Kelsey Wall- Church Visit #1

Church name: The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios

Church address: 893 Church Road, Elmhurst IL 60126

Date attended: 10/9/16

Church category: Orthodox Church

1.    Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

The worship service was much more traditional and liturgical than my non-denominational church background. Upon walking into the church, the first action is making the sign of the cross. There was no talking with others before the service, rather it begins essentially upon walking in the door. The designated fellowship time is after the service, in which there is food and coffee in a common area. Majority of the service was done standing and there was a much longer time designated for the taking of communion. At my church communion appears to be treated much more casually. There is the sanctuary, designated for the service and the chapel, which one can use at any time. There is overall a much greater emphasis on the communion of Saints and praying to them (which one church member explained, clarifying that they do not worship the icons). There was no specific time for just worship music, rather the liturgy itself was sung as worship, switching between Greek and English.

2.    How did the worship service illuminate for you the history and contours of global Christianity?
There was a clear emphasis on historicity, tradition, and communion with the saints throughout the service that illuminated global Christianity in fresh way for me. In talking to various church members, I found out about the iconography represented on the elaborately designed sanctuary. On the dome ceiling is pictures of all of the Old Testament prophets, with a large image of Jesus at the top and center. Each of stain glass windows depicts a saint, which highlights their importance in church tradition. There is also a reverence for communion demonstrated through the physical preparation of fasting and the spiritual preparation of Holy Confession before one partakes of the supper. Even seemingly simply rules of conduct, such as no crossing of the legs, no food, drink, or gum, standing for the service, and not speaking the words of the priests, all emphasis church as a special time of worship. I was faced with my own lack of knowledge concerning the deep tradition of worship in church history.

3.    How did the worship service illuminate for you your personal identity as a Christian?

I came to realize the casual way I treat the church service I attend, and more specifically the lack of spiritual preparation there is before taking communion. In attending an orthodox church is which liturgy is the entirety of the service, I came to see the way that God can move so powerfully through such worship. It is so easy for church to become out me, how comfortable I feel, if I feel like the message speaks to me, and the state of my emotions during worship. Church services become about my needs, rather than a time to worship Christ. In attending an orthodox service, everything is brought back to the Lord, as worship is seen as a necessity because of our deep need for God. The outward physical acts must be done with a genuine attitude to be true worship of the Holy Trinity. The orthodox tradition also emphasizes the importance of community in worship, which I so easily lose sight of in our individualistic church culture.