This morning it was my privilege to attend services at a local congregation of the Romanian Orthodox Church. (I am an inquirer of Christian Orthodoxy.) For someone coming from a Protestant background such a service still seems strange and novel, though less so than four years ago when I began this journey investigating the historic faith called the Orthodox Church.
It is hard to convey in words the effect and the beauty of the services. Today's service was conducted on what is known as Renewal Tuesday, the Tuesday following Easter. So the service was based on Easter texts and chants. It began with what is called Orthros, which is a sung service based on ancient texts. It was followed by Divine Liturgy which is the Orthodox term for what is otherwise known as Holy Communion or the Eucharist.
The music -- for those who may know something about music -- was mostly in the minor mode with a transition to major mode in the Divine Liturgy. The paradox of Orthodox worship is the joy which can pervade a service in the midst of such solemnity. Although serious in nature, I never find the services to be morose. And -- quaint as it may seem -- I do feel at least a touch of the Divine, and usually more than a touch. There is also a sense of love and gratitude which pervades, brought forth not only by the words, but by the spirit of the presentation and by some unspoken force which, to me, is God.
In coming days I hope to say more about Orthodoxy and my investigation of it. (I remain unconfirmed.) For now, I thought you, dear reader, might be interested to know of my religious inquiry.
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