Worst Wedding You've Ever Attended

[Psi U MC Vito]

I thought that was standard, at least for the Western Church. I remember I was at an Orthodox service and went up for a blessing and I got weird. Fortunately I have talked to teh priest before the service and he had agreed to it.

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

I thought that was standard, at least for the Western Church. I remember I was at an Orthodox service and went up for a blessing and I got weird. Fortunately I have talked to teh priest before the service and he had agreed to it.

In all the Russian Orthodox parishes I've been to, communicants fold their arms over their chests to receive. The priests place the Gifts directly into the communicant's mouth, either with a hand or a spoon.

In my parish, one of the young men brings his Jewish girlfriend to church pretty often. During communion, she remains seated, but she goes up for a blessing when the Antidoron is given.

We're pretty strict about who gets communion. Even faithful observers who haven't confessed/fasted before communion don't get it.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

In all the Russian Orthodox parishes I've been to, communicants fold their arms over their chests to receive. The priests place the Gifts directly into the communicant's mouth, either with a hand or a spoon.

In my parish, one of the young men brings his Jewish girlfriend to church pretty often. During communion, she remains seated, but she goes up for a blessing when the Antidoron is given.

We're pretty strict about who gets communion. Even faithful observers who haven't confessed/fasted before communion don't get it.

I know now this is the standard. I didn't realize how great a request I was making the time i did it. Antiochian, not Russian, but still.

[barbino]

One of my husband's friends is an Armenian Orthodox priest. We recently attended a service at his church. Not knowing the requirements for communion, I chose not to go and remained in my seat. It was a good thing, too - I had forgotten about "fasting" because although I was raised Catholic and always fasted then, I have been attending Protestant services for 15 years.

I watched the women hand each other veils to cover their heads before taking communion. We are going to a Greek Orthodox service this Sunday (husband has to go to 2 Orthodox services for a grad-level class)and I have already decided just to stay in my seat again to minimize any issues. I am very sensitive to this as my husband had communion at a Roman Catholic service earlier this year and my brother was highly offended although the priest "opened up the communion."

[preciousjeni]

Originally Posted by barbino

I watched the women hand each other veils to cover their heads before taking communion.

This is interesting. In my parish, we cover from the time you walk in the door until you leave. Every woman in the church wears a veil whether or not she is Orthodox. I always feel very demure and womanly with my veil.

[barbino]

Originally Posted by preciousjeni

This is interesting. In my parish, we cover from the time you walk in the door until you leave. Every woman in the church wears a veil whether or not she is Orthodox. I always feel very demure and womanly with my veil.

When I was a child, Roman Catholic women wore hats/head coverings to all services but this was suspended at some point. I have attended Greek Orthodox services (mainly for Easter/Christmas with a Greek friend) and don't remember all of the women wearing veils. I sat next to the wife of the Armenian Orthodox priest and she also only wore a veil to the communion. All of the female deacons were veiled for the entire service and in native Armenian costume. It was highly traditional.

[BadCat25]

The absolute worst was my cousins wedding. Big church affair followed by black tie reception at a classy country club. So whats not to like? I was a bridesmade and had to wear this hideous pink ruffled dress. OMG it was so awful.

[honeychile]

I've only seen the folded arms at Anglican churches, symbolizing that they didn't want wine with their wafer.

[SWTXBelle]

In my husband's Anglican parish, folded arms gets you a blessing - no wafer, no wine.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

In my husband's Anglican parish, folded arms gets you a blessing - no wafer, no wine.

That's what I'm used to it meaning in Episcopal/Anglican churches (and in our Presbyterian church).

[honeychile]

Wine in a Presbyterian Church?!?!??!?