Why are we talking about liturgy so much?
Posted by Karl (June 26, 2006 at 12:16 am)
This is, after all, an evangelization blog, isn’t it? I can best answer this with a story:
According to the “Russian Primary Chronicle,” probably compiled by the monks of the Crypt monastery in Kiev, late 11th century, Vladimir sent envoys to the Bulgars, the Germans and the Greeks to inquire as to their religious worship. It was the Greek that impressed them the most.
And then we went to Greece, and the Greeks led us to the edifices where they worship their God, and we knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth. For on earth there is no such splendor or such beauty, and we are at a loss how to describe it. We only know that God dwells there among men, and their service is fairer that the ceremonies of other nations. For we cannot forget that beauty.
One liturgy was able to bring an entire people to Christ. Liturgy is evangelism.
P.S. This version of the story taken from here.
The Bride is certainly beautiful. Her words and her voice may be heard even without a temple but imagine a temple and her fragrance! It truely is heaven on earth.
CDL
Comment posted June 26th, 2006 at 6:00 pm
Amen, amen amen. Alleluia
Comment posted June 26th, 2006 at 8:51 pm
Karl, I just read your post at Amy Welborn’s site, and was appalled to hear what is happening to your liturgy. I love the Byzantine Rite - there’s a little Byzantine Church a few blocks from me that I visit occasionally (I’m Roman Catholic), and I always just marvel at how beautiful the language of it is, especially compared to the blandness of the Roman Rite translation. Changed, updating, making inclusive - this is just a disaster. I am so sorry to hear it.
Comment posted June 28th, 2006 at 6:41 pm
I agree that the liturgy is evangelical. So many people talk about all sorts of doctrines; why not focus in the the source and summit of Christian life: The Eucharist.
Comment posted June 30th, 2006 at 7:44 am
Lex orandi, lex credendi was true in the time of St. Prosper in Patristic times - as all objective truth it is also true and “relevant” now as in all ages.
DRLB
Comment posted August 9th, 2006 at 11:15 pm