Preparing for Worship & the Beautification of God’s House

Feb 02, 2008 by Fr Luke Palumbis

“The poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”
Gospel Account of John 12:8

Jesus’ response when asked by Judas Iscariot why expensive ointment, which was being used to anoint Him, was not being sold and used for the poor, provides us with an insight into our approaching Him through worship, and the environments in which worship takes place.  To authentically worship God is a sacred experience, which sanctifies the worshiper and brings joy to the Lord.

To process of this blessed experience.  Most profoundly, we prepare ourselves internally to express our dependence on the Lord, and then with thankful hearts and minds, receive His gifts of love and sanctification through His Church.  Furthermore, as we prepare for sacred worship experience, externally we prepare ourselves to the best of our ability to approach the Lord with honor and respect, as we enter into an experience of the Lord Himself!  The external preparation is secondary to the internal, and the very participation of the worshipper; however, when a particular level of spiritual maturity is achieved, the externals may become manifestations of the internal – proclaiming externally the internal presence to approach worship, with the fear of God, faith, and love… (From the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom).

In addition to our individual preparation, the environment of the worship experience must be addressed to the best of the worshiper’s ability.  Sacred space is central to Orthodox Christian tradition, and is manifest in the beauty of Orthodox worship environments, whether found in an established church building, complete with iconography and sacred vessels of worship, an outdoor chapel that is neatly maintained, or a home altar where family prayers are offered on a daily basis.  Any space where a person of faith offers themselves
to God is sacred and it is the responsibility of the worshipper(s) to maintain and beautify this space as a way of honoring the Lord, and the experience He expends to us through worship.  This is our modern Christian experience of emulating Lazarus’ sister Mary, who anointed the Lord’s feet with costly ointment (John 12:3).

May our Father in heaven look favorably upon our humble efforts to beautify the sacred space of Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Christian Church with this current phase of iconography, which we offer for His glorification and the veneration of His saints!