So this last Sunday I had the pleasure of visiting an Eastern Orthodox church with a few friends. While I already knew a few things about the Orthodox Tradition, this was my first direct experience with the liturgy. The following is merely a scattered collection of thoughts and reflections.

If you have never before attended an Orthodox service, or even been inside one of the buildings, it is difficult to describe. Imagine stepping back in time, or perhaps just somewhere else: a place of light and gold. The smell, the sound, the feel of the place spoke to me in a deeply revealing and somewhat unsettling way. I am not about to convert (for various other reasons), but I now have in my soul a longing for a similar kind of beauty in our own Protestant tradition. Speaking with one of the priests afterwards, he described it as worshipping with all five senses. And I must agree, every one of my senses was engaged and, in some form or another, turned toward the glory of the Most High.

The liturgy was also strange and new, steeped in ancient tradition. Everything was intentional, either in symbolism or in practicality. I still have many questions about some of the more esoteric practices (why do you sweep the ground after you cross yourself, for example).

The congregation was perhaps the most impressive part. Everyone, young and old, was present, standing together as a family before God. I honestly do not know where the practice of the modern "children's church" sprang from, but it pains me to see churches segregated by generation. There was no such problem here, as the screaming two year old to my right proved beyond a doubt.

Suffice to say, it was an experience like none other. Maybe I will discuss doctrine and belief in another article, but for now I am content to observe and reflect. If you have the chance to visit an Orthodox service, I would highly recommend that you jump at the opportunity.