Beat me to it

I was going to post something about the start of class today but one of the blogettes beat me to it. Must have been Megan, because her signature is to not sign her posts.

All I have to add is that our evening adventure included taking the Russia Rookies to the Orthodox Church where a service was going on. You would never think it's a service. No one sits, which is fine because there are no seats. People stand near the rail that surrounds the center of the church. From behind huge gaudy gold-laden doors the priests recite back and forth in a manner almost like chanting. At certain intervals the worshipers bow and cross themselves. You never see a priest during the service, but sometimes after the service one of them will come out through the golden doors and say a few words to whoever is there.

The church is always dark and reeks of incense. All day people come and go, stopping to bow in front of "icons," the polite word for the bountiful idols. People light candles in conjunction with their prayers, pray quietly to the pictures or statues, and kiss them when they're finished with their prayer. It's flagrant idolatry in the name of Christ, wrapped in superstition.

We were whispering among our group, with Anya and Misha answering Americans' questions about what was going on. A lady caretaker showed us how they welcome visitors. With a scowl on her face that would put the fear of God in most anyone she scolded us for talking at all, even though we were disturbing no one. Then she rebuked Anya and Megan for wearing their gloves inside the building. We were cued in advance that the men have to take of their hats inside the building, but the glove thing was apparently a bit of creative legalism. When we left Anya explained that the Welcome Lady made up the glove rule on the spot to get rid of us.

After we received our rebuke (which, ironically, caused more talking because it had to be translated) Larry whispered to me "I'm ready to go. I've had enough baloney for two sandwiches."

What incredible spiritual darkness and hopelessness grips this culture! For nearly everyone, to be Russian is to be Orthodox. It would be sad in any setting but when you put all this stuff out there, sponsor it by the government and call it Christianity, it's unthinkable. Problem is, it's real.

It will be truly refreshing to return to class and bask in the light of God's word and the truth about salvation which is freely available to all through faith in Jesus Christ.

- Jim

P.S. Megan adds... It was very interesting to learn that the government and the Orthodox Church are one in the same. Right next to this church, there is another monstrous Orthodox church being built. I asked Anya why the government would want to spend so much money building these churches. She explained that the Orthodox church represents Russia.  Others have explained that most people in Russia think they are Christians because they are Orthodox.  However, it truly is a very dark place where the rituals do not provide lasting hope or true transformation by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.