The Orthodox Church and the Need for Liturgical Reform

THE well-known story of the conversion of Prince Vliwlirnit of Ciev to the Orthodox faith is told in the Russian Primary Chronicle. Wanting to discover the nue religion, he sent out envoys to observe the worship of a number of different faiths. They were unimpressed by the Muslim Bulgars who, when at prayer, looked like men possessed. There is no joy among them but mournfulness and a great smell and there is nothing good about their system?' Next they travelled to Western Europe where the worship was deemed more satisfactory but seemed to be lacking in beauty. Finally they salved in Constantinople, and at the great patriarchal Church of the Holy Wisdom they realized their quest was at an end.