Love the art on display at this church. Greek influences but a bit more evolved and refined because…read moreof the addition of Syrian influences. Also, some of the rite is in Arameic, which is believed to be the original language spoken by Jesus and his disciples, so that just makes the experience all the more mysterious, and in my case, enticing. I love a good mystery, or two, or three.
You get a red book to follow along in the ritual. To the left you see the English translation of the rite, to the right the Syriac translation. This feels like Israel to the left and Ishmael to the right to me.
Ok, the vestments used by the clergy are super cool. Very formal, specially the bishop style vestments the high priest wears, and the big fans the young men use during the mass to fan at the priest, plain old remind me of Cleopatra and her slaves fanning at her to cool her off, so yeah, Egyptian vibes here too.
Fully trinitarian and fully Catholic, this church, which follows the West Syrian Rite, as opposed to the Latin Rite or the Novus Ordo, is a refreshing drink of water for those of us in the desert.
The Fr. In charge right now, Fr. Don, is absolutely welcoming and popular among his flock and I just have to thank him for being patient and accommodating with me, a poor handmaid of the Lord, my God, why have you forsaken me!!!
It is finished. Right? Please tell me it is done. Please God, please.
Ok thanks bye.