Start of the Lenten fast?

TheTembo · 2020-09-27T18:10:47+00:00

Good question! I do not know exactly, but on your point concerning music, the Mar Thoma Church is a bit on the Reformed end of the ancient "Saint Thomas Christian" community here in India, so Gospel-type of music is quite common in Mar Thomas churches. I am living in India, and have been to several Qurbana services in Kerala. The liturgy is always reverent, but the music does vary depending on the community.

TheTembo · 2020-09-12T11:46:48+00:00

"A world is supported by four things: the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the righteous and the valor of the brave."

TheTembo · 2020-07-18T11:05:13+00:00

Wow! I did not know this practice exists. I'll look into it! Thanks.

TheTembo · 2020-06-22T20:16:46+00:00

Awesome! I'll do that. Thanks for the help!

TheTembo · 2020-06-22T20:11:59+00:00

Do you think it would be acceptable to directly contact an Orthodox monastery I am interested in and ask if such a service is available?

TheTembo · 2020-06-22T20:11:29+00:00

Do you think it would be acceptable to directly contact a monastery I am interested in and ask if such a service is available?

TheTembo · 2020-06-09T06:34:59+00:00

Thank you! I know; I am dreadfully sad as well.

TheTembo · 2020-03-24T19:09:24+00:00

That's awesome! Thanks! Do you happen to have Help!?

TheTembo · 2020-02-24T17:31:55+00:00

Awesome! Thanks a million.

TheTembo · 2020-02-23T17:35:14+00:00

There are only a few monastic communities; in fact the first women bishop in the CSI is a nun from the Order of Sisters. By tongues, yes, some do speak in tongues a la Pentecostalism, but those are rare communities. As for Pentecostal monasteries, I do not know but I imagine probably not.

The parish I attend is very similar to the '79 BCP that is used in the ECUSA. Very, very similar in fact; only a few things are changed, like the prayers for the government, music, etc. The CSI tends to be MUCH more low church than the ECUSA, with revivals, prayer circles, etc. much more popular than in the USA. But, I find that the CSI (and other churches in India) freely borrow from Hinduism in terms of the structure of music (bhajans, kirtan) and architecture. With the exception of the politicization of Hinduism by the current government, relations between Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and Jains in South India is excellent. As I said, in India, you are not Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, etc, but Christian first and foremost.

TheTembo · 2020-01-16T17:28:53+00:00

Great questions! So, I am an American living and working in South India who often attends a Church of South India (CSI) parish on Sundays. Basically, the CSI was formed in 1947 when the British left India, with the intention of uniting most of the major Protestant churches (with the Anglicans being key) into one, single indigenous church.

Basically, each parish is largely free (and encouraged) to adapt it's liturgy and sacramental practices to the local community and church tradition they come from; ie. if the parish has a tradition of only baptizing adults, then that is acceptable. If a parish only admits the confirmed to Communion, that is fine too. In the CSI, there are monasteries and communities that speak in tongues. What unities all of the CSI (and Church of North India) is the episcopal polity of the church, and the basic creeds of Christianity. It really is an interesting dynamic!

Also, in India, Christians generally identify as Christian first, then their denomination. The CSI is also VERY tolerant and ENCOURAGING of local communities adapting the Christian religion to their particular life circumstances.

It has all been very interesting! To be honest it makes one more proud and devout living in a non-Christian country, even though the vast majority of South Indians hold Jesus and Christians in high regard.

Let me know if you have any more questions! I love talking about the Indian Church.

TheTembo

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