(East) Orthodox Church Visit part 1｜2021.01.23
More than a year ago (November 2019),
we visited the Taipei Mosque and gained a preliminary and direct understanding of Islam.
Religion has a profound impact on our lives,
although many people may not have fully realized it yet…
However, since the previous presidential candidate claimed that Mazu Tuo Meng had urged him to run for election at Dajia Zhenlan Palace, should he cancel the detour due to the epidemic?
In reality, this situation highlights the influence of religion on daily life. Taoism is the mainstream religion in Taiwan, while Christianity holds prominence in Europe and America. However, Islam, which has been gaining influence, has been frequently featured in international news over the past decade.
In theory, everyone has the freedom to choose their beliefs. Yet, when we have limited knowledge of only one particular religion, it is not appropriate to blindly follow the beliefs of others or simply judge a religion negatively based on news reports.
Lara’s class focuses on introducing international culture, including the important factor of religion. Through this educational approach, she hopes to provide children with a broader understanding of diverse religious cultures, enabling them to better comprehend their surroundings. This understanding may foster inclusiveness, empathy, and, ultimately, contribute to the pursuit of world peace beyond being a mere slogan for beauty pageants.
Father Kirill from Russia, with his fluent Chinese, gently introduced us to Christian Orthodoxy. In my previous classes, I have always referred to it as “Orthodox.” However, Father Kirill explained that “Eastern” Orthodoxy is a translation term. In 395 AD, the Roman Empire split into the Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire, where “East” and “West” are relative concepts. The church we are visiting today belongs to the Orthodox Church, which traces its heritage back to the “Eastern Roman Empire.” Conversely, Catholicism and Christianity (Protestantism), common in Taiwan, have their roots in the Western Roman Empire. The term “Orthodox” implies adherence to established beliefs and practices.
The central icon will change according to the festival of the month. For January, which is the month of Epiphany (when Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River), I have displayed the corresponding icon.
Speaking of “Orthodox,” I believe there is an intriguing observation to be made regarding language. In Chinese, the two sides are referred to as “right” and “left,” simply denoting directions without any specific connotations. However, in English, “right” also carries the meaning of being correct or accurate.
Interestingly, in languages such as Russian, German, and even Taiwanese, the words for “right” and “right” are the same. Could it be because the ancients perceived right-handedness as the norm? Perhaps they associated the right hand with the ability to perform tasks correctly. It’s fascinating how this logic is evident across different language families.
Moreover, this principle is directly reflected in the way (Eastern) Orthodox Christians make the sign of the cross: from top to bottom and then from right to left.
Indeed, the Orthodox Church places great emphasis on the concept of the Trinity, representing the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As a result, when making the sign of the cross, it is customary to bring together the three fingers (thumb, index, and middle fingers) to symbolize the three divine persons. The ring finger and the little finger are pressed against the palm, signifying the dual nature of Jesus as both fully divine and fully human. This gesture signifies the incarnation of Jesus entering the world. It is fascinating to note that rituals and gestures in each religion carry their own specific meanings and symbolism.
Regarding the appearance of Orthodox crosses, you are correct in observing that they differ from what we commonly see. Orthodox crosses typically feature an additional horizontal bar at the top, known as the “suppedaneum” or “footrest.” This detail represents the inscription that Pilate ordered to be placed on the crucifixion cross, stating “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” in different languages. The inclusion of the footrest distinguishes Orthodox crosses and serves as a reminder of this significant event in Christian history.
Indeed, Father Kirill mentioned that there are various types of crosses, including Latin, Byzantine, and Crusader crosses, each with its distinct characteristics.
Regarding the presence of multiple lines on the cross or on the Onion Church, you can explore the picture stories depicted on the top row of the “Icon Wall” to potentially find clues. The central section of the icon wall is known as the “Imperial Gate,” symbolizing Jesus or the church. On each side of the Imperial Gate, there are smaller “deacon gates” through which the clergy enter and exit.
As for the question of why women cannot use the Imperial Gate for entry and exit, the priest’s response may be that it is reserved exclusively for the highest-ranking clergy. Consequently, this limitation may contribute to the exclusion of women from holding the position of priest. The top row of the icon wall typically contains 12, 16, or 18 paintings, with 12 being the most common standard. These paintings generally represent the twelve most significant festivals of the Orthodox Church, excluding Easter, which is often depicted separately due to its paramount importance.
One particular painting to pay attention to is the crucifixion scene. Have you discovered the reason behind the presence of an extra line on the top and bottom of the cross?
It turns out that when the Romans crucified criminals, they would write the prisoner’s crime on a wooden board and nail it above their head. Therefore, in the painting depicting Jesus, the inscription on the board above his head reads, “Proclaims himself the king of the Jews.” Additionally, there is a footrest beneath Jesus’ feet because when a person’s arms are outstretched, the nails in the palms alone cannot support the full weight of the body. Thus, a place for the feet to rest is necessary; otherwise, the person would fall down. (The imagery is quite distressing, and it’s difficult to imagine.)
Our children also noticed that some individuals in the icon paintings have halos around their heads, representing the light of a saint or an angel. However, upon closer observation, they realized that Jesus’ halo is different from the others.
(Now you can quickly refer to the photo above and ask the children at home if they notice anything different.)
In Jesus’ halo, you can see the three Greek letters ΟΩΝ, which symbolize “I exist.” (After checking several articles, I wanted to confirm the meaning of these three letters, but many religious explanations tend to be highly esoteric. “I exist” is a relatively simplified and easily understandable concept.)
The icon painting in the upper left is relatively rare,
and typically does not depict Jesus’ “family.” It is believed to have been created by painters from a later period.
In the lower left corner, you can see the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus, with a halo bearing the three Greek letters on the baby Jesus’ head.
The icon in the upper right corner is a standard representation, following traditional iconographic style and symbolism.
The figure in the lower right corner, on the other hand, appears to employ a more modern painting method.
In fact, our visit did not have a religious purpose.
However, through the priest’s introduction and our own observations,
we gained knowledge and a deeper understanding of this religion and the icon paintings we witnessed firsthand.
It was like visiting a museum with a knowledgeable guide, going beyond a casual stroll to truly appreciate and comprehend the world around us. I find it incredibly interesting.
Considering the profound content of the church,
I have decided to divide the article into 2-3 parts for easier reading,
ensuring that readers won’t become too fatigued. To be continued…
