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To: kosta50
What you are describing is any lack of uniformity or rite in the Anglican Church, and that is certainly not the case with the the Church of the East or the West. A rite is a tradition, but not holy; it is not a fad, or fashion.

I think you're taking my statements rather a bit far. I certainly did not describe "a lack of uniformity or rite." In fact there is a lot of uniformity, even between the 1928 and 1979 BCP rites. The same elements are observed in the exact same order (with one exception, the horrid "Peace" of the '79).

And they are uniform across the spectrum of low church to high church. When I attend a '79 BCP service, I know exactly where we are in the service even if I have to read from the prayer book because the (modern) language is unfamiliar.

But it's the manner, the subtle, subtle, manner that differs. What is sung, what is said, varies from church to church, for example; the rubrics spell out the options. Bells or not. Smells or not. The number of candles on the altar. The lighting order. When one crosses one's self. Terminal prayer. These sorts of things vary, and many would not be easily discerned by somebody who did not know the traditions.

14 posted on 01/19/2005 9:20:58 AM PST by sionnsar († trad-anglican.faithweb.com † || Iran Azadi || Kiev County: http://www.soundpolitics.com)
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To: sionnsar; Kolokotronis; Agrarian; MarMema; FormerLib; Destro
I am not familiar with the Anglican church, nor do I understand what "low" and "high" church mean. I was just reacting to your statement as I perceived it, void of any in-depth knowledge of your church.

When you start citing years of different worship (1928, 1979), etc. someone like me, coming from a Church that has used the same Liturgy for 1,600 years sees a different picture. Perceptions my friend, and awareness of them, is often the key.

From what I gather, this is not just about the manner. The number of candles and the final prayers, etc. are unchanging. I am talking about American Orthodox churches having pews, being somewhat "Protestant" in their views, make-up, and using electric candles vice real, or paraffin vice beeswax, etc., or the whole church emptying the pews and receiving Communion (without confession), waving hands in the air a-la some Baptists, uniformed choir, electric organ music (St. Augustine, Florida) etc. (I have seen this in Greek churches in America and Orthodox Church of America). One unbelievable deviation in the service I have seen was in St. Augustine, Fl Greek Orthodox church, where the Liturgy was interrupted for a fund-raising, including the talk about barbecue!!!

So, don't think that the Orthodox churches are immune from various human innovations that become "tradition". The Orthodox church in some places is unrecognizable. Not that you will ever hear that from other members. We keep those secrets to ourselves. But I am a black sheep.

15 posted on 01/19/2005 1:59:10 PM PST by kosta50 (Eastern Orthodoxy is pure Christianity)
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