Author Archives: Rdr. John

Last year (or was it the year before?!), I gave a series of classes at my parish entitled “Liturgical Dynamics,” in which I discussed the various cycles and layers of commemorations that govern Eastern Orthodox worship.  The reason I used … Continue reading →

In this posting I’m going to leave the subject of music and talk about brakes.  You know, those things that help us slow down and stop. I’ve become convinced over the years that Orthodox liturgical worship is very healthy and … Continue reading →

The last time I was considering the Gospel reading from Luke 24:36f, the story of Luke and Cleopas meeting Christ on the road to Emmaeus.  This reading is the sixth in a series of eleven that are read each Sunday … Continue reading →

When Eastern Orthodox faithful attend Sunday Matins, whether it is held immediately after Vespers Saturday evening (a “vigil”) or on Sunday morning immediately before the Eucharist, they are attending a Resurrection Service.  Each Sunday, except for rare exceptions (e.g. Palm … Continue reading →

Pinocchio was swallowed by a whale, just like Jonah.  Just like Jonah, he was spat out onto the land after repentance.  Pinocchio’s story is told “according to” the story of Jonah, in a sense. Now, this is a simplistic and … Continue reading →

So, hymnography in the worship of the Church serves tradition, I said.  And tradition is an active thing, even a way of life, I said.  It’s meant to be living, not “dead letter,” to quote St. Paul.  Hymnography feeds this … Continue reading →

Warning: Extensive use of italics in this posting. Recently I’ve been very impressed with the traditional content of Eastern Orthodox hymnography.  By traditional I’m referring to the root Latin verb, tradare, “to hand over.”  In this sense, we can creatively … Continue reading →