Rene Cruz - Church Visit #1

Church name: Assyrian Church of the East – St. John's

Church address: 1421 W Lawrence Ave

Date attended: 10/5/14

Church category: Different ethnic demographic

Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

This worship experience as a whole was quite a departure from all of the various church backgrounds that I'm familiar with (non-denominational, charismatic, and/or Anglican). The congregation was mostly Middle-Eastern, with a couple of outsiders like myself holding down the back rows. I was one of the youngest people there, although there were several familes with young children.

The worship consisted entirely of Assyrian church liturgy. The priests spoke English at times, but most of the service was spoken in Cyriac, a dialect of Aramaic! I was able to follow along thanks to a handy transcription of the liturgy in English, Cyriac, and phonetic Cyriac. I actually really enjoyed listening to the Cyriac and following along with the English translation. I've grown to appreciate liturgical worship through exposure to the Anglican tradition, and found myself recognizing and appreciating some similarities in the two liturgical traditions.

What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?

Following along with the English translation, I found of the liturgy compelling in its lyrical and poetic phrasing. I did some research and I found myself resonating with the high reverence and tradition surrounding the Eucharist. The priests haunting melodies sang in Cyriac In my English transcription of the Assyrian liturgy, the Eucharist was referred to as “the mysteries.”

What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?

Obviously, the language was a challenge, as I was not able to fully participate in the service as I would in an English-speaking church.

The first thing I noticed upon entering the building was that all of the women wore head coverings. I could only assume that this practice was based upon literal interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11:2-6 in their church community. I had never been in a church context where this practice was observed, so I was a little surprised at first. Full disclosure: I affirm egalitarianism in all human interactions, not just those of a husband and wife. I've always assumed that the question of modern head coverings had gone the way of Old Testament provisions against crustaceans.

However, visiting this congregation made me realize that I don't actually possess the hermeneutical skills to pronounce a verdict with regard to the questions of 1 Corinthians 11's cultural relativity. If I'm being honest about the biases inherent to my cultural context, my objection to the use of head coverings is more of a felt belief than the result of an Intensive Bible Study. I would probably say that the use of head coverings, like other fringe issues, is a matter of conscience for the individual believer. Ultimately, the congregation's use of head coverings did not adversely affect my experience, but I wonder how I would feel if I were a female visiting that congregation.

What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?

I noted that the Assyrian version of the Nicene Creed was in fact the original version, stating only that the Spirit proceeds from the Father. Given our class discussion of the formation of the Creed and the subsequent controversies, this felt quite significant. As much as I like to consider myself a “globally-minded” and “culturally aware” Christian, this service was a very practical reminder of the schisms that have divided the body of globally Christ. Still, I am grateful to have had the chance to experience this ancient form of Christian worship.