Is Orthodoxy American?


Cradle Orthodox don't leave Orthodoxy for no faith but for an American faith. Orthodoxy's journey to America was a blessing from God. However, we have struggled to incarnate the body of Christ in American clothes. Our people have become thoroughly American in character. Outside of the Church they act, think, and speak like Americans, but their life inside does not reflect this transformation. This is our great challenge. We must answer the question, "What is America?", and incarnate the body of Christ in American clothes if we are to impact the nation where we have been planted.

The Church has always done this task. The most obvious example of this is the communication of truth in the language of the people to whom the Church entered. Many nations and peoples can thank Orthodox missionaries for creating an alphabet and giving them the gospel in their own tongue.

Yet language is not the only way the Church has incarnated herself among the nations of the earth. The character and culture of a people are embodied by the Church. The Church embraces those things that were intrinsically good and beautiful among a people and transforms the bad.

The Greek missionaries to the Slavs did not impose Greekness but allowed the Slavic character to become Christian. The Russians coming to the native peoples of Alaska did the same. One beautiful story regarding this cultural embrace is over Orthodox fasting rules. A missionary to a Northern tribe in Siberia found that Caribou was the primary staple in these people's diet. This created issues for times of fasting when abstinence from meat was the rule. The missionary wrote to his bishop for advice and the bishop wrote back, "Have the people eat less caribou."

Today each traditional Orthodox country has a unique character that is expressed in cultural traditions, food, songs, stories, and styles of music. For Orthodoxy to enculturate and become indigenous in America the same must happen. Too often we have remained "old country" rather than Americanize.

So what is American? What is the character of our nation that is true and beautiful? Can you name those things that are unique to soul of this country?

Comments

Alana said…
Had long well thought out answer. Blogger at it. Wah.
Paul said…
Ours is one of the most if not THE most materialistic cultures in the world. Our materialism seems antithetical to the mysticism of Orthdoxy. (not unlike that of the communists in eastern/central Europe.)
The story of the carabou reminded me of our former pastor excusing our having a Thanksgiving turkey dinner during the Advent fast.
Unknown said…
I think this question may be easier to answer for Orthodox Churches in the South. Southern culture is distinct and deep and is rooted in a sense of place and community identity moreso than materialism. That's not to say Southerners haven't been infected by the larger culture. But I think there's a lot in the South that is good, wholesome, redeemable.
Unknown said…
Paul,

I agree with your critique, there is much wrong with our nation. Securalism and Materialism should be rejected and not allowed into the Church. But we are not alone with our sins, other Orthodox countries have their own issues. Russia and Eastern Europe struggle with alcoholism. Greece has high rates of abortion. Sins are easy to see, but is beautiful about us. What do you love about America? What are the beautiful distinctives?

As for the Caribou story, I am sure I could have found a better illustration, but I think you get the point. I am definitely not advancing reducing the rigor of our faith.
Unknown said…
Joshua,

As a son of the South, I would have agreed with you at one point in life. As I have traveled and spent time in other places, I think there is plenty of redemptive character throughout the country. There is a deep sense of sin in the South, but I am not sure how Orthodox it is.

One of the most Orthodox like cultures that I have actually experienced is in Appalachia. My wife is from WV, and we both are shocked at things she experienced growing up that have counterparts in Orthodoxy. For example, cemeteries and florists are crowded during Memorial Day and other holidays as friends and relatives fill the graves of families with flowers and notes of love. The dead are never far away. Her church actually publishes and reads the names of those who have died in their church that is somewhat similar to our Soul Saturdays.

It is not surprising that WV has 1 to 2 Orthodox churches in every city.

Back to South, we struggle with a fasting tradition, but a pig picking on Pascha would be a wonderful tradition.
Unknown said…
Fr. Andrew addresses some of the questions in the post in a unique and creative way: http://t.co/58jIH6u

I think he is really on to something regarding the "love of place".

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