www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Parish Life & Evangelization My First Melkite Liturgy

Hey Kiddies and Dearly Beloved Forum Members,

This past Sunday (June 13th) I visited St. John Chrysostom Melkite Catholic Church for liturgy (and the last fifteen minutes of Orthros). I had a wonderful time.

The priest had a beautiful voice and delivered a wonderful homily. The responses "Lord Have Mercy," "Grant, O Lord," and "To You, O Lord," etc. were delivered in English, Arabic, and Greek, alternating between the three languages each time.

The inside of the church was beautiful. The iconostasis was lovely, and the side walls were filled with icons depicting mainly scenes from the lives of Our Lord and His Mother. By simply guessing, I'd say there were no more than 75 parishioners. It was a very "homey" atmosphere. I'd venture to say that about 70% of the parishioners were of Arab descent and about 30% were otherwise. (So, for you mathematicians, 52.5 parishioners were Arab, I'd say).

The entire liturgy lasted about one hour and forty minutes. Before the liturgy began (and after Orthros was wrapped up) there was a churching of two infants and their mothers. It was quite a sight to see.

At the end of the liturgy, antidoron was distributed. The church, the parishioners and priests, and the liturgy were all thoroughly Eastern. I'm happy to say I truly saw no tinge of anything Western (of course, my eyes aren't as trained as some).

After liturgy, the priest mentioned that there was recently formed a Melkite community in Charleston, S.C. which is apparently prospering. He also mentioned that the Melkite community of New Orleans just celebrated its one year anniversary.

So, I would just like to say kudos to the Melkite Church and its parishes and people for being such an excellent Eastern Light for the Catholic Church at large.

Logos Teen

Sometime I would like to visit a Melkite liturgy, but the nearest one is 250 miles from here -- in Miami, the only Melkite church in Florida.

I'm glad to hear that they did not rush the liturgy and that they had matins. The eastern Catholic churches in this area (Ukrainian & Ruthenian) have neither vespers nor matins except for special days, such as the vespers during Great Lent. I have visited vespers at the Antiochian Orthodox.

I may visit the Melkite church if I get to Miami again; the last time I was there I went to the Hispanic liturgy at the Maronite church on Sat. eve.

Porter

The priest there is an awesome priest. OH MY and how he sings the Divine Liturgy, so wonderfuly well. He has filled in for us when Fr. Frank was out with his knee surgery. His homilies were very good.

The church is indeed growing and prospering. Our womens group just spent a Saturday with them last month and thourghly enjoyed it.

After all the south has got to stick together!

Rose,

I'm dying to visit St. George's as well. Soon, hopefully this summer, I'll be able to visit when I can get a Sunday where I've nothing to do but visit churches (shouldn't every Sunday be like that?). I'll definitely let you know before I come. I hope your parish is doing well.

Logos Teen

Yes please let me know ahead of time, it would be wonderful to meet you. We are on the 10am schedule right now with Orthros starting at 8:30.

Pani Rose

Garrett,

Thanks for the kind words about us Melkites. Father John Azar, the Pastor at St. John's is an old friend, whom I've known since his early seminary days (many years removed from his ordination - he left the seminary and taught for several years before returning and being ordained). Father John spent a few years as the Rector of our Cathedral (my parish). As you noticed, he has a beautiful voice and is an excellent homilist (as well as an accomplished writer).

Many years,

Neil

Porter,

If you get to St. Jude's (Melkite) in Miami, your ears will truly be blessed. Archimandrite Gabriel Ghanoum, the pastor there, has the MOST beautiful voice you will likely ever hear; it is truly magnificent (every EC or EO priest I have ever heard pales by comparison to him).

Many years,

Neil

Archimandrite Gabriel Ghanoum, the pastor there, has the MOST beautiful voice you will likely ever hear; it is truly magnificent (every EC or EO priest I have ever heard pales by comparison to him).

Neil,

I'm going to have to tell Fr. Azar on you.

Logos Teen

Garrett,

I think even Abouna John would acknowledge it :p

Many years,

Neil

Logos Teen you truly are the "Mystery Worshipper". There was a site on the internet called Mystery Worshipper. This man would go to various churches and comment on everything from the comfort of the pew, sermon, singing and refreshments provided.

As I was also thinking about making a trek down to Father John's Melkite parish, I found your commentary helpful and I am definitely adding it to my list.

How was the coffee?

Dear UnderAngelsWings,

You must be thinking of the Ship of Fools [ship-of-fools.com] website. They have a regular feature called the "Mystery Worshipper" where someone gives an undercover report of a service or liturgy at a given church.

In fact anybody can sign up to be a Mystery Worshipper and the new reviews are posted nearly every month. You can find the reports listed here [ship-of-fools.com] .

Sometimes they can be very entertaining. Ocasionally they just leave you scratching your head.

They also have a very active and feisty messageboard [ship-of-fools.com] .

It includes a forum dedicated to the "Mystery Worshipper" reports and to all matters liturgical which I bet many here would find fun/fascinating/exasperating, etc.

Manuel,

I found that site seveal years ago and just recently noticed it was bookmarked on my favorites. So I know, I don't clean out bookmarks often enough Thought when I had time I would go back and explore it. Thanks for the reasons to do so.

Pani Rose

You must be thinking of the Ship of Fools website. They have a regular feature called the "Mystery Worshipper" where someone gives an undercover report of a service or liturgy at a given church.

Ship of Fools is hilarious. They also have a section called "Signs and Blunders" which has some of the funniest church signs I have ever seen. Another site I enjoy is The Onion Dome [theoniondome.com] which is presented as "Orthodox News With a Twist." Now who says the Orthodox don't have a sense of humor?

I went to the site. Yes, it was the ship of fools site with the mystery worshipper.

I think we all should sign up and promote the Byzantine Church as mystery worshippers! Our liturgies are beautiful, our churches made to reflect a piece of heaven and I could go on, now I cannot speak for the coffee at different churches.

When we share our experiences with others about our visits to other churches on our forum, I believe many visitors get the - mystery worshipper and I find it helpful as well.

The post about the Atlanta Melkite site, I read to my husband and, he, who was not very interested in visiting it when I mentioned that last month, is now very agreeable to putting it on our schedule some time this month. So thank you for the post! He felt that it might be more of a cultural parish and the comments on the cultural mix really helped him to see that it isn't a "national church" and is universal church of worshippers.

We should start on own thread with the next church visited. Maybe someone can think of something catchy to call it.

Gina

P.S. And I did go to the the onion dome site. And it is funny not in an offensive way. Does anyone remember a quote and the essence of it was - when we laugh at ourselves it takes away the opportunity for others to make fun of us?

Gina

Gina,

I can't say I recollect that quote, but these are a few that always cause me to remember how important it is to be able to laugh at ourselves
.

Blessed are we who can laugh at ourselves for we will always be amused.

Being able to laugh at ourselves is the key to maintaining mental health

The ultimate form of laughter is when we can laugh at ourselves!

If we cannot laugh at ourselves, other people will be happy to do it for us.

and, a slightly different twist, but one that also always gives me pause ...

"Should we all confess our sins to one another we would all laugh at one another for our lack of originality. Should we all reveal our virtues we would also laugh for the same cause." Khalil Gibran.

Many years,

Neil