There is also a Western Rite within Orthodoxy (under the Antiochian archdiocese) and there was a western-rite mission here in Oregon but it closed because its priest is in ill health.
Each year, on All Saints day (June in our calendar), our choir closes the service with Vaugh Williams' "For all the Saints". Many of us ex-Anglicans join in. I can hardly get the words out - it chokes me up.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a convinced Orthodox. I'm home. But I still feel the loss.
Oh my yes! When we (in our APCK parish) sing that one (#126, 1940 HB, "For all the saints, who from their labors rest...") I am sure the rafters are shaking; maybe it's just that that one stays well within the range most of us can sing, but we go full-throat with that one.
But I confess a weakness for Pange Lingua (#199, 1940 HB, "Now, my tongue, the mystery telling..."), and especially Adoro Devote (#204, 1940 HB, "Humbly I adore thee, Verity unseen...").
It is funny. As a child I was bored stiff by the 1928 BCP liturgy, but now I am beginning to be aware of and awed by its beauty and majesty, even if the language is not exakly modurn Merican.
I once heard that it is a short reach from (pre-Fall) Episcopalianism to Russian Orthodox. I confess to a tremendous amouont of ignorance here, and especially in anything to do with the label "Orthodox." Is it that close?
Oregon. Um. Um. You will shortly have FReepmail!