The Problem of Orthodox Culture
Over the past months several Orthodox writers have taken up
the topic of Orthodox culture and whether we can create one in this
country. Much of the writing flows out
the pens of artists, so I am sure that this is a desire longing for an ethos
where there is a richness of art seen in places like old Russia with majestic
architecture, beautiful music and haunting works of literature.
I long for this too.
What is the critical mass of people for such a culture to
emerge? Evangelicals have had this mass
in America for some time, but only recently is there a serious arts movement
bubbling up.
Rather than a culture of high art, I propose we are looking
for community, and this is the base where we must start. The magnet that draws
Americans into the Evangelical world, robust Catholic life, and even stranger American
movements such as Mormonism is not theology, but community. This is a place where you can enter and every
part of your life is infected by it.
For these believers, opportunity is given to immerse
themselves not only in the worship and in the dogma of their faith, but their
life and relationships are intertwined in their “church” life. Ministry, schools, sports, fellowship, etc.
force them to live so closely together a fabric of continuity and group life is
maintained and perpetuated.
In Orthodoxy, our theology demands community. For many American faiths, truth is
disembodied, an ethereal concept or philosophy, perhaps an ideal to attain, but
in Orthodoxy, truth must have flesh.
This “truth made flesh” is where we must begin if culture is
to be created. Our faith can’t be
relegated to 2hrs a week of Liturgy where interaction with other persons are
minimal. Even multiple services will
fail us unless we learn to live with each other in sacrificial love.
We must create community, and in our fragmented American
suburban society this will take work.
Consistent programming must be created where we can minister together
and fellowship with one another. No
longer can we rely on family, ethnic, or neighborhood connections for this to occur
naturally. We are too diverse and
scattered.
Our deepest relationships for ourselves and especially our
children must be among those of our parish and the surrounding Orthodox
community. Our life must be made up of
the people of our faith, and we should live with each other in the shadow of
the church’s dome.
For me culture is a problem of community and until we
develop community within our own parishes and our neighboring parishes
(regardless of jurisdiction) a recognizable Orthodox culture will not be seen
in this land.
What do you think?
For other blogs on this topic see the following links:
Theron Mathis
Comments
The Western Rite appears to be a step in a direction for American Orthodox of Anglo-Celt descent. Whether it's the right direction again, I do not know.
It will take at least five generations from now, baptised, married, and buried, in the Faith and in unbroken communion with the autocephalous Churches before the Orthodox in America are revealed as a viable body worthy of autocephaly, rather than just a fad for disaffected Protestants.
Assuming we make it that far, a discussion about what traditions are an orthodox and legitimate claim of the Church in the Americas would then be appropriate.
"Willingness to accept what is good in the prevailing culture" This is key, and unfortunately there is a lot of America-hate found in the Orthodox blogosphere. We have to love where we are if we are to transform it. Granted there is a lot of disturbing secularism and individualism in our land, but there is a lot of truth and beauty.
"Openness to experimentation" I know this is fearful for many, but I believe by not acting we are experimenting with the Faith and Tradition. While distasteful because of the excesses I don't think it hurts us to look where Evangelicals and Catholics have been successful and adopt some of their methodology.
Granted some have capitulated to the culture rather than transform it.
It has only been within the last 50 (more like 20 to 30) years that the Church in America has considered herself anything more than a haven for the diaspora from the mother countries. And that issue alone is still being worked out.
Our jurisdictions will of course change as sons and daughters out-marry and others in-marry, and converts continue to drift in from protestant sects. So as I said, it will probably take at least five generations from the current date to demonstrate to the autocephalous Churches that we are a viable, sustainable, and "grown up" member of the Body of Christ with intergenerational sacraments in the Church rather than just a place where a few diaspora hang on and converts wash in and wash out. God's will for the Church in the Americas may be to remain a perpetual ward of the autocephalous Churches. We shall see.
Bottom line, we have no business "experimenting" with anything at this point.
In fact, the mentioning of the Western Rite is more experimentation than I would be comfortable doing.
And while the jurisdiction thing is a big problem, I don't think resolving it is crucial to our growth and identity. Although, I do hope it is resolved sooner than later and in my generation.
By experimenting, I only mean that we begin encouraging all to be creative about ministry and sharing the Gospel. That we develop robust children, teen, and family members. In no way, do I desire that we tamper with dogma or liturgy.
But fairly... anything new here? Perhaps in the attributes of place and time... just as today's Greeks differ from those of old. But otherwise, I'd agree the marvel of the Life in Christ has more to do with Him than us.
Fact is, someone once wrote: "America is where culture goes to die"... and while I'm not sure of that, a Chevrolet is seriously different from a FIAT, a Rolls Royce or a Peugot. Face it... I'm not so sure we're going to find a lot of wonder in ourselves as the everyday Chevies of the worship world...but that's who we might end up being. I guess we'll deal with it. Could do worse I suppose.