[cuban leaf]

Those are the two days I DON’T go to church. Seriously.

[SumProVita]

Attend the Vigil Masses then. They are absolutely beautiful and, it seems to me, that the vast majority of those in the pews are much more spiritually motivated and dedicated.

[Salvation]

Sorry about that. You are missing a rich liturgy on both days.

[Martin Tell]

I understand completely the desire to avoid those two services. These are the only two Divine Liturgies (I am Eastern Orthodox) of the year that I dread, God forgive me. To paraphrase Yogi Berra, "It's so crowded nobody goes to those services anymore." I should be happy that the parish is so packed, but I have a touch of fear of crowds (agoraphobia?) and I get very nervous.

Also, (God forgive me again), I find myself judging, "why don't all these folks come for other services, not many of them are out-of-towners..."

We are in the middle of Holy Week, so I am making a determined effort to attend as many services as I can (it's never crowded during the Week!), and pray for strength to have a go-with-flow attitude come Saturday night. The Easter Homily of St. John Chrysostom is very helpful for keeping a welcoming spirit to those who arrive at the "Eleventh Hour."

[Salvation]

Is that hypocritical?