St. Elias Church (Ukrainian Greek-Catholic),
Brampton, ON Canada.
www.saintelias.com
Kate's Story (Part 2 follows in Confirmation clip): The first time I came to St. Elias was two years ago. My friend Steve saw the church as we were driving along highway 7, and we made a detour to take a look at it up close. The church was closed at the time, but Steve made plans to come back with another Roman Catholic friend to attend Divine Liturgy. I didn't want to be left out and asked if I could come too.
I grew up in a non-religious family and, besides weddings and funerals, had been to about four church services in my life. I had no idea what to expect. The service we went to was in Ukrainian. I could not understand what was going on, but I was overcome with the beauty and love of the service, the building and the congregation. I cried the entire time we were there.
Later that evening, I emailed Steve and wrote, I could not articulate earlier in the day how I felt because it was so emotional. I felt like I didn't belong and was not good enough to be at the church. But more than anything I felt lost. I was also really jealous and petulant. Then, I started feeling hurt and completely empty and drained. Eventually I felt there was a possibility for me to feel whole and healed, but I would not allow this; I kept telling myself that I didn't deserve it. All of this was exhausting.
I took a nap after you dropped me off. When I woke up I was filled with an image of there being a dual reality that we all live in. I realized I had been living on the flat side, where everything looks dull, like a blurry underexposed photograph. But another reality of our world is not dull and dark. It is not simply just in focus, it is full of light and colour and is buzzing with life. I understood that I could have that life because everyone can. All I have to do is want it and reach out for it. I so much want to live in that world. But, it is a bit terrifying because it is so different from what I am used to."
For a year and a half, I rarely returned to St. Elias, though I wanted to many times. I had severe self-esteem issues and did not think I deserved the shiny life I had glimpsed.
In the summer of 2009, Steve and I returned to the church and were present for the baptism of Vitaly and Mykola Toews. Steve asked me afterwards what I thought of the prospect of someday having the congregation sing Mnohaya Lita for me, and after much discussion I decided that, yes, I did want to be baptized!
I was so excited that I searched the web for explanations of the Divine Liturgy, as I could see there was much for me to learn. I was happy to read about the importance of participating and not being passive during the liturgy, and about how we begin with peace, as it is needed for prayer. "How lovely," I thought. Then I read that catechumens (those preparing for baptism) aren't allowed to stay for the last part of the liturgy (the liturgy of the Eucharist), and how only those who have been baptized are called faithful. I read that, at this point in the service, the deacon proclaims that the catechumens leave and checks that the doors be closed (so none of them could sneak back in, I mistakenly thought!). I didnt realize then that this is no longer the custom in most churches. I was outraged. This did not sound very loving to me; wasn't love supposed to be what Christianity is all about?
After a week and a half of feeling angry, confused, jealous and abandoned, I defiantly went back for Praznyk. I told a friend that I was not going to tell them that I knew that I was supposed to leave halfway through. At the end of the service Steve told me I could line up for the antidoron. "No I can't, I'm not even allowed to be here!" I bitterly replied. Ilya Galadza was standing nearby and since he was wearing a cassock, I figured that I could ask him about it. He said yes, and I was on my way to feeling better.
That day I also was told to sign up for the Unity retreat, and I met Father Ihor Petryk, who corrected my understanding of the dismissal of the catechumens. He also told me that, "There's no need to worry when you're on Team Jesus!" No need to worry about anything? Sounds like a good deal to me! (To be continued...see 2. Chrismation: Kate Hendry)
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Ellie & Bailey's Holy Baptism - 5/9/10by naboehme227 views
Wonderful! Holy Mother Church grows again!
Loyolny 1 year ago