Its probably the most drastically different experience between my protestant roots and orthodoxy. No lights are on, just a few candles up front and for the readers as the church gets dark from the sun setting. There are five parts. The first, third, and fifth part is a walk through of the bible, highlighting Gods mercy and justice and man's failings in front of God, and ending with the story of Jesus. With each line read. it ends with the laity saying 'Lord have mercy' and a full prostration. Lots of full prostrations. The second and fourth parts are a reading of the life of St. Mary of Egypt. A repentant sinner who lived a life of extreme asceticism and devotion to God out in the desert across the Jordan river.
Here's a pretty informal telling of the story:
And here is reading of the actual text of the life of St. Mary of Egypt.
Its an incredible story of repentance and devotion. Just thought I'd share as I nurse sore legs today.
When I try to describe to others what was missing from my nondenominational upbringing, its easy to say the 'fullness of the faith'. But that is really hard to actually nail down what that looks like. It was hard for me to see it when I was an inquirer. And this service and preservation of the life of St. Mary of Egypt is just one example of the 'fullness'. You listen to the story, and ask God for mercy over and over again, and leave knowing you can better perform the church cycle of forgive, confess, repent, and partake. All while increasing in prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Palm Sunday is coming up on April 28th, if anyone wants to come taste and see I'll happily host. There is a fish fry afterwards, we'll have more than two fish and five loaves. Come join.
Here's a pretty informal telling of the story:
And here is reading of the actual text of the life of St. Mary of Egypt.
Its an incredible story of repentance and devotion. Just thought I'd share as I nurse sore legs today.
When I try to describe to others what was missing from my nondenominational upbringing, its easy to say the 'fullness of the faith'. But that is really hard to actually nail down what that looks like. It was hard for me to see it when I was an inquirer. And this service and preservation of the life of St. Mary of Egypt is just one example of the 'fullness'. You listen to the story, and ask God for mercy over and over again, and leave knowing you can better perform the church cycle of forgive, confess, repent, and partake. All while increasing in prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Palm Sunday is coming up on April 28th, if anyone wants to come taste and see I'll happily host. There is a fish fry afterwards, we'll have more than two fish and five loaves. Come join.
