New Attack from Ancient Faith Radio vs. the True Orthodox

[Matthew]

And that was in a TOC parish?

[StephenS]

The problem is sadly not unique to those who follow the modified Papal calendar. I think in Romania you may find things different. Another evil that clergy across the board contest is androgynous dress, something increasingly seen. The Church's teaching is clear, men dress as men and women as women, but secular values and mores increasingly rebel against Church teaching.

[Matthew]

God help us to be faithful.

[Lydia]

For most of my life I attended parishes in which there were only a few chairs in the back, the men and women were separated, the women's heads were completely covered, pants were not permitted, and both the men and women dressed very modestly. This resulted in a quiet, reverent prayerful atmosphere.
Recently visiting a GOC church where the opposite was true proved very instructive to me. I was taken aback by how the lack of such seemingly simple and, as some say , superficial praxis resulted in a noisy, chaotic, irreverent service. And don't get me started on lipstick on the icons...

[StephenS]

I too find it 'quieter' when men and women stand on different sides of the church. Pews are so restrictive and alien. And I try very hard to remember not to wear lipstick to church :mrgreen: (Sorry, the child within just got out).

[Lydia]

Thanks for the chuckle, Steven.

[Revnitel]

There is ideal, which ends up more monastic, and then there is practical, which is respectful but not necessarily to the letter of the law. Most parishes have to examine what they need to cultivate their people in piety, but organs are definitely a no. Pews to the iconostasis are a no. There should be limited seating for the elderly and the infirm. Segregrated congregations may not necessarily reflect the needs of modern families best. Women in skirts and head coverings a must. A real kliros as opposed to choir loft or at best being supported by a choir is a must. You should be able to freely move about church to light candles and pray before icons. Likewise, worship in sacred space in an Orthodox context should support metanoias from the waist and prostrations. So the typical "new world" NC/modernist church seems not to be very agreeable to traditional Orthodox liturgical piety, worship.