Earlier this afternoon, I received a notice from All Saints Orthodox Church in Raleigh, NC. It was very simple: Deacon David was notifying people that due to the priest's absence, a Divine Liturgy for Prophet Elias would not be served at All Saints on that date. BUT -- the Deacon could note that Liturgies were being served on that date at at least two Greek Orthodox Churches nearby!
It occurred to me that you really don't find that too often amongst other church bodies.
Over these last years, we experienced the hospitality of Orthodoxy in many ways -- but it is most certainly a joy to be able to go to a neighboring Orthodoxy if, for some reason, you can't go to your own.
Of course, we've experienced the same joy on regular Sundays when traveling. This summer, we visited St. George Greek Orthodox Church in St. Paul, MN one Sunday. The next we were at my brother's house about 40 miles from there, but a search found an Orthodox mission of the Orthodox Church in America only six miles from my brother's house -- and we were welcome! When we travel to North Carolina, we have gone to Greek Orthodox communities, and to a growing community of the Antiochian jurisdiction!
In every place, we are Orthodox! In each place, we join with other Orthodox in receiving the Mysteries! In every church we participate in the same Divine Liturgy! And major events such as ground breakings, patronal feast days, consecrations celebrated across jurisdictional lines as we are all joined in one, holy, catholic and apostolic church -- not merely in word, but in practice!
Thanks be to God for such a great joy!
Glory to God for all things!
Christ is in our midst!
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
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