Church Service or Movie?

Today, throughout the United States a movie is showing that many Orthodox Christians will attend. The movie, “Man of God,” is about the life of St Nektarios of Aegina in Greece. The movie has been sold out in most every location and is only being shown today. I suspect it will show again, but many are not taking any chances. The problem is, during the Great Fast most every Church also has services at the same time as the movie. What should we do?

It may seem trivial, but I have seen many comments about the dilemma. For some, the Great Fast is not a time to go the movie theater whether the time conflicts with Church services or not. For others, the conflict is just about services. How can we remain loyal to the Great Fast and attend this movie? I think there, as I often do, there is a different question to ponder.

This issue, like many other daily choices we face, is not about movie vs fast. I have no doubt the movie is a positive and uplifting movie that, in terms of plot and images, will not conflict with the Great Fast. I don’t expect random sex scenes, nor do I expect random violence. I do expect some scenes will express the struggle Saint Nektarios experienced in the world. If you are concerned the movie will be a temptation to sinful behavior, like so many other movies on the market, I’m sure you have nothing to worry about, but this is the not the whole issue.

What about skipping Church services to view the movie? True, the movie is based on Orthodoxy, so many have suggested it is “like” going to Church, or at the very least a “good” alternative during the Great Fast. It isn’t as if you will be going to bar hopping, a behavior that is absolutely against the character of the Great Fast. You can always watch a movie without popcorn and chocolate candy. All this is an understandable position, but also not the whole issue from my point of view.

If you choose to attend the movie, which I plan to do, the issue won’t be about skipping Church or eating chocolate. The issue will be what effect the movie has in your life. If the movie becomes ‘just another nice movie’ you add to your collection, you may as well eat the chocolate. It will be just like reading the Bible EVERY DAY without skipping, but never allowing the Scriptures to affect your life.

Orthodox Christianity isn’t about adding a litany of nice things we have seen or read to our repertoire. It is about a life in Christ. Learning about the life of such a great saint will be a waist of time if you are not inspired to imitate his life. Of course, attending Church every night is also useless if it is nothing more than a ‘checkbox’ on your Great Lenten Chart.

So, whether it be movie or Church tonight, don’t waste the chance to grow closer to Christ an imitate the great life of the Church. Saint Nektarios lived the life of the Church, and we continue to talk about his life more than 100 years after his death. Spend your time during the Great Fast learning to Live A New Life In Christ, and whether you attend the movie or Great Compline, you will be on the right path.