Hayes Thielman
The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Demetrius

893 Church Road, Elmhurst IL 60126

October 4, 2015

Greek Orthodox

            The most surprising aspect of St. Demetrius’ service was the chanting done by the priest leading the liturgy. It seemed as if almost everything he said was transformed into song by the end of the sentence. On top of this, there was a choir, which would sing a phrase infrequently throughout the worship. Most people arrived late to the service. There were elderly people sitting in the front rows at the beginning, however most of the attendants would come in very late. Communion was done in a somewhat similar fashion to my home church, where the congregation processes down the isle to receive the elements from a priest. However, unlike my home church, the Greek Orthodox would serve communion to babies, going as far as to tip them upside down so that they could swallow the ladled bread and wine.

            I found it very interesting how cultural Church can be. What I mean by this is that all the attendants of St. Demetrius were of an olive complexion and dressed in suits, one could easily have picked me out of the crowd as being different. This also made me wonder how a Greek Orthodox might perceive a service at the Presbyterian Church I attend here. Would he call us all white people who do not dress up for the Lord’s day? As we were worshipping I realized the profound truth that these people are here for the same reasons I am at my home Church on Sunday. I do not mean for the same personal reasons, but historical. They are there because they believe in the ministry of Jesus, his divinity, and his work on the cross. Like me the Greek Orthodox are beneficiaries of  the forming of the Early Church. They have just as much, if not more, of a claim to Athanasius, Constantine, and his councils. (For the most part).

            The service made me more appreciative of evangelicalism. Liturgy is wonderful, deep, and well grounded, however I struggle with it being the whole service. I am a child of the reformation, so my opinion is obviously skewed, but I believe when you have the gift that is God’s word it should be adored and used as a believer in Christ. I am not saying the Greek Orthodox do not love God’s word, but I do ask the rhetorical question, when is there a better time to open than in fellowship with other believers after a time of praise? I did feel convicted by the use of incense in St. Demetrius, though I hate the substance itself, I think there is something beautiful about offering something to the Lord, that has no practical purpose but to adore him. It reminds me of the sinful woman in Luke 7 who “wastefully” anoints Jesus feet with alabaster. How can I translate this heart into my worship of the Lord?

-Hayes