Order Instead of Chaos

Some people believe Orthodox Christianity is too complicated. There are so many rules and regulations. Everything from what and when we can eat to how and when we should enter the Church. There are so many rules to ‘figure’ out that most stop trying or try to change the rules.

Brethren, when you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. But if there is no one to interpret, let each one of them keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God. Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another by sitting by, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged; and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. But God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. What! Did the word of God originate with you, or are you the only one it has reached? If any one thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord. If any one does not recognize this, he is not recognized. So, my brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues; but all things should be done decently and in order.

1^st Corinthians 14.26-40

The struggle between order and chaos is an ancient one. As with so much of our Holy Tradition, being an ancient struggle isn’t an excuse to continue the behavior. It is a lesson to understand the ‘what and why’ of the Church. When it comes to order vs chaos, it all comes down to God.

God is a God of order. He is the creator. He is the One who set everything in motion. The devil is the champion of chaos. In chaos, people search for a way out. In order, people are at peace with the Lord. Since God is the God of order, we prefer order to ‘be like’ God instead of the devil.

The first time I really came to appreciate this was my first visit to a large monastery. At the end of the service each monastic in order of seniority proceeded to venerate the Holy Icons. There was no question of who was next.

Each monastic knew their place. One after another, each proceeded without the customary “no, you first” practice we learn as children. There was no concern of who was next, because everyone knew their turn would come. It opened my eyes to the blessing of order.

When I was ordained to the Holy Diaconate, I learned another great lesson of order. The services of the Church are intricately organized with instructions of which clergy are responsible for which action. First or second deacon, first or second priest, each one has a prescribed role.

It is clear from today’s reading from Saint Paul, this was not always the case. It is just another lesson of how the life of the Church can help us to be more like God in our lives. In the modern Church this sense of order continues, not only in worship but in Church administration etc.

If the Church were left to chance and everyone did what they thought needed to be done, when they thought it needed to be done, chaos would ensue. Saint Paul isn’t saying each person should have their chance. He is saying each person should be orderly, even in administration.

Parish committees, diocese councils, bishop synods, ecumenical councils…at every level the Church follows a blessed system of order over chaos. Sure, it keeps everything going. Everything keeps going in chaos too. Order does something better. Order makes us like God.

Maybe the most important part of maintaining order is for us to know our place. When I was a deacon, I was responsible for knowing my place. When I was 1^st deacon I performed the 1^st deacon parts. When I was 2^nd priest I performed 2^nd priest parts, etc.

We all have a place in the Church, but our place is not everywhere. We all need to take a step back and remind ourselves where our place is. If our place is door keeper, then it isn’t our job to make sure the bishop is saying the correct prayer.

If we don’t know our place, that can be even worse. If you struggle to know your place in the Church, sit with your spiritual father and he will help you figure it out. Then with his blessing, perform your duties with order instead of chaos. You will be more like God than you imagined.