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Sunday service. A 3 month memorial for our cousin who was buried on the day lockdown started. He had no 9 day memorial, no 40 days memorial but some of his friends did arrange a blessing over the grave. Early this morning I dressed all in black and showed my face at the morning service
I didn't go inside to light a candle. K went inside and lit one for me and was then told to leave, and stand outside. I don't know how many were allowed to sit inside but apparently it was full. There is also a second floor, the women's space, where you can go and observe from above, women and children only.
We all sat across the road.
The priest came to the door to give communion. I wonder if he used the same spoon for every person
The 'before' photo
There were chairs set outside, at a 2 metre distance. We sat that way for about 5 minutes and then moved the chairs a bit closer so we could talk to each other over the priest and chanters who came through loud and clear from an outside speaker.
Every so often K would jump up and tell us all to stand up and stop chatting. Grumble grumble grumble. Not that the immediate family would dare to grumble but we all secretly smiled when someone else did.
You're supposed to stand for the Lords Prayer and at a few other points in the service which no-one but him was taking any notice of
Social distancing soon went haywire but mind you it was mainly our large family 'bubble' that was together across the road
The 'offering' basket was brought outside too.
The basket is taken to the back of the church where the money is very noisily counted with rattling coins, chanters and the droning of the priest all competing to be heard.
After a 20 minute sermon about 'likeness' to god and 'sameness' to god and Saint Konstantine and the beginnings of the Orthodox religion and something about Adam and Eve I started drifting off. The actual memorial was a 5 minute address right at the end and then we all went off for coffee, liqueur and hard biscuits. Any idea of social distancing had been forgotten by then and a good time was had by all.
It all sounds quite confusing to a non-religious person like me. At least a good time was had by all!
ReplyDeleteLol it's still confusing to me after 45 years here. I follow the leader and try to look pious....when I have to
Delete"The woman's space"?????
ReplyDeleteSorry I didn't reply earlier. I'm still researching the answer!!
DeleteSo sorry for your loss, I know here if you were in your family bubble that was ok.
ReplyDeleteIt started out as a family bubble and ended up as a free-for-all!! We are still free of the virus....hoping it stays that way
DeleteThis pandemic has made many things very strange. The sooner we learn to live with it, the better.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed it all much more being able to sit outside. This new system suits me fine
DeleteI always go to funerals of people I've known. I mingle with all the other mourners outside the church (to make myself seen), then after the coffin has arrived and been taken into the church, I wait for everyone to go inside and go home.
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling. As long as the family sees your presence then you've done your duty. I usually skip the church part and go to the cemetery and then if I have to I'll go to have coffee afterwards.
DeleteI smiled at the chairs getting closer and closer.
ReplyDeleteIt was going to happen and it did!!
DeleteIt is rather the same about here. You get the odd person who glares at everybody, probably not a local. Great post.
ReplyDeleteThanks once again Rachel. My dear other half is very strict about procedure but outside we didnt expect him to worry quite so much. All taken in good spirit. We did love that the others disagreed with him though!
DeleteI always enjoy your tales from the Greek island Linda.
ReplyDeleteSo many tales!!
DeleteAnother book for you to write?
ReplyDeleteOh, Dave, that book!!
DeleteI should be on my second by now. If only
Yup. If I have to go to any of those. I always just turn up at the end.
ReplyDeleteUnless it’s a close family member
Having grown up in the Greek church it was bizarre when I attended a Catholic Church were everyone was quiet and they all came in at the start and left at the end.
So different to our pretty relaxed and chaotic services.
Relaxed and so much more human. I was watching the little kids there, especially the boys swinging on the railings, running up and the steps , having a fun time with friends. On a Sunday this priest rounds them all up after church and they have breakfast in the 'womens place' in the church. My grandson is quite happy to troop along.
DeleteI always come too early, guilty because K has been there an hour before me and I watch in envy at how many suddenly appear at the very last minute.
The only Greek church I have ever been in (Melbourne) had cubicles around the outside. If you were sitting down inside one no one would see if you fell asleep or were doing your knitting. I assumed however (for no good reason) that they were reserved for men. Since being in Greece I have visited a few of the churches attractive to tourists, but not been in one for a service.
ReplyDeleteThe trouble with the greek church of course is that the service is in greek!! I do recognise quite a few of the services now having been to so many weddings, funerals and baptisms . I recognise the lord's prayer too and the 'i believe' but other than that all I get is Kyrie eleison (God have mercy) and amen
DeleteWhen we were sailing one time. We came back from dinner, we found a priest in the cockpit of our boat. "hello" we said probably very loudly. "Shhhh" he said. So we sat in silence for 5 mins. "I am hiding from them".... "from who?" we asked "there are women up there, I hide from them". "why?" "They bring me food and I have to through it in the water".... And that was it for the conversation other than we said, you need to take you hat off as you can see it from the jetty. He was gone when we went to get the bread in the morning. So the priests hide in the harbour in Spetses. lol The fish must love him
ReplyDeleteThat's hilarious! Wonder what on earth he was doing. Our priest would have told any woman in no uncertain terms to back off.
DeleteHe had plastic tupperware boxes, he was throwing the food in the sea. I take it he didnt like their cooking or they were all giving him too much. lmao
Deletegosh I miss the sea today. take a big breath of air for me please
ReplyDeleteI'll and have a peek right now and take a few breaths!!
DeletePity I can't send you some ozone from the med
Late to the party as usual.
ReplyDeleteLoved this post Linda - family is what makes life what it is.
It's been a while since I was a regular C of E/Anglican church goer but on the odd ocassion we've been recently it's amazing how it all 'comes back' to you. Sit, kneel, stand, responses, yes prayers even.... I thought I'd forgotten it all.
BTW who's your friend touting the meaning of life??
Hi Cathy, you're always welcome, whatever the hour!
DeleteAs for our friend, my friend?, he's floating cyber space now, meditating for eternity on the meaning of life! Until he pops up again, as I noticed he did today. Delete, delete