Church on Sundays

I'd like to dedicate this blog to Louis Busta because right before I left for Korea, he was talking about how much he'd like to go to a Russian Orthodox Church at some point, and I am now going to one =)

With the help of a map my film professor gave me this summer, I found the only Orthodox Church in Seoul: St. Nicholas, which happens to be only 4 metro stops away from my apartment! I went today, and when I arrived at the stop, looking confused and lost, a nice Korean woman asked me if I was going to church. I didn't quite know what she said (it was, of course, in Korean), and then she said, "Christ?" It was like that West Wing episode "Shibboleth." (Anna and Jordan, you know what I'm talking about). All of a sudden we spoke the same language. She guided me to the cathedral (which I wouldn't have found on my own), and I finally got to use the phrase "Nice weather," which I've been studying thanks to my Pimsleur's Korean tapes. She kind of laughed and agreed...then there was a short, awkward pause in our brief conversation on the way to the church--

which is gorgeous, by the way. The service was beautiful. All in Korean (with the Creed and Lord's Prayer said in both Korean and English). Because Orthodox services are all the same, I could follow along, using the hymns and rhythm (sitting and standing at particular times) as guides. I'm sure the sermon was lovely-I have no idea what the priest said though. I kept the bulletin to translate later, and plan on learning the Lord's Prayer in Korean soon. On a side note, fasting will be interesting here cuz most of the time I'm not even sure what's in my food. But more on that later...

After the service, I was about to leave when the woman who showed me the church grabbed my hand and started introducing me to several people, most of whom spoke English. Through her efforts, I discovered that there's lunch served after liturgies, that services are conducted in Korean, Russian, and English (when possible), and that an Orthodox chaplain in the US army should be stationed in Seoul for the next two years. She also introduced me to a girl from Wisconsin named Katie who is just finishing her one-year teaching contract. She and a Russian chemist named Lenny invited me to have some hot chocolate at a cafe and we chatted for a couple of hours.

She, just finishing her experience, and me at the beginning of mine, there was much to talk about. I found out more info on Korean classes, holidays, and cultural stuff. More than anyone else she reminded of how exciting this year will be, and for the first time I felt like I was once again studying abroad, rather than just working in a foreign country where I don't speak the language.

It was an awesome blessing to find such a welcoming parish close by my apartment. I feel very fortunate. Hopefully there will be lots more of these spontaneous interactions to come and lots more like this to write about. In the meantime, you're all in my thoughts and prayers.