LIFE IS LITURGY. In these difficult days, we all deeply miss coming
together for the Divine Liturgy. We find ourselves longing for Holy
Communion, and the sweet fellowship of our brothers and sisters. Being
sequestered here in the monastery, I can feel the absence of all our
congregation which gathers here on Sundays and for the feast days.
Having such a wonderful and loving group of people here on Sundays for
the liturgy and the agape is one of the great spiritual experiences of
my life. Though I can go to the altar and read all the diptychs –
memorial books – and commune myself from the reserve gifts, it is no
replacement for the fellowship of the brothers and sisters. Yet, for the
faithful, life itself is liturgy. Surely each time we pray we are aware
that we are not praying alone, but that we are praying together with
the brothers and sisters and with those who have departed this life in
faith – certainly, together with our beloved Vladika Varlaam intercedes
for us at all times. We are not bereft of our Guardian Angel nor are we
cut off from fellowship with the heavenly kingdom. Because of today’s
circumstances, we cannot even perform the charitable acts which the 25th
chapter of Matthew makes an integral part of our lives. Now our loving
acts must consist in praying for one another, for our community and for
the whole world. Our intercessions are an active liturgy, our thoughts
and concern for one another as an extension of our liturgical life.
……
I want to suggest that some of you who long for the human communion
that we have in the Divine Liturgy telephone each other and set a
specific time to say your prayers, and all of you pray together at
exactly that time, and this will be an act of “liturgy” a “sobornost.”
At the monastery, we will be beginning the evening prayers at 19:30 –
7:30 PM. I will start to read the diptychs – memorial books – at 8 PM.
If anybody is able to join me from their icon corners, begin your
prayers at that time and we will all be praying together in a spiritual
liturgy and a spiritual fellowship.
Thank you.
God bless you