Orthodox worship to a Western Rite

[Simon]

Dear Steve,

I am not aware of any move to 'weternize'/'modernize' the Liturgy within the British Orthodox Church. In the wider Orthodox context I am aware that some Orthodox who worship in English prefer to use contemporary English whereas others (such as the British Orthodox Church) use Liturgical English which of us feel better encourage a sense of the numinous, the Holy, the Other. Even within the context of this thread it seems the most radical proposals I note are as to whether one might consider an Orthodox version of either BCP or a traditional Roman rite or Sarum... none of which stike me as desparately dripping with modernism! I suppose that ultimately I can only comment on myself and observe that I am fine and more than fine with the Liturgy of Saint James together with Matins and Vespers (and marriage, baptism and other services) according to the Coptic Orthodox rites in traditional or Liturgical English. That's quite modern enough for me.

Should you be interested at all, I do have DVDs of British Orthodox worship and am always happy to make a copy for anyone interested... though at the moment I am struggling with recalcitrant technology in the form of a particularly unco-operative DVD recorder. One of the things I love about my mother Church, the Coptic Orthodox Church, is her ability to be utterly traditional in liturgy, spirituality and doctrinal belief and yet able to employ so much moden technology that some have suggested Copts should change the Creed to belief in One, Holy, Catholic and Electronic Church! Sometimes I feel I have no better chance of qualifying electronically than spiritually!!

If I could make one useful contribution to this thread however it would be to direct people to Michael Kennedy's post (31st October 2006) which to me breathes the true spirit of Orthodoxy. "Speaking personally, and based on this experience, I don't believe that a Western Rite is at all necessary for the church to grow... What does matter is good English untouched by the curse of political correctness or any other kind of newspeak and good theology. I think we have both. The onus now is on us to serve the Liturgy attentively with faith and humility - a sobering thought." Amen and amen to the words of one for whom I have profound respect.

As a final thought, I love your quote from St Isaac the Syrian - one of many favourite quotes I enjoy from the saint who is perhaps my favourite spiritual writer.

I hope that you find the Church for which you are looking. Unless you have any violent objection I shall take the liberty of adding your name to those we bring before God by name (for His blessing) in Church in the sacred heart of the Liturgy.

Simon