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Our Contemporary Challenge |
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Question: Thank you for your work to make such an inspirational site to aid Ukrainian Orthodox Christians. My wife and I turn to it often when we have a question regarding an issue.
I wanted to comment
on Fr. Brent Kujyk's article "Our Contemporary Challenge". Fr.
Brent was very insightful in his observations, and yes, perhaps there
are some areas where Parish Churches can accommodate parishioners in a
better way. He mentioned nurseries, children's ministries, language, to
name a few.
However. I would not agree that the lack of these
things are the result of younger people departing from the Church. We
must remember that prior, to say, 30 to 40 years ago (and for 20
centuries before that) this was not the case. People stayed with
the Church. What has been the difference?
In speaking from not only observation, but also
experience. My family was part of a Byzantine Rite community in North
Dakota. It was stable and there was great continuity with the past. The
way things always were. In the mid 1960s we moved out West to a more
pluralistic "modern" society. The first thing to go for us was
our Ancient religion. We became part of a modern American religion,
Evangelical Protestantism. Fortunately for us we became a part of
something that was to some degree Christian. For many others, they were
caught up in a totally secular life style.
I believe part of the phenomenon which Fr. Brent
describes is this very thing. People felt that they wanted to be a part
of the modern, contemporary world. Other mainline liturgical churches
also experienced decline during this same era.
The good news is that we now are entering into a
postmodern era. People are not believing that modernity will bring them
the fulfillment it once promised. As a result many are turning to the
more ancient practices. This is seen in the interest in and growth of
the New Age movement and Eastern religions. I believe that if Orthodoxy
stays true to itself we will see a resurgence in our day. The temptation
is to try to be relevant or accommodating to our culture. I think
that would be a mistake.
I have come full circle. I have experienced the empty
claims of the contemporary Christian world and have returned to
Orthodoxy. There are now Orthodox parishes and Missions in the West
where my family moved to, where there were none at that time. I have
friends inquiring about and becoming Orthodox. Yes, they are even
younger folk!
Though many of these rural Parishes are now in
decline, I believe that when the wave towards something more substantial
hits there, as we are seeing in other areas, these few older believers
will be in a position to guide those who will be truly seeking the
Truth.
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| Answer:
You make an excellent sociological observation in his analysis of the role of modernity and "being contemporary" as it impacts on participation in Church life. I know of people who have left what they consider to be the "traditional" Orthodox Church to join a more "with it" group, like an evangelical or pentecostal community. One Priest told me that part of the reason why Ukrainians in Ukraine join these groups today is because it is seen as a part of "American culture" which is what is "in" there. On the one hand, let us remember that everyone wants to be "modern." Even the ancient Romans thought, in their hey-day, that they were modern. Today, however, as I have done, we call them "ancient" and they are no longer around. So modernity is a project that is ultimately doomed to failure over time. For me, however, being contemporary in today's society means "not having to follow the crowd." To be contemporary is to assert one's own identity, irrespective of what others think or do. And any identity needs to be grounded in an historical context and perspective. This is why I love the Orthodox traditions. They give me my sense of identity and continuity with a Community that goes back two thousand years. and a God Who is timeless. Orthodox traditions and rites are so unique and separate from the cosmopolitan boredom that is around us. If we want respect from others, we should respect our own traditions and never be ashamed of them. We should, in fact, be ready to share them with others. Let me share this recent example in my life. I like to pray from Orthodox service books when I am riding to work on the public transit system. I am not saying this to somehow "praise" myself and may God forgive me if there is any of that in my attitude. The time to work, for me, is a great time to turn toward the spiritual and so I do. Once a woman sitting nearby noted how beautiful the prayer book I was holding was. After a brief conversation, I simply gave her the prayer book. It was well worth it just to see the expression of happiness on this pious woman's face! The same happened soon after with a gentleman passenger. I also keep two small icons on my desk at work and have offered explanations regarding them to whomever would like to know. The same is true of making the Orthodox Sign of the Cross before meals whenever one is etc. Also, the practice of the Jesus Prayer and the "Way of the Pilgrim" is now being taught (for fees!) in non-Orthodox meditation groups in the U.S., alongside yoga, Zen etc. The mysticism of the Orthodox Church is something "modern" people gawk at and wonder about. There are many for whom traditional Orthodoxy truly is "with it" and "modern!" Sometimes going against the "flow" is another way to experience being contemporary. To follow the rules of Orthodoxy regarding prayer, fasting etc. would certainly be going against the flow of society . . . To be fully Orthodox today, without paying attention to trendiness in modern society, is to be "one's own person." The emphasis on the Resurrection and on Theosis within Orthodoxy is also a great counterbalance against the "death of God theology" of the West. We have so much that is contemporary and that the West needs to hear and experience - let us be true missionaries to our brothers and sisters in this regard! Dr. Alexander Roman |
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