☦️Eastern Orthodox Christianity: Indian Orthodox, hymns,

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Prayer to the Virgin Mary, Rachmaninoff's 'All Night Vigil'
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https://www.malankara.com/prayer-evening.html

'Rejoice Virgin Mary, Mother of God, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, for thou hast given birth to Christ the Saviour and deliverer of our souls.'

[LeftInTX]

1. Here's part of a service from Kerala

We actually have an St Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Church that is a 4 minute walk from my home!

I'm scared to go because I'm afraid of getting stared at. The service is in Malayalam. They have one English mass per month. But everyone wears fancy saris and since it's South Indian, they are quite dark complected. I just feel like I would stick out!

I am Eastern Orthodox (actually Oriental Orthodox) Armenian. But I'm a pale Armenian!

I have actually attended a mosque. It was a large mosque. i went to the women's section. Then for the next prayers they took me into the men's section. (It was an interfaith/Ramadan fundraiser..they donated to a children's center if you fasted and attended the evening Iftar meal and prayers) I was reluctant to go into the men's section, but they explained the reason for the segregation and that it was the women who wanted the segregation. Everyone was very friendly.

I normally attend church at a Lebanese Catholic Church. They are very inclusive and welcoming. Only about 2/3 of the parish are Lebanese. Also many Lebanese are married into the local Mexican community, so it's fairly eclectic.

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2. I would not think the ecclesia community of believers should not welcome a visitor to join with

them in worship.

Do you have a colorful prairie skirt you could wear? 🙂

What if you called the presbyter before hand and say you'd love to visit and attend a service. Break the ice? For you to not be intimidated or like that.

That is wonderful of you partaking in various traditions of faith.

I'm American Carpatho-Rus from 40 days new. 😊

Much love to you, sister in Christ!

[LeftInTX]

3. I think about Armenians and they can be very exclusive.....

We wear western clothing etc...even then they will wonder, "Why are you here if you're not Armenian?"

But maybe if I contacted the priest ahead of time, it would break the ice. It is a joy to have such a cool church right in the neighborhood. The area could have been a gas station or apartments. I was thrilled that an Indian Church was going up. Our part of town is not very diverse and this is the first ethnic church in our area.

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5. THIS is the true America!

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4. I listened to the chanting. Recognized the 'Amin'! 😁