Categories: orthodox-life, parish-life, other-churches
Date: 09 October 2007 12:08:17
Unlike the other Tuesday evening Moleben services [a supplicatory service of prayer and praise] I've been to at our parish, tonight a number of older ladies [not old, though older than me] were there -- and Father asked them to pray the the Trisagion prayers in Arabic: it was beautiful to hear. And it reminded me of the heritage of not only the Antiochian Orthodox Church, but the many Christian churches in Arabic-speaking lands.
It also reminded me of something I've observed: the second-generation Australians in our church who speak Arabic, the great majority of whom are from Lebanon, with a smattering from Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and several from Egypt -- we also have those of Greek and Serbian heritage -- seem far more "against" Arabic than I am. Or, I expect, most others not from an Arabic background. I put against in quotes as they aren't against speaking it to the older members of our congregation, but they are against its use in services in our parish. Given we are an English-speaking parish, and an English-speaking Mission Parish, I can somewhat understand that, but I sense a fear in them, at times, that a little leeway to Arabic will result in a wholesale move to it.
I remember when we were between priests several parishioners came up to me and said, "Make sure you tell the Archbishop that you want a priest who speaks English well." Being honest, it would not bother me that much. And I didn't say anything when the Archbishop came to speak to us -- not sure if that upset people, but I did not feel I could: being an "Anglo", I'm always wary of language and background issues. That's not to say I do not want an English speaking parish, for it is a blessing to have, but there seems to be something in the second generation mindset that is against their parent's tongue.
I also experienced this at my previous Anglican Church, Cabramatta Anglican. For those not in Sydney, Cabramatta is now home to many migrants from South-East Asia, particularly, but not limited to, people from Vietnam. Cabramatta Anglican was a "Chinese Church", in that the English congregation had combined with another church -- though there was an English service retained [yes, don't ask me -- I came later through a friend]. A service each was conducted in Mandarin and Cantonese, and Shaozhou was also present through headsets.
Again, the, second-generation Chinese [mainly from Hong Kong] who made up the majority of the English congregation [children of those in the Chinese services] were not, in the main -- for there were exceptions -- happy to go to joint services we had between the English and Chinese congregations. There were exceptions, and while most of the few "Anglos" went, as did some from Cambodia, many of those who knew Mandarin or Cantonese would not turn up. [That said, there were also issues with some of the Mandarin speakers not wanting to associate with the Cantonese...the Church in all its weakness of humanity!] Granted, services were longer with two, or three, languages being spoken -- but I didn't understand the attitude of those who knew the language not wanting to attend: and not wanting to be involved.
Have others had similar experiences to me? Am I missing something? And has anyone seen what happens with the third- and fourth-generations?
Being on the "outside", as such, no doubt I may be missing things: I know many of my friends rebelled against using their parents' language/s -- though now they are wanting to get their knowledge back.
I truly did enjoy the services I participated in where a Chinese dialect was used; and the times I was invited to the Cantonese Sunday School and talked, through a translator, were of great blessing. And I do enjoy attending services, though I don't do it often, in Arabic: it is, if nothing else, a reminder that Christianity reaches far and wide to all corners of this earth. And, while Arabic may be hard on Western ears at times, I found the chanting tonight, 99% in English and with a strong Arabic accent from the ladies, though off key [none of us are singers!], strangely warm, comforting and beautiful.