Post by ophelia on Sept 2, 2011 14:07:46 GMT -5
Chrismation in the Orthodox Church is described as:
" ... the fulfillment of baptism (done immediately following baptism). Human nature purified by baptism is made ready to receive the manifold gifts of the Holy Spirit. Fr, Schmemann says, 'Confirmation is thus the personal Pentecost of man, his entrance into the life of the Holy Spirit ... his ordination as truly and fully man ... His whole body is anointed, sealed, sanctified, dedicated to the new life ... ' " Coniaris / Introducing The Orthodox Church
Yes, one is anointed with oil - the brow, eyes, nostrils, lips, ears, breast, hands and feet.
My problem with this has to do with adult baptized individuals from another church who want to receive the Eucharist in the Orthodox Church. In other words ... a person baptized in an Episcopal Church, or an Orthodox Presbyterian Church who begins attending the OC, loves it, has already experienced the wondrous works of the Holy Spirit and wants to continue in the Faith but cannot receive because of the law of Chrismation - no Chrismation ... no Communion. It seems more of a public confession than anything else. Actually, a priest did use these exact words. I'm just trying to understand the purpose behind it and how it differs from other religions. I'm not against a membership celebration, but to refuse those the Eucharist in these cases seems wrong.
Also, when the Eucharist is received by spoon ... people can get pretty touchy about who gets to come forward. Some are afraid of catching something. Many Greek Orthodox will tell you over and over that everyone else split from "them", that they follow the correct calendar, and that they date back to the Apostles. I once listened to a lecture by a convert priest where the message to a Greek Orthodox Congregation was that they were the best-kept secret. I think that many missed the point of his message. "Go forth" with the Gospel message was the point, not practice your faith on an island. At least I hope that this was his message. I'm also curious as to why "best-kept secret" is currently being used to advertise Orthodoxy. Has it been hidden away for 2,000 years? If so, why? This is hardly an Apostolic Tradition if it is a secret.
This thinking leads me to another question. Do you have a seating arrangement in the Episcopal Church? For instance, the Orthodox Cathedral that I attended expects newcomers / non-chrismated individuals to sit in the Narthex (way in the back). The main body of the church, particularly the front pews, are for the "elite" of the church.
Thanks.
Always questioning
" ... the fulfillment of baptism (done immediately following baptism). Human nature purified by baptism is made ready to receive the manifold gifts of the Holy Spirit. Fr, Schmemann says, 'Confirmation is thus the personal Pentecost of man, his entrance into the life of the Holy Spirit ... his ordination as truly and fully man ... His whole body is anointed, sealed, sanctified, dedicated to the new life ... ' " Coniaris / Introducing The Orthodox Church
Yes, one is anointed with oil - the brow, eyes, nostrils, lips, ears, breast, hands and feet.
My problem with this has to do with adult baptized individuals from another church who want to receive the Eucharist in the Orthodox Church. In other words ... a person baptized in an Episcopal Church, or an Orthodox Presbyterian Church who begins attending the OC, loves it, has already experienced the wondrous works of the Holy Spirit and wants to continue in the Faith but cannot receive because of the law of Chrismation - no Chrismation ... no Communion. It seems more of a public confession than anything else. Actually, a priest did use these exact words. I'm just trying to understand the purpose behind it and how it differs from other religions. I'm not against a membership celebration, but to refuse those the Eucharist in these cases seems wrong.
Also, when the Eucharist is received by spoon ... people can get pretty touchy about who gets to come forward. Some are afraid of catching something. Many Greek Orthodox will tell you over and over that everyone else split from "them", that they follow the correct calendar, and that they date back to the Apostles. I once listened to a lecture by a convert priest where the message to a Greek Orthodox Congregation was that they were the best-kept secret. I think that many missed the point of his message. "Go forth" with the Gospel message was the point, not practice your faith on an island. At least I hope that this was his message. I'm also curious as to why "best-kept secret" is currently being used to advertise Orthodoxy. Has it been hidden away for 2,000 years? If so, why? This is hardly an Apostolic Tradition if it is a secret.
This thinking leads me to another question. Do you have a seating arrangement in the Episcopal Church? For instance, the Orthodox Cathedral that I attended expects newcomers / non-chrismated individuals to sit in the Narthex (way in the back). The main body of the church, particularly the front pews, are for the "elite" of the church.
Thanks.
Always questioning