Edit: After reviewing the video again, he can be seen receiving communion at 1:33:19. That makes me feel a little better that he wasn't there in an official capacity. I really don't like seeing that uniform in the church during services.
I was watching the Divine Liturgy at St Tikhons this morning and about half way through a Pennsylvania state police officer appears near the front, clearly visible on the livestream.
I immediately got a very weird vibe seeing this. At one point he turns his head and begins looking around the room to the side, rear, and above (I don't know the exact layout of the space, but he appeared to be looking for something or someone).
He had a black police vest on over his uniform with a badge visible on his arm. Not sure if it's actual body armor but it feels very wrong and out of place to me. He was visible for approximately 12 minutes in total and when the camera switched he was gone. He did not go up for a blessing after the service.
Even if he is an Orthodox Christian, is it appropriate for a (presumably armed) law enforcement officer in full uniform, possibly body armor, to be inside of a church during the Divine Liturgy?
My personal opinion is if he was there in some kind of official capacity that is very wrong. And if he was there as a private citizen/worshipper he should change into civilian clothes before entering the church. And if he can't do that he should not attend.
I was watching the Divine Liturgy at St Tikhons this morning and about half way through a Pennsylvania state police officer appears near the front, clearly visible on the livestream.
I immediately got a very weird vibe seeing this. At one point he turns his head and begins looking around the room to the side, rear, and above (I don't know the exact layout of the space, but he appeared to be looking for something or someone).
He had a black police vest on over his uniform with a badge visible on his arm. Not sure if it's actual body armor but it feels very wrong and out of place to me. He was visible for approximately 12 minutes in total and when the camera switched he was gone. He did not go up for a blessing after the service.
Even if he is an Orthodox Christian, is it appropriate for a (presumably armed) law enforcement officer in full uniform, possibly body armor, to be inside of a church during the Divine Liturgy?
My personal opinion is if he was there in some kind of official capacity that is very wrong. And if he was there as a private citizen/worshipper he should change into civilian clothes before entering the church. And if he can't do that he should not attend.
