www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall World's Most UN-Orthodox Church ?

Christ is Risen!!!

(But not in this way!!!!)

I saw a story in the Washington Post about a new Church in England, which both amazes and appalls me. Maybe it would be a way to get kids interested?

Here is a link, for your amusement and comment.

http://www.inflatablechurch.com/index.htm

Maybe I should have posted it in the "Theological Humor" thread ???

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck

rather reminiscent of the Film (and novel) "Oscar and Lucinda" but without the glass Church

A little like "Cinderella (for Short Liturgy Fans)". The Church is like the coach turning into a pumpkin after the rental period.

I saw the story yesterday in the Post. My first reaction was: some people will do anything for money.

The sad part is that many folks still go for the "image" of church and have no real concept of the fact that it is a community of faith-inspired people.

What drove this home to me was a visit to Las Vegas for a convention where I encountered a "Chapel of Elvis" for weddings.

I hastened back to my hotel where I had 2 double bourbons.

Christ is Risen!!

I would have done the same except vodka, not bourbon...

Does it come in an onion domed model?

There is a wedding chapel in almost every major casino on the Strip. Something for everyone, I suppose? No onion domes noticed, but there may have been one in Aladdin, LOL.

While you were there did you notice the priest look-alikes with collection baskets from "Holy Ghost Church" standing at the base of many outdoor escalators?

"What did you come to the desert to see...?"

Perhaps the priest is on to something. Shock value seems to speak to this generation, more than philosophical arguments.

I think there is nothing more shocking than the Gospel itself, if we open ourselves to its real challenges. If only our preaching and our witness were faithful and without compromise, there would be no need to get people's attention. It would be all over the internet.

Well, I don't care what anyone says. I'm getting one! This way we can move our Liturgy all over town without anyone being able to complain it's too far.

Maybe I should ask for an onion dome-pewless model?

You'll probably have to pay more for that model!!!

(Never did notice the "Holy Ghost" clericals in Las Vegas. Perhaps they knew I was coming and skedaddled?)

Christ is Risen!

Don't forget to order the inflatable Iconostas. :rolleyes:

Without the pews it might cost less.

In Houston, it would help you get Fr. Julian away from your complainers.

I would not judge people who use this inflatable churches. How many people have their marriage masses in their houses, or in interdenominational protestant chapels, the beach or in places that are completely profane.
Isn't it the same if it's celebrated in an inflatable church than in those cheap chapels?
It's sad that mariages and ceremonies have lost all their holliness in our times.

I don't think we are judging people, I think we are having a good laugh at it which is certainly allowable

And the litany will have to be augmented: "From all affliction, wrath, need and punctures......." And a special one added against high winds. Sheesh, you'd never know WHAT diocese you could land in, and heaven forbid we commemorate the wrong hierarch.

Blessings (and a good laugh!!)

Dear Friends,

Well, before this whole issue really balloons out of proportion . . .

We know that Orthodox priests in Russia had portable iconostases and I had one too, until my newly ordained OCA priest friend began to look at it longingly and, not being able to take it, I just gave it to him!

During the penal times, the Irish devised hand Crosses where the arms broke easily so that they could hide it from the Protestant soldiers. They also developed all kinds of portable, and readily hideable religious sacramentals, such as the one decade rosary etc.

Frankly, when I was converted to "Orthodoxy-in-communion-with-Rome" I began to carry a portable "worship station" with me, with everything you need to celebrate the Horologion with the Typika and also travelling icons etc.

And there are Orthodox priests in Moscow with moveable little shrines who go about the traffic blessing cars for a small fee . . .

But the wedding picture here really does take the cake . . .

Alex