If not for their being tied so closely to their local languages (and insisting that converts both learn and worship in that tongue), the Eastern Orthodox churches with their rich traditions and symbolism would have captured a far greater share of churchgoers in the USA.
At wedding some years ago, I was stunned by the beauty of a young woman’s antique Russian cross. My mother-in-law (whose parents were both Russian) instantly translated the two words on it: 1/ Redeem, save, or deliver, and 2/ Preserve. Talk about the bottom line.
Thanks for the great post.
You’ll find that the Orthodox Church in America and the Antiochian Orthodox Church do all of their services almost exclusively in English.