So many in the Protestant world look upon churches with high liturgy and genuinely wonder. They cannot seem to understand why the liturgy is what it is and why someone would want to do the same thing over and over.
The problem with their criticism stems from their understanding of what the church is and why it is what it is. Something I have come to understand about the Orthodox Church is its very articulate definition of the church. Practically speaking, the church is a hospital for the soul. The Orthodox understand that man is stained by and often controlled by a sinful nature. This inclination to sinfulness only pollutes the soul and confuses the mind. The church, in response, provides the means for the healing of the soul. Through a combination of community, sacraments and the indwelling/filling of the Holy Spirit, man is made new and his soul is formed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. This is what we are supposed to be. Our sin tainted souls have become so comfortable with the company of sin, anything differing from sinfulness feels odd. The work of the sacraments through the power of the Holy Spirit forms us into what we should be. Sometimes it is difficult, uncomfortable and even painful. But like a good workout, it is the burn of the muscles that build the muscles up.
The problem with their criticism stems from their understanding of what the church is and why it is what it is. Something I have come to understand about the Orthodox Church is its very articulate definition of the church. Practically speaking, the church is a hospital for the soul. The Orthodox understand that man is stained by and often controlled by a sinful nature. This inclination to sinfulness only pollutes the soul and confuses the mind. The church, in response, provides the means for the healing of the soul. Through a combination of community, sacraments and the indwelling/filling of the Holy Spirit, man is made new and his soul is formed into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. This is what we are supposed to be. Our sin tainted souls have become so comfortable with the company of sin, anything differing from sinfulness feels odd. The work of the sacraments through the power of the Holy Spirit forms us into what we should be. Sometimes it is difficult, uncomfortable and even painful. But like a good workout, it is the burn of the muscles that build the muscles up.
Ultimately, the church is a hospital for our souls. We go to church, we involve ourselves in the church calendar, the sacraments and the community because this is good and right and natural to our nature. In essence, we are being formed into a shape that will prepare us for an eternity in the infinite loving presence of God. And as Christians, this should be our ultimate goal and joy.
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