure). The Creed and Lord's prayer were chanted, beautifully I may add.

One new thing I experienced was during the Eucharist. People got in line to receive and while in front the of the Royal Doors, there is an icon stand at the beginning of the main isle. People venerated the icon, then took the sacrament. I noticed that when some of the people before me got to Father Vincent, they bent over like you do at Confession and he blessed them by putting his stole over their head and stuff. Then gave them communion. I've never seen that before. When It got to be my turn, Fr. Vincent asked were I Orthodox. I said yes and he blessed me like the others and I received communion. I think I got a mini confession. I don't know, but it was cool.:cool:

Another cool thing is that after communion, you just don't get bread. They had little cups of juice too. I guess it's a Russian custom or something. :scratch:

All in all, I loved going to the church and I had a good time. I couldn't stay for the breakfast thingy they had because I don't eat pork, but I did introduce myself to one of the ladies there. I'm planning on going back there next month.

Every 3rd Sunday, they have something called a Parastas for people who died. We have that too. We chant prayers and end with Memory Eternal. I guess the Russians do the same thing. :scratch:

And to top it all off, when I left the church, I found a dime on the street. I think it was the Lord giving me a small reward for bravery. I almost didn't go because my head was hurting and I was feeling dizzy from where I had a concussion many years ago. I had to go because I told Father Vincent I would be there and I didn't want to lie to a priest; that's not a good thing. Once I got to the church, I felt fine and after I took the sacrament, I felt even better. I feel like I'm glowing after Divine Liturgy and people say hello to me in the street and smile. :angel:

Peace and Long Life
~*~ Balafenn ~*~

[Nickolai]

To Life Immortal

Today I visited a Russian Orthodox Church. Saint Michael the Archangel is a good way (about 5km) from my home in Haddington. I took the Blue train to Spring Garden and after a short walk, I was there. It is a small parish of the Moscow Patriate (sp?).

People were friendly to me and even though I can read a little Russian, I was glad that Divine Liturgy was in English. Unlike the Russian church I saw on telly, the building had pews. People mostly stood anyway throughout the service.

The choir sang above us in a loft and it was beautiful 4 part Russian harmonizing. One of the reasons why I decided to visit was the hear the singing.

I noticed some minor differences in their Divine Liturgy. Different bishops were mentioned in the Great and Little Prayers. (Antiochians mention Phillip and they mentioned Alexis; I think they are patriarchs of the respective synods, i'm not sure). The Creed and Lord's prayer were chanted, beautifully I may add.

One new thing I experienced was during the Eucharist. People got in line to receive and while in front the of the Royal Doors, there is an icon stand at the beginning of the main isle. People venerated the icon, then took the sacrament. I noticed that when some of the people before me got to Father Vincent, they bent over like you do at Confession and he blessed them by putting his stole over their head and stuff. Then gave them communion. I've never seen that before. When It got to be my turn, Fr. Vincent asked were I Orthodox. I said yes and he blessed me like the others and I received communion. I think I got a mini confession. I don't know, but it was cool.:cool:

Another cool thing is that after communion, you just don't get bread. They had little cups of juice too. I guess it's a Russian custom or something. :scratch:

All in all, I loved going to the church and I had a good time. I couldn't stay for the breakfast thingy they had because I don't eat pork, but I did introduce myself to one of the ladies there. I'm planning on going back there next month.

Every 3rd Sunday, they have something called a Parastas for people who died. We have that too. We chant prayers and end with Memory Eternal. I guess the Russians do the same thing. :scratch:

And to top it all off, when I left the church, I found a dime on the street. I think it was the Lord giving me a small reward for bravery. I almost didn't go because my head was hurting and I was feeling dizzy from where I had a concussion many years ago. I had to go because I told Father Vincent I would be there and I didn't want to lie to a priest; that's not a good thing. Once I got to the church, I felt fine and after I took the sacrament, I felt even better. I feel like I'm glowing after Divine Liturgy and people say hello to me in the street and smile. :angel:

Peace and Long Life
~*~ Balafenn ~*~


Vlinder,

I didn't know you got Crismated, When was this?

What you saw when the Priest put his Stole (Epitrichelion) on the people's heads was what is known as General Confession.

It's acctually frowned upon. It was created for Churches that had over 1000 parishoners or more. Because if you had 1000 parishoners you would be doing confessions for a week straight. They way it should be done (According to the service book I have seen for it) is that the Priest says the beginning prayers like he would at a regular confession (i.e. Trisagion prayers and the prayers for confession) and then each person confessing goes up and confesses to the preist like they would any other time. One by one they confess until they are all done. Then Absolution is granted to all at once.
Basically it's the same as a regular confession except the beginning and absolution are only done once, This would cut down a great deal of time if there were many people confessing.

Some preists (Incorrectly) just grant absolution at the Chalice without an actual confession. This is wrong and is against some canons, This may be what you saw.

[vlinder]

To Life Immortal

Vlinder, I didn't know you got Crismated, When was this?
I was baptised at a Russian Mission long ago. Got chrismated at a Greek church when the mission closed because the priest died. Been a Christian since 26 February 2003 and loving it! It is a BIGdifference in my life now as compared to when I was in Asatru/Egyptian Paganism. I don't feel so alone. :groupray:


Peace and Long Life
~*~ Balafenn ~*~

[CyberSponge]

Very Cool!!! :D :thumbsup:

I've visited various Orthodox Churches so I see small little differences, kind of like the ones you saw. :)