Orthodox Vespers at Notre Dame de Paris

[Jean-Serge]

It seems to be a tradition. The day of Saint Denis of Paris, Orthodox celebrate Orthodx vespers at Paris' cathedral Notre Dame. This began three years ago and will take place this year next October 16th at 6 p.m.

Last year were present Metropolitans Emmanuel (Greek) and Josif (Romanian) and priest and deacons of many jurisdictions... And the deacon (Moscow Patriarchate) commemorate the Catholic archbishop of Paris (Prions pour Jean-Marie, archevêque de Paris). At the end, Metropolitan Emmanuel and the Catholic bishop exchanged warm words about the "Good relations...", "Branches of christianity..." bla bla bla and the Greek bishop offered his catholic "friend" a chalice regretting we cannot already commune at the same chalice... And the public both Catholic and Orthodc applauded...

I noticed this time that all Orthodoc official jurisdiction sent delegates (priests or deacon) excepted the Serbian church...

Esthetivally speaking it was real mess : the altar of Notre Dame is a post-modern style altar really ugly... At the left of the altar, the icon of the Trinity by Rublev was put... I do not know why... It was more easy to put the icon of the Thetokos and at the right the icon of the Savior...

So during the ecteny dedicated to the Theotokos, we could see the Orthodox deacon looking at the right whereas traditionnaly he looks at his left. Why? Because int a wall, at the right there is a statue of the Theotokos... The choir sang in Byzantine and russian ways (in French, Greek...)

So I will inform you about this ecumenical show this year : which gift etc, which participants... which speeches...

[Jean-Serge]

Sorry I could attend those Orthodox vespers at Notre Dame this Sunday... So I have no information...

[michigan]

I was there when they brought out the crown of thorns during the RCC's Great Lent. The MP was allowed to have a little service. It was a great blessing to venerate such a relic, especially as it is brought out only a few times a year.

[Jean-Serge]

Yes it was 2 years ago, I think... The year the Catholic easter and ours fell the same day...

[Jean-Serge]

You can see at the following link the photographs of Notre Dame orthodox vespers of Sunday 16th. To conclude the ceeremony, the Greek Metropolitan Emmanuel offered the catholic archbishop a byzantine cross...

http://www.orthodoxesaparis.org/blogs/i ... e-de-paris

Here one photo

[Jean-Serge]

During the last edition of the Orthodox vespers at Notre Dame, it appears that a priest of my jurisdiction (Serbian church) celebrated a part of this office. I protested writing to the Bishop of the diocesis this was a violation of thr canon 10, 11, 45 and 65 of the Apostles and of the canons and 9 of Laodicea.

I am still waiting for an answer. Furthermore, the AEOF, the assembly gathering all "canonical" bishops in France intends to celebrate vespers with pre-chalcedonians too...

Consequently, I have decided to suspend commmunion with the Serbian diocesis in Western Europe waiting from an answer of the Serbian Synod. The letters asking for an investigation will be sent as soon as possible. But I do not have many illusions.

Considering the higher degree of ecumenism of other canonical jurisdiction in France (Romanian, MP, Constantinople, Antioch...), the opportunity was left between the ROCOR-L, the ROCIE and an old calendarist church.

Due to the uncertain future or ROCOR-L (who knows what will happen), my lack of knowledge about the old calendarist jurisdiction (which however published the best orthodox books in French language), I have decided to join ROCIE since next Saturday midday...

[Priest Siluan]

Really, the Ecumenism is more and more strengthened