Our Easter special for public television is in the can. We finished shooting on Eastern Orthodox Easter — which was this past Sunday — in Nafplio, Greece.
For our filming, we were blessed to find the friendliest Greek Orthodox priest, Father Dionysis, running the town’s amazing little Church of Panagia (Mary Above All Saints). Our first day was spent scouting, making connections, and getting the religious rituals sorted out.
A fun part of my work is to give another culture meaning so it becomes less foreign to an American visitor. Without a little context, Greek Orthodox ritual, music, and worship can look like ZZ Top at a séance. But, as with most things, once you understand it, you can see the beauty in it.
I like to ask Orthodox priests why they wear long beards. Father Dionysis said, “Orthodox priests wear long beards as a sign of wisdom, experience, and respect.” (In Bosnia’s Republika Srpska a few years ago, when I asked a long-bearded priest, he joked, “It’s to frighten Americans.”)
I think Eastern Orthodox Christianity seems foreign to many Western sensibilities because we in the West strive to be more cerebral. In the East, people allow the brain to take a back seat to the soul, heart, and emotions. Father Dionysis explained that Orthodoxy is not an ideology, but a feeling. He told me, “You look at the sky with eyes of the earth. An Orthodox Christian looks at the earth with eyes of the sky.”
As we left, he bid us goodbye saying (in his tiny English), “Forever happy.”
Some Orthodox Christians refer to non-Orthodox as “those who have yet to enjoy the incense.” Father Dionysis explained that every aroma comes with its own philosophy. Sorting through his various incense powders, he explained that during the service on Holy Saturday (after the Crucifixion but before the Resurrection), a change in the aroma would usher in the transition from Crucifixion sorrow to Resurrection joy. After all, worship is for all the senses. The entire body participates.
Trying to illustrate how each aroma elicits a distinct emotional impact, Father Dionysis asked us to inhale one that was “the Passion and the Resurrection.” In this shot, our local guide, Patty, gets a whiff of something smoky — “of fire, symbolizing the heart in flames so the prayer has a special warmth.”
Christos Anesti!!!
Thanks, Steve for the kind comments! I decided to become Orthodox on my own in 1995.
You know we just celebrated Pascha. One other comment was “Christos Anesti!!!” (Χριστός Ανέστη! Αληθώς Ανέστη!) In English: Christ is Risen!! Truly He is Risen!!! And some other familiar languages: Russian – Христос Воскресе! Ваистину Воскресе! Romanian – Hristos a înviat! Adevărat a înviat! – Georgian – ქრისტე აღსდგა! ჭეშმარიტად აღსდგა!
Hey Steve,
Just curious when you’re Easter special (featuring Fr. Dionysis) might be airing and where I can see it? You’ve definitely got my interest :)
i would like to know when it is to be aired as well.
Hi Mary Anne and Chris! This is Amy in Rick’s office. The Easter special will air next Easter (2016) across the USA.
Appreciate the attention to a Faith that is little understood in the West. I’m a convert (21 years) as is most of my Parish in Loveland Colorado. All our services are in English (I don’t know of any Parishes that don’t use English although in some big cities there are ethnic Parishes).
An easy way to listen to a service or music is on Ancient Faith Radio on line or as a free app.
I’m a traveler…and I travel with pilgrimage in mind to places of spiritual meaning. Even Sitka Alaska was a meaningful destination because of the first Orthodox Cathedral in the Americas. An American Orthodox Saint is buried there.
Orthodoxy in North America is over 200 year old.
Thank you again!
See, this is why I enjoy your shows and books and look forward to a trip or two…I learn so much in even the smallest dose.
Come to our parish in Athens if you are going that way Agios Panteleimonas in Chalandri.
We will enjoy seeing your special next year God willing. Great meeting you in Spokane last Fall and hearing you speak on the HOLY LAND where Christians are being persecuted and murdered. If only the world would open their eyes to reality. You do SO MUCH to share truth by your excellent programs. God bless you all!!