This weekend Amy was out of town visiting her little brother in school (college) and I was left spending the weekend diddling on my computer, playing with Odin, and probably going to church Sunday morning. There’s really nothing bizarre in the fact of my church going, in fact I would consider myself a regular churchman (gasp) who subscribes to the literal teachings of Jesus (what?!!) and attempt to live a life aspiring to his commands (you must be on drugs). Anyways, that’s another blog for another time and place, and it always seems to spark debate by the near mention of His name. So back to my weekend, besides fiddling on my computer, that’s a highly technical term for geeking out, and watching Odin grow, I have come to the realization he’s going to be a very big dog, I decided I needed a cultural adventure. Instead of attending my regular church, your typical non-denominational evangelical protestant all American country church, I had this crazy hair to attend St. Innocent’s Russian Orthodox Church. For those who may not know, the Russian Orthodox Church is a sect or denomination of Eastern Orthodox Church. In context to the ecumenical church, the Eastern Orthodox Church split away from Western Orthodoxy (or Roman Catholicism) after the Great Schism of 1054. Next to the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Church holds the second largest body of believers in the world.
From my regular pilgrimages to Portland, I had noticed this cool barn like structure that had these golden onion shaped domes just outside of Rogue River, Oregon. One day my curiosity overtook me and I had to drive out to the church and find out what it was. I had seen Greek Orthodox churches, from my travels in the Middle East, and I have seen Russian Orthodox churches with their brightly colored onion domes in magazines such as National Geographic, but never in rural southern Oregon. (ORYgun) One day out of sheer boredom, much like this past weekend, Amy and I drove out to the church and to verify that what I had seen wasn’t visions or hallucinations from driving 4+ hours from Portland. To our pleasant surprise, it was a Russian Orthodox Church that was ornamented with iconographic art. Anyways, it was a very cool building, and it’s on the east side of I-5 just south of Rogue River. There were some flyers describing what Orthodoxy and service times. Furthermore, there was an article done by our local paper, The Mail Tribune, about the church and a new temporary building that the congregation was meeting at. Anyone interested in attending should call Father Seraphim, the priest and get directions, according to the Mail Tribune. As I said in the beginning of this article, I needed some cultural thrills, I gave Father a call and got directions. By the way, he sounded like a very kind person and someone who truly believed what he preached. The directions were a little obscure but Google Maps thankfully guided my way.
It took nearly an hour to drive out to my destination, and to say the least it was remote. As I was driving, I started to think that perhaps I was stepping into some estranged Jonestown cult. I was starting to have second doubts about this adventure, but something kept my foot on the pedal.
After finally arriving to the church’s property, or what was a secluded house with some cars parked in a large driveway, I met one of the congregants outside. Not exactly sure if the house was the church or if it was a barn like structure up on a hill, I asked directions from the (assuming to be) church member. Who was a mother and at the time trying to get her young daughter ready for church service, and she explained it was the structure up on a little knoll in the woods. So I walk up the hill into the trees toward the building. As I came to doors, which were two very large wooden medieval appearing doors, I heard what appeared to be singing. Well this was it, I wasn’t sure if I was tricked into attending some cult that was attempting to recruit naive church hoppers. Figuring if I didn’t take the communion I should be fine, so I opened the doors and stepped into the church, or was hoping was a church.
What I experienced, to say the least, was sublime. I would have to say I had a Lewis “wardrobe” experience. I stepped into a world that from the outside didn’t appear to exist. What I thought to be a regular barn on the outside, inside was an incredible display or glimpse of something heavenly and truly divine. The floors were made of marble, the walls were decorated with biblical scenes and heavenly music filled the entire church. I am not one who is easily moved, but this was an experience I will never forget that moistened my eyes and reminded me of the beauty and grace that God could only conceive. The building had perfect harmonics, and a congregation of only 20 sang and prayed the entire service. What was alien to me was the fact there were no pews, everyone was standing, and men and women were segregated. The service was lead by Father Seraphim, or should I say conducted, for he sang the entire service and the congregation and choir responded to his melodic commands. The father was equipped with a long white sapient beard and a voice fitting to his name. After an hour of standing of praying, singing, more praying, foreign liturgical rituals, father Seraphim finally gave the message. We were at this time allowed to sit on the non-orthopedic correct bench against the walls, again women on one side and men on the other. Father Seraphim gave a beautiful message about the prodigal son and offered some encouraging words for those struggling with any carnal sins. After the message communion was served, only for those who have been baptized as Orthodox (which is an excellent rant for another blog), then more singing and praying, and then finally blessed bread was distributed to the congregation. I still need to do some more research as to the traditional significance of this blessed bread, I’m assuming it’s the same bread used during communion aka the Eurcharist. After two hours of worship and a mildly sore back the service came to an end.
After the service, a couple in the congregation was getting married. Apparently the service was open to everyone. Since I happen to have nothing special going on, and was about an hour away from home. I figured what the “hay”, lets watch a Russian Orthodox wedding as well! To the right is a picture of two crowns which the bride and groom wear during the ceremony. The entire ordeal lasted over an hour, and this time there were probably 50 people inside the tiny chapel. It was a very interesting event and I was glad I stuck around to witness it.
After that, well I drove home, slightly sore back and have a little better understanding of the Eastern Church. I look forward to having further conversations with Father Seraphim and/or anyone in an Orthodox church. Overall it was a very positive experience and has excited me to learn more about this wonderful church.
I am currently reading through the book, 