THIS Is What the Western Rite Is
This blog occasionally jokes and has fun. It often responds to contentious misinformation about the Western Rite, which ironically has been used as a club to paint it as contentious. Most often, it tries and fails to describe what the Western Rite of Holy Orthodoxy is all about: Orthodox doctrine, Orthodox worship, but Western ethos.
However, as the phrase goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words." This video from St. Paul Orthodox Church (AWRV) in Houston, Texas, is a must-see. This is what the Western Rite is. It's not as good as being there in person, but perhaps it will transmit some of the holiness and joy of worship in the Western Rite. For anyone considering the Western Rite but who cannot visit a parish, this is the best five-and-a-half minutes you will ever spend in your life.
Fr. Petranek has done a spectacular job of welcoming the visitor and reaching beyond, to draw all viewers into the Holy of Holies his congregation enters every blessed Mass.
Two side notes:
1. There is an eloquent testimony of our friend Eric Jobe's role in bringing his parents to the Orthodox Church. I know he would modestly brush aside any compliment, but his father's words are high (and deserved) praise.
2. One of the altar servers who appears tangentially in the video is a man with a pony tail, not a woman. (Wanted to clear that up before rumors started percolating online from the usual suspects.)
posted by Ben Johnson at 6:58 PM
4 Comments:
That altar server is Subdn. David Cook, a most excellent and admirable man. He has since cut his hair.
Oh my goodness! Next time you're down, give my best to Subdn. David. He is indeed "a most excellent and admirable man," and I miss talking with him.
God bless,
Ben
Interesting, I had heard of this parish, though I've never stopped by. I live in Houston, perhaps I should stop in to say hello. Very well done video!
"One of the altar servers who appears tangentially in the video is a man with a pony tail, not a woman. (Wanted to clear that up before rumors started percolating online from the usual suspects.)"
It might also be worth noting that those cassocked and surpliced men and women that appear in the video receiving communion are choristers, not ordained clergy.
I know it is quite obvious, but ya' never know about those "usual suspects who latch on to any excuse to cast aspersions, no matter how ill-founded and false they may be.
Blessings!
Thomas
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