Please answer these questions to the best of your ability, doing research on an Eastern Orthodox Church

Worship practice is one of the central concerns of the Old Testament, which spends a lot of time describing proper and improper worship and cataloguing times when Israel did or did not remain faithful to these practices. Most of us in the community come with a very different set of expectations when it comes to worship. We have informal worship services, and we like to talk about things like “the priesthood of all believers” and worship happening “anywhere.” Israel’s worship was particular and formal with a heavy emphasis on holy places (think about the temple in Jerusalem). This assignment is meant to help us understand what it means to have holy places, holy objects, holy time, and even holy food. What does it mean to worship in particular places, at particular times, and in particular ways?

Attend a “high church” or formal worship service and arrange to interview a worship leader (Pastor/Priest/Rabbi/Etc..) afterward. Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Some Lutheran or Episcopalian churches, or a Jewish Synagogue would be appropriate (if you are unsure, contact me to ask about appropriateness). Interview a worship leader about their worship practices, especially how it may be different than what you have experienced in your life.

Potential questions for clergy:

What is worship? Why is it important, and what does it mean to participate in worship?

What does it mean to have holy space, holy time, and holy objects? Why is it helpful or important to keep these things “holy”?

Why is proper worship important?

What does it mean to be a priest?

What are the responsibilities of someone who oversees a community’s worship?

Write an 800-1000 word reflection about this experience. Describe what you saw and heard (both in worship and in the interview) and reflect on what you learned. How has this helped expand your understanding of worship and worship practices? How will this help you better read the Old Testament moving forward?