Missing Divine Liturgy

[Rosa Mystica]

Quick question: do Orthodox Christians view missing Divine Liturgy (w/o a serious reason) to be seriously wrong? I know that Catholics view missing Mass w/o a valid reason to be gravely sinful. Does the Orthodox Church have a similar teaching?

Thanks,
Rosa

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Yes, it is considered a sin.

While I am unsure of the number of times, I believe if you miss Divine Liturgy more than twice without a valid reason, you are considered "excommunicated" and you must go to confession before going to communion again. If I am wrong about the number of times, I would ask any of my Orthodox bretheran to correct me.

Just an FYI regarding sin, the Orthodox Church does not categorize sins into "venial" and "mortal" sins like the Catholic Church does. Sin is missing the mark that has been set before us by God. It doesn't matter by how much, we must confess that we have "missed the mark."

In XC,

Maureen

 

[InnerPhyre]

It is not a "Mortal sin" because we do not believe in Mortal sin. It will not send you hellbound. Still, if we are serious about our faith, we won't just skip because of laziness or other such reasons, but there isn't the same attitude of "if you don't go on one sunday you're going to hell."

 

[eoe]

They send someone over to your house and shoot you in the knees. Needless to say - people don't miss more than one.





Just kidding.

(or am I?)






Yes... I am kidding.



(maybe..)

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

They send someone over to your house and shoot you in the knees. Needless to say - people don't miss more than one.





Just kidding.

(or am I?)






Yes... I am kidding.



(maybe..)

After all, it's no coincidence that the KGB, Russian Mafia, and Orthodox Church are all in the same country.

 

[gzt]

The divine liturgy is very important and one should order one's life around being present at it on Sunday to, you know, be a part of the Church. If you miss it without a good reason, something is out of order in your life and you should re-examine your priorities and, yes, repent of your sin. However, we do pray at the liturgy for those who are absent "for a worthy cause". It goes without saying one should not make a habit out of finding worthy causes to miss the liturgy for, but nobody's going to ship you to hell if you miss occasionally. Christ has called us to come and follow Him, and most of all to love Him.

 

[OnTheWay]

Quick question: do Orthodox Christians view missing Divine Liturgy (w/o a serious reason) to be seriously wrong? I know that Catholics view missing Mass w/o a valid reason to be gravely sinful. Does the Orthodox Church have a similar teaching?

Thanks,
Rosa

If you are asking if it is a mortal sin then the answer is no because we don't classify sin into "mortal" and "venial" catagories. It is not acceptable to miss and thus it is a sin not to attend DL.
Of course, it you are too sick to stand up or what have you, there are vaild reasons not to attend and that would not be sinful. We should strive to attend every service, but of course that isn't going to be possible for human beings.

 

[RobNJ]

I've missed DL once , or twice a month..... hospitals ARE open on Sundays. I usually try to make sure I hit the Saturday night Vigil service, If I won't be there on Sunday.

 

[Dewi Sant]

I hope that an Orthodox church gets built in time for me to go to University in Aberdeen.

It seems that Scotland hasn't even heard about Orthodoxy (apart from one church in Glasgow).


I am already missing the Divine Liturgy and I have only been away from church for 12 hours.



Ahhh thats better

 

[repentant]

Well then what happens if a Church has multiple Liturgy's a week, like everyday, or every other day?

 

[MariaRegina]

I hope that an Orthodox church gets built in time for me to go to University in Aberdeen.

It seems that Scotland hasn't even heard about Orthodoxy (apart from one church in Glasgow).


I am already missing the Divine Liturgy and I have only been away from church for 12 hours.



Ahhh thats better

Ask your priest. See if you can help build a local church by helping to mail out invitations to those with Greek or Russian or Serbian sounding last names.

There are many ways in which youth can help build up the membership in mission churches. And it can be fun.

 

[Monica child of God 1]

I've missed DL once , or twice a month..... hospitals ARE open on Sundays. I usually try to make sure I hit the Saturday night Vigil service, If I won't be there on Sunday.

I believe that exception is made for health care professionals, police officers, soldiers, etc. Their work is and act of mercy. The Church recognizes it as a worthy cause.

M.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

I have to miss usually once a month to be with my Mother. Father understands, and I appreciate the prayers for those who "miss for worthy cause".


Mary

 

[Happy Orthodox]

Well then what happens if a Church has multiple Liturgy's a week, like everyday, or every other day?

If you miss Liturgy on Sunday for a worthy reason, you can always go in another day whenever the Church celebrates Liturgy and commune. You don't have to go to all the services of the parish you are attending.

 

[FlyFast]

Canon LXXX from the Council of Trullo (the Quinisext Council)

"IF any bishop, or presbyter, or deacon, or any of those who are enumerated in the list of the clergy, or a layman, has no very grave necessity nor difficult business so as to keep him from church for a very long time, but being in town does not go to church on three consecutive Sundays—three weeks—if he is a cleric let him be deposed, but if a layman let him be cut off."

 

[Canadian75]

They send someone over to your house and shoot you in the knees. Needless to say - people don't miss more than one.





Just kidding.

(or am I?)






Yes... I am kidding.



(maybe..)

ROTFL

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to eoe again.

​

 

[Akathist]

If about five people give eoe reps will will make up for you not being able to... but I did rep him for you anyway.

 

[seeking.IAM]

They send someone over to your house and shoot you in the knees. Needless to say - people don't miss more than one.

The bad part isn't getting shot in the knees. It's having to stand up throughout Divine Liturgy the next week!

 

[Akathist]

The bad part isn't getting shot in the knees. It's having to stand up throughout Divine Liturgy the next week!

But we have to stand up throughout all Divine Liturgies......

confused....

 

[EricTheRed]

I have enough trouble standing up during DL. There is NO way I could do it with a 9mm hole in my knee.................................