An Orthodox Easter

The Wall Street Journal Online -- Taste Page ^ | Friday, April 9, 2004 12:01 a.m. EDT | DAVID B. HART

[afraidfortherepublic]

This is one of those rare years when Christians of the Eastern and Western communions will celebrate Easter on the same Sunday. For those of us who--in quixotic moments--blow upon the gray embers of our hopes for a reunited Church, this is always an especially happy occasion. We may not all be entering into the mysteries of Christ's death and resurrection as one, but at least this year we are doing it at the same time.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I thought that this discussion may be enlightening to other FReepers. I don't know very much about the Orthodox customs. I was pleased to see that we are all celebrating Easter together this year and to learn how to greet my Greek friends.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Christ is risen!

[afraidfortherepublic]

He is risen, indeed!

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[afraidfortherepublic]

Ping! I hope you find this interesting. Please pass it on.

[FormerLib]

A punctuated Orthodox ping (until I can get home and use my full list, that is).

[Destro]

Truely he is risen!

[afraidfortherepublic]

Ping. You may find this article interesting. Happy Easter.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Thank you.

[afraidfortherepublic]

You may find this article interesting. I did not know much about Orthodox customs before reading this. Looking forward to Sunday when Christ is risen again! Easter Blessings on you and your family.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I thought you might be interested in this article. I did not know much about Orthodox customs before reading it. Easter Blessings.

[Keme]

Christos Anesti!

[hiho hiho]

The Orthodox church has quite a bit of appeal to me. I’d hate to give up the musical instruments, but I might be willing to make that sacrifice to get rid of those damned electric guitars. It would also put an end to the endless evangelical hype -- beating up the Easter bunny, glitzy “religious” (Hollywood) productions and the constant tampering with sacred texts (making politically correct).

There is a story about a Orthodox priest who was accused of being part of a church that did not change with the times. His response was that the Orthodox does change, the words “by air” were added to the prayers for travelers.

[afraidfortherepublic]

...the words “by air” were added to the prayers for travelers.

LOL!

[afraidfortherepublic]

Thank you.

[stripes1776]

Eastern Orthodox tradition principally emphasizes the resurrection of Christ, Catholic (and Protestant) tradition principally emphasizes his death... There may be some truth in this, but not much.

Very interesting article. Here's a quote from the Pascal message from the head (Metropolitan) of the Orthodox Chuch in America I found on the www.oca.org website:

While the physical suffering – combined with the betrayal, mockery, lack of faithfulness, and even apathy – Our Lord endured on our behalf is far beyond anything we can imagine or even experience personally, our attention as Orthodox Christians is focused on Christ the “Victor” rather than the “victim.”.

From their home page:

[Twinkie]

I grew up in a Protestant upbringing for the most
part. Several years ago, I started going to an
Orthodox church. Most of the members were American
converts to Orthodoxy. At first, I found the service
very appealing and, at that time, the bishop was
allowing for the beatitudes and other "Americanizations"
of the liturgy. Then, gradually, it seemed that every
time the bishop came the liturgy became more and more
"Greek", and centered (I felt) too much around adoration
of the virgin and less (to my mind) of Christ than I felt
it should. I began to feel the repetitious prayers were
not for me, and there was a pervading coldness which
seemed to possibly result from too much formality. In
short, I finally had to admit to myself over time that
I was not Greek, that I did not have the stamina to stand
for an hour and a half solid for a church service. I went
back to my Baptist roots, and I feel that the Lord
understands. Orthodoxy may be just the thing for some
people; I'm not the judge, Christ is. Period.

[SoCal Pubbie]

Some former neighbors and very good friends of ours are Americans of Greek derivation. My wife and I have attended some church functions, and many parties, and learned a little about about both Greek culture and the Greek Orthodox Church. We now know what a boumbouniera and a koumbaro are!

Anyway, two thoughts. One, as I understand the Greek tradition, part of the Easter ceremony is to carry a symbolic coffin around the alter several times. While I understand how traditions develop locally, I always thought it was odd that a coffin, which was not part of Christ's burial, was used in this way.

Second, I think the author errs when comparing the emphasis on the death versus resurrection between Catholics and Protestants, the latter showing more emphasis on resurrection starting with the empty cross in their churches.

[MarMema]

Kristos Voskrese

[RightWingMama]

I converted to the Orthodox faith 10 years ago and everything that was said in the article is so true. In a few hours we start the service of Lamentation and from then until after Pascha you might as well kiss sleep good by. But, what a wonderful experience!
He is risen!