development of a Holy Liturgy that is famous after his name. His was the time of
the formalization of the prayers after the time of Christian persecution. This
was the time of the development of several doctrines of the Holy Church which we
today understand as inseparable from the original faith (- for example the
development of the classic definition of the Holy Trinity.)
Today we have discussions that our worship takes too long, that we do not
understand the language, that we do not dress properly etc. But if we had all
these things set correctly, will we then experience a heavenly worship? Or are
these mere excuses to escape from the truth? Once we get all these that we
complain about, will we find newer things to bicker about? Are our thoughts
today mere symptoms of a larger disease afflicting us?
The Holy Liturgy is a beautiful combination of prayers and songs that culminate
in the serving of the Holy Body and Blood to the Church. The Orthodox worship is
so arranged so that there is maximum participation from the laity. It is a
symphony of responses and counter responses rising heavenwards in worship at the
Lord's table. It is arranged in an orderly fashion to allow for the laity to
listen, then respond and participate.
I was thinking of the time when St. Basil would have developed his Liturgy. As
any of the other people who have developed Liturgies that are used in worship
today, St. Basil would have considered its worth in the conduct of the heavenly
worship. How will it allow for a heavenly experience? How will it touch hearts
and souls and transform them? Even while revealing heavenly truths, how will it
take the participants to the front of the Heavenly throne as Isaiah experienced?
(Isaiah 6). As he sat down to add every word into the Liturgy he would have
experienced what St. John did when he wrote 1 John (1-4). "That which we have
heard, seen and touched..we declare to you also". That experience is what brings
life into the Liturgy. Not the language, not the time, not anything outward but
the inner experience, the connection of the heart with the divine.
The Liturgy is meant to be used in the same manner as it was written - to be
experienced with the fullness of joy and life, by each and every participant. In
order for this to happen, the language, the length, the attire etc does have a
role, but we must take care not to focus too much on these at the cost of the
real essence.
Unless we are able to "see", "touch" and "taste" the heavenly elements, unless
our physical senses are made to connect with the spiritual realities, the
Liturgy will be an enigma for us and it will remain a mere ritual for us. Let us
look deep into the lives of St. James, St. Basil, St. John Chrysostom and others
who took the time to put these beautiful Anaphoras and structured prayers for
us. Did they mean it all to be used as mere ritualistic chants? No - they
experienced the real presence of Christ and the heavenly realm when they wrote
it, when they used it - they experienced life, from the giver of life. The
Liturgy was their witness of Christ to the world. May their enthusiasm, may
their motivation to put together these blessed Liturgies be our motivation and
our strength as we use them today. Through the Liturgy, may we be able to raise
ourselves from our physical realities into the spiritual realities that surround
us - to "see", "touch" and "taste" the Word of Life. May we be blessed enough to
put life back into our Liturgy by the way we use it.
Christ is Risen!
Mathew Samuel
Albany, NY
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/23188
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