Bishop Atanasije (Yevtich) on the Liturgy and Liturgical Changes
Click here to see a wonderful interview with His Grace Bishop Atanasije (Yevtich), in which he addresses some of the issues in the ongoing debate in Serbia about liturgical changes.
Interview with Bishop Atanasije (Yevtich) on the Liturgy and Liturgical Changes
His comments about being attached to books like Protestants reminded me of when I had the great blessing to visit him at his monastery in Tvrdos, Herzegovina. It was my first service as a deacon, and I was desperately clutching to my book, trying to figure out what was happening, since everything was in Serbian.
Every time he saw me, he would grab the book out of my hands and put it off to the side, telling me something to the effect that I should just be present and aware of the service and act from my heart. I remember thinking that that was a wonderful idea, and then sneaking off and finding my book. 
With God’s help, I’m working toward his goal of liturgizing with the Spirit. But just what is the relationship between the letter (of the service books) and the Spirit? Comments?
Good point from Bishop Atanasije. The challenge for the church is “liturgizing” of people with the Spirit, as today many in the church a passive participants.
His Grace Bishop Maxim writes:
*The relationship between the letter (of the service books) and the Spirit*
A very interesting, and I would say, essential question! “It is the spirit that gives life (τὸ ζῳοποιοῦν, quickeneth)… the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life” (Jn 6:63).
A harmony and a balance between them is crucial, like the balance between history and eschatology. As history receives its ultimate meaning from the Eschaton, which is the gift of the Holy Spirit, so the letter (words of institution and the service) finds its fulfillment and seal by the Spirit. Both are important. However, we must understand that the Spirit is the power which brings us to the event of communion, which inspires us to perform everything “decently and in order” (1Cor 14:40), and, finally, which “gives life” to our every word, action and motion.
Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us in every aspect of our life!
Being a third generation Serbian American, I didn’t know what to think when I first heard of the controversies regarding the “Liturgical Reforms”. However, upon viewing Met. Atanasije’s explanation of things I really feel like this is all a move in the right direction. And from my experience with obstinacy within the American parish setting, I am not suprised at the shenanigans displayed in certain Churches/diocese in Serbia. Unfortunately, the devil is always at work.
May God have mercy on us all.
In Christ,
Tessa Miljanic
Is there a transcript of what he said in English?