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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Not typical, but some Episcopal churches are moving in a more relaxed, egalitarian sort of direction. In general, though, Episcopal churches are the closest thing to a Catholic mass.[/quote]

While I agree that the sights and sounds of many Episcopal services are similar to those of a Catholic mass, the beliefs behind the two traditions are very very different.

I was an acolyte in the Episcopal church throughout middle and high school, and I can remember asking the priest in my parish why we did certain things.  Why, for example, did we genuflect when the consecrated host was on the altar, and bow our heads otherwise.  I was told that many religious traditions used patterns and rituals to establish the mindset of prayer.  He told me that, in his view, genuflecting was one way to remind ourselves of our purpose, and help us center ourselves so we could concentrate on prayer.  That it wasn't really any different than reciting a familiar verse in Hebrew, or finding the direction that faced Mecca, walking a labyrinth, that all of these were rituals to help us concentrate our thoughts so we could benefit from the service.  Besides, he said, it looked better when everyone in the procession did the same thing.

My understanding is that a Catholic priest would answer that question differently.  That they would genuflect to the host because they believe it to be the actual body of Christ, and that genuflecting was the correct way to honor it.  [/quote]

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