Don't take it from someone with a bunch of letters before or after their name. Take it from an "old woman with a worn bible":



If I didn't know better, I would have thought that was my own grandmother giving me a talking to. That woman is old school and I think we need a little more of that.

The one I'm most guilty of, although it's my wife's fault (lol), is chatting with my wife about the events in the coming week before Mass. I'll do better this coming weekend… if she leaves me alone.

Got this one from a friend recently...

Good stuff.

She forgot: SHUT YOUR PIEHOLE! THIS IS A SACRED SPACE AND NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT WHATEVER INANE TOPIC YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IN YOUR AMUSEMENT PARK VOICE. JUST BE QUIET!!!!

AND IF YOU CLAP AT THE END OF MASS I AM GOING TO FOLLOW YOU INTO THE PARKING LOT AND SLICE YOUR TIRES!

Ok, I feel better and I am joking about the tires.

I'm ignoring you once the Agnus Dei starts.

If I were going to add to the list, it's when people without any disability or kids sit on the outside end of an empty pew, or they'll sit in the middle of the pew equidistant from either of the other people as far apart as possible ensuring that no family larger than 3 people can sit in that row.

Bob Lee said:

---

I'm ignoring you once the Agnus Dei starts.

If I were going to add to the list, it's when people without any disability or kids sit on the outside end of an empty pew, or they'll sit in the middle of the pew equidistant from either of the other people as far apart as possible ensuring that no family larger than 3 people can sit in that row.

---

Forget that

You arrive late, and you don't have a disability, I'll politely get up from my spot at the end, and clear a path for you as you sit your ass in the middle of the pew

Leave earlier if you want the end!

Captain Pablo said:

---

Bob Lee said:

---

I'm ignoring you once the Agnus Dei starts.

If I were going to add to the list, it's when people without any disability or kids sit on the outside end of an empty pew, or they'll sit in the middle of the pew equidistant from either of the other people as far apart as possible ensuring that no family larger than 3 people can sit in that row.

---

Forget that

You arrive late, and you don't have a disability, I'll politely get up from my spot at the end, and clear a path for you as you sit your ass in the middle of the pew

Leave earlier if you want the end!

---

Hey, don't come crying to me because my toddler has two bathroom "emergencies", and my daughter has to take the baby to the narthex while he throws a fit at the least opportune times during mass.

FIDO95 said:

---

Don't take it from someone with a bunch of letters before or after their name. Take it from an "old woman with a worn bible":



If I didn't know better, I would have thought that was my own grandmother giving me a talking to. That woman is old school and I think we need a little more of that.

The one I'm most guilty of, although it's my wife's fault (lol), is chatting with my wife about the events in the coming week before Mass. I'll do better this coming weekend… if she leaves me alone.

---

Finished the video

That is outstanding

Good list. We are not "big group" kind of people so we don't go to church really but when we did, I can't think of anything worse than getting there late so everyone immediately stares at you. But life happens and I have no issue of someone else is late.

Fart

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

Good stuff.

She forgot: SHUT YOUR PIEHOLE! THIS IS A SACRED SPACE AND NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT WHATEVER INANE TOPIC YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IN YOUR AMUSEMENT PARK VOICE. JUST BE QUIET!!!!

AND IF YOU CLAP AT THE END OF MASS I AM GOING TO FOLLOW YOU INTO THE PARKING LOT AND SLICE YOUR TIRES!

Ok, I feel better and I am joking about the tires.

---

I've never heard of anybody clapping in the Orthodox Church at the end of liturgy

Well, I think it would be a different and odd custom. I don't necessarily see what would be wrong with that. Americans tend to be a bit uptight and stoic. Whether it is correct or not, I could see the case for celebration upon having received the Eucharist and going back out into the world after a blessing.

I would obviously need to think that through or ask the priest.

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

Good stuff.

She forgot: SHUT YOUR PIEHOLE! THIS IS A SACRED SPACE AND NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT WHATEVER INANE TOPIC YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IN YOUR AMUSEMENT PARK VOICE. JUST BE QUIET!!!!

AND IF YOU CLAP AT THE END OF MASS I AM GOING TO FOLLOW YOU INTO THE PARKING LOT AND SLICE YOUR TIRES!

Ok, I feel better and I am joking about the tires.

---

I've never heard of anybody clapping in the Orthodox Church at the end of liturgy

Well, I think it would be a different and odd custom. I don't necessarily see what would be wrong with that. Americans tend to be a bit uptight and stoic. Whether it is correct or not, I could see the case for celebration upon having received the Eucharist and going back out into the world after a blessing.

I would obviously need to think that through or ask the priest.

---

It is NOT a performance. It is the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is ENTIRELY inappropriate and should be stopped, but sadly, our pastor, who I love, just won't kill it. It's an abomination and belies a gross misunderstanding of what just happened.

Bob Lee said:

---

I'm ignoring you once the Agnus Dei starts.

If I were going to add to the list, it's when people without any disability or kids sit on the outside end of an empty pew, or they'll sit in the middle of the pew equidistant from either of the other people as far apart as possible ensuring that no family larger than 3 people can sit in that row.

---

There's nothing wrong with that

You should shift or allow other people to enter when they arrive

If I was sitting on the end and somebody asked me for that spot, I would give it to them

It sounds to me like you're saying don't sit in the middle of the pew and also don't sit on the ends. I'm a bit confused.

If the pew can only hold seven people as you claim, you're pretty much on the end or in the middle.

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

Good stuff.

She forgot: SHUT YOUR PIEHOLE! THIS IS A SACRED SPACE AND NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT WHATEVER INANE TOPIC YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IN YOUR AMUSEMENT PARK VOICE. JUST BE QUIET!!!!

AND IF YOU CLAP AT THE END OF MASS I AM GOING TO FOLLOW YOU INTO THE PARKING LOT AND SLICE YOUR TIRES!

Ok, I feel better and I am joking about the tires.

---

I've never heard of anybody clapping in the Orthodox Church at the end of liturgy

Well, I think it would be a different and odd custom. I don't necessarily see what would be wrong with that. Americans tend to be a bit uptight and stoic. Whether it is correct or not, I could see the case for celebration upon having received the Eucharist and going back out into the world after a blessing.

I would obviously need to think that through or ask the priest.

---

It is NOT a performance. It is the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is ENTIRELY inappropriate and should be stopped, but sadly, our pastor, who I love, just won't kill it. It's an abomination and belies a gross misunderstanding of what just happened.

---

I suppose I did not look at it from the perspective that the clapping is in response to a human performance. I viewed it more as a celebration of having the Eucharist and going out into the world.

From the Orthodox side, it turns out we are in agreement after consulting those better than I.

Clapping isn't done at the end of the Divine Liturgy for basically the exact reason you laid out.

Liturgy isn't a performance to be evaluated or applauded, but heaven touching earth. The choir and clergy aren't performing for an audience

The proper liturgical posture after receiving the Eucharist is reverent thanksgiving, awe, and venerating the cross.

The closest an Orthodox service ever gets to applause is shouting 'Axios!' during an ordination, and even that is an acclamation of worthiness for a sacrament, never a round of applause for a good service.

Your priest should absolutely nuke that behavior.

Sorry for the disagreement it's something I've never heard of and I really had to try to wrap my mind around that and I was speaking as I was thinking

I should've just kept my stupid mouth shut like my dad told me every day growing up.

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

Good stuff.

She forgot: SHUT YOUR PIEHOLE! THIS IS A SACRED SPACE AND NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT WHATEVER INANE TOPIC YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IN YOUR AMUSEMENT PARK VOICE. JUST BE QUIET!!!!

AND IF YOU CLAP AT THE END OF MASS I AM GOING TO FOLLOW YOU INTO THE PARKING LOT AND SLICE YOUR TIRES!

Ok, I feel better and I am joking about the tires.

---

I've never heard of anybody clapping in the Orthodox Church at the end of liturgy

Well, I think it would be a different and odd custom. I don't necessarily see what would be wrong with that. Americans tend to be a bit uptight and stoic. Whether it is correct or not, I could see the case for celebration upon having received the Eucharist and going back out into the world after a blessing.

I would obviously need to think that through or ask the priest.

---

It is NOT a performance. It is the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is ENTIRELY inappropriate and should be stopped, but sadly, our pastor, who I love, just won't kill it. It's an abomination and belies a gross misunderstanding of what just happened.

---

I suppose I did not look at it from the perspective that the clapping is in response to a human performance. I viewed it more as a celebration of having the Eucharist and going out into the world.

From the Orthodox side, it turns out we are in agreement after consulting those better than I.

Clapping isn't done at the end of the Divine Liturgy for basically the exact reason you laid out.

Liturgy isn't a performance to be evaluated or applauded, but heaven touching earth. The choir and clergy aren't performing for an audience

The proper liturgical posture after receiving the Eucharist is reverent thanksgiving, awe, and venerating the cross.

The closest an Orthodox service ever gets to applause is shouting 'Axios!' during an ordination, and even that is an acclamation of worthiness for a sacrament, never a round of applause for a good service.

Your priest should absolutely nuke that behavior.

Sorry for the disagreement it's something I've never heard of and I really had to try to wrap my mind around that and I was speaking as I was thinking

I should've just kept my stupid mouth shut like my dad told me every day growing up.

---

All good! And sorry if my reply came across as aggressive. I have a lot of passion about this stupidity. I actually leave as soon as the deacon sends us forth at the end of Mass rather than wait for the last song to end because I don't want the negative vibes that I know are coming as soon as the clapping happens.

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

Good stuff.

She forgot: SHUT YOUR PIEHOLE! THIS IS A SACRED SPACE AND NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT WHATEVER INANE TOPIC YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IN YOUR AMUSEMENT PARK VOICE. JUST BE QUIET!!!!

AND IF YOU CLAP AT THE END OF MASS I AM GOING TO FOLLOW YOU INTO THE PARKING LOT AND SLICE YOUR TIRES!

Ok, I feel better and I am joking about the tires.

---

I've never heard of anybody clapping in the Orthodox Church at the end of liturgy

Well, I think it would be a different and odd custom. I don't necessarily see what would be wrong with that. Americans tend to be a bit uptight and stoic. Whether it is correct or not, I could see the case for celebration upon having received the Eucharist and going back out into the world after a blessing.

I would obviously need to think that through or ask the priest.

---

It is NOT a performance. It is the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is ENTIRELY inappropriate and should be stopped, but sadly, our pastor, who I love, just won't kill it. It's an abomination and belies a gross misunderstanding of what just happened.

---

I suppose I did not look at it from the perspective that the clapping is in response to a human performance. I viewed it more as a celebration of having the Eucharist and going out into the world.

From the Orthodox side, it turns out we are in agreement after consulting those better than I.

Clapping isn't done at the end of the Divine Liturgy for basically the exact reason you laid out.

Liturgy isn't a performance to be evaluated or applauded, but heaven touching earth. The choir and clergy aren't performing for an audience

The proper liturgical posture after receiving the Eucharist is reverent thanksgiving, awe, and venerating the cross.

The closest an Orthodox service ever gets to applause is shouting 'Axios!' during an ordination, and even that is an acclamation of worthiness for a sacrament, never a round of applause for a good service.

Your priest should absolutely nuke that behavior.

Sorry for the disagreement it's something I've never heard of and I really had to try to wrap my mind around that and I was speaking as I was thinking

I should've just kept my stupid mouth shut like my dad told me every day growing up.

---

All good! And sorry if my reply came across as aggressive. I have a lot of passion about this stupidity. I actually leave as soon as the deacon sends us forth at the end of Mass rather than wait for the last song to end because I don't want the negative vibes that I know are coming as soon as the clapping happens.

---

Whether people are doing "the right thing or the wrong thing" I think people's intent matters a lot and until they're corrected by your priest, they really can't be held responsible as that is his job to Shepherd the flock

I love the story of the monastery Abbott who is doing the rounds through the monk's cells.

He comes to the first one and it's absolutely immaculate. A single table with a nearly clipped candle and a bed roll perfectly orderly. The Abbott thinks to himself how impressed he is that this monk keeps such an orderly space so that he may concentrate upon his prayers without distraction.

Upon coming to the next cell, he arrives to see a room in complete disarray. Unswept and dusty. Bedroll filthy and unkempt. Table haphazardly pushed to the side, covered in candle wax. The Abbott thinks to himself how impressed he is that this monk completely disregards his earthly surroundings to place so much focus on his prayers.

Without your priest having corrected the congregation I think you could choose to look at it from the perspective of look how amazingly, solemn and awestruck some people are. While at the same time thinking look how joyous and happy other people are in Christ and having received Communion and the Blessing.

Remember, they're not wrong until they are corrected. Your priest, for whatever reason has not yet chosen to correct them and I'm sure that time will come when he decides it is best.

That is his job. Our job is to focus on God, the liturgy and show compassion and understanding for our fellow communicants.

Don't let this distract you or make you feel like you must leave early.

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

Good stuff.

She forgot: SHUT YOUR PIEHOLE! THIS IS A SACRED SPACE AND NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT WHATEVER INANE TOPIC YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IN YOUR AMUSEMENT PARK VOICE. JUST BE QUIET!!!!

AND IF YOU CLAP AT THE END OF MASS I AM GOING TO FOLLOW YOU INTO THE PARKING LOT AND SLICE YOUR TIRES!

Ok, I feel better and I am joking about the tires.

---

I've never heard of anybody clapping in the Orthodox Church at the end of liturgy

Well, I think it would be a different and odd custom. I don't necessarily see what would be wrong with that. Americans tend to be a bit uptight and stoic. Whether it is correct or not, I could see the case for celebration upon having received the Eucharist and going back out into the world after a blessing.

I would obviously need to think that through or ask the priest.

---

It is NOT a performance. It is the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is ENTIRELY inappropriate and should be stopped, but sadly, our pastor, who I love, just won't kill it. It's an abomination and belies a gross misunderstanding of what just happened.

---

I suppose I did not look at it from the perspective that the clapping is in response to a human performance. I viewed it more as a celebration of having the Eucharist and going out into the world.

From the Orthodox side, it turns out we are in agreement after consulting those better than I.

Clapping isn't done at the end of the Divine Liturgy for basically the exact reason you laid out.

Liturgy isn't a performance to be evaluated or applauded, but heaven touching earth. The choir and clergy aren't performing for an audience

The proper liturgical posture after receiving the Eucharist is reverent thanksgiving, awe, and venerating the cross.

The closest an Orthodox service ever gets to applause is shouting 'Axios!' during an ordination, and even that is an acclamation of worthiness for a sacrament, never a round of applause for a good service.

Your priest should absolutely nuke that behavior.

Sorry for the disagreement it's something I've never heard of and I really had to try to wrap my mind around that and I was speaking as I was thinking

I should've just kept my stupid mouth shut like my dad told me every day growing up.

---

All good! And sorry if my reply came across as aggressive. I have a lot of passion about this stupidity. I actually leave as soon as the deacon sends us forth at the end of Mass rather than wait for the last song to end because I don't want the negative vibes that I know are coming as soon as the clapping happens.

---

Whether people are doing "the right thing or the wrong thing" I think people's intent matters a lot and until they're corrected by your priest, they really can't be held responsible as that is his job to Shepherd the flock

I love the story of the monastery Abbott who is doing the rounds through the monk's cells.

He comes to the first one and it's absolutely immaculate. A single table with a nearly clipped candle and a bed roll perfectly orderly. The Abbott thinks to himself how impressed he is that this monk keeps such an orderly space so that he may concentrate upon his prayers without distraction.

Upon coming to the next cell, he arrives to see a room in complete disarray. Unswept and dusty. Bedroll filthy and unkempt. Table haphazardly pushed to the side, covered in candle wax. The Abbott thinks to himself how impressed he is that this monk completely disregards his earthly surroundings to place so much focus on his prayers.

Without your priest having corrected the congregation I think you could choose to look at it from the perspective of look how amazingly, solemn and awestruck some people are. While at the same time thinking look how joyous and happy other people are in Christ and having received Communion and the Blessing.

Remember, they're not wrong until they are corrected. Your priest, for whatever reason has not yet chosen to correct them and I'm sure that time will come when he decides it is best.

That is his job. Our job is to focus on God, the liturgy and show compassion and understanding for our fellow communicants.

Don't let this distract you or make you feel like you must leave early.

---

I know you don't intend it, but I wonder if you realize how condescending your comment might be?

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

I have a lot of passion about this stupidity. I actually leave as soon as the deacon sends us forth at the end of Mass rather than wait for the last song to end because I don't want the negative vibes that I know are coming as soon as the clapping happens.

---

You and my wife would get along great! After the priest blesses those celebrating Bdays and anniversaries in the coming week, he tells to give them "a hand". I clap more to annoy my wife than because the priest told us to do so.

Now I should mention that this same priest did "nuke" clapping at other parts of the Mass including for the Choir. He pointed out:

2 "So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, so that they will be praised by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." -Matt 6:2

He stated, "if you give a reward to the choir now, you deny their reward in Heaven". The following week, no clapping.

FIDO95 said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

I have a lot of passion about this stupidity. I actually leave as soon as the deacon sends us forth at the end of Mass rather than wait for the last song to end because I don't want the negative vibes that I know are coming as soon as the clapping happens.

---

You and my wife would get along great! After the priest blesses those celebrating Bdays and anniversaries in the coming week, he tells to give them "a hand". I clap more to annoy my wife than because the priest told us to do so.

Now I should mention that this same priest did "nuke" clapping at other parts of the Mass including for the Choir. He pointed out:

2 "So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, so that they will be praised by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full." -Matt 6:2

He stated, "if you give a reward to the choir now, you deny their reward in Heaven". The following week, no clapping.

---

I got no issue with clapping for birthdays or anniversaries. Totally fine.

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

Good stuff.

She forgot: SHUT YOUR PIEHOLE! THIS IS A SACRED SPACE AND NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT WHATEVER INANE TOPIC YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IN YOUR AMUSEMENT PARK VOICE. JUST BE QUIET!!!!

AND IF YOU CLAP AT THE END OF MASS I AM GOING TO FOLLOW YOU INTO THE PARKING LOT AND SLICE YOUR TIRES!

Ok, I feel better and I am joking about the tires.

---

I've never heard of anybody clapping in the Orthodox Church at the end of liturgy

Well, I think it would be a different and odd custom. I don't necessarily see what would be wrong with that. Americans tend to be a bit uptight and stoic. Whether it is correct or not, I could see the case for celebration upon having received the Eucharist and going back out into the world after a blessing.

I would obviously need to think that through or ask the priest.

---

It is NOT a performance. It is the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is ENTIRELY inappropriate and should be stopped, but sadly, our pastor, who I love, just won't kill it. It's an abomination and belies a gross misunderstanding of what just happened.

---

I suppose I did not look at it from the perspective that the clapping is in response to a human performance. I viewed it more as a celebration of having the Eucharist and going out into the world.

From the Orthodox side, it turns out we are in agreement after consulting those better than I.

Clapping isn't done at the end of the Divine Liturgy for basically the exact reason you laid out.

Liturgy isn't a performance to be evaluated or applauded, but heaven touching earth. The choir and clergy aren't performing for an audience

The proper liturgical posture after receiving the Eucharist is reverent thanksgiving, awe, and venerating the cross.

The closest an Orthodox service ever gets to applause is shouting 'Axios!' during an ordination, and even that is an acclamation of worthiness for a sacrament, never a round of applause for a good service.

Your priest should absolutely nuke that behavior.

Sorry for the disagreement it's something I've never heard of and I really had to try to wrap my mind around that and I was speaking as I was thinking

I should've just kept my stupid mouth shut like my dad told me every day growing up.

---

All good! And sorry if my reply came across as aggressive. I have a lot of passion about this stupidity. I actually leave as soon as the deacon sends us forth at the end of Mass rather than wait for the last song to end because I don't want the negative vibes that I know are coming as soon as the clapping happens.

---

Whether people are doing "the right thing or the wrong thing" I think people's intent matters a lot and until they're corrected by your priest, they really can't be held responsible as that is his job to Shepherd the flock

I love the story of the monastery Abbott who is doing the rounds through the monk's cells.

He comes to the first one and it's absolutely immaculate. A single table with a nearly clipped candle and a bed roll perfectly orderly. The Abbott thinks to himself how impressed he is that this monk keeps such an orderly space so that he may concentrate upon his prayers without distraction.

Upon coming to the next cell, he arrives to see a room in complete disarray. Unswept and dusty. Bedroll filthy and unkempt. Table haphazardly pushed to the side, covered in candle wax. The Abbott thinks to himself how impressed he is that this monk completely disregards his earthly surroundings to place so much focus on his prayers.

Without your priest having corrected the congregation I think you could choose to look at it from the perspective of look how amazingly, solemn and awestruck some people are. While at the same time thinking look how joyous and happy other people are in Christ and having received Communion and the Blessing.

Remember, they're not wrong until they are corrected. Your priest, for whatever reason has not yet chosen to correct them and I'm sure that time will come when he decides it is best.

That is his job. Our job is to focus on God, the liturgy and show compassion and understanding for our fellow communicants.

Don't let this distract you or make you feel like you must leave early.

---

I know you don't intend it, but I wonder if you realize how condescending your comment might be?

---

Hmmmm… certainly not intended.

What did you find condescending?

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

CrackerJackAg said:

---

FTACo88-FDT24dad said:

---

Good stuff.

She forgot: SHUT YOUR PIEHOLE! THIS IS A SACRED SPACE AND NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT WHATEVER INANE TOPIC YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IN YOUR AMUSEMENT PARK VOICE. JUST BE QUIET!!!!

AND IF YOU CLAP AT THE END OF MASS I AM GOING TO FOLLOW YOU INTO THE PARKING LOT AND SLICE YOUR TIRES!

Ok, I feel better and I am joking about the tires.

---

I've never heard of anybody clapping in the Orthodox Church at the end of liturgy

Well, I think it would be a different and odd custom. I don't necessarily see what would be wrong with that. Americans tend to be a bit uptight and stoic. Whether it is correct or not, I could see the case for celebration upon having received the Eucharist and going back out into the world after a blessing.

I would obviously need to think that through or ask the priest.

---

It is NOT a performance. It is the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is ENTIRELY inappropriate and should be stopped, but sadly, our pastor, who I love, just won't kill it. It's an abomination and belies a gross misunderstanding of what just happened.

---

I suppose I did not look at it from the perspective that the clapping is in response to a human performance. I viewed it more as a celebration of having the Eucharist and going out into the world.

From the Orthodox side, it turns out we are in agreement after consulting those better than I.

Clapping isn't done at the end of the Divine Liturgy for basically the exact reason you laid out.

Liturgy isn't a performance to be evaluated or applauded, but heaven touching earth. The choir and clergy aren't performing for an audience

The proper liturgical posture after receiving the Eucharist is reverent thanksgiving, awe, and venerating the cross.

The closest an Orthodox service ever gets to applause is shouting 'Axios!' during an ordination, and even that is an acclamation of worthiness for a sacrament, never a round of applause for a good service.

Your priest should absolutely nuke that behavior.

Sorry for the disagreement it's something I've never heard of and I really had to try to wrap my mind around that and I was speaking as I was thinking

I should've just kept my stupid mouth shut like my dad told me every day growing up.

---

All good! And sorry if my reply came across as aggressive. I have a lot of passion about this stupidity. I actually leave as soon as the deacon sends us forth at the end of Mass rather than wait for the last song to end because I don't want the negative vibes that I know are coming as soon as the clapping happens.

---

Whether people are doing "the right thing or the wrong thing" I think people's intent matters a lot and until they're corrected by your priest, they really can't be held responsible as that is his job to Shepherd the flock

I love the story of the monastery Abbott who is doing the rounds through the monk's cells.

He comes to the first one and it's absolutely immaculate. A single table with a nearly clipped candle and a bed roll perfectly orderly. The Abbott thinks to himself how impressed he is that this monk keeps such an orderly space so that he may concentrate upon his prayers without distraction.

Upon coming to the next cell, he arrives to see a room in complete disarray. Unswept and dusty. Bedroll filthy and unkempt. Table haphazardly pushed to the side, covered in candle wax. The Abbott thinks to himself how impressed he is that this monk completely disregards his earthly surroundings to place so much focus on his prayers.

Without your priest having corrected the congregation I think you could choose to look at it from the perspective of look how amazingly, solemn and awestruck some people are. While at the same time thinking look how joyous and happy other people are in Christ and having received Communion and the Blessing.

Remember, they're not wrong until they are corrected. Your priest, for whatever reason has not yet chosen to correct them and I'm sure that time will come when he decides it is best.

That is his job. Our job is to focus on God, the liturgy and show compassion and understanding for our fellow communicants.

Don't let this distract you or make you feel like you must leave early.

---

I know you don't intend it, but I wonder if you realize how condescending your comment might be?

---

Hmmmm… certainly not intended.

What did you find condescending?

---

The pedantic tone of the entire post.

I know you didn't mean it that way, but I am fairly confident in my Catholic theology and my understanding of the rubrics of the Mass so having my brother from another "faith mother" instruct me about it was just a little, well, condescending.

But let's move past it!

Peace.

I think the Divine Liturgy is a beautiful expression of sacrifice, worship and thanksgiving. I want more of that in the Novus Ordo liturgy. I'm politely envious.

It was intended as encouraging. Sharing my perspective on charity and patience with others as I certainly struggle with that often.

I understand you didn't ask for that though.

I'm sorry I came across that way.

CrackerJackAg said:

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It was intended as encouraging. Sharing my perspective on charity and patience with others as I certainly struggle with that often.

I understand you didn't ask for that though.

I'm sorry I came across that way.

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You know what, looking at it again, I can see that. So my bad brother. Let's chalk it up to the imprecision of online comms.

All good.

Back to busting on liturgical nimwits!

This list could be written by my grandmother. She was in her second year as a Dominican novitiate, and discerned that she was not called to the religious life. She married and had my father and his four brothers. She is what could be called a quiet saint that lived a life that honored God always.
I loved watching this and I am reminded that there are things I need to remember when I am in God's house and presence. Thank you.

We had a pastor in Midland, TX., that if you missed the Gospel, and you came in that late, he asked to see your offering envelope. Seriously, and you know what, it worked.

CrackerJackAg said:

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Bob Lee said:

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I'm ignoring you once the Agnus Dei starts.

If I were going to add to the list, it's when people without any disability or kids sit on the outside end of an empty pew, or they'll sit in the middle of the pew equidistant from either of the other people as far apart as possible ensuring that no family larger than 3 people can sit in that row.

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There's nothing wrong with that

You should shift or allow other people to enter when they arrive

If I was sitting on the end and somebody asked me for that spot, I would give it to them

It sounds to me like you're saying don't sit in the middle of the pew and also don't sit on the ends. I'm a bit confused.

If the pew can only hold seven people as you claim, you're pretty much on the end or in the middle.

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I think the longest pews fit 12 or 13 people maybe. The shorter ones, fewer. I'm not saying the pews hold just 7 people necessarily, but that people sit far enough away from anyone else in a pew that could easily fit a family of 4, that it doesn't fit a family of 4.

What happens is this:

The first guy to sit sits at the end toward the center of the nave. The next guy sits opposite him at the other end, then someone comes and sits in the middle as far away from either person (in the middle). My family of 9 would easily fit in that pew, but not together without someone moving over. That's my gripe. Or this: there can be 10 spots big enough for a single person to sit, but that single person will walk past all of them to find a spot big enough for a medium sized family.

We're normally at mass between 30 and 40 minutes before it starts because someone is doing one of leading the rosary or singing in the choir, so we sit wherever we want. But it gives me a chance to watch people file in. By the time mass starts there are 20 people in the narthex, and easily enough space in the pews for all of them.

There's a family at my parish whose kid doesn't walk. The dad carries him into the pew. He has to carry him out at least once during mass every week. This morning there was a couple at the end, and they got up to let him in so they could keep their spot at the end. I don't understand the mania to sit at the end if you don't need to get up for some reason during mass.

Yeah, not specific situation. That seems pretty odd.

Literally 25 seconds into that video and I'm already disgusted. Good Lord the woman brought her kids to church, they were late. Maybe the kids threw a fit, maybe they got a flat, maybe the bus was late, one of a million reasons, but she still got them there. So instead of raising her up, welcoming her in and making her feel at home this abuela would rather make the mother feel like crap.

So much for the "all are welcome" hymn.

Jaspers Ghost said:

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Literally 25 seconds into that video and I'm already disgusted. Good Lord the woman brought her kids to church, they were late. Maybe the kids threw a fit, maybe they got a flat, maybe the bus was late, one of a million reasons, but she still got them there. So instead of raising her up, welcoming her in and making her feel at home this abuela would rather make the mother feel like crap.

So much for the "all are welcome" hymn.

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You make a good point. She should have mentioned it: Never sing any Marty Haugen songs ever!