Mr. Shawn Tribe posts a link to photos from the Sisters of Bethlehem Monastery in Beth Gemal, Israel.
The community just came up in a conversation last week with Sarge, though I can't remember the content for the moment. Perhaps Sarge can elaborate. What do you think Sarge? I do like small altars, but the austere simplicity of the altars that are featured in the photos (there are links to photos of the monastery in Quebec in the comments section--1, 2--Sarge, you'd probably like the poster's website)... I know it's a feature of certain monastic communities, but I like seeing an altar made of stone, with an altar cloth, etc. Like in a Byzantine church. A wood altar is ok--but it shouldn't look too much like a table. (Like the one in Quebec.)
As for the liturgy being celebrated versus populum... it's not clear to me if the altar is moveable. And apparently there is some mixing of rites?
ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL IITO THE COMMUNITIES OF BETHLEHEM,THE ASSUMPTION AND ST BRUNO
Saturday, 14 March 1998
Some discussion at phatmass forum (some more photos of the monastery in Israel)
Links posted by MC: Sr. Isabelle, Quebec, Germany
Sarge, no doubt you've been here and here.
1 comment:
Christos anesti! Alithos anesti!
Hello, just a little comment on
"but I like seeing an altar made of stone, with an altar cloth, etc. Like in a Byzantine church."
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my experience in serving in Byzantine(Orthodox/Catholic and Ukrainian- Russian -and Melkite)Churches, including assisting at 2 consecrations of Altars/Churches, and seeing from behind the Iconostasis at the RE-Consecration of Christ The Saviour Cathedral, in Moscow, with Patriarch Alexi, have never seen an 'Holy Table',-as it is called in the East-(the whole area behind the Iconostasis is termed 'The Altar') ,in stone, but only/always in my experience a wood framed 'altar', squared ,with the Holy Oil of anointing poured into the four corner posts.
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sometimes Bethlehem Communities dont have full covered Byzantine "altar" clothes but only a strip along the top,side to side. i am not sure why, though i know in France at the Brothers,the whole 'Altar'-Holy Table' was completely covered with bright white Cloth as in the East.
The Photos in Quebec are when the Church was First used for a 'normal' Liturgy, still being constructed, not having fitting full cloths made for the Holy table.
also i have recently written Fr Phillipe, of the Brothers, asking about facing East, and there recent discussions of this, especially since the Sisters are opening up a New Monastery in Egypt.
Pope John-Paul II, when he attended their General Chapter..which is quite interesting in and of itself,.. said He expects and hopes that the Communities of Bethlehem be one of the main Bridges and living prayerful dialogues,between Orthodox and Catholic, especially in the Near East
Pax, Emile-James
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