Why do Orthodox Churches use liturgy?
You might not be aware of it, but virtually all Christians outside the 20th-century fundamentalist and charismatic movements are liturgical and always have been. In recent decades it’s been controversial for a Presbyterian or Lutheran or Methodist church to add to its liturgical services a “contemporary” service. Even congregations that are not overtly liturgical still sing hymns (repeating written words by rote to praise God) and often feature a remarkably inflexible overall order of worship. And of course it’s impossible not to begin repeating yourself in prayer, especially when you’re meeting for daily prayer. We go further and make sure that all the prayers we mean to pray get prayed every time. Remember, Christ didn’t condemn all repetition; only that repetition which is vain. Early Christianity, like Judaism, was a liturgical religion: There were set times of prayer, specific readings and prayers and hymns to be used, and a weekly and seasonal rhythm to life. In Acts 13:2, the Gr
You might not be aware of it, but virtually all Christians outside the 20th-century fundamentalist and charismatic movements are liturgical and always have been. In recent decades it’s been controversial for a Presbyterian or Lutheran or Methodist church to add to its liturgical services a “contemporary” service. Even congregations that are not overtly liturgical still sing hymns (repeating written words by rote to praise God) and often feature a remarkably inflexible overall order of worship. And of course it’s impossible not to begin repeating yourself in prayer, especially when you’re meeting for daily prayer. We go further and make sure that all the prayers we mean to pray get prayed every time. Remember, Christ didn’t condemn all repetition; only that repetition which is vain. Early Christianity, like Judaism, was a liturgical religion: There were set times of prayer, specific readings and prayers and hymns to be used, and a weekly and seasonal rhythm to life. In Acts 13:2, the Gr
