Is any one else fascinated by the role yeast play in Orthodoxy? In Orthodox worship, we use fermented wine and leavened bread (unlike Roman Catholics, who use unleavened bread, and many Protestants, who use unfermented grape juice); both of these gifts are the product not just of human art and labor, but also of the working of millions of microorganisms.
Obviously, the Christian interest in leaven goes all the way back to Old Testament days, and in the New Testament, our Lord himself used leaven as a metaphor for the Kingdom of Heaven. I've heard some various explanations of what leavening represents and why it's important that we use leavened bread. I just like that the bread and wine start out as living things.
Similar topic is that beeswax candles represent the work of many bees (as well as human candlemakers) and come ultimately from so many different flowers.
In the end, it seems every kingdom of life, plant, animal, fungus, and humanity are all represented in the gifts we bring to church.
Fascinating thought
I'd guess we could also include metal in that list. And we could also add several other non-living minerals such as the minerals used to make the paint in icons.
Also, several human mental gifts are put in church -- carpentry, music, leadership/management, culinary arts, computer technology (listing of laity), electricity and much, much more!
Indeed, not only microorganisms but almost everything in the world could be related to the church building and the Church (the people).
That's why we should take care of Mother Nature because she holds several precious things for us.
