Page - 182 - in JRFM - Journal Religion Film Media, Volume 07/01

182 | Christos Kakalis www.jrfm.eu 2021, 7/1, 173–190 that was essentially based on the worshipping interaction between the mem- bers of an Orthodox community. The defining element for membership was faithful understanding of the world, with nationality or social hierarchies less significant. Full participation in the sacraments was given to Orthodox Chris- tians, but nothing prevented the non-Orthodox from being involved in the life of the parish. As the priest John Maitland Moir used to say, “All Orthodox Christians and those interested in Orthodoxy are welcomed.”17 Matins and Vespers were added to the services, which were increased in frequency, tak- ing place weekly with the exception of the first Sunday of every month, when Father John visited Orthodox Christians in other parts of Scotland, beyond Edinburgh and Glasgow. One of the most important changes that Father John instigated was a rotation of the languages to be used during the three Litur- gies held in Edinburgh. It was the first time that almost the whole Liturgy was provided in English once a month. The alternation in liturgical styles and languages has been kept since then, disclosing the significance of the text in the consecration of a space. The text of the Liturgy, including parts of the Gospel and the Acts or the Epistles of the Apostles, is performed through the rituals. The Slavonic style in English, the Byzantine style in Greek and English, the recitation of the Creed and Lord’s Prayer in Russian, Greek, Romanian and English (in every Liturgy) fill the spaces in-between objects and people. The mixing of languages, with English playing a prominent role, has added to the detaching of Christian faith from any sense of nationality. The missionary character of the parish adds another angle: for some people, mainly converts, this is the only Orthodox atmosphere that they have known and the one in which they converted.18 Mobility In order for inclusivity to be enacted, new “books” had to be made. These were folders in which the services were transformed from ethnic into trans-border through the careful collaging process that we encountered earlier. These fold- ers are big enough to be placed on the lectern for the Choir to see, while also 17 From recollections of the priest Raphael Pavouris during an interview with him in July 2020. 18 The foundation and development of the Greek School is a characteristic case of negotiating the connection of the parish to a specific nationality or Orthodox culture through language. We should note that in this instance Father John Maitland Moir encouraged other nationality groups to have schools on the church’s premises.