Every year, reading stories like this, the idea of switching to the Russian Orthodox Church – with its January 7 observance of Christmas – resonates.
Just a little.
2 thoughts on “С Рождеством!”
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Shot in the Dark
Cranking Open The Big Brass Nozzle Of Truth Since 2002
You might enjoy visiting one of the Eastern Orthodox Churches here in the metro; they have lovely services.
Your posts reminded me of traveling some years ago to the Holy Land this time of year; my father took the family to see the Holy Land before anyone put more holes in it.
Many more holes and some years later, I vividly remember visiting many of the churches in that part of the world, including those celebrating on the later holiday date. Not so pleasant is the memory of seeing a giant Santa Claus billboard in Bethlehem, or the recollection of what it felt like to be a US Christian tourist with a Jewish guide and driver in Hebron surrounded by hostile Islamic Palestinians. Any conflict in my life since that afternoon will always pale in comparison. (A cause for believing in guardian angels – mine, more industrial strength than most, no doubt.)
And the memory of the errie contrast, touring the Holocaust musem in Jerusalem, and the very ancient ruins in Canaan, with their Swastikas used as an ornament by the ancient builders.
Peace on Earth, such a fragile thing, the more precious for that reason. Devoutly, I wish it now and beyond the season.
The posting was mainly a wish about post-holiday sales – but I have enjoyed the Eastern Orthodox services I’ve seen immensely.
Especially the Russian monastic music. Back when gregorian, latin chants were all the rage in the mid-nineties, it drove me nuts; Russian monastic chants were so gorgeous, they made the Latin stuff sound like Scottish football hooligans.