One of the “traditional” allegations about the more liturgical churches is that those who are members are not as familiar with their bibles as are those who are of a less liturgical bent. While I agree that many Orthodox (or Catholics and Anglicans) don’t have the bible memorized like our Charismatic brethren, we have a Liturgy that is rich in Biblical references and we really know more than it is realized. As a reader, I love to have the word of God surround me in all ways – liturgically, through our hymnography, and by my regular reading.
To this end, I was blessed to travel along with the wonderful Susan Sophia and two of her fellow parishioners to another fabulous Portland Women’s Retreat (would you believe I forgot my camera? I’m hoping I’m tagged in some Facebook photos that I can nab). Our topic was Applying Biblical Principals in our daily lives, and it really reminded me that while I have snippets and paraphrases in my head, I do need to work on making an effort to memorize more scripture.
One of the things that was really wonderful – in addition to a schedule that allowed for a lot of down and quiet prayer time – was the small groups where we got together and read about four women* of the Bible and how to apply their lessons to our lives. I was part of the group that read about Esther. Many great points** about her life were brought up in our group, and I was greatly blessed. One that I am still chewing on is this amazing line: “She was ruddy through the perfection of her beauty, and her countenance was cheerful and very amiable, but her heart was in anguish out of fear.” (Esther 9:5)
What a reminder that there are times that our outside is perfectly calm, but we are quaking with fear inside. And God is with us even when our heart is in anguish.
It was a fabulous weekend, it was lovely to see everyone (and I’m so sorry to not see good friends who couldn’t make it) and next year, I hope that others from my parish will be able to attend
*the groups were: St. Photini – the Woman at the Well
Ruth and Naomi
Deborah
Esther
**the biggest being that reading Septuagint version greatly enhances one’s understanding.
(Art credit )
posted by Mimi @ 9/29/2009 04:21:00 PM
19 Comments
19 Comments:
Your discussion of Esther and Ruth made me think about Job's Daughters, so I did an Internet search and found a local chapter. I plan on attending a meeting soon...thanks for the inspiration!
One evening during an iconography class at a monastery in Michigan, we split into teams to play a Bible trivia game. It was decided halfway through that it wasn't fair all the converts from Protestant churches being on the same team. (It really wasn't, we were shooting fish in a barrel).
And then I was surprised reading James when I saw, "For all good things and every gift is from above" [coming down from Thee the Father of light] because I didn't know that was from the Bible!! I started googling random phrases from the Liturgy and was flabbergasted how many were Bible verses.
Thanks for this post! Sounds like a wonderful weekend. Also sounds like I should reread these stories in my Orthodox study Bible!
Yea for such wonderful women saints! ... I have an icon card of Sts. Naomi and Ruth, another icon of St. Foremother Ruth and an icon of St. Photini. We are so blessed!
"God is with us even when our heart is in anguish." Now that we are facing one of life's major upheavals -- my husband's retirement -- I'm thinking a lot about my own "forced retirement" nine years, when I was booted out of a volunteer job so that a friend of the priest's could have it. I can see NOW that had that not happened, I would have missed out on many wonderful friendships and events that wouldn't have been there if I had been tied up with office work -- and so I'm able to remind my husband now that even now, when he's feeling washed up and old, God is still present in our lives and planning to make use of them. Thanks for summing it up so succinctly.
what great reflections. I love the idea of breaking into small groups to study one particular portion...and I love the extra downtime idea.
This sounds like such a great retreat. I would love it if we had an Orthodox retreat where I live in Ohio.
I am an Orthodox convert with many Evangelical friends who still influence me heavily, and I try to memorize Scripture. What did they suggest you memorize at your retreat? Because our tradition emphasizes prayer of the Psalms, I have focused on memorizing them. I have memorized 8, 23, 25, 51, 63, and 91 (Hebrew numbering). Unfortunately, I memorize and pray them in spurts and tend to get lax with that.
Like you, I try to read the Bible. But I do tend to bite off more than I can chew because I like to use commentaries--particularly Fr. Pat Reardon's. I have read the New Testament several times, but I am slowly (and I do mean slowly) working my way through the Old Testament. I am almost done with Numbers. But in my reading, too, I get lax.
Okay this was a long comment, but I was really interested in this posting.
PS The Book of Ruth is one of my favorite in the whole Bible. I would have loved to have been part of the group that studied her. Every time I read that story--and I have now read it several times--I cry because it is so beautiful!
Yes, I've often heard from some folks that Catholics (which is how I was raised) don't know the Bible. To which I said and would still say, Hogwash.
Christ in the Psalms by Fr Patrick Reardon is one of my newest faves. I'm trying to do the Psalms, since they overwhelm me less than OT or even some parts of NT.
Well, if certain Protestant groups admit that Catholics and Orthodox know their bibles then they've lost their piece de resistance which is that we wouldn't believe all the ignorant superstitious nonsense that we do if only our wicked priests hadn't deprived us of the scriptures. And they're very traditionalist, you know, they like to keep using Luther's arguments even if they don't hold anymore in an era of mass literacy *sigh*.
It was so great to see you this past weekend, Mimi! What a joy, wish we lived closer.
I really enjoyed Pres. Faye, her gentle spirit and her joyous enthusiasm for the Holy Scriptures.
I also enjoyed reading and discussing the Book of Esther as well; wish we could be in a Bible Study together.
Here's hoping I'll read my Bible more! I'm certainly inspired now.
Oh, I bet that Esther discusssion was amazing. I love that story!
I just finished a book about the writing of the King James Version of the Bible, and the author was so enthusiastic about the language the translators used...it made me feel glad that I am probably of the last generation that actually used the KJV in church and school (Christian school: Bible class and chapel.) Those beautiful phrases resonate in my mind just the way I imagine the liturgical phrases resonate in yours.
What translation do you use at your church?
Chrystabel – that’s awesome, good for you! Enjoy!
Caeseria – that’s very interesting. I’ve had the same thing happen where I read something in the Bible and realize I know it from the Liturgy (by the way, that line is one of my favorites)
Elizabeth – I agree! I’ve seen icons of Ruth and Naomi, and of course, of St. Photini, but I’ve never seen one of Esther – I found one on a Google search when I was preparing this post, but I wasn’t sure if it was written correctly, so I didn’t post it.
Meg – you are welcome. Thank you! And, know that you and your Dh are in my prayers as you make this transition.
Deb and Ian – thank you!
Ali – it is so nice to meet you! Welcome! Presbytera didn’t get into a discussion of memorization, really, but she did have us go around and quote what passage or line we really like (Mine was from Psalm 34 (33) “Seek peace and pursue it” ). She did mention that if you are going to begin reading the Bible and haven’t, several books to start with – ones that I remember are The Gospel of John, First John, the Psalms, and a couple of Paul’s letters – Philippians, maybe. I’ll let someone chime in who was with me.
And, I agree, I like Father Patrick’s books a lot, both Christ in the Psalms and Christ in the Saints.
TheGeekyWife – Yes, I agree. It is an allegation that really does not come from a place of familiarity with the Liturgies, in my humble opinion. And Margaret brings up a fabulous point too.
Xenia Katie – I agree, I loved being in the same small group as you. It was great to see you.
Janelle - you just snuck in while I was writing my response.
We have a new Orthodox Study Bible that was just recently published from the Septuagint, which is theologically correct for Orthodox. But, in the Liturgical use, it is most often either the RSV or the KJV. I agree, I like "thees" and "thous".
Sounds wonderful! I had hoped to be there, but a friend was ordained to the diaconate on Sunday and we also had an out-of-town guest staying with us for the occasion. So, it just wasn't meant to be this year... again. Hopefully next!
Janelle,
To add to Mimi's response, the Orthodox Study Bible uses the NKJV for the New Testament and a new translation of the Septuagint for the Old Testament. To a book/Bible person it is called the SAAS or St Athanasius Academy Septuagint.
Mimi, I'd love to know what the other groups read for resources of the women they studied.
Rebeca - Axios! I'm sorry to have missed you, but figured it was something like that.
Anam Cara - it is always lovely to see you! Thank you for the clarification.
And, there were no additional texts than the Biblical record read.
Lovely post, Mimi. Really interesting to read about your small group discussions etc :-)
Sounds like a great retreat!
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