Diverse Perceptions of Church Atmosphere
The answer to the question can be found by analyzing several aspects highlighted in the provided quotes. First, a positive perception of the church atmosphere is often linked to the depth of one’s inner experience during the liturgy. As noted in one source, "The experience of liturgical prayers and hymns is precious because it opens believers to the reception of God's grace. Under the blessed influence, hearts are inadvertently warmed, softened, and become friendlier. In the God of love, people during the liturgy become even more affectionate. From Him, they invisibly borrow the warmth of their hearts and carry it out of the church into both home and public life" (source: link txt). This emphasizes that one’s spiritual condition and ability to perceive grace affect how the church atmosphere is experienced.On the other hand, discomfort may arise in those who view the church environment through the lens of personal experience or cultural associations. For example, one source states, "And you simply accepted it as it is. Yes, without 'tears of ecstasy and tenderness.' But you accepted it. For me, however, it was different.
I asked myself – why did I accept it?How could I have accepted it? And then, for the first time, I uttered the word 'sect.' By then, I already knew theoretically what a sect was. I knew that sects have a unique, very pleasant atmosphere, which is very difficult to leave, and against which it is extremely hard to oppose. And that same atmosphere leads a person to make any, even the wildest decision, and to agree to anything..." (source: link txt). Such an atmosphere can create pressure, provoke doubts, and consequently lead to feelings of discomfort in those who perceive spiritual experiences differently.Additionally, personal memories and experiences shape one’s perception of the church. One source recounts childhood impressions of attending services, where the atmosphere was dominated by the imperial, state form of Orthodoxy: "My mother really disliked it when anyone mentioned that there was a difference between Orthodoxy and Catholicism; she would get angry and say that there was no difference at all. There was nothing traditionally Orthodox about it. In my childhood, I didn’t have the joyful and captivating impressions from an Orthodox church service that last a lifetime. My parents were friends with the Kiev General Governor, and I was taken to his church as a child. There, the atmosphere was not spiritually Orthodox; it was the atmosphere of imperial, state Orthodoxy. I was left with a repulsive memory of generals in sashes and stars, who attended church out of duty" (source: link txt). This experience left a negative mark and could contribute to a sense of discomfort.Thus, the variation in experiences within the church may be attributed to different perceptions of spiritual practices, the cultural-historical context, and each individual's personal life attitudes.