Piping in the Haggis

**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

**sav** · 3rd August 05, 11:28 AM

I was contracted to pipe at a wedding here in PA a few years back, and part of the contract was to pipe in the haggis at the reception. It was a Scottish wedding, however, with the lads in kilts and lasses wearing matching plaids on their dresses.

**Prester John** · 3rd August 05, 01:26 PM

Indeed, Sav,
this is a Scottish wedding.

Hence the haggis.

I had some yesterday, by the way. Got it from Gaelic Imports in Cleveland (it wasn't imported. He made it fresh and it wasn't bad for my first haggis!)

Thanks to all for your help. All this is going to my scottish Father in law.

I'll let you know how it all turns out.

PJ

**macwilkin** · 3rd August 05, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by Prester John

Indeed, Sav,
this is a Scottish wedding.

Hence the haggis.

I had some yesterday, by the way. Got it from Gaelic Imports in Cleveland (it wasn't imported. He made it fresh and it wasn't bad for my first haggis!)

Thanks to all for your help. All this is going to my scottish Father in law.

I'll let you know how it all turns out.

PJ

The Caledonian Kitchen in the Republic of Texas makes guid Haggis as well. Our St. Andrew's Society usually orders our Burns Night Haggis from them:

www.caledoniankitchen.com

I'll have to try Gaelic Imports also -- I wonder if they'd send any "samples"? ;)

I think it's a grand idea, Prester John, and I think people will be talking about your wedding and reception for a long time to come -- we actually had people crashing our reception from two other weddings in the hotel because they saw all the kilted gents and heard the pipes! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

**Prester John** · 3rd August 05, 04:04 PM

I'll try to get a pic or two when the time comes.

My only regret is that my wife, who wanted a Scottish wedding for our own 21 yrs ago, was denied it

I'm going out of my way to see to it that my trophy wife (the finest in the world) misses nothing! My boys and I are a plottin'...

More to come!