Piping in the Haggis

**Doc Hudson** · 3rd August 05, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by Prester John

Hey Bill,

Not out of place at all.

I am an Orthodox Christian priest.

Some of our best priests are former baptists! They love God and the Holy Scriptures. Thanks for the welcome. We have to stick together!

Prester John

Welcome aboard Prester John. And congratulations on the kilted wedding plans.

Would you be a Greek or Russian Orthodox priest? The reason I ask is that a friend of mine in California is in training to become a Russian Orthodox Priest. As an added bonus, Tony's wife is expecting their first child in December, and Natalia makes kilts, both celtic, modern, and Greek-style.

**Kiltedmusiclover** · 3rd August 05, 07:15 AM

Prester John,

Good to have you on the forum.
A hearty welcome to ya!

**Prester John** · 3rd August 05, 07:17 AM

Actually, I guess I'm closer to what you would call an American Orthodox priest.

Although I'm in the Orthodox Church in America, I spent my formative seminary years in Alaska - so Alaskan Orthodox is closest. But I don't speak Russian or Greek.

It's like the difference between Irish and Italian Catholic. None at all really, just language and customs.

Here, those of us who are not imigrants are just Americans.

I hope that clears it up!

Incidentally, my wife is a Robertson, and will be wearing that tartan at her sister's wedding. We will be stuck in the bold and beautiful Black Watch.

PJ

**Doc Hudson** · 3rd August 05, 10:05 AM

Oddly enough, my friend Tony is a second generation Scicilian American. He says the Russian Orthodox Church is closer to old-fashioned Italian Catholicism than the modern Roman Church.

**Prester John** · 3rd August 05, 10:20 AM

About Catholicism, it's true. That is why I became Orthodox. Orthodox was, is, and will be what Catholicism was (back when it was Orthodox!) before the Scholastics.

Interestingly, I remember coming across an article in Scientific American (I think) a long time ago that revealed in an archeological dig in Scotland, in an old church, that they found a chalice, diskos (not merely a paten), a spear and a star cover. All Orthodox Christian eucharistic implements. The spoon is a later addition, from about 400 yrs ago, I think.

After all, the celts did get their monastic practices from the Egyptian Thebaid, from egyptian monks. That is why they were so ascetic....and successful at evangelization. It was these monastics who converted Europe, and inspired so many celtic youth "back in the day."

This is why I joined the Orthodox Church. They revere St. Patrick, St. Columba, St. Aidan, and a multitude of other "Celtic" saints of the Church, even though the area itself is only rediscovering it's Orthodox roots.

Anyway, before someone accuses me of being anti-Catholic, my brother is Roman Catholic, and we have nothing but love and respect for one another. But even he laments the protestantization of the Roman Church. As do I.

Your friend is correct.

And, yes, you can find kilts in Orthodox Churches, especially among those who are converts and not married to the Russian/Greek paradigm.

PJ

**Prester John** · 3rd August 05, 10:22 AM

My apologies to all for the inadvertent hijacking of this thread.
Not intentional, and I'll watch it from here forward.

PJ

**chasem** · 3rd August 05, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Prester John

...I spent my formative seminary years in Alaska...

PJ

Whereabouts in Alaska? I was recently in the Anchorage area on vacation, and visited Eklutna, where there is a Russian Orthodox influence.

**Prester John** · 3rd August 05, 10:51 AM

I was served in many places, but just before I left, I was priest in charge of the parishes in Fairbanks and Kodiak.

Imagine having a parish in Detroit, and the other one in Dallas. That is about how far apart they are. It was fun! Lot's of frequent flyer miles.

Yes, the Orthodox are all over Alaska. Anchorage is just a Seattle suburb it seems sometimes! haha

**Planopiper** · 3rd August 05, 11:22 AM

Just out of curiosity, has anyone else heard of piping in a haggis at a wedding reception? I've been at/played in plenty of Burn's Nights and weddings, but this is the first haggis crossover I've heard of. Not that there's anything wrong with the idea. It's just new to me.

**macwilkin** · 3rd August 05, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Planopiper

Just out of curiosity, has anyone else heard of piping in a haggis at a wedding reception? I've been at/played in plenty of Burn's Nights and weddings, but this is the first haggis crossover I've heard of. Not that there's anything wrong with the idea. It's just new to me.

Same here...I only wish I would have thought of it for our wedding! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd