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1st Experiance of The Church of the East
#1
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Today, the 10th of July, 2011.. I was blessed to experiance my 1st encounter with a gathering of the beloved Christians of the Church of the East. I attended at the Mar Yosip Parish, where Bishop Mar Awa presided and administered Holy Qurbana, of which I partook for the very 1st time. I was planning on attending when an English service would be in session, by Qasha Genard, but it was postponed this 2nd Sunday, because of a speacial service being held on this day to commemerate a Saint of God.

I wanted to say a few words here about my experiance.

When I 1st came in and looked around abit in the fore-area before the doors that lead into the Church, I was greeted by Brother Robert Khnanisho, who is visiting from Australia...and he helped me on a few matters and sat with me during the service, explaining a few things that was taking place. (thanks brother, if you read this).

Although the entire service was spoken/sung in Aramaic...(which I do not understand, but for a few words, I LOVED it all...it was very rewarding for me to hear this in the Aramaic tongue.

The Incense was incredible, the smell of which is still on my clothing as I type nearly 6 hours after I attended...and every once in awhile it will come up into my nose..and its just fantastic in smell. I have been to a number of Orthodox services, where they also wave the sensor of incense near the people at certain times...but this incense, is something beyond that which I have selled previously. Awesome.

The Songs/Hymns were very beautiful and moving, the sound of which I was somewhat aware of from Qasha Genard's recordings...and I one or two of the Sister's sang one of them today, very wonderful in sound. The Choir sang a number of them together too, then a few of them were sung by individuals, who did a wonderful job of it.

It was nice that they had the book available in the pews called "The Order of The Holy Qurbana" which has an English translation so I could follow along and say the Amen, when time came. I had seen this book on sale before and wanted to get it, but it was out of stock...so today it was one of the two books that I bought in the Fore-area of the Church. The other one was "The Book of Marganitha"...which I have been reading this afternoon...and its Awesome.

Wow...there is more to say...but I am probably sounding like a fanatic...lol so I better stop. I will most definatly be back soon...and can hardly await my 1st experiance of this Litugy in English, by Qasha Ganard.

You all have a wonderful Chruch tradition...and I know by The Holy Spirit, that Christ is among you. Glory to God.

I was pleased not to see the statues and icons in the Church building...nor the over adoration of the Mother of Christ or the Saints going on, as is found in among the Orthodox & Roman Catholic traditions, which has been disturbing to me, when I have attended their services.

Blessings,
Chuck
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#2
Hi Chuck,

I'm back in Australia and just got a chance to reply.

I'm glad you enjoyed your experience and I encourage in as much as it is possible for you to attend on Sundays.

I pray that God grants His mercy upon you and that He may guide you to the knowledge of the truth through His Son Jesus Christ.

It was great to meet you.

Your brother in Christ,

Robert Khnanisho
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#3
Glad you made it back safe Brother...I do plan on attending regulary...I took my wife and Daughter this last Sunday's service and they loved it...Now I need to learn the Aramaic Language... <!-- sSmile --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><!-- sSmile -->
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#4
Thirdwoe Wrote:Glad you made it back safe Brother...I do plan on attending regulary...I took my wife and Daughter this last Sunday's service and they loved it...Now I need to learn the Aramaic Language... <!-- sSmile --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><!-- sSmile -->

Shlama Akhan Chuck,

I'm very happy to hear you enjoyed the service, I hope you felt at home. I know what you're referring to with the incense, the lemony aroma to it...am I correct? It's typically imported from Yemen for use in the church, as the Yemeni incense is considered to be the most pleasant. I can't get enough of it so I burn it at home, too. There was once a time it was more costly by weight than gold.

The green Aramaic/English liturgy book will be essential, and after a few iterations you should be quite familiar with the service. The only parts of the liturgy that change from week to week are:

The Psalm
The Readings (obviously) of the Prophets, Apostles and Gospels.
The Shuraya
The Anthem of the Sanctuary
The Anthem of the Bema
The Sermon

The above (minus the sermon) should be printed in English on a paper handout, available as you walk in. If they are not, please let me know and I can see about emailing you a copy as they change each week.

In no time you'll be chanting along with the rest of the congregation. If you have any questions, let me know.

+Shamasha

P.S. - in our parish, we have a screen on the side of the altar that shows the page number we are on from the green liturgy book. Does Mar Yosip have one?
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#5
Yes, Shamasha Paul
They have the Screen there too and it helps alot. Now if they could have the words of the Sermon in English up there...it would be wonderful. I am going to get serious now about learning the Language looks like, as the Sister who wanted to speak with you on the phone, told me that she could have me meet with a man who could help me learn the language. Do you know of any good online places to learn as well?

Two things that I really like about the service so far, other than the whole thing...is the "kiss of peace"...and the Inscence Censor coming around to each row of people and being waved close to them...I'll try to be on the end of a row everytime...so I can get more smoke... <!-- sSmile --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><!-- sSmile --> <!-- s:onfire: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/onfire.gif" alt=":onfire:" title="On Fire" /><!-- s:onfire: -->

-Chuck
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#6
Praise God third woe! I am very happy that you visited the Lords Church of the East, it is a hidden treasure and I am glad that more people are finding God through it.

I am sorry that you met Lector Rob, lol, I hope he wasn't too rude!
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#7
No Brother Alan...Robert was very nice to me. And I would love to be able to do what He does in service to our Saviour, he is very blessed to be doing so.

My heart is with you all concerning this situation with the three youths who fell....May the Lord's will be done through this trial, He knows best.

-Chuck
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#8
Chuck, i was only kidding about Lector Rob, we serve in the same parish and we are good mates, although he is gloola I dont hold that against him.

Thanks for your prayers, they were all related to people from our parish so it is a tradegy, I cannot fathom what it was like having to see them fall over, it would of scarred me for life. May God heal their families, knowing my people, the parents will not be dealing with this situation quite well.
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#9
What does "gloola" mean?

-Chuck
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#10
Gloola = Round
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#11
LOOOOL
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#12
I attended the Raza Qadisha for the first time today in Los Angeles. The new church building absolutely shines with the light of the Gospel. I have been reading about the Church of the East for years but haven't managed to attend a service until today. Though I knew no one there I felt very welcome and the Liturgy was easy to follow (I have the English text on my iPad). I was picking up some of the Aramaic by the end. I plan to return soon and hope to get to know a few people there. I am pleased to find this forum where I have found the answers to many questions I have had about the Church and its practices. Thanks to all who are involved here.
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#13
MichaelD Wrote:I attended the Raza Qadisha for the first time today in Los Angeles. The new church building absolutely shines with the light of the Gospel. I have been reading about the Church of the East for years but haven't managed to attend a service until today. Though I knew no one there I felt very welcome and the Liturgy was easy to follow (I have the English text on my iPad). I was picking up some of the Aramaic by the end. I plan to return soon and hope to get to know a few people there. I am pleased to find this forum where I have found the answers to many questions I have had about the Church and its practices. Thanks to all who are involved here.

Hi Michael

Thank you for sharing, I am happy I hear you enjoyed the service. I've been meaning to fly out to LA to see the new building and meet with my friend Qasha George. Please give my greetings.

If you have any questions please let us know.

+Shamasha
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#14
Hi,
This is my first post here. I am vacationing in San Diego for the weekend. Does anyone know of a Church of the East here? I have not been to one and I would really like to visit one.

Thanks,
monalisa <!-- sSmile --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><!-- sSmile -->
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#15
Hi Monalisa,

Please visit <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.strabbanhormizd.com/">http://www.strabbanhormizd.com/</a><!-- m -->

God bless.
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