Places of Worship videos - Christianity - Orthodox
Video duration: 9 minutes approximately.
The Orthodox Church
This film follows Fr Gregory-Palamas and the congregation of St Demetrius & St Nikitas Greek Orthodox Church, Plymouth on a tour of a Greek Orthodox church and the worship to be found there.
Although St Demetrius Church itself was formerly an Anglican church, it was redesigned when it was taken over by the Greek Orthodox community and now has a traditional Orthodox plan. Thus the most important feature, the iconostasis, is found at the east end of the church. The iconostasis represents the division between the earthly and mundane, and the heavenly and sacred and on it are to be found the icons of Christ, Mary, St John and patron saints. The central act of worship, the Holy Liturgy, combines prayer, hymns and Holy Communion.
It is important to note that the length of the liturgy on a Sunday morning is up to three hours long. However, it is customary that worshippers may come to church as and when their time allows - so that older people may stay for the full length of the liturgy, whilst younger mothers and people with restaurants to run, may stay for the last hour.
A further important point of contrast with other Christian denominations, is that at Holy Communion the bread and wine is served together from the chalice, and from a spoon.
This film is in line with the national expectations for Religious Education as outlined by the non-statutory guidelines for RE. Learning objectives for levels 1-8 in both attainment targets, Learning about Religions & Learning from Religions can be drawn from this film.
Students should be able to recognize, identify, describe and show understanding of the features of religious life and practice in Christianity. They should also be able to explain the beliefs and teachings arising from the film and relate some religious practices seen here to the lifestyles of the worshippers.
By comparing the lifestyles of Christians with their own, and identifying what influences these people of faith, students should be able to come to a greater appreciation of what it is to be a person of faith and the importance it holds for that person.
SUGGESTED QUESTIONS
1. Icons in the Orthodox church hold a very special place in the lives of the worshippers and their community. What is it that makes an icon so special and why do they have this important place?
2. Worship in an Orthodox church follows a pattern that is many centuries old. What aspects of the worship appeal to you why do you think the rituals you see hold such an important place in the lives of the worshippers?
3. Worship in the Greek Orthodox church reaches out to the Greek and eastern European community that has settled in this part of the UK over a number of generations. How does the church manage aspects of the worship that appeal to you and to interest so many young people?
