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To: stfassisi
Good post! And I will read carefully when time permits.

Without reading, and with the caveat that I have only been Orthodox for two years let me try to sum up what I have been told is the Orthodox position on Adoration.

The Eucharist is a sacrament designed to be consumed, not used for blessings (Take, eat..."). That is not to say that a reserve Sacrament is improper; there is a reserve Sacrament in my parish and a lamp constantly burns before it. The Sacrament is there, however, for use to commune the sick and dying, not for blessing. When entering the church, we are aware of Our Lord's presence in the Sacrament, and we cross ourselves when passing in front of the Sacrament. To me it is part of the Holy "atmosphere" in the church - our Holy Icons are there as well.

I must say, however, there is much more that unites Catholics and Orthodox on the subject of the Sacrament than divides us. While I was taught the above during my cathecumen class, the Catholic practice of Adoration was not specifically condemned. It was just presented as something Orthodox do not do.

3 posted on 09/12/2007 11:26:32 AM PDT by Martin Tell ("It is the right, good old way you are in: keep in it.")
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To: Martin Tell

It’s a different focus, I guess. Similarly, the Orthodox conception of icons is different from the Catholic understanding of depictions of holy persons or events; not wrong, but simply a different focus for one’s contemplation.


4 posted on 09/12/2007 11:39:14 AM PDT by livius
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