Monday, September 3, 2012

Lex orandi, lex credendi


                                          Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi

This phrase lex orandi, lex credendi, "The law of worship determines the law of faith" or belief, is a 5th century quotation, that expresses a principle that is accepted by all Orthodox Christians today. The liturgy has always served as an important role in the life of the church. Scripture was interpreted in the context of the liturgy. Personal reading of the bible was always welcomed but to understand Scripture one had to grasp the meaning of Scripture through the law of the liturgy. Even the canon of scripture was arranged in a way that it coincided with the way it was read in the church during the liturgical service. In liturgy we are reminded of the need to reach unity in faith as well as prayer.

The community of the faithful always comes together to celebrated the Eucharist through there faith in Christ.  In understanding what then is being offered on the holy of holies we have to have a sober mindset when approaching the Body and Blood of Christ. We must always be ready for the participation of the Eucharist. In coming together to receive the Eucharist the oneness of the church reveals the unity we have in Christ. The Eucharist is the community of the believers coming together for one single purpose; lex orandi, lex credendi. We must come to  understand the gathering of the faithful in worship as being in community the living organism of the church in the unity of the Eucharist. Therefore, the law of worship determines the law of faith or echoed by the 5th century fathers, lex orandi, lex credendi.  

The Orthodox liturgy is a mystical experience and has a profound conviction that Christ is and ever shall be in our midst. In Christ, there is a deep connection between past, present, and future. The liturgy then is not merely a remembrance of Christ word's rather, a realization of the very presence of Christ Himself, who had promised to be wherever two or three are gathered in His name; lex orandi, lex credendi.

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