Tory, I have always taught my children that no question is stupid, if you really don't know the answer. How else are we to get good information on any given topic if we don't ask (granted, one can look things up as well, but that is another way of asking for answers)?

I understand, Tory - more than you might imagine - about all your questions!

When I was reading on Orthodoxy, I read that there was a time in the service when they said "The Doors, The Doors!" and Catechumens/non-Members were required to leave the service (the rest of the service was for Baptized Orthodox Christians only).

Well, none of the books I read told me if that was a current practice or an ancient one. I THOUGHT it was ancient, but I wasn't *sure* (It is ancient, from the times when allowing non-Believers to stay in a service was dangerous!)

So, the first time I went to a service, and that part came along, I very carefully looked around to see if anyone was coming to escort me out!

Sounds very silly all these years later - in fact I'm embarrassed to tell it - but I do understand

(I read an ancient writing that explained some anxieties are Spiritual attacks. I fully believe that is true. Before my first visit to an Orthodox Church, before my Conversion, and before my Marriage I had irrational anxieties about each. And, I'm not usually anxious about things like that. Before joining the military, before being deployed, before moving to a new country, before starting a new university or a new job - next to no anxiety! Don't let these concerns stop you.)

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http://stuffedveggies.blogspot.com/

Okay, dh is processing the information that I am sharing with him from this thread. Thankfully I was gone all day long, just now returning and he's already in bed. This makes wonderful use of email because it is a great communication tool allowing information to sink in and time for a thoughtful response.

I was surprised that this was all he had to say this time. I'm sharing his concerns. I think this is a great way for his questions to be answered and he knows I am doing this.

He said,"I read it, and can see what they are saying about "ICONS", in fact, the CROSS we hold so dear is an ICON per-say but in Mark 7:1-13 is where I stand on the traditions of man. (IE, kissing the icon, absolution, etc.)

When Christ had the "last supper" the first communion if you will, He was still alive, not yet been crucified. 1 Corinthians 11:24-33, Jesus lifted the cup and bread and asked God to bless it and said for us to do the same. Why then would "HE" call it His blood and His body you may ask, well if we read our bible through out the entire new testament Jesus taught in Parables, in stories, in examples so I would have to imagine this night would have been no different, just as He did with EVERYTHING else He was teaching His disciples here as well. I view Communion as a Holy time with the Lord and treat it as such but I do not believe that the elements in which we use, crackers, bread, wine or juice become the actual blood or body of Christ, it is a symbol. Just like when we pray over olive oil and ask God to anoint it, it is yet only a symbol of Holy Spirit." end of his comments

I too am thoroughly enjoying this thread. It's great to have such an educational/spiritual discussion going on.

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“The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.”
― Mother Teresa

Great to know he is really giving it some serious thought. And, he had a great point about the Cross being and Icon! : )

Like Darla, I am offering a Layman's opinion, not the official teaching of the Church, but we see Christ's Body & Blood in Holy Communion as a *Mystery.* We don't see it in a scientific way, in which we expect to see blood platelets under a microscope if we took it to a laboratory. (and, I believe that when we ask the Holy Spirit to be present in our Holy Unction (special anointing oil) He is really there -not just symbolized).

Although Jesus often used Parables, usually the Gospels use special language to explain it was a parable. That is why some Theologians think that the story of The Rich Man and Lazarus was not a parable (food for thought there!)

As Orthodox, when we decide how to understand a passage, we look at how the Church understands that passage. Why? because 1) the Holy Spirit does not lie, so if he tells a million faithful Christians (including many, many Martyrs) one thing, he won't tell ME something different - the Holy Spirit speaks to us first and foremost as a BODY of believers -not as an individual toe or eye. and 2) the people who wrote the Gospels, and their immediate disciples and friends certainly must have understood these passages best. If St. Luke or St. Matthew said "I meant x when I wrote that" - well, we take that pretty seriously. This became so much clearer to me when I visited the actual places where the very first followers of the Apostles had lived and died - as well as the place where St. Lazarus, who Jesus raised from the dead, actually served as Bishop. These are places where there are still functioning Orthodox Churches, in an unbroken line, still understanding things the same way as those great Christians taught.

You know, when I was in the process of converting, there were some things I found easy to accept, and some things were much more difficult for me. I especially had trouble with venerating Icons. I decided to follow the verse "That which is not of faith is sin" I went ahead and went to the Orthodox Church and observed and learned, but I did not participate in anything that I wasn't personally convinced was okay. If people venerated an Icon, I just stepped aside and let them go past me. That's okay if you do things that way. And, often you won't be the only one doing so.

Orthodox Churches LOOK very formal at first glance, but really people are often pretty relaxed about everyone doing their own thing. For instance, a Russian might choose to stand at the same time in a service as the Greeks choose to sit- and everyone is cool with that.

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http://stuffedveggies.blogspot.com/

http://oca.org/orthodoxy/the-orthodox-f ... -eucharist

This is a nice article on Holy Communion, if you like : )

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http://stuffedveggies.blogspot.com/

Thanks for this Anna. I've shared this as well.

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“The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.”
― Mother Teresa

I just read the link you provided. I have a question about this.

[quote]Holy Communion is forbidden to all Orthodox Christians on the week days of Great Lent except in the special communion of the Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts (see below) because of its joyful and resurrectional character. The eucharist is always given to all members of the Church, including infants who are baptized and confirmed. /quote]

I didn't see an answer below about why Holy Communion is forbidden to all OC on the weekdays of Great Lent.

What is the thought process behind giving the eucharist to infants?

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“The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.”
― Mother Teresa

And can I say that from further reading I absolutely LOVE the Q & A section. I have especially enjoyed reading The Christian Mystery! I'm up way too late and must get in bed to rest before work tomorrow but look forward to reading more from the link you have shared Anna!

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“The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.”
― Mother Teresa

Glad you're enjoying the link! It's not one that I know well, I just found a nice article on it - so by now you probably know it better than I do : )

I think you have two questions above, one about Communion in Lent, and one about Children receiving Communion.

Communion is limited during Lent because it is a penitential season, and Holy Communion is incredibly joyous. I think we suspend it during Lent for the same reason so many people hold gifts for Christmas Morning! It gives the time of Lent its proper gravity, then we look forward to the Joy of Pascha all the more. (and, to tell the truth, since limiting Communion means *only* on Wednesdays and Sundays, it's not an excessive limitation.

Children are given Holy Communion for the same reason we give them physical food. We see it as a Spiritual nourishment that helps them grow closer to God. We don't see Children as separated from God, but we Baptise them and raise them in a relationship with Him.

HOpe that's not too short, -it's WAY past bedtime, and we have Church in the AM.

Ask more as needed : )

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http://stuffedveggies.blogspot.com/

I have a baptism question... having been raised Catholic which also believes in infant baptism, I had always assumed that was the "right" way. When I became an adult, it made more sense to me that baptism comes after believing in Christ, and infants can not make that decision. I don't think they are separated from God at all, but I do think that at some point we have to make that decision for ourselves. I now believe in infant dedication, to be brought up and raised in the knowledge of Him with baptism coming after the time that the child/young adult/adult comes to the individual knowledge and acceptance of Him as Savior.

What exactly is the reason(s) that Catholics, Eastern Orthodox... have for infant baptism vs. waiting until the child is able to understand and accept for themselves? Not sure if I'm wording that well, so if it does not make sense, don't hesitate to let me know.