www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Focus on Scripture

Why is there no "Focus on Scripture" discussion this week?

Hmmm

I think Joe needed some time off after all the services last week !

Yes, it is something I would like to see again - even if I do not always post in response to the theme. I have found it very worthwhile even though the portions did not always fit in with the liturgical readings of my own Church - but it was most interesting when they overlapped and I realised that I did know what it was about - and where it fitted in.

Now I start to prepare for Pentecost and would appreciate the help once more.

Please Joe .........

Dear Angela,

Not being an Easterner , at least not yet , you perhaps don't appreciate how much the jaws of Cantors must hurt after doing the Holy Week and Resurrection services.

(I know you do, but for the sake of argument.)

Joe will be at it soon, if I'm any judge of character.

You reminded me of the entry in a 17th century diary by two clerics from the Church of Antioch who visited Russia for financial assistance for their hierarchy.

They joined Tsar Alexis IV in his daily round of services in Church.

The Tsar, they said, made 1,000 prostrations a day, with 1,500 during Lent.

He attended seven hours of services, the entire Office and the Liturgy.

Afterwards he went to a hospital where he cried openly over sick patients, kissing their festering wounds.

The two gentleman later said their legs hurt so much they couldn't get out of bed for two days.

They ended their diary by saying that if anyone "wanted to end their days quickly, let them go to Russia and stand as a holy-man there."

That basically encapsulates the physical effort required by our Easter services . . .

The Celts near your way were like that too, long ago.

God bless,

Alex

Alex dear,

The jaws are fine. Now the feet and knees....

My traditional Easter attire is some sort of clothing or other, and the most supportive shoes I own. Cantors hardly ever sit. Oh - and this year add the baby sling. There's nothing like 18lbs of wiggling, sometimes nursing baby to make Holy Week EXTRA fun!

Cheers!

Christ is Risen!
(and the cantors are nearly recovered)


Sharon

Sharon Mech, SFO
Cantor & sinner
sharon@cmhc.com

Lucky guy. I'd like to do that, Office and Liturgy, that is, not necessarily seven hours. :p

Unfortunately, monasteries don't accept girlfriends...

I think I'll stay in the world...

Alex,
It wasn't exactly a rest cure for me either even if I am just a humble choir member !! - Oh and [ yes I'll permit the visible shudder ] - and an EEM going up and down the stairs for our choir/organ loft twice at each service.

Yes we all need a break whilst we let the wonder sink in

Dear Catholicos,

Actually, if the Celtic Christian Church were still around, you COULD have been a monk with a wife.

The Scottish surname, "MacNab" actually means "son of the Abbot."

The Celts were stoic, to be sure, but, if married, husbandly duty was husbandly duty!

While I don't like prodding people (I sometimes get them mad, but I never prod them ), I think you should be a married Syriac Orthodox priest.

How's your beard?

God bless you and your Significant Other,

Alex

Dear Sharon,

Well, you've certainly gone above and beyond the call of duty!

A baby sling? You really weren't just kidding around . . .

Glad to hear you and the other Cantors (Administrator included) have nearly recovered.

At times like these, I'm actually happy I can't sing . . .

Alex

Dear Alex,

God bless the Celts...I think they should resurrect themselves, and I might join their monastery...husbandly duty is indeed husbandly duty. :p

As far as doxing and becoming a married priest, well, becoming a priest is something still to be determined, but doxing is slowly but surely looking good...

Dear Angela,

Yes, you EEM's have your "ups and downs" too!

Forgive me, but isn't the new Latin idea of a "long Paschal service" an Easter table setting with many more added knives and forks?

Kidding, kidding . . .

Since I have you here, may I ask you a question?

Could you comment on the Latin Easter Vigil, its component parts, length etc.?

I promise no further wisecracks . . . at least about this .

Alex

Dear Catholicos,

I always appreciate the opportunity to learn the new "with-it" phraseology such as "doxing!"

I think Brendan started my education in this.

Then there was Reader Sergius with his take on George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord!"

And never mind about Dr. John . . . Greeks bearing gifts indeed!

God bless you, my friend, and may He guide you always. You know He will!

Alex

And if ya do "dox", does that make you a doxie?

As always, assiduously attempting to increase my knowledge...

Sharon


Sharon Mech, SFO
Cantor & sinner
sharon@cmhc.com

Doxie? Perhaps...does that make the priest who chrismates someone the "Doxer"?

Dear Sharon and Catholicos,

Apparently, we haven't recovered as fully as we originally thought we had . . .

And just so Franklin doesn't think that our posts aren't related to his initial question about the "Focus on Scripture," I'll have you know that we drove a rental Focus car while in Florida . . .

O.K., O.K. I'm going.

Alex

With pleasure - tho you might regret the length. I will get down to it