Russian Orthodox!

Today my friend Adam and I attended a Russian Orthodox church in San Fran. I didn't quite know what to expect even though he tried to prepare me. The outside had the great big gold Russian dome things...I hope you know what I am talking about, along with some very pretty murals on the outside. When you walk in though, WOW! It just takes your breath away.

The entire inside of the cathedral was painted with iconography (paintings/picutes/murals). It was all in very deep, rich colors but mostly crimson and gold. The floor was wooden expect for the crimson strip of carpet that was directly down the center of the cathedral and led straight to the alter at the far end of the cathedral. There was alot of wood stuff too. There was a wall that seperated the priests and elements from the congregation. The dome was enromous. It literally made you look to the heavens. I can see why at one time everything was very eloborate and grandoise. It makes you stand in awe of what is before you and at the same time (for me) reminds you how big and grand our God is and how we should stand in awe of God and all God does. It all just makes you look up to the heavens and think, wow, this is amazing!

The iconography depicted stories of Jesus' life, saints, Mary and baby Jesus, and other biblical stories. Some that I noticed were Jesus birth, his baptism, raising Lazarus, crucifixion, taking him off the cross, putting him in the tomb, empty tomb, ascension, last supper, on the mount with Moses and Elijah, and Abraham about to sacrifice Isaac. There was the body of Bishop John Maximos on display for honoring. He was the bishop of San Francisco and Shang Hi apparently. When his body was exumed many years ago, his body had not decomposed. So basically his body was in a display case and you could see his black (from death) hands. It was actually very beautiful how he was dressed but kinda weird at the same time.

There were like for pews and they were only there for the elderly so they could sit if they needed to, otherwise everyone stood! You stood for the entire service...and service lasted about 2 hours! The entire service is sung. There is a choir that sings but you never see them. They are beautiful though. It is like voices coming from heaven since you never see them and the sound just rise up into the dome at the top of the cathedral! It was all done in the Russian language. There was only one time I remember actually being able to understand what was being said and it was hard to understand even then cause it was being chanted. BUT I do know at some point the priest said something about "the armor of God".

There were little alter boys that kept going back and forth from behind the wall through the congregation and out the back. i have no idea what they were doing or where they were going. I am sure it had something to do with eucharist. They had these round gold trays and on them were 2-3 biscuit looking things and a little book.

For communion, the people made a line and would walk up to the priests, the priests would put this "bib" around the persons neck, the person would bend over and the "head" priest would serve them communion by a spoon. Apparently they put the cut up bread in the wine, and then dip out a piece of bread for those receiving communion. Apparently, not everyone takes communion each week. This week it was like all the little kids took communion. I don't know. I understood from the whole priest serving you and the bib that, we "peasants" aren't holy enough to even touch the bread or cup! I don't know that I am right but that is what it felt like!

All in All I really liked it as an experience but not as how I would want to worship regularly! Nonetheless a very cool experience!

Blessed Adventurer,

Liz