Father, Bless
Father Serafim
I will try to clarify what I was speaking of in my first post regarding being in a traditionalist Church with an American Culture. The traditionalist part speaks of the doctrinal and practical mindset. For some examples of doctrinal stuff: what does the Church say about birth control? what does it say about attending a Southern Baptist Church sometimes? what does the Church say about the Holy Fathers when it comes to controversial subjects like anti-semitism or slavery? And so on. For some examples of practical things: how often is the Church in community and prayer? (E.g., is it a Church that is only open Saturday night, Sunday Morning, and for a few major feasts?) Are the morally neutral customs of the Church modern or more traditional? (E.g., many beards? head coverings? bowing and crossing onself before kissing icons? etc.) How far will I have to travel to attend the Church, and will moving altogether be necessary?
Regarding the American culture part, I was thinking of much more than just the language of the community, though that is also, of course, an issue. As long as it is understandable, it's not an issue as to what dialect or form the English takes (E.g., we Western Pennsylvanians have some strange pronunciations, but I'm sure anyone listening to me would understand what I was saying.) However, a Priest who is a native-born American (or is a long time resident) does help in in one respect. I know a number of Priests who can speak perfect English, technically speaking, but who are very hard to understand at times because of their accents. It's easier to think of yourself as having an American culture when the Priest speaks in a understandble American (or British, or Australian, etc.) accent.
Another thing regarding culture is not feeling out of place because of ethnicity. And more importantly, feeling a cultural identity with those whom you are with. When I speak of a Church having an American Culture, I mean that any American (regardless of ethnicity) can feel a link between themselves and the other members of the local body. This is not ethnocentricity, it's just human nature. We like to be with those whom we identify or associate well with. If a Church has an American Culture (America being a melting pot), it cannot be a Church of Greeks, Russians, and Arabs, all praying together. It has to be a Church of Americans praying together. Such a Church wouldn't be multi-racial, but would be trans-racial.
Another area is regarding more celebratory events, such as bake sales, festivals, weddings, etc. What type of food do we have there? I know some people will cringe when I say this, but he, it's America, why not hamburgers and french fries? (on non-fast days, of course). If I can go to a Greek festival and eat the delicious Greek food, why shouldn't we eat food popular in the American culture at an American Church? I know this would not happen over night, but I'd like to see that day being looked forward to. It might be said that "ethnic food festivals" bring people in and expose them to Orthodoxy, but what type of exposure do we get? We're just the old religion of small ethnic groups to them, who have "onion domes," "funny hats," and good food. People come for the ethnic food, possibly hear a Priest with a foreign accent, and then have the impression that the Church is an ethnic Church; I wonder how that happens
Also regarding such celebratory events, what types of customs and dances are done at weddings and such? What types of sports and games are played at Church "picnics" or "fellowships"?
What types of religious education goes on in the Church? I know some are against "western style Bible studies," but many are willing to go to "Bible Studies," and we can change the content to being Orthodox: so do we have them? Are American saints discussed often? Are the laity educated (or at least given the opportunity to be educated) concerning the history of Orthodoxy in America and other such things? Are notable American theologians such as Georges Florovsky discussed? Does the Church have the works of American saints and theologians in their book store? It's hard for a Church to have an American cultural feel when the laity are largely ignorant of Orthodoxy in America. (I admit that I am largely ignorant at this point)
In a Church with an American Culture, problems facing the nation would be faced from a different perspective than they would if the Church considered itself transplanted [enter ethnicity here] who were most concerned with keeping their customs and cultural traditions intact. When I speak of a Church with an American Culture, then, I mean one that looks at and examines problems from a decidely American perspective, and not through the lens and traditions of a foreign culture. Such a Church, considering itself part of the west, would critique what's wrong in "the west," but also work to improve the west. We have gone too long here in America reading anti-western literature and not doing anything about it. When Justin Popovich spoke against the west and/or Europe, he was speaking to us if we are westerners; Saints and pious men like him identified the problems: but it's our problem to solve, it is one of the crosses that we who consider ourselves westerners or Americans must pick up. We can't pick it up, though, until we come to grips with the fact that it isn't some foreign culture, but is our very own culture. Our life, of course, and culture in that sense, is christocentric; yet we are also called to transform the earthly culture within which we live as well. (If only by leading a christocentric, ascetic, prayerful life)
Hopefully that made some sense at least.
Justin
