The Role of Laity’s in Church
Our Holy Church is a place for all in the name of Christ and Orthodox Christianity. It is the collection of Christians alongside Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Archdeacons, Deacons, and others servile. We each have a role to play. At our Church, it is vital to know our role for we shall be aware of our way of salvation and serve the Lord. The holy house of God is a place for partaking of the liturgy and worship. It is the holy place for the preparation of Holy Communion and thus shall be cherished.
In Holy Church we become united and be in harmony. It is where we are incarnated with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, by the Holy Communion. The humans body and soul is to be purified for the Holy Communion before and live in holiness onwards. For this we shall be cleansed from any sin within the preparation of eating The Flesh and drinking the Blood of the Holy Son. So now we shall know what is to be expected from laities in having role in Church.
1. Prayer
Foremost endeavors of a Christian shall be to reach his Lord. It might be in search of Him, seeking forgiveness, mercy and salvation. Prayer is a way of reaching up to God for the redemption of soul and the healing of the body as well. A prayer in the Holy Church is more over heard from any other place. It is in the prayer of Divine Liturgy that we plead for ourselves, loved ones, neighbors, country and especially for our Church.
Laities shall plead for the salvation of not only for themselves, but for others, for the safety of the country and Church. Prophet David has said, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:6). Our Holy Church also teaches us to pray for the peace of Divine Liturgy. Holy Church is our home, country and life; if her peace is not safeguarded, we are not to live. The Church’s peace is our peace; her safety is our safety; her unity and harmony is our unity and harmony.
The Orthodox Church is our country and thus we shall keep her peace, unity and harmony. It is our responsibility to pray for her peace, safety and existence. It is laities who have the role of pleading for the Church alongside the church servile.
2. Learn God’s Word
God’s word is our way of salvation and path of our spiritual life. It is of the essence to learn word of God from childhood within the Church education at Church. At the age of youth hood also it is important to continue our learning every day and learn from Our Patristic Fathers. If we strive for the prosperous of our spiritual growth, know the Dogma and Cannon, acquire sufficient knowledge and serve at Church, it means we are playing our role.
Holy Apostles Saint Paul and Saint Peter said, “take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” (Ephesians 6:17); “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15)
Our learning and growth by God’s word makes us have patient and be intelligent; help us not to rush in evaluating Patristic Fathers and Archbishops. We would be able to protect our Orthodox Incarnation Church from any kind stings if as laities we do the work of faith, read and know or learn the word of God.
3. Participation in the Constitution of the Church
Our Patristics Fathers has enriched the Holy Church till today by teaching the basic education of Church and fortified other preachers and teachers. To redeem the era and fulfill the Church’s purpose, laities must support the constitution with their knowledge and skill in the making its service provision complete.
4. Repentance and Partaking in the Holy Communion
It is when laities repent their sin truly that they would be able to serve in church and play their role. After their repentance, they shall eat the Flesh and drink the Blood of the Holy Son. Partaking in the Holy Communion not only inherit us the Kingdom of God but also is the contribution of fulfilling the final purpose of Holy Church. Holy Communion is the salvation of our soul. It also bestows absolute peace.
May God’s mercy, the intercession of Saint Mary and Saints be with us, Amen!