Church Visit #1

Anna Bret Allen

The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrius

893 Church Road, Elmhurst IL 60126

October 4, 2015

Greek Orthodox

Describe the Worship Service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

As soon as I walked into the doors of the church I knew that this experience was going to be far from any kind of worship experience I had been used to growing up and even now. The fragrant incense hit me like a brick wall, and I immediately realized that I was the only girl wearing a bright color, namely yellow, in the midst of women dressed in solemn black. It was similar to my church context as it had a choir, it was different though because the choir at my church sings two or three songs, and this choir was on duty nearly the entire service. It was similar to my church in that it served communion, but different in that the priest himself gave the people communion. It was similar to my church as scripture was read, but different because the majority of that scripture was read in Greek. It was similar to my church in that it had images of Christ, but different in that it many more images than my church does, as well as images of other saints, some of whom I could identify, some I couldn't.

How did the worship service illuminate for you the history and contours of global Christianity?

Hearing the word of God preached in a language different from my own is always a beautiful reminder to me of the widespread kingdom of God. Hearing it particularly in Greek was a new experience, and an appreciated one, as it led me to reflect on the fact that this was one of the original languages which proclaimed the good news of Jesus Christ. I was also amazed at how old and traditional the service felt, as opposed to modern churches that evangelicals attend today. I need to learn more about early church history, but it seems to me that the Greek Orthodox church hasn't swayed all that far from its original practices, while the western protestant churches seem to be in a much more constant changing and evolving process. I looked at the men and women around me and thought, "They worship the same God I do, but do it so differently! I wonder what they would have to say of me and my faith practices?"

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

During the service I found myself looking at the huge face of Jesus painted on the ceiling. I kept going back to it, and thinking about the image of Christ and how beautiful that is. I reflected on how God gave us artistic abilities, and so many have used it to paint the glory of the incarnation. As I sat in the service, often not knowing what was going on, I wasn't completely lost because I knew that these people and I had a common Savior. I also realized that the majority of what the priest was saying were prayers, and I reflected on how little I pray. I marveled at the beauty of a congregation who comes together for two hours to pray. This service led me to realize my need to reflect on the person of Christ and who he is and how glorious is his grace, and my need to pray and come before the Lord much more than I do, and in community with other people.