On Saturdays during the fall of 2019 we will be holding discussions on the practical aspects of the Orthodox Christian Faith: how, when, and why we do what we do. 

Schedule:

Prayer: Saturday 9/28 4pm [AUDIO] [HANDOUT]

• Corporate prayer

• Private prayer

  • Jesus prayer: what is it?

• “canned” prayer?

Fasting: Saturday 10/16 4pm [AUDIO] [HANDOUT]

• What fasting is and isn't

• Why we fast

• How we should and shouldn't fast

• When we fast

Attending services: Saturday 11/9 4pm [AUDIO] [HANDOUT]

• Divine Liturgy, Vespers, Matins, etc.

• Feasts

• Other services: Paraklesis, Akathists, etc.

• Weddings, funerals, etc.

Repentance: Saturday 11/23 4pm

• Humility

• Confession

Sacred space: Saturday 12/14 4pm [AUDIO] [HANDOUT]

• At home:

  • House blessing

  • icon corner

• At church: entering church, behavior in church etc.

  • How a church building is arranged

  • Altar area: compared to Temple & Ark

• Elsewhere: going on pilgrimage (holy sites, monasteries, etc)

Reading scripture: Saturday 12/21 4pm

• Scripture familiarity: how the Bible is arranged

• Intro to lectionary

• When scripture is read in the services

• Bible commentary